Social Growth Branding Agency

Co-Founder

EMPEQ

Program Manager

United States Air Force

As a Senior Program Manager, I led a team of front line managers who oversee programs focused on aircraft inspections, equipment maintenance, and compliance issues. Facilitating human resource responsibilities, I handled all performance reviews, coaching feedback, culture setting strategy, and any disciplinary actions necessary. My entire responsibility encompasses managing 153 total employees, two aircraft maintenance hangars worth $36M, 11 programs, and $28M worth of equipment.

An achievement in this position includes:
●	Led a high-profile program focused on improving our qualification upgrade rates.

Senior Program Manager

In this role, I served as program manager at two separate locations, Dover Air Force Base and Ramstein Air Force Base. Leading a seven-member team, I focused the team’s efforts on flawless execution of the aircraft maintenance programs. Specifically, identifying and implementing process improvements that increased productivity and operational efficiencies within the aircraft wheel and tire work center saved the Air Force millions of dollars in cost savings. In addition, I liaised with senior leadership ensuring they were up to date on all aircraft and equipment statuses and concerns.

Some notable accomplishments in this role include:
●	Increased order efficiency by 150% via creation of database.
●	Secured alternative sourcing options for aircraft wheel bearings preventing nine-month supply bottleneck.
●	Delivered 6% cost savings through streamlined inventory and production processes.

While in Honduras, I oversaw all aircraft and helicopter related operations for Central American missions and ensured safe and secure operations of the region’s lone capable C-5 airfield. 

I did this while training and developing a two person crew as they executed the vision of the section. I was awarded a Commendation Medal for my efforts during that year.

Key achievements in this role included:
●	Collaborated with the U.S Marines to conduct three anti-trafficking operations throughout Central America.
●        Overhauled base’s tool accountability system, creating central checkout point and reducing waste by 27%

Operations Manager

I interacted with Wing deployment agency while ensuring that all personnel and equipment met 12 hour Operations capability timelines. I also ensured full-spectrum readiness of personnel and equipment, maintained mobility folders, and ensures mobility training requirements are met. I also deployed within 12 hours as C-5 and C-17 maintenance team member, while supporting TRANSCOM's global Joint Task Force-Port Opening (JTF-PO) mission with the Army.

I sustained worldwide Contingency Response Wing maintenance operations while being deployable within 12 hours. During this time, I executed bare base buildup, established personnel and equipment placement, and supported USTRANSCOM directed missions. As a mechanic, I maintained and serviced 18 C-5 and 13 C-17 aircraft and alleviated maintenance personnel shortfalls.

Contingency Aircraft Mechanic

During the beginning of my Air Force career, I performed scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on 18 C-5 aircraft valued at over $3.7 billion. I also performed aircraft inspections and servicing for daily training sorties, worldwide missions, and special taskings. I managed numerous programs and tracked accountability of test equipment, tools, and technical manuals valued at $1 million.

Aircraft Mechanic

Crowdbotics

Visiting Fellow

National Association of African Americans in Human Resources - Northern California

• Strategy development and oversight of its implementation, leading its strategic communications
effort to demonstrate NAAAHR value and impact

• Developing new components of the Chapter's strategy

• Lead the Chapters strategy development and oversight of its implementation including leading
the development of annual and longer-term goals, monitoring achievement of the goals, and
establishing metrics to determine successful implementation of the goals.

• Lead the Chapters innovation efforts including supporting the operation and the development of
new ideas for the Chapter

• Support the coordination of the organization’s knowledge management strategy setting up
systems to facilitate knowledge management between partners, networks, and other external
thought leaders

• Working closely with the Chapter President, Leaders and Board Members to develop criteria to
define key strategic partnerships in alignment with the Chapters strategic plan and work
towards implementing a plan to secure partnerships that support mission achievement

• Work with Chapter Leaders and Board Members to execute against ambitious goals, including
identifying, cultivating and soliciting funding from sponsors, partners, external foundations,
corporations, government sources and other community partners

• Steward existing and build new strategic partnerships that advance NAAAHR’s mission
achievement including identifying new partners to development for new programs and services
provided locally

• Use opportunities to deepen relationships with current partners and sponsors, and to advance
strategies to secure potential partners

Vice President of Strategy

Business Strategy | Data Analytics | Innovation | Defense Ventures Alum

As a visionary entrepreneur and LinkedIn branding strategist, I channel over a decade of experience into helping corporate professionals and startup founders carve influential digital identities. 

