Executive Communications and HR Manager

MATTHEW HECKMAN, Top Secret/SCI Clearance

Senior Manager, Communications Strategist

West Melbourne, FL Remote/Local *********@*****.*** 321-***-****

www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-heckman

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

I’ve never been drawn to easy—I’m wired for the work that demands more. Over the past two decades, I’ve led crisis communications, AI transformation, and enterprise operations at the forefront of innovation, from Microsoft and NASA to global cybersecurity missions spanning four continents. Whether steering a $1.2B platform launch through international turbulence or crafting AI-powered narratives that shape launch safety, I don’t just connect dots—I redesign the map. I’ve stood at the intersection of tech, leadership, and policy, translating complexity into clarity and forging bold ideas into action. If you’re looking for a driver who leads with energy, strategy, thrives in ambiguity, and builds communication systems that don’t just inform but ignite, you’ve just found him.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Technical & Executive Communications

Public Affairs & Crisis Messaging

Strategic Narrative Development

Internal/External Campaign Management

Cybersecurity & Risk Communication

Stakeholder & Media Engagement

Technical Writing & Knowledge Delivery

AI Integration & Cloud Messaging (Copilot, M365)

TOOLS

•Enterprise IT & Network Management: Cisco IOS, Juniper OS, Active Directory

•Cybersecurity & Compliance: DISA HBSS/ACAS, Risk Management Framework (RMF)

•Strategic Communications & Crisis Response: VoIP/VoSIP systems, SCIF operations

•Data Analysis & Decision Support: SolarWinds, Wireshark, Spectrum Analyzers

Technical Writing & Knowledge Delivery: Documentation Standards, Compliance Reporting

EDUCATION

M.S. in Cybersecurity Studies

B.S. in Computer Animation and Simulation Science

CERTIFICATIONS

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate

Security+ CE

Advanced Enterprise Risk and Strategy

Professional Management Certification

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SENIOR MANAGER – TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS & ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS

US SPACE FORCE – COLORADO (OCT 2023 – PRESENT)

●Accelerated launch of a $1.2B global platform by two months, leading 35 cross-functional contributors and aligning execution with executive priorities during a real-time international crisis.

●Facilitated a company-wide innovation sprint, leading a team of 11 managers to develop performance management prototypes adopted for workforce optimization.

●Led cross-regional communication teams through a seamless transition to cloud-based platforms, enhancing real-time collaboration and operational resilience across 12 business units in North America, Europe, and Asia.

●Delivered global impact across 15,000+ users by commanding a $60M cybersecurity and communications portfolio—ensuring operational readiness on four continents in real time.

●Led 12 mission-critical programs with zero delays—planning, executing, and adapting under pressure with strategic precision.

●Provided senior-level advisory to a multinational, 168-person organization focused on global early warning initiatives, supporting leadership on workforce development, morale, and operational continuity.

SENIOR MANAGER – STRATEGIC & EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

US SPACE FORCE – COLORADO (SEP 2021 – OCT 2023)

●Led change communications during multi-system modernization, guiding 2,500 employees across 12 departments through technical upgrades with clarity and engagement.

●Streamlined internal response protocols for incident communications, reducing response time through updated playbooks and improved coordination across seven business units.

●Launched a technical certification initiative for mid-level specialists, enabling five team members to secure advanced cybersecurity credentials, boosting internal credibility and reducing reliance on external vendors.

●Cut mission downtime by 50% with AI-powered analytics that brought clarity to chaos, accelerating decision-making at every level.

MICROSOFT CORPORATE FELLOW – AI STRATEGY & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

US SPACE FORCE – COLORADO (JAN 2025 – APR 2025)

●Built AI-driven communications from the ground up—engineering 11 Microsoft Copilot prompts using 5,000+ data points across 21 NASA divisions to boost launch safety and emergency response.

●Drove nearly 8,000 employee engagements through a cutting-edge cybersecurity awareness campaign—merging technical expertise with storytelling that sticks.

●Sharpened executive insight on AI risk, cloud security, and ethical governance—backed by certifications in Azure and Google Cybersecurity, and in pursuit of SC-900 and AI-900.

SENIOR MANAGER – ENTERPRISE COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS

US AIR FORCE – CALIFORNIA (MAR 2019 – SEP 2021)

●Managed infrastructure lifecycle and maintenance strategy across seven strategic business units, improving system uptime and long-term asset value.

●Directed a $1M internal software communications campaign, increasing regional visibility in high-priority markets by 50% and supporting risk mitigation.

●Unified seven departments during a major system overhaul, aligning requirements and accelerating on-time delivery of $1M in technology improvements.

●Launched a technical certification initiative for mid-level specialists, enabling five team members to secure advanced cybersecurity credentials, boosting internal credibility and reducing reliance on external vendors.

●Formed the organization’s first enterprise-wide cybersecurity training task force, connecting three previously siloed departments and accelerating readiness through a shared skills development roadmap.

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER – CYBER FORENSICS & INVESTIGATIONS

US AIR FORCE – CALIFORNIA (SEP 2017 – MAR 2019)

●Resolved 59 technical failures across 13 digital assets, overseeing a technical team of seven and restoring full functionality, supporting four regions.

●Developed an international training curriculum for digital investigations, equipping forensic teams across allied organizations with tools and techniques for secure mobile data analysis and evidence handling.

●Remediated critical software issues affecting operations center systems, preserving business continuity during periods of heightened risk.

●Orchestrated cloud-native infrastructure launch for executive decision support systems, aligning IT leaders and global stakeholders to modernize command and control capabilities supporting operations.

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