Matthew Torres
915-***-**** *******.*.*******@*****.*** Lithia, FL 33547 www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbryantorres
PROJECT MANAGER LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT (L&D) EXPERT
Project & Program Leadership Operations Management Training & Talent Development
Dynamic Project Manager and Learning & Development Expert with over 21 years of experience driving excellence in training, operations management, and employee development. Proven track record of successfully managing training projects exceeding $5MM, leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality learning materials with zero rewrites, resulting in millions in cost savings. Skilled in developing integrated training programs that have graduated over 2,000 students, effectively enhancing critical workforce skills and optimizing operational performance.
Core Competencies
* Project Planning & Execution
* Project & Program Management
* Operations & PMO Management
* Training & Talent Development
* Relationship/Partnership Building
* Process Improvement/Optimization
* Business Management
* Strong Public Speaking Skills
* Analytical Problem Solver
* Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Team Leadership & Development
* Mentor/Coach/Facilitator
Professional Experience
2024 - Operation New Hope - Tampa, FL
Provider of life and job skills training for people affected by the criminal justice system, enabling them to be reintegrated into society.
Career Development Instructor
Empowered individuals impacted by the criminal justice system by delivering comprehensive life and job skills training through three-week courses, facilitating their successful reintegration into society. Collaborated closely with the Employment Services team to provide targeted vocational training that closed knowledge/skill gaps, taught critical humanitarian and job skills, reduced recidivism rates, and empowered clients to give back to society.
* Developed and launched Operation New Hope s first-ever career development course, successfully graduating 30-40 students and laying the foundation for future training initiatives.
* Leveraged employed adult learning theories and best practices, combining with state-of-the-art educational technologies to upskill students, enhance the training experience, and optimize learning outcomes; ensured learners acquired essential vocational and humanitarian skills.
* Monitored content comprehension and student progress to identify areas that required greater exposure and enhance students’ knowledge retention.
- Adapted the teaching style to better align with each student s learning potential and maximize knowledge retention.
* Authored impactful reports and proposals to secure funding from the Department of Corrections, driving organizational success and sustaining program growth.
* Cultivated strong relationships with community partners, collaborating to provide supplemental services (including budget training and legal services) and significantly enhancing the support network available to clients.
2018 - 2020 - Redzone LLC - Lawton, OK
Provider of professional services to the federal government; empowers military veterans to seamlessly transition to the private sector.
Instructor Trainer
Led advanced industrial engineering training for US Army soldiers, facilitating their successful transition to the private sector while reporting directly to the CEO. Served as Head Instructor and DoD certified professional, teaching college-level engineering courses that empowered students to earn transferable college credits across the United States.
* Instructed intensive 30-day classes, engaging up to 30 students per session and preparing them for subsequent instructional cycles; enhancing operational capabilities through targeted workforce training programs for over 1K students annually.
* Developed, overhauled, and maintained course curricula to close knowledge gaps and elevate student performance, significantly improving learning outcomes.
- Heavily involved in adapting lesson plans/curricula and rewriting existing military doctrine, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in cost savings while ensuring relevance and applicability in current job markets.
* Identified and addressed key technical labor requirements needed to successfully resolve equipment and material shortages through focused engineering instruction, enhancing operational readiness and effectiveness.
* Managed all course logistics, including the requisition of instructional items, to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of educational resources that met student needs.
* Conducted periodic assessments of training effectiveness to identify skill gaps and opportunities for improvement; implemented routine performance evaluations to enhance instructional quality and student success.
2011 - 2018 - Raytheon - Lawton, OK
Multinational aerospace and defense conglomerate with over $56.5B in annual revenue.
Senior Instructor Writer Team Lead Learning & Development (L&D) Manager
Provided leadership, supervisory oversight, and direction for a team of 4-6 foreign and domestic instructors. Spearheaded L&D initiatives to upskill and elevate employee performance. Developed and delivered targeted training and development programs, employing on- the-job training, meetings, conferences, and workshops to maximize knowledge and skill attainment.
* Managed over $5MM in training projects, leading a diverse team of writers, graphic artists, and editors to develop ground-up courses; delivered high-quality training materials with zero rewrites, resulting in millions of dollars in cost savings.
* Successfully trained and graduated 2K+ students, reflecting a commitment to impactful instruction and knowledge transfer.
* Verified and validated over 800 lessons and 100 manuals to ensure the quality, accuracy, and integrity of learning content.
- Ensured millions of pieces of educational content were provided to customers with speed and precision.
* Overhauled an onboarding process, providing a highly differentiated and frictionless new hire onboarding experience, enhancing retention and satisfaction rates.
2003 - 2020 - US Army - Fort Bliss Fort Sill
Land service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight US uniformed services.
Operations Manager
Provided dynamic leadership, training, and oversight for a platoon of 30 soldiers, strategically identifying and addressing training needs to enhance performance and foster mentorship opportunities. Managed and administered the organization s training management system; equipped ~500 soldiers with all the knowledge, tools, and resources to optimize project and operational performance.
* Directed daily platoon operations, including supply replenishment and personnel management, resulting in over $500K in cost savings by identifying and capitalizing on process improvement opportunities.
* Leveraged in-depth knowledge and subject matter expertise in the areas of Training Doctrine Command, US Army, and Department of Defense (DoD) programs to mentor general officers, senior leaders, and army personnel.
- Coordinated instructional classes and educational initiatives to facilitate vertical career mobility.
* Researched and successfully integrated training information into various operational and tactical exercises, enhancing decision-making capabilities and the effectiveness of gaming exercises and courses.
Battalion Project Manager
Developed and managed end-to-end projects, from procurement to commission. Monitored performance and controlled costs.
* Managed and maintained $3MM+ in army equipment per project; met all project deadlines with 100% consistency.
Training Director Training Manager
Developed comprehensive training programs using both in-house and external resources. Supervised multiple training managers and supervisors to ensure the quality and integrity of training efforts.
* Overhauled outdated training materials to deliver over $2MM in cost savings.
* Conducted continuing education and employee improvement courses via virtual, simulated, and on-the-job training.
Education & Qualifications
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - Southern Nazarene University
ASSOCIATE'S IN GENERAL STUDIES - Southern Nazarene University
Technical Skills: Learning Management Systems, Blackboard, SharePoint
Certifications & Training: R-Six Sigma Public Relations & Medical Assistant Certification, FEMA Development Program-Instructor Course, US Army Certified Military Instructor, US Military Adult Learning Certified, Artillery Technical Instructor Course, US Army Patriot Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintenance Instructor, Department of Defense Senior Instructor Course, Raytheon Corp. Military Leadership Course, Department of Defense Cadre Training Course (SCTC), US Army