Lee Varnes

Experience

• 

  United States Air Force

  May 1988 - Jun 2018

  ➤ Served as the senior enlisted manager and advisor to the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander for 185 personnel.➤ Managed personnel encompassing 5 different Air Force Specialties to support 23 F-22 aircraft valued at $3.6B.➤ Ensured adequate training, equipment, and guidance is provided for aircraft maintenance efforts and sortie production. ➤ Led a team of 531 Airmen and civilians across 12 career fields performing maintenance on 52 aircraft valued at $2.3B.➤ Ensured the safe and timely execution of an annual flying program consisting of 9,500 sorties and 15,000 flying hours.➤ Served as leader for morale, welfare, training, and readiness at the Air Forces’ most forward deployed permanent base. ➤ Led 145 person deployment team, executed 100% of air tasking orders during the F-22 first-ever combat employment. ➤ Oversaw sortie generation, aviation operations, and sustainment of 23 assigned F22 aircraft valued at $3.3B.➤ Developed and prioritized maintenance plans, oversaw unit training and safety, and managed $45M in aircraft equipment.

  • Superintendent, 94th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

    May 1998 - Jun 2018

  • Superintendent, 51st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 51st Maintenance Group

    May 1988 - Jun 2018

  • Superintendent, 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

    May 1988 - Jun 2018
• 

  Draken International

  Apr 2018 - Jan 2022

  Site Manager and Assistant Deputy Director of Maintenance

  ➤ Led 224 maintenance team members consisting of production line mechanics, avionics technicians, and back shop staff.➤ Oversaw operations for electro environmental, hydraulics, weapons, wheel/tire, structures, and non-destructive testing.➤ Determined future needs and evaluated past performance indicators to author and execute the 2022 budget of $300M.➤ Managed inspections, heavy maintenance, and modifications to support 4 different aircraft types, total fleet of 109 aircraft.➤ Teamed with IT to develop a zero-cost, web-based job training app and created plan for a shortfalls training program.➤ Ensured safety and security of all departmental resources, facilities, and test equipment as well as field personnel.➤ Identified maintenance priorities and coordinated production and staffing requirements across 4 operating locations.➤ Enforced strict International Traffic in Arms and Compliance Policies for employees and contractors from 4 countries.➤ Provided leadership including direction and effective solutions to meet 4 Department of Defense contract requirements.➤ Drafted and implemented contract amendments, maintenance sustainment support agreements, and proposal requests.➤ Oversaw Engineering and Modification departments, completed repairs and modifications on 54 aircraft saving $500K.➤ Ensured controls and accurate inventory for 450K line items of materials, tools, test sets, and ground support equipment. Show less