Operations & Facilities Executive with 30+ Years Experience

Jeff Kestner, MBA

**** ******** ****** **, ** ***32 *******.*******@*****.*** 423-***-****

Results-oriented Operations Executive with 30+ years of progressive experience in optimizing operational efficiency, managing large-scale projects, and leading diverse teams within government and public sectors. Proven ability to develop and implement strategic initiatives, manage multi-million-dollar budgets, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Expertise in facility management, contract negotiation, and stakeholder engagement. MBA and extensive training in project management and leadership.

Core Competencies/key skills

Strategic Planning & Execution

Operations Management

Budget Management & Financial Oversight

Contract Negotiation & Administration

Team Leadership & Development

Process Improvement & Optimization

Risk Management & Mitigation

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

Facility Management & Infrastructure Development

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

Performance Management

Problem Solving & Decision Making

MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

General Services Administration Knoxville, TN 02/2023-Present

Operations Manager

Directed maintenance, custodial, and security contracts for thirteen federal buildings statewide (2M+ sq ft), serving all three branches of government with 23 different federal agencies.

Managed a $40M operating budget, prioritizing FY25 projects based on life safety and facility condition, securing over $13M in critical facility infrastructure improvements.

Lease administration of 288 agency spaces statewide, ensuring compliance; optimizing utilization.

Served as the GSA state representative, building partnerships with federal, state, and local officials to facilitate construction and renovation projects.

General Services Administration Knoxville, TN 04/2020-02/2023

Building Manager

Managed 545,000 sq ft of federal space and sixteen leased facilities, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations and collaboration with all three branches of government: exceeding tenant satisfaction survey ratings

Improved operational efficiency, implementing a waste diversion program, increasing diversion by 23%.

Reduced costs by streamlining maintenance contracts, raising deductibles, and optimizing service agreements.

Initiated and oversaw 17 improvement projects, enhancing facility infrastructure and addressing critical maintenance needs.

Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service Knoxville, TN 9/2013-08/2019

Civil Engineering Technician – Contracting Officer Representative

Provided technical engineering guidance for natural resources conservation throughout 26 counties in Northeast Tennessee’s more 10 million acres: planning and designing at no cost to the landowners

Collaborated with Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Valley Authority, and local authorities on 50 + conservation project sites to restore streambank erosion with rock riprap and riparian buffers

Performed Quality Assessments of the installation of a $400K emergency watershed project; repaired 26 sites of erosion, restored rural roads to make the property accessible.

Virginia College School of Business and Health 1/2014-01/2015

Adjunct Instructor

Delivered Project Management principles of writing a business charter, and a statement of work

Delivered curriculum and administered assessments for business writing and oral presentation skills.

Department of Veterans Affairs Mountain Home, TN 9/2008-08/2013

Engineering Technician – Contracting Officer Representative

Provided project management, technical guidance and quality assurance for eleven major construction projects with a consolidated budget of $10M, planning, developing, and writing statements of works

Oversaw project management, technical guidance, and facilitated the basis of design and construction

Contract officer’s representative on a major eight elevator installation project; on-time and on budget

Established a basis for construction services on critical infrastructure needs in a facility was established in 1901

Performed project management oversight while working to maintain historical preservation

Dobbyn’s Bennett High School Kingsport, TN 8/2007-7/2008

Junior ROTC Instructor

Taught military history, oral and written communication skills, and physical education courses to 135 cadets.

Delivered curriculum and assessments on citizenship, customs and courtesies, and ceremonial presentations.

United States Air Force – Retired SMSGT Montgomery, AL 2/1986-10/2007

Senior Leadership School Instructor

Aircraft Maintenance, Production Superintendent

Chief of Weapons Maintenance Operations

Aircraft Systems Project Manager

Aircraft & Facilities Quality Assurance Inspector

Education

Master of Business Administration August 2013

King University, Bristol, TN

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, August 2007

Excelsior College, Albany, NY

CERTIFICATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

GSA Contract Officers Representative (COR) 40-Hour Course April 2020

General Services Administration

Aspiring Leader Program February 2015

Department of Agriculture

Project Management Course June 2014

Department of Agriculture

VA Contract Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) 40-HR Course January 2012

Department of Veterans Affairs

30-Hour OSHA Certification January 2010

Department of Veteran’s Affairs

Senior Leadership Academy November 2004

US Air Force

Senior Logistics Course May 2001

US Air Force

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