William P. “Bear” Ard

ad2scd@r.postjobfree.com • LinkedIn

Alexandria, VA 22310 • 571-***-****

Executive Director

Strategy & Management Consultation, Plans and Programs, Collaboration and Executive Engagement, Human Resources & Capital, Workforce Management, Cybersecurity and Information Technology, & Advice

Outcome-driven and analytical leader with extensive experience spearheading end-to-end aspects of military and human resources, operational plan development and execution, and cybersecurity, and in realizing of organizational objectives, vision, and values.

Highly accomplished executive; talented at driving analytical business transformation and fostering a business-oriented and digital-ready culture across public and private organizations. Credible history of partnering with top leadership and business stakeholders to execute overall business and operational strategies by leveraging thought leadership to build a technology-enabled roadmap and identify opportunities for innovation. Adept at developing standards, strategies, policies, and plans for cost-effective utilization of resources, aimed at ensuring compliance with governing requirements and best practices. Proficient at spearheading multifaced projects from inception to completion within defined time, budget, and quality. Recognized for promoting effective governance and positive change to accelerate operational efficiency, optimize revenue, and reduce cost. Skilled in cultivating strong rapport with potential internal/external stakeholders and generating integrated and diverse solutions for proper management of current technology and business challenges. Possess fluent proficiency in English, with familiarity in Spanish, French, and Korean, enabling seamless communication across diverse linguistic contexts.

Areas of Expertise

•Project & Program Lifecycle Management

•Full Spectrum HR & Workforce Management

•IT & Cyber Security Operations Leadership

•Workforce Strategy & Planning

•Budget Management & Financial Stewardship

•Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)

•Team Building, Leadership & Mentorship

•DOD Management & Services Provisioning

•Staffing and resource Management

•Extensive International Experience

•Resource Utilization & Allocation

•Strategic Planning & Implementation

•C-suite Collaboration & Management

•Performance & Process Optimization

•Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Career Experience

Senior Human Capital Strategy Analyst, Koniag Government Services 2023 - Present

Recruited to provide senior strategic governance and planning expertise and guidance to the newly established Office of Data and Artificial Intelligence Office in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Conceived and developed an enterprise-wide functional community management approach for the emerging DOD digital workforce. Also, developed the deployment and socialization approach for this new management construct, as well as the sustainment methodology.

President and Owner, BearResults LLC 2020 – 2023

Developed the operating strategy for the US Army in establishing the Artificial Intelligence Task Force at Carnegie Mellon University and then transitioning into the Army's Formal Artificial Intelligence Integration Center. Direct a qualified governance team as Business Line Lead and Project Manager for delivering top-quality governance and assessment support to a crucial Air Force Foreign Military Sales program. Formulate and implement robust strategies and timelines to deliver world-class assessment products for a key system to a foreign partner within time-sensitive deadlines. Create and execute effective risk management framework, assessment templates, and tools via establishment of standardized and reusable set of artifacts to advance processes during diverse foreign partner engagements. Leverage innovative approach for seamless transition to an additional foreign partner interaction by applying lessons learned and artifacts generated from initial foreign partner engagement. Define and streamline cybersecurity requirements and documentation.

●Selected to serve on-site with Qatari allies for planning and development of Tactics, Techniques, and Practices (TTPs) with special reference to air operations center (AOC) cybersecurity practices.

●Hand-picked to travel with site activation and assessment team to Kuwait, presenting expert cybersecurity and governance expertise for instantiation of Secure Computing Environment (SCE) for Kuwaiti Air Force.

●For both Qatar and Kuwait IT FMS, served as primary technical cybersecurity operations and governance subject matter expert.

Principal Consultant, SOSi, Reston, VA (duty at Commodities Future Trading Commission) 2018 – 2020

Spearheaded a qualified team and guided deployment of first-ever “Common Controls” and Plans of Objectives and Milestones (POAM) management programs. Formed and enforced first cross-functional cybersecurity strategy for CFTC in less than three months for seamless execution of daily activities. Designed and implemented effective plan for successful deployment and sustainment. Initiated and deployed Risk Management and NIST Cybersecurity Frameworks through proper development and leadership of system assessment processes, change management, security impact assessments, and firewall management, as well as needed workforce planning. Interacted with relevant organizational elements for smooth enforcement approaches. Headed and monitored overall team efforts to determine and create processes for steering risk across IT operational programs and ensuring alignment with Commission’s and federal government’s objectives.

●Generated 100% staffing, which was then amplified by integrated services, tracking upcoming events, and trends.

