Wesley Hester

Experience

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  U.S. Coast Guard

  Jun 1998 - Jan 2005

  Fixed wing pilot at Air Station Elizabeth City. Duties included current operations, mission planning, and public affairs. Military multi-engine pilot training with Navy Flight Training Squadrons VT-3 and VT-31 USCGC DALLAS. Served as Deck Watch Officer, Gunnery Officer, Navigator, Navigation and Seamanship Training Team member.

  • Pilot, HC-130 Aircraft Commander

    Sept 2001 - Jan 2005

  • Student Pilot

    Apr 2000 - Sept 2001

  • Military Officer

    Jun 1998 - Apr 2000
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  Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes

  Feb 2005 - Mar 2007

  Pilot, CC-130 Flight Examiner

  Fixed Wing Pilot - on exchange from US Coast Guard to 413 Transport & Rescue Squadron. Instructor Pilot, Chief Training Pilot

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  U.S. Coast Guard

  Mar 2007 - Jun 2011

  Pilot, HC-130 Flight Examiner

  Fixed wing pilot and Flight Examiner. Held positions as Chief Training Officer, Current Operations Officer and Assistant Operations Officer.

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  U.S. Coast Guard

  Jun 2012 - Jun 2014

  Human Resources Manager

  Managed all aspects of career progression for 850 employees across 50 worksites. Screened & selected 75 aviation candidates annually, strategically allocated manpower & resources for initial 24-month training program and increased qualified manpower throughput by 50% to meet operational needs.Reduced organizational cost by $2.5M through creative administration of HR policies. Maximized career growth opportunities and ensured access to professional growth points for entry-level through senior executives. Show less

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  USCG Air Station Cape Cod

  Jun 2014 - Jul 2017

  Operations Officer/Chief Pilot

  Chief Pilot and Chief of Operations. Exercised direct leadership, judgment & operational risk management of $1.25M annual budget, 6 aircraft and 175 pilots and crew. Managed 16,000 flight hour budget, nearly 6,000 sorties and achieved 450 lives saved or assisted.

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  US European Command

  Jul 2017 - Jun 2019

  Coordinates and synchronizes whole of government efforts related to strategic communications and employment of information related capabilities for 4-Star DOD headquarters. Develops messaging strategies to address complex continental issues through public and private communications as well as key leader engagements. Manages multi-agency team of 30 to ensure all-domain strategic alignment. EUCOM lead for Arctic strategy and partner nation integration across all domains in the European High North. Advanced joint U.S. - European Arctic cooperation and domain awareness effort through leadership position in 11-nation executive forum.

  • Strategic Engagement Branch Chief

    Apr 2018 - Jun 2019

  • Arctic Strategist

    Jul 2017 - Jun 2019
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  The Fletcher School at Tufts University

  Aug 2019 - Apr 2020

  National Security Fellow

  Senior Executive Fellowship Program participant in International Security Studies Program. Staff mentor for Fletcher Arctic Initiatives Conference.

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  1st Coast Guard District

  Apr 2020 - Oct 2023

  Chief, Incident Management

  Search & Rescue and Maritime Environmental Response program manager. Resource and operational oversight of 180 capital assets across 35 worksites in 8 state / 560K square mile region. Supervise the development, training, and exercise of contingency plans, crisis action teams, and U.S./International government & industry partners.

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  Leidos

  Oct 2023 - now

  Counter-UAS Range Control Officer

  Manage operations at MATR UAS test range. Site lead for all integration, test, maintenance and training events for Counter-sUAS system of systems. Liaison between company, customers and end users. Leads sUAS operations; FAA Part 107 operator.