ROBERT L. STEPHENSON JR.

**** **** ****** **** ****, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

904-***-**** ac6xis@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/robert-stephenson

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Senior Investigator and Military Veteran with an active Top Secret SCI Security clearance and over 23 years of proven experience in the United States Navy. Accomplished measurable results while serving as a Director of Mishap Investigations; oversaw the conduct of daily activities in a dynamic, fast - paced environment. Possesses a comprehensive background in Aviation Safety derived from supporting domestic and global operations the Middle East, Southwest Asia and the Atlantic. Managed risk upon multiple lines to safeguard assets, property, and equipment valued over $2.5B while exceeding the expectations of senior leadership. Possesses extensive knowledge in Program Management and Process Improvement. Recipient of multiple awards for performance and professionalism. Career supported by a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a pursuit of a Project Management Professional certification.

• Aviation Safety

• Program Management

• Process Improvement

• Mishap Investigation

• Cross-Functional Leadership

• Policy Implementation

• Regulatory Compliance

• Executive Communication

• Risk Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

United States Navy – Various Locations 2008 – Present Director of Department of Navy Mishap Investigations Norfolk, VA Senior Military Investigator for all U.S. Navy and Marine Corps mishaps/accidents involving loss of government property valued over $2M or loss of life.

• Experienced subject matter expert in deep ocean salvage operations and recovery; contributed invaluable input for training and real-world recovery operations

• Managed Aviation Mishap Board members in the successful determination of mishap cause(s) using both flight data recorder and traditional examination/analysis when flight data recorder information was not readily available; provided critical data points for reports to senior leadership

• Integrated with technical engineering subject matter experts for successful causal determination and mishap reporting products; ensured information was published for widest dissemination to provide insight, lessons learned and preventative measures for all Navy personnel and civilians

• Performed duties as a cause mapping expert; facilitated solution development for options/recommendations and executed plans of action to prevent future reoccurrence, loss of life and government property Senior Safety Officer U.S.S Harry S. Truman Aircraft Carrier Served as the focal point for all safety matters to include the Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) program, equipment operator/driving safety; recreational athletic and home safety, fire protection and prevention, heat stress control, cold weather maritime injury prevention and operational risk management.

• Conducted all mishap investigations that are required to be performed at the organization executive level, and provided mishap investigations to support other agencies as required; lauded by senior leadership as an operational safety expert

• Established, coordinated, directed and evaluated the effectiveness of standing safety policies, plans, programs and procedures; recognized as having the best safety management system in the region

• Conducted periodic safety evaluations and surveys of subordinate activity safety programs and procedures to determine the level of compliance with safety regulations, directives and instructions; earned the 2013 Navy Safety Award and the prestigious Admiral Flatley Memorial Award

• Interpreted safety regulations and standards, and contributed to the development of new or revised safety standards; handpicked by senior leadership to head all safety related initiatives and programs at the next highest level

ROBERT L. STEPHENSON JR., PG. 2

Safety Officer (cont.)

• Planned, developed and evaluated employee safety training with internal and external training groups, offices and organizations; recognized by senior executives as being “Best in Fleet” Maintenance Officer Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Served as the Maintenance Officer for the Lockheed P-3 Orion and EP-3 Ares II Reconnaissance and Patrol Aircraft for a clandestine maritime special projects and patrol organization. Led over 650 personnel.

• Handpicked to be the first Consolidated Maintenance Officer (CMO); led an organization comprised of three separate departments consolidated into a single entity; set new standard across the Patrol and Reconnaissance Group

• Excelled as a Project Manager; led as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Main Body deployment team involving 170 personnel over a twelve-day period; coordinated all efforts and completed mission without incident

• Rated #2 of 10 Department Heads by executive leadership; recommended by senior leaders to be promoted to the next level of responsibility for outperforming 99% of all eligible Department Heads

• Led largest deployable maintenance organization in the Navy; supported the Global War on Terrorism enabling 2,205 naval air support mission and 11,777 mishap free flight hours

• Provided superior maintenance and logistical support for deployed aerial reconnaissance assets; developed and implemented a maintenance qualification process, improving readiness by 35%

• Orchestrated a comprehensive Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Personnel Qualification Standards (CNATT PQS) update, Advanced Skill Management re-mapping and ground-breaking Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) maintenance training instruction which defined standardized training, qualification timelines and deployment standards for the organization

• Formalized maintenance readiness and reporting; increased visibility to all levels of leadership within the organization

• Prioritized organization efforts to streamline opportunities concurrent with depot-level sustainment events

• Implemented a “one-touch” modernization philosophy that produced 1,615 total days of additional aircraft availability

• Initiated post-depot avionics test teams; increased aircraft “Ready for Tasking” time by 50% Assistant Maintenance Officer Training Support Operations Led 240 personnel performing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance/modification on nine P-3C aircraft.

• Commended by Senior Leaders for being a Superior Naval Officer; rated #1 within peer group and recommended for advancement for professionalism and excellence

• Hand-selected to lead a Tiger Team (project team) to develop innovative processes and procedures to turn around a maintenance program/department in need of overhaul; enabled the successful completion of the Aviation Maintenance Inspection with superior results

• Lauded for being the driving force behind the 2006 Pacific (RIMPAC) consolidated maintenance effort; supported 10 aircraft and achieved an unprecedented 96% FMC rate, safely executing 111 air support operations accumulating 625 flight hours

• Analyzed the maintenance qualification process and implemented a qualification timeline tracker; improved communication, recognition and production of Qualified Proficient Technicians (QPT)

• Served as the OIC of a highly successful joint task unit with 72 assigned personnel, and led three combat aircrews in support of global strategic operations Safety Officer Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Responsible for all aviation related safety programs and NATOPS standardization/evaluation of 132 aircrew.

