agriculture, education, training, and administration

Benjamin R. Mordan, Ph.D. Page * of *

** **** ***** *********@*****.***

Chambersburg, PA 17201 Cell: 717-***-****

CAREER OVERVIEW

“Dr. Mordan demonstrated keen leadership, administrative, and analytical abilities, as well as the practical know-

how to apply them to difficult problems in the field” ~ Daryl A. Brehm, USDA Coordinator for Agriculture

“His self-effacing manner and superb interpersonal skills enabled him to forge strong personal and professional

relationships with interagency partners and Afghans.” ~ Bruce Crossan, Pre Deployment Operations Director

“During his tenure at Tyrone Area School District, Mr. Mordan proved himself to be a capable and enthusiastic

professional. Ben is task oriented and will give you 100% effort and commitment.”

~ William N. Miller, Former Superintendent of Schools, Tyrone Area School District

“Mr. Mordan, always conducted himself with the utmost degree of integrity, knowledge, and professionalism.”

~ Cathy L Harlow, Superintendent of Schools, Tyrone Area School District

WORK EXPERIENCE: REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Assistant Administrative Director - Franklin County Career & Technical Center: July 2014 - Present

Responsible for leading, managing, and supervising staff to successfully assess and execute: curriculum and

instruction improvement; staff development; student discipline; advisory and operating committees; facility

maintenance and safety; strategic planning; pupil services; public relations; marketing; funding sources; and grant

writing. Also conducted teacher supervision and evaluations while maintaining a positive work environment and

establishing relationships with community leaders and counterparts for six sending school districts.

Supervised and lead 58 employees to successfully accomplish all required tasks according to Joint Operating

Committee policy and expectations to include education, facility maintenance, and safety.

Assisted in successfully developing and allocating $6 million annual school budget.

Completed Carl D. Perkins Funding Application which resulted in approximately $350,000 to be used for

vocational education initiatives in High Priority Occupations.

Effectively supervised staff to successfully fulfill all Pennsylvania Department of Education regulations and achieve

chapter 339 approval through the Bureau of Career and Technical Education including Occupational Safety and

Health Administration (OSHA) regulations..

Facilitated student standardized testing, duel enrollment, and industry credential programs.

Agricultural Advisor – U.S. Department of Agriculture: June 2012 – February 2014

Served as a Department of State advisor, working to increase agriculture productivity, regenerate agribusiness,

improve infrastructure, and increase Government capacity to deliver services to the Afghan people. Worked alongside

DOD, USAID, and other U.S. Government agencies to coordinate and implement projects and training programs.

Deeply involved with financial decisions based on economic efficiency and regulation. Conducted assessments to

provide technical expertise, and advise Civilian-Military leadership in support of U.S. mission plan.

Regional Platform Southwest, Helmand Province, Afghanistan: May 2013 – February 2014

Supervised and worked alongside 27 agricultural specialists from the Danish, Georgia, and Nebraska Agriculture

Development Teams to implement the U.S. Strategic Agriculture Plan at the provincial and district levels.

Created training curriculum and manual for Extension Staff Professional Education Program, which was adopted

by Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture for national distribution to teach Extension Agents across the country.

Mentored the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture on a reoccurring basis to improve execution and increase their

allocation of funds from 14% to 75%, additionally increasing allotted manpower by 30%.

Established a Growers Association with affiliation to the international Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural

Development-Facility, to provide a sustainable resource in Afghanistan post U.S. withdrawal.

Benjamin R. Mordan, Ph.D. Page 2 of 2

WORK EXPERIENCE (Continued):

Developed engagement strategies and planned missions to increase mission effectiveness and safety, resulting in

zero safety incidents during my tenure.

Established funding mechanisms for Helmand University and the Vocational Agriculture and Veterinarian Institute,

to provide the first ever career specific academic and training opportunities for the 400 students enrolled.

Regional Command East - District Stability Team, Paktika Province, Afghanistan: October 2012 – April 2013

Had direct oversight of planning, development, and successful submission of 30, multi-million dollar agriculture

projects to the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture for the 2014 budget circular.

Supervised the implementation of transportation, security, and quality assurance for the distribution of 7,500 metric

tons of humanitarian wheat to 165,000 people over a three month period through harsh and dangerous conditions.

Directed a team of six people to conduct engagements to identify the cause of water shortages, then managed four

resolution projects totaling $60,000, allowing water supply to be restored to 5,000 people within four villages.

Created training curriculum for Small Business Management and Networking Workshop, which was implemented

on a national level, resulting in $450,000 of Agriculture Credit Enhancement loans to create processing facilities.

Tyrone Area School District: August 2004 – July 2012

Agricultural Sciences Teacher and Future Farmers of America Chapter Advisor

As part of the Career and Technical Education department, developed curriculum and conducted classroom and

laboratory instruction for courses in agriculture science, agricultural mechanics, agribusiness, and technology

education. Developed and implemented classroom management matrices to successfully educate students of very

diverse age and ability levels. Planned and facilitated training, assessment, and certification programs for students

and adults on a statewide basis. Coordinated the maintenance and upkeep of machinery and facilities. Managed the

budgeting, funding, and procurement of educational equipment, machinery, supplies, and student activity funds.

Recipient of the National Association of Agriculture Educator’s “Teacher Turn the Key” Award.

Received a scholarship from the Appalachian Regional Commission to attend the Math, Science, an d Technology

Institute at Oakridge National Laboratory.

Elected as sole representative for high school staff to serve on the Workplace Safety Committee, where my

contributions resulted in a reduction of injuries amongst staff by 30%, thus lowering the insurance premium rate.

Penn Manor Area School District, Agricultural Sciences Teacher: August 2001 – July 2004

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND QUALIFICATIONS

National Security Clearance: Secret Clearance (Expires April, 2022)

Pennsylvania Administrative: Vocational Administrative Director

Pennsylvania Instructional II: Agriculture, General Science, and Technology Education

POST GRADUATE EDUCATION

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Doctorate of Philosophy, Workforce Education and Development – December 2012

Dissertation: Retention and Professional Mentoring of Beginning Career and Technical Education Teachers: 2012

Masters of Education, Agriculture and Extension Education – May 2007

M.Ed. Research Paper: Assessing the Needs of Biotechnology in Agricultural Education Programs: 2007

UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, May 2001

Bachelor of Science, Turfgrass Science – May 2001

Bachelor of Science, Agriculture and Extension Education – May 2001

Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council Scholarship for Recognition of Scholastic Attainments and Potential Leadership

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