Brent Cower

Experience

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  US Navy

  Jun 1998 - now

  Human Resources Officer (Captain / O-6)
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  Navy Talent Acquisition Group Carolina

  Jul 2000 - Oct 2003

  Director of Operations

  Procurement of highly qualified officer and enlisted personnel for active service in the regular and reserve components of the Navy. - As Operations Officer, accountable for talent acquisition leading a team of over 200 personnel, 130 vehicles, $100k annual budget, 38 recruiting stations, and $5M in property spread across 51K square miles.

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  Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit

  Nov 2003 - Nov 2005

  Director of Operations

  Navy recruiting schoolhouse responsible for the instruction and training of Fleet Sailors on Navy unique sales, marketing and continuum training for the Navy’s Talent Acquisition Force. - As Director of Operations, responsible for training 1,000 students annually, led team of 22 senior instructors. - Instructed, trained and qualified several officers within 31 commands across the nation. - Earned Master Training Specialist qualification.

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  Multi-National Force – Iraq

  Mar 2005 - Sept 2005

  Officer in Charge, Coalition Support Cell (J1)

  Operation Iraqi Freedom - Joint Coalition Command responsible for organizing, training, equipping and mentoring capable Iraqi Security Forces in order to facilitate the transition of security from Coalition Forces to Iraqi Security Forces. - Responsible for manpower, personnel, logistic and admin support for over 1,500 Coalition personnel. Led, trained and mentored a team of 20 personnel from all branches of the Armed Forces.

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  MyNavyHR

  Nov 2005 - Jul 2007

  Manpower Requirements, Budget and Staffing Analyst (OPNAV N1)

  Responsible for manpower related issues in support of the Chief of Naval Operations. - Manpower Requirements Analyst and Liaison Officer. Direct liaison between Navy stakeholders in the management and oversight of manpower, programming, and budgeting resources encompassing over 75,000 end strength worth $30B. Ensured a fiscally balanced program and optimal force structure.

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  Transient Personnel Unit Norfolk

  Jul 2007 - Apr 2010

  Executive Officer

  Responsible for human capital supply chain management, moving Sailors and officers through administrative, transfer, legal, and medical evaluation transient pipelines. - As Executive Officer (XO), led over 100 personnel and an average 500 diverse transient Sailors daily. Responsible for $170K annual budget. Command Security Manager and Lean Six Sigma Project Coordinator. - Led command to unmatched success; awarded Chief of Naval Personnel Certified Pipeline Mover Award for supply chain excellence. - Leveraged Lean Six Sigma - improved processes/reduced processing time; reduced overhead, manpower and staffing costs by 67%. - Efficiently administratively separated over 150 Sailors. As a result, saved the Navy over $13M in manpower costs. Show less

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  NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan

  Nov 2007 - Nov 2008

  Executive Officer, Embedded Training Team, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix

  Operation Enduring Freedom - Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix. Led jointly staffed team - mentored and trained the Afghan National Army and Police to conduct sustained, independent operations in Afghanistan in order to assist in providing security and stability in the region.

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  USMEPCOM

  May 2010 - Sept 2012

  Commanding Officer

  Accountable for processing applicants for enlistment and induction into the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in accordance with Department of Defense standards for aptitude, physical, moral fitness; conducts ASVAB tested for over 26,000 student/applicants and processed 17,000 applicants annually. - As Commanding Officer (CO), led jointly staffed organization with 75 personnel. Responsible for $4M annual budget, total lodging, meals, and transportation contacts and 30,000 square foot facility. - Led 4th largest of 65 MEPS with the Department of Defense. Top ranked student ASVAB testing program in USMEPCOM. Attained 13,901 ASVAB recruiter leads 112% of assigned goal; surpassed goal all 3 years in command; reduced non-testing schools by 75%. - 4 time quarterly MEPS of Excellence award winner, Competitive and qualified for MEPS of the year. - Organization volunteered over 1000 hours of community service for several organizations. Show less

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  Navy Talent Acquisition Group Jacksonville

