Training Specialist Project Manager

Donald C. Berni, MBA, MSM

864-***-**** ************@*****.*** LinkedIn: /in/DonaldCBerni/ Abbeville, SC

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL PROJECT MANAGER (TPM)

Award-winning and seasoned Knowledge Management Technical Project Manager and Senior Technical Trainer with a background in training on Commercial Nuclear Power Plants and Nuclear Waste/Fuel Storage Facility management, operations, and health physics/radiation protection using the Systematic Approach to Training (SAT) methodology. United States Naval Veteran with DoD Top Secret and DoE Q-Level security clearances (inactive). Self-directed and demonstrated ability to lead others.

Conduct of Operations SME, Certified Master Training Specialist, Master Six Sigma, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with experience in data analytics using R and RStudio programming languages

Project Manager for the certification of a Health Physics/Radiological Controls training program by the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board (DNFSB)

Designed, developed, and implemented a nuclear trainee tutoring program, resulting in a reduction of the failure rate by 35% with a company cost savings of $825,000 annually

Created a comprehensive process and instrumentation diagram (P&ID), electrical and electronic schematic, and blueprint reading training program based on identified nuclear trainee needs and weaknesses

Lead Instructor for H-Area and F-Area Tank Farms operator cross-qualification efforts. Led the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of the Actinide Removal Process (ARP) and Modular Caustic Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) Facility operator training programs

Supervised 270 Naval Nuclear Power School students towards successful completion of a rigorous nuclear training program with a 98% graduation success rate

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES INCLUDE:

Thought Leadership

Tactical Planning

Managing Complex Projects

Knowledge Transfer Training

Adult Learning Techniques

Project Plans Budgeting

Nuclear Safeguards Security Missions

Performance Tracking

Digital Strategy Development

Leading Information Gathering Teams

Project Management

Building Relationships

Continuous Improvement

Microsoft Excel Associated Technologies

Written & Verbal Communication

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ATKINS GLOBAL NUCLEAR SECURED (NS) – United States 2017 – 2020

Project Manager (Remote)

Remotely led team of 18 senior commercial nuclear operations, maintenance, and technical classroom OJT/TPE, and simulator instructors/developers for four (4) new construction APR-1400 commercial nuclear reactors at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Personnel: 18 Direct Reports. Budgets: $10.1M.

Built company brand as a destination employer in the commercial nuclear industry while maintaining and developing a positive work environment for the team, which improved productivity, communications, and growth

Achieved a ~93% employee satisfaction rate, measured by job satisfaction survey

Remotely managed project team located in the UAE from the US, successfully driving project forward, removing roadblocks, and motivating the team to perform

Presented business case to client to hire US employees at a higher cost due to nuclear expertise, customer agreed

Prevented project schedule slippage due to changes in scope by presenting recommendation on lesson plan format template, which was accepted and finalized by the customer

Induced client to pay for project team member working remotely while on vacation, saving company $10K

Created and delivered training to improve Emirati Reactor Operator’s technical and analytical skills, productivity, and retention, to develop their full potential and leadership skills, and to attract and retain the best instructors in the industry

Resulted in ZERO failures during project and ZERO employee attrition

Exceeded all project performance benchmarks, including Planned Value (PV), Actual Cost (AC), Earned Value (EV), Cost Variance (CV), Scheduled Variance (SV), Scheduled Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPA), Return on Investment (ROI), Gross Profit Margin (GPM), and Utilization

Senior Commercial Nuclear Power Plant Instructor/Developer – United Arab Emirates (UAE) [2017 – 2019]

Provided classroom and OJT/TPE training to nuclear power plant operators in the fields of nuclear plant chemistry, radiological protection (RP), and the safe Conduct of Operations (ConOps) of four new construction APR-1400 commercial nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Trained ~25 students weekly with direct accountability for Technical Training Programs, Technical Training Program Quality Improvement, Training Expertise & Support, Health/Safety/Security, People Management, and Quality Management

CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTOR 2013 – 2017

Chemistry Laboratory Instructor – Department of Physical Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics [2017]

Lander University – Greenwood, SC

Chemistry Fundamentals & Laboratory Teacher – College Preparatory/Honors Class Students [2016 – 2017]

Greenwood High School – Greenwood, SC

Tutor – General & Organic Chemistry Courses [2013 – 2016]

Lander University – Greenwood, SC

ABBEVILLE AREA MEDICAL CENTER (AAMC) – Abbeville, SC 2012 – 2013

Team Member – Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Initiative

Successfully completed three (3) objectives – Project Charter/Business Case/Problem Statement/Scope for project buy-in, defining SIPOC, and Baseline Sigma Determination.

Recouped $700K annually for the hospital in ~10-weeks by overhauling the ED process to reduce wait-time from 35-minutes to 20-minutes and number of ED walkouts w/o treatment from 6.3% to <1%

SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS – Aiken, SC 2007 – 2012

Senior Training Specialist – Classroom/OJT/TPE Training

Specialized in training operators in nuclear criticality safety through fundamental knowledge of nuclear criticality accident causes/effects and prevention by knowledge of facility design features, use of operating procedures, and strict adherence to Conduct of Operations.

Designed and implemented a 40-hour Criticality Prevention and Safety Course and earned a 100% pass rate for participants

Won the annual Community Service Award for improving student SAT Verbal and Math scores by ~20-30-points

EARLIER CAREER HISTORY

Instructional Technologist / Lead Instructor WASHINGTON GROUP Aiken, SC

Senior Training Specialist / Instructional Technologist GENERAL PHYSICS CORPORATION Aiken, SC

Project Manager – Health Physics/Radiological Controls Training Program MELE ASSOCIATES, INC. Aiken, SC

Senior Training Specialist GENERAL PHYSICS CORPORATION Aiken, SC

MM1(SS)/Leading Engineering Laboratory Technician (LELT) U.S. NAVY Mare Island, CA & Groton, CT

Engineering Watch Supervisor (EWS)/Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) U.S. NAVY Mare Island, CA & Groton, CT

Naval Nuclear Power School Instructor/Advisor/Nuclear Prototype Instructor U.S. NAVY Orlando, FL & Ballston Spa, NY

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Lander University, School of Business Graduate Program

Master of Science (M.Sc.) – Management & Quality Control

Lander University, School of Business Graduate Program – Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Chemistry

Lander University – Alpha Chi (Ax) National Honor Society & 2016 American Chemical Society Outstanding Senior Award

Mechanical Engineering & Business Administration Courses

University of South Carolina – Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society Columbia College

CERTIFICATIONS

Project Management Professional (PMP) – in progress, Project Management Institute (PMI)

Master Six Sigma / Lean Six Sigma Black Belt / Lean Six Sigma, Villanova University

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Member, American Chemical Society (ACS) Member, American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)

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