Experience

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  419th flight test squadron

  Jun 1996 - Jun 1998

  Chief, standardization and evaluation / experimental test pilot

  Led 17 instructor/evaluator pilots and navigators conducting B-52, B-1, and B-2 experimental flight test. Developed and standardized all aircrew operations directives and policies for 35 member flying squadron. Experimental test pilot conducting advanced weapon and electronic warfare upgrades on the B-52 and B-1. Led test planning, engineering, and execution of $125M B-52 and $2.5B B-1 modernization and upgrade programs. ~ Expertly crafted program to ensure quality in the 419th; resulted in "Outstanding" rating by HQ AFMC. Set the standard for the Command--HQ Stan/Eval Team Chief "Best program in AFMC". ~ Invaluable contributions garnered AFMC IG "Outstanding Performer" and "Best Observed to Date" awards. ~ Led critical review of bomber test force merger; Masterfully orchestrated a long range strategy for merging two squadrons while preparing for inspection--flawless reorganization effort and $1M in annual savings. ~ Air Force's only pilot dual qualified in the B-52 and B-1 at time; expertly flew over 100 elevated risk test missions.~ Extraordinary pilot ability; safely recovered nine crippled test aircraft, saved irreplaceable test aircraft and assets. Show less

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  Air force flight test center

  Jun 1998 - Jun 2000

  Executive officer

  Provided executive support for the AFFTC Commander (2-star), Vice Commander, and SES-4 Executive Director. Supervised the Command Section staff. Command section liaison to flight test and support units, staff agencies, and higher headquarters. AFFTC Battle Staff Special Actions Officer (SAO); focal point for all exercise and contingency operations. ~ Built an Admin IPT--standardized products across the Center and 2 Wings--slashed scrap and rework. OPRs/EPRs kept getting better--O-6 promotion results tell story--75% select rate--4/5 IPZs--2/3 BPZs with DPs. “This huge morale booster is directly traceable to Mark's leadership, savvy and teaming with Wing Execs.”~ Key Battle Staff Special Action Officer--Operational Readiness Inspection 1999; IG "best Battle staff ever seen". ~ Performance Report comments: “Mark's legacy as Exec is maximum productivity, sky-high quality, & a rock-solid Command Section team! As Exec has brought front office huge improvements in process and productivity. Tenacity, intellect, and a dogged pursuit of better ways to get the job done have been his hallmarks-- the measure of his success is reflected in our reputation with HQ (never better), a spirit of teamwork across subordinate unit staffs (big dividends), promotion rates (way up), and Commander's own productivity (ever higher). Time and again, Commander sought his judgment and mature-beyond-the-years advice in dealing with toughest issues.” Show less

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  95th transportation squadron

  Jun 2000 - Sept 2002

  Commander

  Commanded 122 military/civilian personnel providing logistics and transportation support to the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) supporting 52 organizations on the second largest base in the AF. Managed an operational budget in excess of $5M and oversaw a $40M multi-agency vehicle fleet. Responsible for transportation of personnel and cargo, vehicle operations and maintenance, mobility, training, and morale. ~ Raised the bar of excellence in every facet of Squadron operations. Unit Climate Assessment --highest scores seen to date. Inspirational leadership, 96% from a 73%, unit moral change, 86% from a 59% and adaptability to change, 96% from a 72%. An unbelievable 94% average in 25 areas; the highest levels of motivation and production on base.~ Motivated individuals to a higher level-- 4 AFMC, 2 AFFTC, 4 ABW, 6 CEG level awards--most on base.~ Cut maintenance works shift by one half hour--vehicle in-commission rates among the highest in AFMC.~ Customer service rates in Traffic Management Office highest ever seen--unprecedented 5.84 out of 6.0.~ AF Manual 10-100 field competition--number one squadron on base--"esprit de corps" awesome.~ Top battle staff officer dealing with real world murder/suicide crisis; unknown situation handled superbly.~ Bottom up budget review uncovered $290K in 412 TW reimbursable costs not being correctly billed--Teamed with FM, XP and 412 TW to implement positive budget control procedures resulting in monies recovered. Show less

