Matthew Conner
McConnell

Summary

I'm a Marine Officer with 4+ years leading complex aviation operations, managing tactical and administrative government programs, and mentoring small teams. I have experience in developing AI automation solutions, managing government programs with $1.2M in annual fund liquidation, aided in the successful completion of 700+ flight missions, and oversaw maintenance cycles on $800k worth of equipment. I hold a BS in Engineering from Vanderbilt and Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Impact

Experience

1. 2026-Present

   UPMC SkillBridge Corporate Legal Extern

   UPMC · Pittsburgh, PA

   • Conducted legal research, policy review, and analysis in support of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Corporate Legal Team, working primarily for Employment and Litigation practice groups, having impact on an organization of over 100,000 employees.
   • Developed and coding of AI agents and Power Apps increasing contract production efficiency by 25%.

2. 2023-2026

   Operations Director

   USMC · Cherry Point, NC

   Show the military equivalent

   • Collaborated with 6 agencies to plan and execute various military projects in support of 5 domestic exercises and 1 international deployment.
   • Served as air operations cell director, principally responsible for small teams conducting the following functions: logistics coordination, safety & risk mitigation, IT and technology system maintenance, intelligence data collection, external agency communications, and aircraft control.
   • Trained, managed, and directed crews of 10-12, conducting the above functions, in support over 700 successful aircraft missions.
   • Successfully supported international NATO level exercises involving more than a dozen nations and four U.S. Military branches, successfully integrating multinational aviation operations completing combined objectives.

3. 2025-2026

   Program Manager, Compliance & Finance

   USMC · Cherry Point, NC

   Show the military equivalent

   • Program manager for the Government Travel Charge Card and Defense Travel System Programs. Duties included the oversight and tracking of official booking, funding, and approval for travel of a unit with 300 people.
   • Managed timely processing of over 200 travel vouchers, resulting in the liquidation of over $1.2 million in government funds annually.
   • Produced accurate tracking of legal and financial data to senior leadership on a weekly basis, informing of successes, shortfalls, and potential risk to mission.
   • Owned and progressed 70 legal cases pertaining to investigations, military separations, security clearances, and disciplinary proceedings with 100% compliance when inspected.

4. 2024-2025

   Operations Team Lead

   USMC · Cherry Point, NC & Jacksonville, NC

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   • Held principal responsibility for accountability and maintenance of over $800,000 of government equipment, enabling 16 hours of mishap free live aircraft control.
   • Served as organizer and supervisor for a team capable of providing forward deployed aircraft control, satellite and radio communications, and airspace planning in support of commander objectives.
   • Coordinated with 4 external agencies to meet all pre-deployment exercise requirements to include logistical movements, personnel accountability, risk assessment and mitigation, and communications contingencies.
   • Successfully led a team of 8 through all pre-deployment training requirements and exercises on a short 3-month timeline, ensuring rapid deploy-ability within a 72-hour notice.

5. 2024-2025

   Training & Development Manager

   USMC · Cherry Point, NC

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   • Principally responsible for 5 training programs that were found 100% effective when inspected by higher command.
   • Facilitated the completion and accurate tracking of over 5,000 Marine Corps individual training requirements, enabling the successful passing of combat readiness evaluations, 100% compliance with calendar year requirements, and progress towards more than 30 undergraduate degrees.
   • Led a team of 3 to track, plan, and manage all professional education, administrative, and operational training requirements for a squadron of over 300 Marines.

6. 2022-2023

   The Basic School Student and Company Academics Officer

   USMC · Quantico, VA

   Show the military equivalent

   • Completed foundational officer training and volunteered to be company academics officer for roughly 300 peers.

7. 2020-2020

   Bass Pro Shops Hunting Sales Outfitter

   Bass Pro Shops · Nashville, TN

   • Provided expert hunting product sales and customer service in a retail environment.

8. 2019-2019

   Heartland Custom Cabinets Assembly and Instillation Hand

   Heartland Custom Cabinets · Dallas, TX

   • Performed assembly and installation work on custom cabinet projects.

9. 2017-2018

   Glen Cove Swim Club Head Lifeguard

   Glen Cove Swim Club · Dallas, TX

   • Supervised aquatic safety and lifeguard operations at a community swim facility.

Skills

Education and certifications

Service record

Branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Rank

O-3

Years served

2022 – 2026

Specialty / MOS

7208

Security clearance

Top Secret/SCI