At the helm of Social Growth Branding Agency, I’m dedicated to transforming LinkedIn brands into powerful narratives that captivate, inspire, and drive engagement. Our mission extends beyond mere visibility; we strive to craft legacies that resonate across the entrepreneurial and corporate landscapes.

My journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation. The combination of 14 years of military experience and an Executive MBA from Brown University and IE Business School on the horizon gives me a unique vantage point at the intersection of cutting-edge marketing strategies and transformative leadership principles. 

My expertise lies in identifying the unique value each professional and founder possesses, turning their experience into strategic assets that elevate their career and business trajectories.

Beyond this venture, I am an advocate and supporter for equity in entrepreneurship. My aspiration to launch a venture capital fund for underrepresented founders is a testament to my commitment to leveling the playing field in the startup ecosystem. 

Through mentorship, strategic advisory, and leveraging my extensive network, I aim to foster an environment where every aspiring entrepreneur can thrive.

In everything I do, my approach is characterized by a blend of creativity, strategic foresight, and a genuine passion for seeing others succeed.

Shawn Gregoire

Project RECCE CIO

As a Project RECCE Ambassador, "I will hold dear to my heart, through my actions, championed by me in the spirit of military service - of Integrity, Momentum, Respect, Excellence, Commitment, Comradeship and Ethics; that I also commit myself to the goals of aiding veterans to gain meaningful employment, to enable mental and physical well-being, to enable constructive transition to civilian life and to make my communities and environments better through the involvement of veterans in every aspect of their post military lives."

• I communicate nationally expanding awareness of the Project RECCE CIO mission, services, offerings and growing community.
• I Champion the adoption and use of the Employment Rendezvous (ERV) social media app for military veterans, service leavers, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses.
• I present a service leavers journey from the veteran perspective to cohort members of the "Pathways Into Construction" series of courses.
• I contribute time and experience to charity network growing and fundraising events to increase capability and sustainment of the organisation.

Ambassador

Beaufort

Develops and realises the commercial growth strategy for the Rotary-Wing / Non-Fast Jet category of products and services, and for contributing to raising the profile of Beaufort in Aerospace and Defence.

• Produced and delivered design proposal briefs to initiate 3 new survival flotation product pipelines, shortening the overall timeline from concept to full operational capable products available for distribution.
• Demonstrated product capabilities to Swedish Armed Forces at their training facility leading to acceptance and sales proposal above minimum order required units.
• Successfully presented product offerings to U.S. Army Aviation Programme Management Office driving demand of products for testing, trial and eventual procurement.

Category Manager - Rotary Wing & Non Fast Jet

Survitec Group Ltd.

Develops and realises the commercial growth strategy for the Rotary-Wing / Non-Fast Jet category of products and services, and for contributing to raising the profile of Beaufort in Aerospace and Defence.

• Developed initial global commercial growth strategy for products and services in the Rotary-Wing / Non-Fast Jet category for defence aviation survival equipment focusing on America, Australia and EMEA.
• Grew baseline global network of sales, manufacturing and service contacts in the Rotary-Wing / Non-Fast Jet sphere of influence to expand and promote awareness of products and services.
• Proposed MS 365 knowledge management architecture for future category archiving focused on ease of searchable documents reducing time sales teams use accessing necessary tools to meet customer demand.

Category Manager - Rotary-Wing & Non-Fast Jet

Prodactive Project Solutions

Prodactive help organisations maximise productive working and unlock unrealised business benefits through connected execution, delivery excellence and empowered teams, underpinned by process efficiency and technology.