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  United states air force

  Sept 2004 - Mar 2009

  Director, education division / commanders action group

  Led, managed and integrated 2,400+ hour academic and flying curricula for $26M Test Pilot School (TPS). Supervised 24 officers, enlisted personnel and civilians. Led 42 high caliber students through demanding 50 credit hour Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering (MSFTE) curricula. Responsible for developing critical thinking highly adaptive, flight test professionals that go on to lead the Air Force's major acquisition programs. Taught masters level academics in performance, flying qualities, systems, and test management. Led Commanders personal staff as head of the Commanders Action Group.~ Spearheaded USAF efforts to award MSFTE degree. 4 year herculean effort working with the highest levels of leadership in the Department of Education, Headquarters USAF, Congress, Air University, and Air Force Materiel Command to change USC Title 10 for school to become a nationally accredited, degree granting university.~ Point man for TPS efforts to award in-residence Intermediate Service School credit to all graduates. Worked with Headquarters Air Force, Air University, and Air Force Materiel Command senior leadership to secure Air Command and Staff College in residence equivalence.~ Deputy of TPS' Transformation Team charged with shaping future graduates; 9 members dedicated 6 months to shape future TPS education and training; SFVEC Distinguished Engineering Project Achievement Award Winner.~ Expanded TPS course offerings--staff increased 20%--115 new graduates supporting T&E efforts--200% increase.~ Driving force for new Mission Execution Engineer course--200% increase in output--filled test engineering void.~ Revamped division--output and diversity doubled in one year; division output highest seen at TPS; oversaw 6 real-world test programs, on time and on budget. Developed first UAV short course. Richard Cross T&E educator award. Show less

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  Redorange na

  Mar 2009 - Jan 2014

  Vice president program management

  Integral in the launch and achievement of $30M in annual global gross sales for a niche focused, specialty company providing global logistics, procurement, base operations support, construction, and shipping in support of the Department of Defense (DoD), non-governmental organizations, and non-profit organizations.• Served as point-of-contact between corporation and government heads, managed negotiations, and coordinated operations between global network of offices in United Arab Emirates, India, USA, UK, and Qatar Show less

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  Sierra nevada corporation

  Jan 2014 - Sept 2020

  Senior manager of programs

  Managed a diverse portfolio of severely challenged programs for the Foreign Military Sales/ISR Aviation business unit including Project 93, Light Air Support (LAS), Knight Ryder (KR), and others. KR and LAS were the largest contract wins in company history at the time. Project 93 was the most technically challenging program in company history.Project 93: Served as prime contractor working with BAE, Raytheon, L3/Harris, and Mercury Systems to deliver unprecedented mid-wave infrared sensor for a next generation Wide Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) sensor program for the USAF. Project 93 represented a quantum leap in sensor technology from anything previously attempted (Hubble space telescope had approximately 1 million pixels and this sensor had 144 million).Light Air Support: Steered/led/directed a $950M IDIQ USAF Light Air Support (A-29B Super Tucano) program to build, support, and upgrade a fighter aircraft for delivery to the USAF and Afghan Air Force. Built, modified, enhanced, deployed, sustained, and trained aircrew for fleet. Knight Ryder: Managed $217M Knight Ryder (KR) program building for a PC-12 ISR/Casevac/Cargo Drop/Troop Transport aircraft for USAF Big Safari office with final delivery to Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan. Show less

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  The colorado mountain club

  Jan 2017 - Aug 2021

  Member board of directors

  Served on the Board of Directors for the largest non-profit outdoor recreation organization in the United States, the Colorado Mountain Club, known for its extensive history in delivering conservation, education, and recreational opportunities since 1912

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  Mercury systems

  Sept 2020 - now

  Handpicked as first Chief of Staff to the CEO to lead a massive company transformation into a new operating model and align corporate goals/objectives and integrate systems through cutting-edge management operating system (MOS). Drove operational performance and efficiency focusing on revenue growth, predictable performance, cash flow optimization, and margin enhancement for a defense contractor with 2,500+ employees and $1B+ in revenue. Advanced from Director to Sr. Director to Head of Corporate/Global Program Management (VP position) in 24 months to lead all facets of program management. Directed a corporate wide program team that oversaw a portfolio of over 300 programs/$1B annual revenue with offices across United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, Canada, and Switzerland

  • Chief of Staff and Head of Corporate/Global Program Management

    Sept 2022 - now

  • Head of Corporate/Global Program Management

    Sept 2020 - Sept 2022