Jamaal
Chesney

Summary

I lead workforce strategy, talent management, and leadership development for large, complex organizations. Most recently, I directed a multi-program aircraft training initiative that qualified 783 aircrew across 13 partner nations and enabled $24M in foreign military sales, while managing a $5.9M budget and optimizing projections to reduce costs by $4.2M annually. I've advised senior executives on workforce planning, managed programs affecting over 1 million employees, and redesigned recruitment processes that increased successful placements by 68%. I hold a PMP certification and a Master's in Organizational Management.

Impact

Experience

1. 2024-Present

   Senior Director of Human Capital Operations

   United States Air Force · Little Rock Air Force Base, AR

   • Led a multi-program aircraft conversion and training initiative supporting U.S. and international operations, producing 783 qualified aircrew across the U.S. and 13 partner nations; enabled $24M in foreign military sales.
   • Developed workforce training strategies for 2 concurrent programs and coordinated requirements across 4 major organizations, resolving capacity constraints; kept a $2B, 98-aircraft modernization program on schedule.
   • Managed a $5.9M program budget, secured an additional $110K to address rising costs, and optimized resource projections to reduce requirements by 690 hours and $4.2M annually; maintained workforce training capacity.
   • Led the C-130J Formal Training Unit (FTU) through a complex multi-block syllabus and total force fleet-conversion, achieving flawless execution and graduating 647 students. Oversaw the Department of Defense's (DoD) largest mobility international training program, supporting 74 students from 45 nations and generating over $24M in foreign military sales.

2. 2023-2024

   Director of Human Capital Operations

   United States Air Force · Djibouti, East Africa

   • Designed and delivered over 10 professional development seminars for approximately 150 employees; co-led a 3-day leadership summit for 214 managers across 4 business divisions and 3 international partner organizations.
   • Advised executive leadership on operational priorities and managed allocation of more than $2M in resources to sustain business operations for 2K personnel and management of over 500 facilities and organizational assets.
   • Led 2 large-scale workforce transitions involving approximately 900 personnel each by standardizing onboarding and transition processes; coordinated role assignments with managers and synchronized personnel movements.
   • Steered the group's intra-theater airlift, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and personnel recovery operations across Africa, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea, enabling 2,886 sorties, 31.5K flight hours, and over 30 Close Air Support (CAS) strikes resulting in 46 enemy killed in action, while empowering the movement of over 1.4M tons of cargo and 1,100 passengers.

3. 2022-2023

   Legislative Operations Strategy Program Manager

   United States Air Force · Pentagon, DC

   • Developed 30 enterprise workforce and organizational recommendations affecting over 1M employees; effectively advising leadership and translating workforce data and organizational priorities into decision-making strategies.
   • Managed a $1.2M workforce development program while redesigning recruitment, onboarding, and placement processes; increased successful placements by 68% and secured funding for an additional 12 positions.
   • Led a 5-person team and designed a leadership development curriculum for over 40 mid-level managers; strengthened management capabilities, professional development, and workforce organizational readiness.
   • Built and executed congressional engagement strategies for the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF) and Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force (CMSSF), doubling direct contact with Members of Congress. Provided strategic policy guidance that facilitated 28 focused sessions on Quality of Life (QoL) improvements for 1.3 million service members and guided Senior Enlisted Advisors (SEAs) during the first Joint Service Congressional hearing in four years, generating advocacy for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Fiscal Year 2024 $205 billion budget.

4. 2021-2021

   Congressional Fellow (Policy & Strategy Advisor)

   Office of Congressman Dan Crenshaw U.S. House of Representatives · Capitol Hill, D.C.

   • Advised government leaders on policy, strategy, and organizational priorities by conducting research and evaluating complex requirements; advanced legislative initiatives and strengthened coordination with federal agencies.
   • Analyzed and advised on over 30 national security and healthcare initiatives, translating complex policy and funding requirements into actionable recommendations; action key in supporting passage of major federal legislation.
   • Resolved more than 200 constituent cases by coordinating solutions across federal agencies, community organizations, and congressional staff; improved government services access and addressed constituent concerns.
   • Served as the National Security lead for a Member of Congress (MoC), advising on 30 defense amendments to successfully align legislative priorities with National Defense Strategy (NDS) objectives, resulting in the on-time passage of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (FY22 NDAA).

5. 2020-2020

   Legislative Liaison

   Department of State · Washington D.C.

   • Developed and executed a bureau-level professional development strategy, designing 18 leadership seminars that improved employee engagement, leadership capability, and cross-functional collaboration for 53 personnel.

6. 2016-2020

   Director of HR Operations, Training Program Manager

   United States Air Force · Multiple Global Locations

   • Supervised workforce planning, and talent management across 6 business units in over 12 countries, aligning staffing, organizational development and talent strategies; supported more than 1K employees and global requirements.
   • Reduced training and retention costs by more than $840K by leading over 50 performance review panels; identified high-potential employees, improved talent decisions, and implemented workforce process improvements.
   • Strengthened employee relations and leadership succession for more than 1K employees by advising senior executives on performance, workplace conduct, and conflict resolution while developing talent pipelines.
   • Managed the training and operational delivery of 122 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) ready Airmen to 6 Commanders, successfully mitigating an 85% turnover rate, reducing squadron Mission Qualification Training (MQT) requirements, and boosting Numbered Air Force (NAF) surge capability.

Skills

Education and certifications

Service record

Rank

E-9

Years served

25

Specialty / MOS

9E000 Command Chief / 1N GEOINT Analyst

Security clearance

TS-SCI