I freelanced as the Programme Director for on-boarding registrants of the Smartsheet for Armed Forces Leavers Programme who have chosen to begin a self-paced learning journey.  This was accomplished through the use of the Smartsheet platform to organise and manage the associated workflows, data and displays.  To enable the learning journey, I created a lesson outline used by the cohort participants to gain knowledge and experience with Smartsheet.  During the learning journey, key performance indicators were gathered from cohort status updates and used to assess competency gained over time as well as continued use through transition and employment.

Smartsheet | Programme management | Consultancy | Business Development

Programme Director

Royal Navy, Commander United Kingdom Strike Force

• U.S. NATO officer embedded in Royal Navy staff. 
• Directed actions of the 9-person Maritime Air Operations Cell coordinating, synchronising and monitoring the execution of the Air Operations within the NATO Response Force sea-going battle force.
• Performed consulting, liaison and problem solving to Royal Navy planning teams interoperating within large NATO groups working in various global environments.

Director, Maritime Air Operations Cell

NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS)

•	J5 Planner for a deployable joint headquarters capable of executing effective command and control over an assigned Joint Task Force.
•	Led a 70-member Joint Operational Planning Group executing operational planning processes to develop, revise and maintain major Campaign Plans, Operation Plans, and Contingency Plans including the development of Supporting Plans, Branch Plans and Sequels for joint operations and exercises/training events.

Operational Planner and Deputy Planning Team Lead (J5)

US Navy

Directed the major programs and managed the strategic vision for the only overseas U.S. Naval Air Station, including Administration, Safety, Airfield Operations, Supply, Utilities, Recreation, Education, Communications and IT infrastructure, Human Resources (Personnel and Pay), Training, Security, Protocol, and Emergency Management and Response Services. Enforced installation rules, regulations and policies at strategically critical military base with Airport, Naval Pier, and Communications Station. Resolved conflict and supervised assignment of personnel including civilian hiring. 
Provided support for Mediterranean, U.S. Navy Central Command, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. FIFTH and SIXTH Fleet units, and 34 tenant organizations.

•	Chief of staff to departments and supporting organizations with $2.1B in facilities and infrastructure.
•	Managed programs sustaining preparedness of military operations and life support for military airport and supporting community/customer base of over 6,000; significantly aided evacuation of U.S. Embassy, Libya as a reception and onward processing station.
•	Forged, maintained and extended relationships with key military and civilian authorities by learning Italian, bridging cultural differences, and engaging on a variety of topics to build trust.
•	Championed energy conservation and infrastructure upgrades reducing overall consumption cost by 20%. Received Regional Energy “Biggest Loser” Award, greatest cost reduction, fiscal year 2015.
•	Sponsored base dining facility to increase quality and patronage through renovation, advertisement, and customer survey actioning. Results: 2017 1st Runner-Up for prestigious Ney Award. 2018 Win.
•	Interacted directly with U.S. Embassy, Rome, Presidential movement and security staff, and Air Force ONE planners to coordinate 2016 President of the United States visit. POTUS recognition letter.

Executive Officer/Installation Manager, Naval Air Station Sigonella

•	Director of the cell gathering Key Performance Indicators with subsequent developing and tracking Measures of Effectiveness and Measures of Performance specific to and applied over several planning processes for Commander Chief Operating Officer.
•	Lead Contingency Planner, developing Crisis Response Options for the Commander / Chief Operating Officer as well as pre-planned responses and daily tracking of capacities in support of U.S. FIFTH Fleet / Corporate strategy.