●Deployed a strategic mindset across organization; orchestrated a no-compete contract extension and boosted team communications and collaboration.

●Infused national Cybersecurity Framework principles into developed IT Security operations.

●Identified and eliminated system assessment backlog by leveraging exceptional knowledge and skills in related field.

●Delivered assessment of Commission’s first cloud-based system ahead of schedule.

●Devised and applied an integrated GRC framework and strategy for Commission’s IT and cybersecurity enterprise.

Assistant Commissioner, Human Resources Management (SES), Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC 2018

Hired as a Senior Executive to pioneer all facets related to human resources operations for a 60K person law enforcement agency by working multi-disciplinary teams. Reached long-awaited recruitment goals for first time in six years via initiation of informed decisions, and through formulation and employment of advanced performance reporting processes, addressing a series of HR challenges. Informed Congressional staffers on operational progress and upcoming objectives, demonstrating and maintaining transparency and accountability. Leveraged an effective and innovative approach for future vision of HR operations through enhancing utilization of data analytics and strategic initiatives advancement.

●Developed and presented a workforce "quality force review board" approach for standardizing and leveling disciplinary actions across entire workforce.

●Led implementation of a workforce "resiliency" strategy, driving recruitment efforts via impactful publicity and advertising campaigns.

●Recognized and presented major HR issues, progress, and challenges to top leadership to make data-driven decisions.

Chief Executive Officer, Akterra Solutions, Rockville, MD 2017 – 2018

Acted as CEO and Senior Manager within two associated firms, one legacy financial management and other start up management consulting. Drafted and implemented corporate policies to ensure consistent guidelines for operations. Developed and kept corporate relationships and partnerships to expand firms' network and market reach. Bolstered unprecedented aviation cybersecurity initiative targeted at commercial and government aviation sectors, and created a cyber workforce education and training framework. Crafted a proposal to support the Department of Homeland Security's efforts for the creation of innovative "cyber workforce" personnel system in response to new authorities under law.

●Wrote compelling bid proposals, aimed at improving firms' competitiveness in winning contracts; initiated strategic staffing approaches for advancing workforce capabilities.

●Attained a talent acquisition contract with a large IC agency as "prime" contractor highlighting capabilities as a solution provider; facilitated placement of start-up firm as a sub-contractor on vital government classified contracts, optimizing growth opportunities.

Executive Vice President, Vice President, & Program Manager, Noblis-NSP, Annapolis Junction, MD (duty at NSA) 2007 – 2016

Shaped and modernized corporate leadership approaches and vision for development of an innovative culture across organization. Led execution of business development initiatives by anticipating and capitalizing on lucrative customer engagement opportunities. Communicated with government overseers and corporate leadership to translate vision into tangible results. Conceived and employed cutting-edge cybersecurity initiatives to fulfill national cyber requirements, such as critical infrastructure. Supported formulation of national and global relationships and contributing to interagency policy and tactic development for comprehensive national cybersecurity programs.

●Delivered and aided the company in modernizing talent acquisition, growth, and development efforts.

●As NSA was designated as the foremost cyber entity in DOD, authored NSA's Human Capital Employment Plan submission to ODNI for two consecutive years, laying out first ever cyber workforce strategy; recognized as one of best in Intelligence Community, outlining a forward-thinking NSA total workforce strategy for next decade.

●Transformed a 30-person strategy and engagements small business into a highly regarded technology-based firm with 240 employees.

●Contributed to guiding staff in conceptualization, development, and execution of innovative cybersecurity projects that tackled national-level challenges.

Additional experience as Colonel & Base Commander ( 77th Air Base Wing, Sacramento Air Logistics Center, CA; Cannon Air Force Base, NM; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba); Director, Workforce Plans & Resources (Office of Director of National Intelligence); Deputy Director, Strategic Plans & Initiatives (Administrative Office of U.S. Courts); Senior Associate (Booz Allen Hamilton); Brigadier General & Director of Manpower and Organization (Headquarters, United States Air Force); Brigadier General & Director of Staff (Headquarters, Air Education & Training Command); Colonel & Director of Personnel (Headquarters, Air Education and Training Command)

Education

Executive Leadership Education Certificate in National Security Studies

The Maxwell School, Syracuse University, NY

Master of Science in National Security Management, National Security Resources & Mobilization (Global medical industry studies)

The Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Ft Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC

Master of Science in Management

Troy State University, Alabama

Bachelor of Science in Public Administration

Virginia Tech

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