Colby Nokes

Experience

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  United States Air Force

  Jul 2004 - Feb 2024

  My final assignment in the Air Force was being the Superintendent over the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit at McConnell AFB, Kansas. In this role, I supervised 7 emergency-response teams specializing in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) hazards and worked closely with federal and state agencies to protect government and community property and personnel. I also oversaw a $3M facility, coordinated use and maintenance for $6M in equipment, and executed a $200K annual operating budget. I’ve was thrilled to take on this level of responsibility and contribute the strategic and operational knowledge I’ve acquired up to this point in support of my team. Being able to facilitate daily operations and advocate for my unit—to make each aspect of their professional lives as easy and efficient as possible—has made this one of the most rewarding positions of my career. Show less As the Explosives Safety Program Manager (officially the Section Chief of Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Procedures) at Indian Head, I oversee explosives safety policy and procedures for Air Force EOD and its sister-service counterparts. In addition to authoring policy documents and training curriculum, I serve on aircraft and munitions safety boards, advise congressional delegates, and manage $250M in resources. After serving on the operational side of EOD for 15 years, moving to this strategic position was eye-opening. I learned how each organization within the Air Force played a role in identifying needs, designing solutions, acquiring resources, and moving our capabilities forward. Rather than focus within EOD, I was now facing outwards—ensuring the joint force’s ability to respond to accidents and incidents on a global scale—and through that experience, I came to understand the parts, plans, and milestones involved in running an enterprise-wide program. Show less At Edwards Air Force Base, I managed the EOD Operations program, wherein I supervised the unit’s operational safety and facilities programs and coordinated 24-hour emergency response support for the installation. My day-to-day activities ranged from administrative and managerial work to evaluating less experienced personnel and leading extensive recovery operations through wilderness areas. One of the key projects I completed in this role involved designing an 11-day real-world training exercise for explosive safety technicians. This was a huge endeavor that involved drawing on my own experience, the advice of mentors, and the full body of technical manuals governing my career field to create over 100 test scenarios. The operation was a success, and 62 military personnel and law enforcement officers completed the assessments that year. And as an added perk, I was able to use the results to provide recommendations for my unit’s regular training program. Show less Prior to promoting to the Program Manager position for EOD Operations, I served as the Assistant Program Manager for the unit’s Training section. In this role, I was responsible for coordinating and tracking all training for the 24 EOD technicians in the unit—over 700 tasks! My duties extended into the field, as well, and I frequently participated in clearance operations, United States Secret Service support missions, and initiatives to increase our effectiveness while reducing routine operating costs. Show less A huge component of any EOD technician’s job is ensuring that occupational safety and environmental standards are met during all phases of our operations. During my tenure as an Explosives Safety Specialist, I led other technicians through both routine range clearance and emergency response operations, ensuring that my team always acted within established federal, state, and local regulations. There’s a common saying that the best way to learn is through teaching, and being a team leader certainly proved that sentiment: while I conducted some operations myself, a substantial part of my leadership role was mentoring and evaluating the less experienced personnel on my team, and it was through that experience that I truly developed as an EOD technician. Show less The first several years of my service as an EOD technician consisted primarily of intensive on-the-job training to ensure I was prepared for every contingency. In addition to undergoing regular assessments of my applied knowledge in the field, I completed further formal coursework to augment my understanding of both EOD and Air Force policies and procedures. The work an EOD technician performs is extremely varied, and I was continually challenged by the diverse training, operational, and support missions during this time. While undergoing this professional development, I also experienced tremendous growth on a more personal level. When I faced difficult situations, I found ready and willing mentors nearby to guide me through the challenges before me. Those individuals showed me that, when you look, you can always find people who genuinely want the best for you, people who will make time to make sure you get the chance to do your absolute best. That experience had a profound effect on me, and it has greatly influenced my leadership style: I aim to be approachable, accessible, and encouraging, and I’m most motivated when I can help others overcome their own obstacles. Show less As an Air Force student at the Naval School for Explosive Ordnance Disposal, I studied the procedures, policies, equipment, and tactics pertaining to unexploded ordnance identification, render safe, handling, transportation, and disposal. Upon completion of this formal training, I moved to Holloman Air Force Base, where I completed my apprenticeship as a new EOD technician.While EOD School introduced me to the foundational knowledge of my new Air Force career, it also showed me that with hard work and determination you can take yourself from small-town roots and limited opportunities to a stimulating and respected career. The program was extremely challenging—my class started with 24 students and only 3 of us completed the program on schedule—but the daily challenges motivated me to push harder, study more, and be the best EOD candidate I could be. Show less

  • Senior Program Manager, Explosives Safety

    Apr 2022 - Feb 2024

  • Program Manager, Explosives Safety

    Mar 2018 - Apr 2022

  • Program Manager - EOD Operations

    Jul 2017 - Mar 2018

  • Assistant Program Manager - EOD Training

    Jul 2015 - Jul 2017

  • Explosives Safety Specialist

    Nov 2010 - Jul 2015

  • Explosives Safety Technician

    Jul 2005 - Nov 2010

  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal Student

    Jul 2004 - Jul 2005
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  Johnson Controls

  Feb 2024 - now

  Lead Occupational Safety and Health Specialist

  Taking my first step outside the military, I have transitioned into a new role aligning with my ongoing professional education in Occupational Safety but still tied to my experience in Risk Management. JCI’s Wichita plant, hosting a workforce of around 1,600 employees, holds the distinction of being the largest non-aircraft manufacturing plant in Wichita with 11 assembly lines across a 63-acre facility. This puts me in a key position to drive safety performance and cultural change within this vast 1.3 million square foot campus.In my new role, I am responsible for engaging both salaried and hourly employees to achieve safety objectives and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. I oversee safety improvements, risk assessments, and develop creative solutions to protect the workforce. Additionally, I lead safety programs, seek out best practices, and engage in audits, incident investigations, and continuous improvement activities. This role not only allows me to leverage my expertise in Occupational Safety but also positions me at the forefront of fostering a safe and compliant work environment for a very diverse team. Show less