Lead for Operational Assessments and Crisis Response Planning

NATO

•	Coordinated and managed the military relationships between the NATO Southern Headquarters and Partner (and other) nations within the command area of influence, including Partnership for Peace engagements, mentoring, interoperability, NATO accession and NATO integration.
•	Served as Kosovo Desk Officer, the chief liaison between NATO and the agency monitoring and programming the Kosovar establishment of governance and accountability.
•	Instrumental in the review of Kosovar Emergency Management programme development and implementation, and subsequent inspection of programme.
•	Regional Coordination Section Chief, directing the planning, preparation, and budget associated with NATO regional outreach and training support to nations comprising the Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

J9 Executive Officer/Assistant Director for Military Partnership

Naval War College

•	Awarded a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies (International Relations) with Distinction.
•	Thesis: "Cultural Comprehension: A Prescription for Prevention".
•	Curriculum focused on the European studies track (European Union, Nuclear Strategic Deterrence, World War II in Europe).
•	Engaged with International students and alumni from a wide range of countries.

Naval Command and Staff College, Graduate Student

Programme Director | Charity Ambassador | Risk Manager | Strategic Planner | Navy Veteran

Former Naval Aviator based near Bicester, sharing my skills and experience to enable service leavers and veterans (often over looked and untapped force multipliers in business) in navigating their own success story. I value every interaction as special. I know we all have a story... Where those stories meet is where the magic happens. Let's chat and find out where ours meet. Then, let's work to make the world better.

During my career, I have succeeded in building solid relationships and teams, led personnel across government and civilian agencies in fast-paced international environments and improved processes, initiated change and managed transformation.

How:

➢ Helping others to succeed through mentorship, coaching and providing opportunities to shine through engaged leadership

➢ Managing / directing programmes and people

➢ Developing and nurturing stakeholder relationships

➢ Developing programme and people knowledge first, collaborating to eliminate waste and increase efficiency while tracking toward goals

➢ Conducting comprehensive planning to chart vision of success within defined timelines, accounting for external influence and change

➢ Solving problems and developing solutions by leveraging knowledge, skills and experience

➢ Considering the influences of data and trends through analysis

➢ Evaluating and managing risk to define limits driving mitigation

➢ Managing human, fiscal and material resources using analysis of key performance indicators, benefits, loss of efficiency and results

I view detailed planning and relationship building as key enablers to success. This worked well while serving over 8 years within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) as a strategic and operational planner, international communicator, coordinator, consultant and negotiator.

I listen and mediate.

Aviation core competence drives the attention-to-detail infused in my work. I'm also adamant that legacy effects of actions and applied solutions are always considered and explained to customers.

Who am I?.. I'm the person who helps when nobody else will. I step forward. I take a stand. I ask questions and get to problem genesis then work out solutions.

Charles McKinney

Mark C. Fava's book, "𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑺 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝑫𝑴𝑰𝑹𝑨𝑳: 𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝑾𝒊𝒔𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒆𝒂 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔", was published earlier this year (Jan).

Ever since, he's been sharing his journey from becoming and instant Amazon best seller to book signing events, joining panels and leadership forums, and sharing his 'lessons' with university students.

⭐ His is a great example of just doing (the thing) and putting in the work ⭐ 

Not just the writing of the book, but the design of it, marketing it and keeping up with stock. He's even recorded a reading of his book.

I held out for a signed copy -  not easy to obtain overseas during the first printing flurry. I had to settle for a 2nd printing, but it's a signed copy and I was able to order it directly from Buxton Books in Charleston, South Carolina.

They were great - contacting me to ensure my order was exactly what I was looking for and to double-check the address for shipping.

Thanks to them I had no issues getting my copy. They also provided a store bookmark and bonus "Lessons from the Admiral" book sticker!

Their warm 'home town' personal touch was most appreciated.

I'm looking forward to diving into all the chapters, no doubt filled with memorable (and familiar) lessons on what 'right' looks like from an inside perspective behind the scenes with a Flag Officer.

Have you read Mark's book yet?

What do you think?

___________________
I’m Charles McKinney - military veteran presenting employment pathways with Ex-Mil Recruitment Ltd., where we work to get service leavers and veterans into quality, meaningful roles.

Recruitment Consultant | Veteran Charity Ambassador | Armed Forces Leaver Programme Administrator | Service Leaver Mentor | Navy Veteran

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Shawn Gregoire

Charles McKinney

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Charles McKinney

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Charles McKinney's LinkedIn Performance

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