STEPHEN JOHN STOMBER
Melbourne, FL ***** ***********@*****.***
321-***-**** www.linkedin.com/pub/stephen-john-stomber/62/618/7a9
LEADERSHIP • OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT • INNOVATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING NEGOTIATION • RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Award-winning, military veteran and forward-thinking attorney/operations leader with extensive diverse legal and management experience in private industry and the federal government. Recognized for creativity and innovation in navigating complex issues and negotiating win-win solutions. Proven leadership/operations skills directing national/international governmental programs.
EDUCATION
Vermont Law School, JD 1976
Franklin & Marshall College, BA 1971
USAF Air War College, Associate 1994
Bar Admissions: Florida, Texas, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Attorney 2011 to Present
•National and international consulting.
•Volunteer services as a briefing judge (2008-2015) for Stetson’s Law School International Environmental Moot Court Competition.
L-3 MPRI-NATO Legal Advisor/Senior Mentor 2010- 2011 Senior Mentor and NATO Legal Advisor to Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry’s General Counsel.
•Outstanding commendations from NATO’s military managers for restructuring mentorship in a combat zone.
•Revived and rebuilt dormant mentorship by building relationships between civilians and military for successful development of Interior Ministry.
•Addressed critical ministerial development issues, instructed Afghan counsel in policy drafting and oversaw negotiations with International Commission for Institutional Reform in Afghanistan.
Social Security Administration-Appellate Attorney Advisor 2009- 2010
Researched, analyzed and drafted disability opinions for Administrative Law Judges. Interpreted
Social Security provisions, implementing regulations, related Federal/State laws, Administrative Procedures Act and precedent Social Security rulings/court decisions.
IE Discovery-Environmental Counsel 2008- 2009
On behalf of US NAVY, handled on-site discovery and document analysis discovering key evidence for pending environmental litigation earning performance contract extension premised on 97% accuracy.
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Bureau of Overseas Building Operations, US State Department
Managing Director, Real Estate 2006-2008
•Senior international real estate negotiator with a top secret clearance representing State in high-level property negotiations with foreign governments both domestically and abroad closing on sites in 12 cities for $138.6M, contracted for sites in 11 cities valued at $81M, evaluated sites at 9 posts, initiated 12 other searches and expanded, obligated or earmarked $70.3M and had additional $14.8 M of contracts in place not yet obligated.
•Led and directed one of the finest real estate groups in the international arena, managed a $6.5M+ portfolio encompassing, model creativity, and leading-edge practices for 17,935 properties in 268 cities.
•Advised Director/Chief Operating Officer on formulation/implementation of real property programs/policies for State and US Government facilities abroad.
•Operational management oversight achieved 12 consecutive months of on time building schedules.
•Awarded an Outstanding Performance Evaluation (GS 15, Step 2).
•Acquired $22M of new embassy housing in FY2007 with 12% investment return.
•Completed State’s largest sale in its history, a London property, Navy Annex at No. 20 Grosvenor Square, London for $493M in 6 months.
•Generated $505M in first year revenues, developing new internet sales site, earning E-Gov Award, establishing a link with GovSales site to Department’s OBO’s page.
The American Legion-Assistant Legislative Director 2004-2006
•Initiated congressional relationships, performed legislative research and drafted influential point papers resulting in enhanced legislative services.
•Recognized with Initiative Award from Citizens Flag Alliance and Superior Legislative Services Commendation from Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform.
Fulford Realty-General Counsel 2002-2004
Resolved 20 year dispute over swamps, wetlands and overflow submerged lands ownership via research, analysis, conducting negotiations working with state, county and local agencies that attained clear title, survey, plat and environmental due diligence for proposed marina development.
School District of Palm Beach County, Florida-Senior Associate Real Estate 2002
•Within 60 days negotiated multiple school complex acquisitions, drafted auxiliary agreements on concurrency, water storage & recreational/parking.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division 2000-2002 Division Counsel/Realty Officer
•Directed a $2.5M theater-wide real estate program with regional offices Japan, South Korea, Alaska and Hawaii.
•Grew monthly portfolio to 100-150 projects valued from $10,000-$30M.
•Directed a team of 12 direct/30 indirect professionals forging strategic partnerships, formulating policies, drafting register notes and guiding staff’s career development.
•Member Pacific Ocean Division’s Real Estate Board of Directors, Division Project Review Board, Technical Realty/Legislative Advisor to Division’s Commander.
