FORREST PICKENS

New Braunfels, TX ***** / Cell: 210-***-**** / Email: ad216d@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pickensforrest

SUMMARY

Results-driven Operations/Program/Project Manager with a solid track record of overseeing end-to-end IT operations and sustainment. Proficient in technical IT program and project management, HRM/ERP IT systems delivery, and strategic business alliances. Recognized for efficiently coordinating operational plans and leading cross-functional teams to meet tight deadlines. Passionate & enthusiastic about leveraging technology to drive transformative change across the enterprise’s IT system’s portfolio.

SKILLS & AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Technical IT Program Management (PgM) Lifecycle Delivery HRM/ERP IT Systems (COTS/GOTS) Delivery/Sustainment

Technical IT Operations Lifecycle Management Delivery eMASS/RMF/Information Assurance (IA) Service Delivery

Technical IT Project Management (PM) Lifecycle Delivery Business Development (FFP, FP, CP, PWS) Support Services

Business Intelligence / DSS / DW / MDM Service Delivery Strategic & Tactical Business Alliances (Technical Direction)

Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Service Delivery Directly Manage Personnel & Cross Functional Teams

Incident/Issue Management & Disaster Recovery Services Service Desk Management & ITSM Services Delivery

Organizational Change & Problem-Solving Services Strong Servant Leadership & Team Building Support

Utilize root cause analysis to make informed decisions Building, Motivating, and Leading Cross-Functional Teams

Waterfall (WF) and Agile (AG) SDLC implementations Critical Thinking & Effective communications (written/verbal)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Strategic Technology Institute Inc. (STi) – San Antonio, Texas Oct 2023 – Present

Project Manager for the myTraining Applications Portfolio (Requirements Management Lead)

Delivered learning management support services for the AETC Plans and Integrated Services Branch (myTraining).

oBlazed a trail toward enhanced data sharing, aced functional integration, and system testing in phase one.

oRevolutionized data movement with the migration (xAPI) of 30 million records to Learning Record Store (LRS).

oEnsured a seamless deployment of job task proficiency data to the LRS to support the future DAF Learning Record.

oPartnered with myLearning to unify data flow & unlock the full potential of the LRS to ENVISION (xAPI) connection.

Served as the Product Owner/Requirements Manager specializing in Project Management, Agile (SAFe) SCRUM Mgmt.

Coordinated with cross-functional teams across all phases of the myTraining application product life cycle.

Adept at creating user stories which helps drive myTraining future product enhancement and feature development.

Identified defects, managed product backlogs, and analyzed KPIs used to define strategies in support of our war fighters.

Performed quality assurance testing (QAT) on product features, analyzed feedback & user data to validate action plans.

Spearheaded the development of myTraining product roadmaps in alignment with AETC Agile SAFe methodologies.

Coordinated with cross-functional teams throughout the Air Force (AF) to define strategic vision for the myTraining product.

Facilitated the continuous update (CI/CD) development life cycle for the client facing myTraining suite of products.

Evaluated emerging Training Management System (TMS) technologies and the potential impact to the AF user community.

Diversified Technical Services Inc. (DTSI) – San Antonio, Texas Mar 2017 – Jul 2023

Program Manager HRSTS Operations (HW / SW) Portfolio for Shared & Managed Services

Collaborated closely with organizational leadership at all echelons to guide HR IT operations and sustainment strategy.

Supervised (41 FTE) the Human Resources Systems Technical Support-II IT Managed Service Delivery Operation.

Delivered mission-critical HR IT support to the US Air Force’s (USAF) & US Space Force (USSF) HRSTS-II Systems.

Provided direct support to the Program Management Office (PMO) with 24/7/365 operational IT support services.

Supported several data centers (DISA, AWS, CloudOne) hosted HRSTS-II applications (SSO, interfaces, SLAs, SW, HW).

Integrated/Migrated 42 MiLPDS HR applications into AWS & CloudOne saving Government millions in operational costs.

Integrated USAF & USSF HR systems into the MiLPDS application saving the Government millions in admin fees.

Optimized the MiLPDS Dev, Test, Production environments and automated several hundred administrative processes.

Jacobs Information Solutions Group (JISG) – San Antonio, Texas, Washington DC Nov 2000 – Mar 2017

Project Manager, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) SDLC Hosted Applications for the JSF Enterprise / Asset Mgmt.

Provided detailed technical/operational direction with challenges, consistently meeting deliverables IAW deadlines.

Furnished PM support to the Joint Program Office for the F-35 JSF SDLC hosted applications for the JSF enterprise.

Deployed an enterprise-wide Multi-Layer Security solution saving Government millions Cyber Security maintenance fees.

Deployed an enterprise-wide System Center Configuration Manager solution saving millions of dollars in SysAdmin fees.

Implemented Host Based Security System & Assured Compliance Assessment Solution saving millions in fees.

Managed the JSF-WISE (mission planning system) modernization efforts into a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution.

Program (PM) / Project Manager, Defense Programs / PM IITEL, ADSS, ANG NOSC, STTC IA Support / Asset Mgmt.

Supplied PM support services (HW/SW) to the Army Research Lab’s Innovative IT Evaluation Laboratory (IITEL).

Delivered an on-line enterprise-wide FAX solution for all CIO approved campus personnel regardless of location.

Delivered a single focal point for evaluating all new SW/HW to be introduced (IA/RMF ready) into the ARL enterprise.

Managed the Air National Guard NOSC Tier III support (NIPR (unclassified) & SIPR (classified) environments).

Managed the Army Simulation & Training Technology Center’s (STTC) Risk Management Framework functions.

Program Manager (ADSS) / Site Manager / Senior Software Designer / Oracle/MS SQL Server DBA / Asset Mgmt.

Managed all aspects of the PPM & SDLC of the HQ Air Education & Training Commands (AETC) capstone business intelligence (BI)/decision support system (DSS) which supports enterprise BI/DSS reporting at all echelons of the Air Force.

Supervised & directed a development & testing team which also supported operations and sustainment (HW/SW) services.

Managed SDLC performance plans and reviews which resulted in a more robust service delivery mechanism to our client.

Guided process improvement to shape organizational culture, optimized procedures for higher operational efficiency.

Integrated over 54 AF Training Management Systems (DW / DSS) used to leverage Air Force wide decision making.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

ITILv3 Foundations Certification, AXELOS

Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management (PMP), Villanova University

Certificate Mastering Project Management (PMP), Villanova University

Certificate Project Management Professional (PMP), Villanova University

Certificate in Project Management for IS/IT Professionals (PMP), Villanova University

Certificate Essentials in IS/IT Security, Villanova University

Bachelor of Arts, Management Information System (MIS – In Progress) - Park University, Parkville, MO.

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