Andrea Ward

Experience

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  United States Marine Corps

  Nov 1999 - Nov 2003

  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Defense Specialist CBRND

  Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Defense Specialist (CBRND) - * Was Senior Administrative Official in office of 80 Marines ; * Created and maintained personnel records for 80 Marines ; * Directed the daily activities of 40 assigned personnel ; * Received awards for Commendation and Appreciation ; * Served as the Chief Executive's personal aide for 18 months ; * Maintained weekly and monthly calendars, schedules, coordinated appointments and meetings for the Colonel including room arrangements, reservations for fields and training areas and preparation for events ; * Fills supply requisitions and distributes to various departments ; * Wrote the Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.) for Management and Training of Units numbering over 2000 personnel ; * Designed a spreadsheet system for accountability used throughout the USMC ; * Maintained attendance records for Battalion of 1200 Marines ; * Taught over 1000 hours of instruction on CBRND, including topics of class A-C biological agents and plotting of CDM's (Chemical Down Wind Messages). ; * Advised senior leaders on matters related to threat analysis for CBRND, development and training for both training and combat operations ; * Managed a multi-million dollar account within the command headquarters ; * Interpreted and adapted guidance and material to resolve complex situations ; * Established training schedules and coordinated delivery of training and gear ; Show less

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  Pala Casino Spa and Resort

  Apr 2007 - Jun 2007

  Human Resources Representative

  * Conducted job analysis for recruitment and selection process ; * Assisted with questions regarding benefits and payroll ; * Assisted with recruiter training and meetings ; * Handles all routine communications including, but not limited to telephone, e-mail, letter and face to face oral communication ; * Receives and screens mail* Updates forms and documents as needed ; * Provided support when needed to assist with new personnel training ; * Created presentations, brochures, advertisement, and other materials for recruitment projects ; * Scheduled meetings for new employees for orientation ; * Compiled, monitored and researched data for reports ; * Assisted with organizing and planning company events and activities such as Summer Picnic and Fathers Day Celebration to promote employee cohesion and a sense of community ; Show less

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  Chenega Corporation

  Jun 2007 - May 2009

  DoD Contractor / HR Representative

  * Played a critical role in supporting human resources and CBRND functions at Chenega Corporation’s role with the Joint Program Office. Collaborated with various military branches, ensuring that equipment and personnel were fully compliant with operational and safety standards. * Conduct multiple CBRND equipment assessments for all branches of service, totaling in the thousands of items inspected ; * Validate assessment data and reorganized the data collection techniques ; * Research, compile, and summarize information, data and statistics for reports ; * Maintain shelf life and serviceability data in order to schedule upcoming assessments in accordance with Technical Manuals, Work Instructions/ Modifications and DOD and Federal Regulations ; * Planning, scheduling, coordination and execution of Equipment Assessment Unit operations ; * Conducted non-cyclic inspections, repairs and testing of specified Individual Protective Equipment (IPE) for various departments, ensuring readiness enhancement ; * Perform periodic travel to obtain or maintain equipment and/or training certifications ; * Makes travel arrangements including plane, hotel and car reservations for assessments using appropriate forms for approval ; * Prepare Equipment Assessment technical reports ; * Uses standard stockroom equipment to shelve, store and otherwise retain stock ; * Certified and Experienced in the Operation of all DCTE (Defensive Chemical Testing Equipment). ; * Have created over 30 Product Quality Deficiency Reports (PQDR) ; * Plans and organizes the administrative needs of the program ; * Using word processing, spreadsheet and/or specialized database formats, prepares a variety of documents and reports as required ; * Establish assessment schedules and coordinate delivery of training and gear to be assessed ; * Schedules maintenance and repair of equipment; processes work orders and follows-up ; Show less

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  AWARD Design & Photography

  Jan 2009 - now

  Chief Executive Officer

  As CEO and Founder of Award Design and Photography, successfully built and managed a creative business that provided high-quality design and photography services to a broad range of clients. Handles all aspects of the business, from operations to client management.

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  California Trusframe, LLC

  Jan 2018 - Nov 2022

  Senior Human Resources Generalist

  As Senior HR Generalist at California TrusFrame, Andrea played a pivotal role in transforming the HR department and driving operational improvements. Her contributions supported key HR initiatives, enhancing talent acquisition, compensation, and process efficiency, leading to significant growth and cost savings. HR Transformation: Assisted in developing a comprehensive HR leveling structure, which defined job descriptions, qualifications, pay rates, and succession plans for every position. This effort addressed unequal pay, improved team performance, and created clear career paths, boosting retention and engagement. Talent Acquisition & Retention: Supported staffing, onboarding, and talent management, managing outsourced recruiting and search partners. Helped reduce employee turnover from 110% to 19% over three years, far surpassing the industry average, and contributed to $5.2M in savings over six years. Compensation & Benefits: Assisted in evolving compensation and benefits programs, resulting in an 80% increase in hourly pay and health insurance additions. Contributed to negotiating a workers' compensation retro return program, reducing premiums from $4M to $700K, achieving $19.8M in total savings. Process Improvement: Aided in implementing a document management system that automated HR and business processes, reducing processing times across HR, EHS, QA/QC, and Operations by 30%. Operational Excellence: Supported continuous improvement initiatives in safety and risk management, driving $25M in savings over six years. Assisted in transitioning from a volume-based to a margin-based pricing model, contributing to $180M in revenue growth. Employee Engagement: Managed cultural initiatives, charity drives, and company-wide events, fostering a positive workplace culture and improving employee satisfaction. Show less

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  Vanguard Industria LLC

  Jan 2022 - now

  Managing Director

  Leads the company's strategic initiatives in HR and Operations, driving operational efficiency and fostering a high-performance culture. Oversees the development and execution of critical business functions, working closely with leadership teams to ensure alignment with long-term organizational goals.• Spearheads strategic initiatives across HR and Operations leading to optimized performance and growth.• Directs cross-functional teams, ensuring collaboration across departments and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.• Designs and implements value-added programs to enhance employee engagement and retention. Show less