Thomas Segars

Experience

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  319th Security Forces Squadron

  Jan 1999 - May 2001

  Officer in Charge, SF Training and Resources
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  509th Security Forces Squadron

  May 2001 - Jun 2006

  • Operations Officer

    Jun 2003 - Jun 2006

  • Section Commander and Flight Commander

    May 2001 - Jun 2003
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  HQ, Air Combat Command

  May 2006 - Jun 2008

  Nuclear Security Action Officer
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  United States Air Force

  Jun 2008 - Jun 2010

  Commander, 28th Security Forces Squadron
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  US Army

  Jun 2010 - Jun 2011

  Student, Command and General Staff College

  Highly selective process (less than 20% of Air Force officers are selected annually to attend in-residence school programs) resulted in me attending a 1-year Intermediate Development Education program in-residence at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

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  United States Air Force

  Jun 2011 - Jun 2014

  • Commander, 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

    Jun 2013 - Jun 2014

  • Commander, 55th Security Forces Squadron

    Jun 2011 - Jun 2013
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  Pentagon, US Dept of Defense, HQ USAF A 4, Directorate of Logistics, Engineering & Force Protection

  Jun 2014 - Jul 2016

  Program Element Monitor (Senior Staff Budget Advisor)

  Oversaw and directed the allocation of a $1.3B protection and combat support portfolio; conducted extensive analysis of decade-long spending to identify and eliminate outdated expenditures, as well as aligned budget priorities with evolving strategic direction; significantly reduced wasteful spending, as well as ensured resources were directed toward essential security needs.Spearheaded procurement initiative to secure $47M to update and enhance the small arms arsenal for security personnel. Collaborated closely with unit commanders to assess weapon inventories and partnered with acquisition agencies to ensure timely and efficient budgeting within the Future Years Defense Program. This effort culminated in the acquisition of 30K state-of-the-art firearms and bolstered the operational capabilities of combat forces.Led a pioneering $49M project to integrate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into security operations at key overseas installations. Developed and defended budget proposals through the rigorous Department of Defense funding process, as well as achieved approval for drones that provide critical battlefield intelligence and enhanced protection for personnel. This successful funding initiative established drones as a standard component of deployment kits for Air Force security details, as well as improved situational awareness and safety in conflict zones. Show less

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  The United States Army War College

  Jul 2016 - Jul 2017

  Student, United States Army War College

  Highly selective process (less than 20% of Air Force officers are selected annually to attend in-residence school programs) resulted in me attending the United States Army War College in-residence program at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, I was awarded a Master's in Strategic Studies.

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  Joint Staff Security Office

  Jul 2017 - Jul 2020

  Deputy Director (Senior Advisor)

  Acted as the principal advisor on military security to shape strategic national defense and combatant command initiatives; enhanced the security postures across various Joint Staff offices while ensuring operational security measures were robust and effective; facilitated secure international engagements for high-ranking generals without compromising sensitive information.Founded and directed new Joint Staff’s Counter-Insider Threat Program, integrated advanced surveillance and vetting processes, and set benchmark to fulfill operational capabilities; enhanced internal security measures and detection capabilities.Commanded a multidisciplinary team of 128, streamlined missions involving insider threat identification, information security, and personnel safeguards; launched innovative Continuous Evaluation team and processes that reduced security reinvestigations by 38% and saved the organization $200K annually.Orchestrated detailed security briefings for upper echelons to influence strategic decisions of 3- and 4-star generals. Enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of critical security communications for high-level officials.Administered a $6M budget for technical surveillance countermeasures, optimized resources to ensure optimal functionality during missions supporting the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; maintained operational excellence along with contributing to the consistent readiness and reliability of security operations. Show less

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  Air Force Global Strike Command

  Jul 2019 - Jul 2020

  Director of Security (Chief of Security Forces, Air Force Global Strike Command)

  Guided a team of 34 in reformulating critical security protocols for nuclear and conventional forces across 9 installations; pioneered adoption of new tech applications and modeling techniques in Weapons Storage Areas to modernize practices and reduce manual labor by 1300 hours yearly. Improved national policy enhancements regarding armed engagement.Led the creation of the Regional Operating Picture, a comprehensive data integration platform that centralized command information flows; significantly enhanced decision-making capabilities by providing real-time insights into operational conditions and directly improved response effectiveness across strategic commands.Collaborated with national labs to integrate cutting-edge technologies including refining the security force's tactical deployment based on extensive simulation data along with ensuring both cost efficiency and operational safety; decreased operational costs by 26% and mitigated security risks by 97% at the $2.8B Weapons Generation Facility.Managed $6M budget dedicated to security and anti-terrorism projects; strategically assessed and met funding gaps through direct collaboration with leadership which bolstered installation defenses. Fostered industry relations and technological acumen with professional development opportunities at top-tier security conferences. Show less

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  United States Air Force

  Jul 2020 - Jul 2022

  Director of Security (Commander, 91st Security Forces Group)

  Directed 1,000-member Security Forces group, entrusted with protecting $23.3B in strategic assets across 8,500 square miles; led comprehensive security operations and coordinated over 300 off-base convoys, pivotal to securing the group’s most commendable outcomes in more than 15 years. Pioneered critical enhancements in core operational tactics, focused on communication protocols, mobility strategies, and rigorous inspections, and led reallocation of over $1.8M to bolster weapon system readiness; achieved an 99.6% operational rate while over 30 security professionals received recognition as top performers.Championed strategic alliances with the FBI and local law enforcement across 9 counties and 150 nuclear launch sites; developed comprehensive early intelligence network that ensured robust communication and swift response capabilities which fortified national security measures.Drove a transformative cultural shift to address team-wide isolation and traditionally low morale; instilled a ‘people-first’ philosophy that fundamentally reversed adverse perceptions that remarkably boosted recruitment and retention by 32% and delivered outstanding results in subsequent nuclear surety inspections. Show less

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  Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center

  Jul 2022 - May 2024

  Director, Intelligence, Strategic Plans and Requirements

  Spearheaded strategic initiatives and operations for 187 personnel across 7 divisions; enhanced organizational visibility and recognition by launching new leadership meetings, program updates, and strategic off-sites; team earned multiple awards and elevated AFIMSC's status within Air Force ecosystem.Successfully oversaw $30B+ in communications and civil engineering projects across 83 Air Force installations. Led data-driven budget reviews and innovative community partnerships; launched new community-funded $500M law enforcement training complex which reduced government expenditures by 35%.Forged strong alliances with key Air Force communication leaders and directed $57M funding effort to overhaul aging infrastructure; enhance technological capabilities under next generation warfare & reinforced AFIMSC’s pivotal global communications role.Pioneered major restructuring of organizational framework to bring alignment with long-standing Air Force protocols; optimized support for Air and Space Force bases and ensured strategic alignment and operational responsiveness, as well as directly managed $6.5B annually in infrastructure and support allocations.Authored and led strategic overhaul of global electronic security systems to centralize oversight under AFIMSC; new policies solidified AFIMSC’s governance, improved system-wide security postures, and streamlined operations.Selected by Air Force Material Command’s Commander to lead high-stakes investigation into a top-secret Nuclear Weapons Center program, directed specialized team through a meticulous review of 5,000 classified documents, and developed a transformative 1,000-page report that reshaped key leadership and policy frameworks.Led team of 12 senior experts to overhaul Electronic Security Systems strategy, authored a document that redefined governance from the Pentagon to AFIMSC; enabled adoption of a new risk framework and secured funding, and enhanced system compliance and operational effectiveness. Show less