• Qualified as Patrol Plane Commander and Mission Commander in record time; achieved milestones five months ahead of organizational requirements while serving in full capacity Safety/NATOPS department head

ROBERT L. STEPHENSON JR., PG. 3

Safety Officer (cont.)

• Recognized for being the most experienced instructor pilot; trains and develops future Navy Aviators/Flight Officers and prepares them for command

• Earned reputation as the most tactically proficient pilot; trusted by senior leaders and was given the toughest missions to accomplish given a proven track record Processional Development Officer Career Development Operations Responsible for the training and development of newly commissioned Navy aviators. Coordinated numerous command functions for the largest squadron in the U.S. Navy.

• Selected to be the Instructor Under Training (IUT) Instructor Pilot, an advanced qualification reserved for the most knowledgeable and proficient pilots

• Top-rated as the #1 Department Head; hand-picked to lead the reorganization of the Department Headquarters Professional Development Department supporting over 1,200 Sailors

• Breathed life into an ailing department; incorporated Fleet Business practices to revamp the Professional Development Department/Program; integral in improving the Career Development Mentor Program

• Developed a monthly briefing process for command leadership to keep informed of people programs and individual sailor progress

Instructor Pilot Aviation Training Operations

Conducted operational training of U.S. and international pilots, Naval Flight Officers and Aircrewmen in P-3 aircraft.

• Unmatched safety record; surpassed 40 years and 400K mishap-free flight hours

• Hand-selected to lead the Command Services Department (CSO) for the largest squadron in the Navy; managed an annual budget of over $67K while leading three officers and 28 Sailors

• Supported an annual average of 30 class graduations, 100 retention ceremonies, 50 retirement ceremonies, 40 squadron hosting events, three special events and continual material condition projects

• Served as a key member of the retention team; instrumental in creating a high-performance organizational culture/climate; efforts directly contributed to a high 82% retention and decreased personnel turnover rate Force Protection Assistant Operations Officer Maritime Security Operations Responsible for force protection operations in a maritime operating environment in support of global strategic objectives.

• Deemed a “true superstar” by senior leaders; developed and administered the maritime component of the Joint Risk Assessment Management Program (JRAMP); website received over 5K hits per month

• Steered Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection (ATFP) policies and programs while producing products at a level well above his prescribed duties and responsibilities

• Spearheaded the concept and development of a weekly Threat Working Group (TWG) and the transition of the entire process from VTC (video teleconference) to the InfoWorkSpace online chat system; saved hours a week in downtime and improving reach back capabilities

• Sought after by senior leaders to complete the toughest jobs and deemed a critical member of the ATFP team

Force Protection Training Exercise Coordinator Maritime Security Operations Responsible for coordinating force protection operations in a maritime operating environment in support of global strategic objectives.

• Rose to challenge of a high operating tempo ATFP Operations; focused efforts resulted in flawless implementation of demanding security measures involving 23 multi-service /multi-national cooperation exercises and events

• Chosen by senior leaders to head the development of the most critical stage of the Maritime JRAMP; received high praise from the European Command for subject-matter expertise and insight ROBERT L. STEPHENSON JR., PG. 4

Force Protection Training Exercise Coordinator (cont.)

• Demonstrated strategic planning expertise and team leadership; worked with three Force Protection Officers to develop robust plans for all area events Aircraft Division Officer Maritime Reconnaissance Operations

• Well-regarded and ahead of peers; demonstrated a mature ability to lead 10 junior officers and 24 Sailors in the absence of the Department Head

• Recognized for outstanding aviation skills and leadership; qualified all positions ahead of schedule Assistant Command Services Officer Maritime Patrol Operations

• Completed Patrol Plane Commander two months ahead of squadron goal

• achieved 152% of command goal for Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society fund raising drive raising over

$10K

Logs Records and Navigation Officer Maritime Support Operations

• Developed method to use new online ordering providing for quick and accurate assessment and ordering of all required charts and publications

Flight Student Maritime Training Operations

• Completed comprehensive and demanding syllabus consisting of 960 hours of ground, simulator and in- flight training; rated top of his class and recognized for demonstrated airmanship and tactical proficiency EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering University of Arizona OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING and EDUCATION

Investigation Processes and Training National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigating Human Fatigue Factors NTSB

Human Factors Course National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Root Cause Analysis Course NASA

Cause Mapping Workshop I & II Think Reliably

Aviation Safety Officer Department of the Navy

Aviation Safety Course Naval Safety Center

Safety Management Department of Defense

Project Management Professional (PMP) PMI Institute (in progress) Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) Department of Defense NOTABLE AWARDS/ACCOLADES

Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), NATO Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Achievement Medal (2nd award) CNO Safety Award 2013

Admiral Flatley Memorial Award 2013

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Software: Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint

Operating Systems: Mac / Microsoft Windows

Department of Defense Systems: NIPR/SIPR; Defense Travel System (DTS) SECURITY CLEARANCE

Top Secret SCI Security Clearance Active

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