Shawn Kauffman

Experience

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  US Army

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2008

  Earlier Military Career Experience (U.S. Army and U.S. Army Special Forces)

  Earlier career experience serving as a U.S. Army Special Forces Dog Handler (2006 - 2008) and as a Squad Leader and Bradley Gunner Driver with the U.S. Army (1997 - 2004).

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  10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2021

  From 2017 to 2021, I served as a Director of Operations for the 10th Special Forces Group where I managed U.S. Special Forces teams ranging in size from 86 to 3,000+ personnel. In this leadership role, I managed a capital asset portfolio of $65M and oversaw all employee training, operations, and communications initiatives under the Directorates of two U.S. Global Combatant Commands. I routinely provided consultative advisement to the Battalion Commander (C-level equivalent) on employee readiness, workforce allocation models, succession planning, and organizational resourcing and successfully managed the development of a technology surveillance initiative that allowed for greater visibility of operational resources surrounding manpower, funding, and equipment availability. Most notably, I planned, coordinated, and project-managed multiple multinational pre-mission training exercises requiring the deployment and redeployment of over 1,000 employees supporting a joint NATO-led initiative. I additionally, directed a team of 500 during a 6-month high-profile training progression and 15-day exercise abroad; ensuring all logistical considerations were addressed and employees were equipped and trained prior to departure. Show less In 2014, I was selected to oversee a diverse range of strategic long-range planning and mission resourcing initiatives for U.S. Special Operations Command-Africa with strategic implications for 12 partner nations in North and West Africa and 1,200 U.S. Soldiers. Throughout this 4-year period, I managed a $20M program budget allocated to future operations, multinational training events, and enterprise-level organizational support efforts. I additionally advised, coordinated, led, and analyzed strategic planning activities to ensure appropriate levels of critical resources. I also routinely briefed high-ranking military officials and U.S. Ambassadors on program deliverables including foreign internal defense initiatives and crisis management plans under the guidance of the U.S. Joint Chief of Staff. Show less After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course, I was assigned to serve as a member of an independently-operating, U.S. Army Special Forces team of 12 deployable at a moment’s notice to some of the most austere and challenging environments across the globe. Over a period of two years, I actively deployed for combat operations three times and served as a training advisor for two separate high-profile partner training events in Slovakia and Senegal that effectively increased interoperability capabilities towards meeting U.S. national security objectives. Show less

  • Director Of Operations

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2021

  • Special Forces Program Manager (Future Operations)

    Sept 2014 - Aug 2018

  • U.S. Army Special Forces Weapons Sergeant

    Jan 2012 - Sept 2014
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  Veterans Serving the Homefront

  Jan 2018 - now

  Co-Founder

  Veterans Serving the Homefront is a Green Beret-founded, 501(c)3 organization focused on helping at-risk or low-income youth in our communities. Based on my unique experiences growing up in the State of Montana, it has been important to me to provide help and assistance where it's needed the most. VSH has proudly taken on several projects and fundraising events over the past few years to include supporting and raising funds for children in lower-income communities in need of costly sporting equipment/uniforms or back-to-school supplies. For more information about VSH, or ways in which you can help, please contact me directly or visit our website at www.vshomefront.com. Show less

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  Bugling Elk Vineyards and Winery

  Jan 2018 - now

  Winery Founder/Wine Maker

  In 2018, I founded Bugling Elk Vineyards and Winery -- a Colorado-based, Veteran-owned business focused on growing, harvesting, and producing wines derived from the malbec grape. As the Winery's Founder and Principal Wine Maker, I hold a fierce commitment to creating only the highest-quality products and am proud to now offer over seven varietals of wine.We are currently in process of building a 5,000 sq. ft. production facility and tasting room in Penrose, Colorado and are on track to complete construction and open to the public Spring of 2023.For more information on Bugling Elk Vineyards, please contact me directly, or feel free to visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/buglingelkvineyard/. Show less

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  SOCNORTH

  Apr 2021 - Jun 2023

  Director of Operations/Lead Advisor (SOCNORTH)

  I currently serve as a Director of Operations for SOCNORTH (U.S. Special Operations Command North). As a Senior Enlisted Leader, I oversee the planning, coordination, implementation, and integration of enterprise-level Special Operations activities and work plans in support of national security objectives. In addition to directing a team of nine responsible for managing diverse assignments throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, I am also responsible for cultivating productive working relationships with U.S. Military executives, interagency partners (FBI, CIA, FEMA, DHS), and foreign officials to synchronize efforts mutually supportive of U.S. Domestic and Foreign Policies.I am routinely sought out within the global Special Operations Community to provide key advisement in International Security Cooperation and Security Assistance policies, programs, and procedures, and furthermore, contribute as SOCNORTH’s Security Cooperation and Counter Narcotics Financial Manager -- a position requiring formal reporting to the U.S. Congress on expenditures in excess of $7M per annum. Show less