Open to opportunities

Connor Keeling

@connorkeeling

Project manager at the U.S. Army who improved air defense certification, increasing certified Soldiers by 75%.

At the U.S. Army, I managed air defense and airspace projects across a European deployment, combat training center rotations, and field exercises. I improved air defense and counter-drone certification processes, increasing the number of certified Soldiers by 75%.

During my Hiring Our Heroes fellowship, I led two process improvement projects for Hiring Our Heroes and the State of Tennessee Department of Human Resources. I used Lean Six Sigma tools to identify non-value-added steps and presented process optimization recommendations to the governance committee.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Project Manager (Battalion Assistant Operations Officer)

U.S. Army

Led a team of 12 operations planners, maintaining training calendars and developing operational concepts for air defense system crew gunnery. Achieved 100% crew certification and record-high engagement during a National Training Center rotation.

Operations Planning Training Management Stakeholder Collaboration Workflow Optimization

Project Manager (Brigade Air Defense & Airspace Management Officer)

U.S. Army

Led a Brigade Air Defense & Airspace Management Cell of 10 Soldiers, managing air defense operations across deployments and training exercises. Optimized certification processes, resulting in a 75% increase in certified Soldiers and 100% engagement rate.

Project Management Air Defense Airspace Management Value Stream Mapping Stakeholder Management

Business Process Improvement Analyst

State of Tennessee Department of Human Resources

Served as a Hiring Our Heroes fellow for a 12-week program, leading two process improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma tools. Prepared and presented process optimization efforts to the governance committee and shared success stories at a quarterly BPI roundtable.

Lean Six Sigma SIPOC Process Mapping Trend Analysis Change Management Presentation Skills

Project Manager (Avenger Platoon Leader)

U.S. Army

Led a platoon of 40 Soldiers, ensuring readiness and leading a 9-month combat deployment in Iraq, earning a Bronze Star Medal. Created and implemented defense designs for two airbases, protecting over 3,000 personnel.

Leadership Personnel Management Defense Planning Training Risk Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Lean Alaska

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Process Improvement

Certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Change Management Professional.

Scrum.org

Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), Scrum

Certified as a Professional Scrum Master I.

PMI

Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management

Certified as a Project Management Professional.

Liberty University

Master of Science, National Security: Homeland Security

Grade: GPA 3.9

Master of Science in National Security with a focus on Homeland Security, including elective coursework in cybersecurity, national security strategy and policy, and homeland security structure.

Mercyhurst University

Bachelor of Arts, Intelligence Studies and Information Analysis

Grade: GPA 3.7

Activities and societies: Army ROTC Cadet; commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Bachelor of Arts in Intelligence Studies and Information Analysis with a minor in History, graduated with honors and presented a senior capstone project to the National Geospatial Agency.