  Oct 2012 - May 2015

  Provided sufficient qualified men and women to meet officer and enlisted accession goals established by the Navy. Awarded Bronze “R” Award for recruiting excellence and mission accomplishment. Awarded Retention Excellence Award for exceptional talent management. - As CO (Regional Sales Manager), accountable for Navy recruiting across the states of Florida and Georgia. - Led regional talent acquisition team - over 250 personnel. Managed $1.6M annual budget, 178 vehicles, 36 recruiting stations and $5M in property over 52,000 square miles. - Multi-year award winner for recruiting excellence in all categories. Led team to exceed all assigned goals. Awarded Bronze “R” and Quality “Q” for recruiting excellence and quality assurance. Show less As Executive Officer (XO), accountable for executing the Commanding Officers vision - accountable for enlisted and officer recruiting and talent acquisition for assigned regional territory. - FY12 Navy Recruiting District of the Year. Awarded FY12 Gold “R” Award for recruiting excellence and mission accomplishment. Awarded Retention Excellence Award for exceptional talent management. - Led regional talent acquisition team - over 250 personnel, managed $1.6M annual budget, 178 vehicles, 36 recruiting stations and $5M in property over 52,000 square miles. - Multi-year award winner for recruiting excellence in all categories. Led team to exceed all assigned goals. Awarded Bronze “R” and Quality “Q” for recruiting excellence and quality assurance. Show less

  • Regional Manager of Talent Acquisition and Marketing (Commanding Officer)

    Feb 2014 - May 2015

  • Assistant Regional Manager of Talent Acquisition and Marketing (Executive Officer)

    Oct 2012 - Feb 2014
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  Navy Recruiting Command

  Jun 2015 - May 2019

  Managed the recruitment of men and women for officer and enlisted programs in the regular and reserve components of the Navy. - Provided direct leadership and guidance - oversees the daily operations of over 600 personnel assigned to Navy Recruiting Command Headquarters and 7,000 personnel in the Navy Recruiting domain. - As CoS, orchestrates the daily operation of a senior staff and special assistants. Leads all policy changes, budget drills, contract negotiations, supply chain logistics, labor relations and talent acquisition initiatives. - Transformation leader; led efforts to transform, restructure and streamline Navy recruiting for future success through technology and business process improvements.- Mission focused; recognized talent acquisition, manpower, personnel, and training expert. Tenacious dedication to mission accomplishment; 134 consecutive months of 100% mission success in all five Navy talent acquisition mission areas. Show less Managed the recruitment and talent acquisition of men and women for officer and enlisted programs in the regular and reserve components of the Navy. - As Director of Operations (N3), led 150 personnel responsible for managing and execution of 40,000 annual active and reserve accession / talent acquisition contract missions. - Responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion outreach with a annual $2M budget. - Proven success; 120 consecutive months of 100% mission accomplishment, meeting or exceeding all benchmarks, metrics and objectives/goals. - Led efforts to achieve highest quality rating mix and fit in Navy history. Transformed Navy DEI outreach to give it a more operational focus; maximized senior leader (c-suite) engagement and return on investment. - Led several business transformation applied analytics projects for the Navy HR domain. Show less

  • Chief of Staff / CO Staff / COO (Captain/O-6)

    May 2017 - May 2019

  • Director of Operations (Commander/O-5)

    Jun 2015 - May 2017
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  Navy Manpower Analysis Center (NAVMAC)

  Jun 2019 - Jun 2022

  Commanding Officer (Captain/O-6)

  Determined the Navy’s workforce requirement to sustain a combat ready force and maintain oversight of over 700,000 positions in over 6,000 Navy commands. Produced sea and shore manpower documents, staffing standards and established/maintained officer and enlisted skills. - As Commanding Officer, led 300 personnel in the manpower requirements determination for ships, submarines, aviation squadrons, shore, fleet and expeditionary units comprised of $57B total obligation authority. - Managed $22M annual operating budget and $102M across the FYDP. - Successfully completed largest scope ($83M/162 position) increase in unit history; expanded and grew organization - centralizing manpower determination and modeling under one umbrella. - Integrated new technology to support agile distributed workforce and reduced administrative overhead by 20%. Implemented new processes and efficiencies. Led project and efforts to create the Navy Total Force Manpower Model. Show less

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  Naval Service Training Command

  Apr 2023 - May 2023

  Acting Admiral (CEO)
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  Naval Service Training Command

  Jul 2023 - now

  Provides direct leadership and guidance - oversees the daily operations of over 150 military, contractors and civilian personnel on staff and 47,000 personnel across the NSTC domain. Responsible for Navy enlisted and officer accessions and initial training. -Oversees 2,200 staff members in the annual development and training of over 45,000 officer and enlisted accessions. - Manages $306M operating budget. - Leads all policy changes, budget decisions, contract negotiations, supply chain management, talent management/acquisition, legal and manpower staffing.- Oversees Recruit Training Command (Boot Camp), Officer Training Command, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). Show less

  • Chief of Staff / CO Staff / COO (Captain/O-6)

    Jul 2022 - now

  • Acting National Program Manager (GS-15/O-6)

    Jul 2023 - Jan 2024