Brian Ballou

Experience

• 

  Colorado Army National Guard

  Oct 2010 - May 2015

  • Supervised and trained 8 personnel on Human Resources roles and responsibilities• Trained personnel on policies and procedures, which greatly enhanced the organization’s overall health and welfare• Reviewed and updated more than 40 regulations and procedures for maintaining personnel records, financial records, and awards submissions• Wrote and reviewed citations for 50 awards that enhanced the organization’s overall morale• Prepared senior level presentations and reports to leadership in the areas of personnel readiness, professional development, and training formed Show less

  • Human Resources Internship

    Feb 2013 - May 2015

  • Field Artillery Tactical Data System Specialist

    Oct 2010 - Feb 2013
• 

  Vail Resorts

  Dec 2014 - Mar 2015

  Epic Mix Photographer

  Worked as a commercial photographer at Beaver Creek Ski Resort taking thousands of photographs of families and friends enjoying the wonderful mountains of Colorado.• Photographed portraits, special events and private sessions• Collaborated with clients to guarantee satisfaction • Able to manage large scale projects

• 

  Ballou Photography

  May 2015 - May 2016

  Fine Art Photographer

  I provide services to give the highest quality photographs to clients. I have knowledge and expertise in product photography, fine art, and commercial photography.• Certified as a Public Affairs Representative to publish articles and newsletters for the US Army• Photographing large Social Events • Able to photograph in any situation• Mobile Studio

• 

  Colorado Army National Guard

  Sept 2016 - Jan 2018

  • Supervised 8 personnel; managed personnel actions, movement, casualty, replacement and postal operations for over 800 members; enabled efficient and responsive on-site personnel services for all members • Developed and maintained a $25,000 budget analysis for social events for 600 personnel• Conducted strength management; prepared organizations for deployment to the Middle East• Processed pay, entitlements and other benefits for 112 personnel in 7 different countries• Assisted Attorneys with Administrative Law and Military Justice; supervised and coordinated all aspects of disciplinary, awards, demotion, pay, legal, and leave actions• Met with other organizations including international organizations to broaden partnerships• Assessed, updated, and implemented policy/procedure changes for the organization• Coordinated calendar updates and scheduled travel of all senior-level leadership Show less • Qualified as a Public Affairs Representative in the Colorado Army National Guard understanding public, internal and external information, community relations, and legal ramifications• Reviewed and Published monthly Newsletters and Articles to other organizations and higher echelons• Managed and monitored the organization’s Social Media networks on a daily basis• Met with foreign Embassy’s and other organizations to authorize photos and articles for public release• Captured bilateral military exercises, ceremonies, and VIP visits throughout the Middle East for historical documentation Show less Deployed to the Middle East with the Colorado Army National Guard as a human resource supervisor, and Public Affairs Representative. I managed over 635 personnel files, ensuring all personnel were paid with the correct entitlements, and processing awards. I also kept track of 635 personnel every day over 7 different countries. Taking care of every individual is my highest priority. I have learned people are the most valuable asset to any organization.• Covered down as the head supervisor for 2 weeks doing personnel accountability and strength reporting, day-to-day schedule improvements, published information packets to include policies and met with our replacements to give them guidance of what they should be doing now. • Coordinated international travel for senior leadership. Ensured all locations were clear on the main intent and housing was provided• Coordinated additional Personnel and Attorney assets within the first month at Al Dhalfra Airbase in Abu Dhabi to provide additional administrative and legal assistance if needed.• Reviewed evaluation schemes. Corrected them to ensure the evaluations were 100%.• Coordinated with higher organizations to confirm coordination of the 2-Star General visits. • Attended Public Affairs Training and certified as a Public Affairs Representative to be able to publish newsletters and Articles to the Press• Assisted in editing and publishing Newsletters and Articles for the Army Central Command for public Release• Planned and coordinated a Social Events for 100 personnel• Coordinated counseling dates and times for 42 personnel to get evaluated• Developed Counter intelligence briefs from the photos taken at conferences• Ensured all personnel received benefits including healthcare and student loan repayments Show less

  • Human Resources Manager

    May 2015 - Jan 2018

  • Public Affairs Representative

    Apr 2017 - Sept 2017

  • Human Resources Manager

    Sept 2016 - Sept 2017
• 

  Colorado Army National Guard

  Jul 2020 - now

  • HR directorate for a 40 personnel sized element for a Special Operations Detachment in support of overseas global operations on the Korean Peninsula as apart of the Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction Fusion Cell. • Coordinates all aspects of personnel services, finance services and command information services. • Establishes organizational personnel policies and procedures. • Directs the unit's functions within the critical HRIS systems; personnel information management, personnel accountability and strength reporting, casualty operations management, replacement operations, personnel readiness management, and community support• Serves as the primary Equal Opportunity Advisor to the commander by influencing and enforcing Equal Opportunity throughout the organization• Conducts annual climate survey, focus groups, walk-about's to evaluate the organizational culture and implements solutions• Facilitates EO training with the organization in the following areas: EO, Complaint process, Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Bystander, Bullying, Harassment, and Hazing• Provide individual customer support to Service Members in areas of Human Resources and finance• Coordinates with State Headquarters, United States Special Operations Command, and Special Operations Command-Korea for support Show less • Manages and processes all incoming college professionals for a career in the Colorado Army National Guard as an officer• Developed and implemented the Recruiting website to automate the application process and provide all information on becoming an professional in the National Guard• Developed the marketing strategy to recruit college professionals• Developed policies to ensure all members are compliant with current regulations • Process and award 15 Scholarships yearly for high school seniors to attend college• Recruited over 75 college professionals yearly; exceeded mission by 106% Show less • Manage the training for 250-300 personnel at any one time• Ensure all 250-300 personnel are administratively correct, physically fit and mental prepared to attend up to 12 months of training across the country with a 98.9% success rate• Developed yearly training schedule to prepare and train all personnel and ensure their welfare is of the highest importance• Supervise and evaluate 15 instructors to ensure all training is properly conducted on a monthly basis • Conduct training meetings monthly in order to achieve all suspense’s and develop new training materials • Improved our program from 37th to 5th in the country in under nine months of being in the position Show less

  • Human Resources Director/ Equal Opportunity Advisor

    Sept 2022 - now

  • Talent Management Specialist/ Officer Recruiter

    Dec 2017 - now

  • Company Commander

    Jul 2020 - Aug 2022