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•Command’s selected Project Manager/Lead Negotiator re-energizing Schofield Barracks $9.5M wastewater easement negotiations reducing lease costs 58% and securing 2 five year strategic renewal options. Received Spot Cash Award.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division 1994-2000
Division Counsel/Director/District Chief, Real Estate
•Promoted by Command to leadership role to revitalize troubled theater real estate program. Instituted accountability, professionalism and team/individual recognition programs.
•Led a 12 member professional staff, managing 90-140 projects monthly with a $3M operating budget.
•What predecessors couldn’t acquire in 10 years, acquired in 4 years 8,214 acres, Kahuku’s Training Area, for US Army training and critical habitat protection by building consensus with US Army leadership, local landowners and government officials. Secured $24.5M in coordinating acquisition funding negotiating with Hawaii’s Congressional delegation. US Army savings exceeded $1M.
•Originated concept challenging State’s appraisal valuations for US Army lands, negotiating $15M reduction. Awarded Two Star Coin.
•Authorized $1M in appraisal authority to oversaw Saratoga St. Parking Garage, Ala Moana Rd. widening and Alenaio Stream Flood control Project.
•Exceeded DOD’s leasing program goals for 8 consecutive years, negotiating more than 240 leases.
•Implemented cross training enhanced skills, initiated senior-junior mentoring, promoted diversity/upward mobility, re-engineered technical processes and expanded delegations.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division 1992-1994 Associate Division Counsel
•Convinced Command to challenge the constitutionality/applicability of county ordinance taxing federal government leasing. Negotiated $1.2M tax refund for property taxes paid for prior 7 years and non-applicability agreement.
•Investigated and settled in US Army’s favor a $.5M labor grievance alleging Multiple Chemical Syndrome, a $10M wrongful death claim and $1.7M CERCLA/RCRA remediation claim.
•Designated FOIA/Privacy and NEPA Review Counsel.
US Army Garrison, Ft. Sheridan 1991-1992
Supervisory Attorney: Chief of Mid-West Claims, Environmental & Regulatory Law
•Led the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, NEPA reviews, Clean Air Act violations, published environmental articles, ensuring compliance for Army lands in Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.
•For supervisory leadership and improving carrier recovery mission awarded Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service.
•Mid-West Chief of Claims leading a 3 member professional team supervising/investigating/analyzing personal injury, medical malpractice and property damage. Negotiated settlements and drafted litigation memos for US Army Claim Service and US Attorney.
•Represented all federal agencies under a GSA delegation before state utility boards.
US Army/US Army Reserve-Colonel, Judge Advocate General/Civil Affairs 1978-2004
•Chosen for analyzing skills as 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, Chief International Law Officer, authoring briefs on operational law and in-country studies.
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•Awarded 4 Command commendations for guiding planning teams on exercises, coordinating with Non-Governmental Organizations, liaising with foreign military on Status of Forces and resolving international law issues.
•For leadership skills selected for US Army's Pacific Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell.
•Recognized by both US Army Judge Advocate General Headquarters European Command & Headquarters Southern Command for outstanding performance in excelling under pressure of short suspense’s for contract and international law issues.
•In Gulf War as Staff Judge Advocate/Executive Officer/Deputy Staff Judge Advocate created mobile on-site program delivering pre-deployment services to 8,000 soldiers in 67 days.
•Headquarters United States Army Japan Certificate for exceptional legal support for Yama Sakura XXVII.
Awards
•Dean's List, Franklin & Marshall College, 1970
•Army Commendation Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, 1986, 1991, 1998, 2002
•Army Achievement Medal, 2000, 2003
•National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, 1983, 1991
•Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass and M Device, 1987, 1990, 1997
•Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal, 1987, 1995
•Army Service Ribbon, 1980
•Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbons (16), 1994 (2), 1995 (2), 1996 (2)
1997 (4), 1998 (2), 1999 (2), 2000 (2)
•E-Government Award, Bureau Overseas Building Operations, 2007
•Outstanding Performance Award, Bureau Overseas Building Operations, 2007
•Citizens Flag Alliance Initiative Award-American Legion 2005
•Commendation by Partnership for Veterans Health Care Budget Reform
•Official Recognition, Commander, US Army Engineer Division Pacific Ocean for
Kahuku Land Acquisition, 1998
•On the Spot Cash Award, Commander US Army Engineer Division Pacific
Ocean for Dole Negotiations, 1996
•Official Commendation, Commander US Army Engineer Division Pacific Ocean
for Kahuku Tax Litigation, 1993
•Two Star Coin, Commanding General US Army Pacific and Schofield Barracks,
Kahuku Tax Litigation, 1993
•Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Commander, Fort Sheridan,
1991
•NATO Training Mission Afghanistan, 4 Outstanding Performance References, 2011