Marcos
Valdez

Summary

I spent over 20 years leading high-stakes regulatory oversight and project management in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, where I directed teams of up to 40 people and managed projects worth up to $2.9 billion. I collaborated with senior engineers to design and deliver a first-of-kind fuel processing system that saved $2.2 million and 55 days of schedule. Now completing my B.S. in Accounting, I bring deep expertise in compliance, process improvement, audit management, and leading complex technical operations under strict regulatory frameworks.

Impact

Experience

1. 2024-

   Education and Family Sabbatical

   Self-Employed ·

   • Completed a B.S. in Accounting.
   • Commenced a dual degree Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Leadership program.
   • Completed advanced training in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint through Cengage.com.
   • Relocated to Texas in preparation for entering the next phase of life and beginning a new career.

2. 2019-2024

   Maintenance Availability Project Officer

   Naval Reactors Representatives Office - Newport News, VA · Newport News, VA

   • Worked closely with senior Newport News Shipyard engineers over a two-year period to ensure the on-budget and on-schedule design and fabrication of a first-of-kind $550K spent fuel vacuum drying system projected to save 55 days of schedule to process spent fuel and resulting in a savings of $2.2M.
   • By-name selected as the program representative for an enterprise-wide Emergency Response Summit. Drove streamlined communication strategies between shipyards, Navy leaders, and external partners, improving overall response capability and readiness.
   • Inspected the shipyard’s radioactive material program, ensuring compliant storage and disposal of o 2,600 pieces of radioactive material stored in 55 locations across the shipyard, ensuring confidence in the shipyard’s ability to handle radioactive material.
   • Provided oversight during training, planning, and execution of a $2.9B nuclear-powered aircraft carrier refueling and complex overhaul, requiring around the clock deck plate coverage of over 200 highly trained shipyard, ship’s crew, and security personnel for greater than 365 days resulting in completion of fuel handling operations 20 days ahead of schedule.

3. 2014-2019

   Process Line Project Officer

   Naval Reactors Representatives Office - Idaho Falls, ID · Idaho Falls, ID

   • Ensured facility efficiency and technical compliance in fuel processing operations, a 90 man-year, $19M program. Provided mentoring to four senior managers and 90 refueling personnel. Identified deficient open item management, resulting in new fuel handling processes commencing without delay.
   • Validated compliance with Idaho State Agreement timelines for processing and handling of materials on the Idaho National Laboratory. Evaluated equipment maintenance and material history tracking, work scheduling and execution, and personnel manning management.
   • Enhanced the quality and clarity of written and oral examinations used to train and qualify junior officers, resulting in improved qualification durations and improved competency of new personnel.
   • Lead Planner for the 2015 Naval Reactors Compliance Inspection for the Naval Reactors Facility. Flawlessly executed all logistics, including regulatory report generation.

4. 2016-2017

   Assistant Environmental, Safety, Health, and Radiological Controls Officer

   Naval Reactors Representatives Office · Idaho Falls, ID

   • Certifications Held During Role: OSHA 510 (30-hour Construction Safety) & OSHA 511 (30-hour General Industry) HAZWOPER 40-hour (Hazardous Waste Operations) McCoy RCRA 5-day (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
   • Oversaw waste shipping at the Navy’s most active radiological waste generating facility ensuring compliance with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as well as CFR 49 (Transportation) Standards. Oversight of 380 hazardous and radioactive waste shipments ensured flawless execution and no regulatory violations, directly supporting Navy needs.
   • Performed audits and surveillances of facility safety to ensure compliance with OSHA -510/511 (Construction and General Industry), identified weaknesses in fall protection, safety oversight, and casualty response, contributing to reductions in facility first-aid injury rate and employee lost workdays.

5. 2009-2014

   Team Lead

   USS Mississippi (SSN 782) · Groton, CT

   • Completion of new construction training and certification program for the ninth Virginia class fast attack submarine, including Dry Deck Shelter Certification for the Virginia Class Submarines, initial sea-trials, and acoustic trials; resulting in delivery to the Navy one year early.
   • Led a seven-member team that planned and executed the initial establishment of chemistry controls as well as instituted the ships’ radiological controls program, including providing all initial training, both classroom and practical application, for a department of 60 people.
   • Expertise in chemistry and radiological controls ensured a fully trained and qualified junior division ready to support installation and testing of the ship’s nuclear propulsion plant. Efforts were essential to completion of initial plant testing in 60% of the original timeline.
   • Responsible for development and execution of continuing training for a department of 60 people on chemistry and radiological controls.

6. 2007-2009

   Department Lead

   USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) · Bremerton, WA

   • Forward deployed submarine tender stationed in La Maddalena, Italy. Provides repair services and logistical support to SIXTH FLEET ships and submarines in the Mediterranean Area of Responsibility. Conducted homeport change to Washington for Military Sealift Command hybrid-crew conversion.
   • Led a 40-member department consisting of four unique work centers and coordinated the planning, execution, and training in support of a large, complex refit availability.
   • Trained and developed 11 individuals resulting in successful turnover of chemistry analysis, radiation health, and radiological controls programs to an off-hull organization in support of Navy plans to shift manning responsibilities.
   • Responsible for proper control and disposition of materials including those with radioactive and hazardous constituents.

7. 2007-2007

   Student

   Radiological Controls Technician Qualification School (RCTQS) · Norfolk, VA

   • Completed a 20-week course of instruction in radiological controls requirements for establishment of control schemes, survey and material control requirements, and disestablishment of areas.
   • Responsible for maintaining legal records associated with surveys, validation of equipment readiness for use, and control of materials with hazardous and radiological characteristics.

8. 2002-2007

   Team Lead

   USS Seawolf (SSN 21) · Groton, CT

   • Hand-selected to lead a six-member team responsible for analysis and maintenance of steam and reactor plant water chemistry and radiological controls within the first two years of reporting on-board.
   • Expertly guided a division through a transition of long-term shipyard availability to operational status including the training of junior personnel with no previous at-sea experience.
   • Diligently planned and executed an arduous pre-deployment maintenance plan to prepare the ship for a six-month deployment and an under-ice artic transit. Coordinated numerous and complex radiological and chemistry requirements for special testing.
   • Responsible for scheduling, planning, and execution of routine and corrective maintenance items, including consumable parts acquisition and disposition of waste including materials meeting RCRA requirements.

9. 2001-2002

   Student

   Nuclear Power Training Unit · Ballston Spa, NY

   • Completed a 13-week course of instruction including lectures, hands-on demonstrations and simulations, and written and oral examinations in basic chemistry, steam plant and primary systems chemistry, and radiological controls.
   • Completed a 24-week course of practical instruction in operation of mechanical systems including hydraulic, fluid, and steam systems; focusing on proper equipment operation, maintenance and documentation of key plant parameters, documentation of official records, and casualty response actions.

10. 2000-2001

    Student

    Naval Nuclear Power Training Command · Goose Creek, SC

    • Completed a demanding 24-week course of instruction in over 600 hours of college level mathematics, physics, chemistry, reactor physics, and related subjects; graduating in the top 20% of a group of 328 students.
    • Completed a 14-week course of instruction in basic machinery design, proper mechanical operational principles, valve and pump design, and maintenance principles associated with nuclear powered warships.
    • Responsible for the proper control and handling of classified information.

Skills

Education and certifications

Service record

Branch

U.S. Navy

Rank

O-3

Years served

2000 – 2024

Specialty / MOS

6200

Security clearance

Top Secret/SCI