THEODORE ERNST
806 N Riverview • Bellevue, IA 52031 • C: 210.557.0298•
Maintenance Planning and Production Management • Quality Management
More than 17 years of experience in maintenance production and quality management with proven success directing the efforts of up to 500+ technicians. Very effective at setting policy and procedure and developing best practices that ensure positive results. Known for creating a collaborative team environment that exceed expectations, meets deadlines and achieves improvements of up to 60%. Analytical problem solver with the ability to evaluate data or reports to identify trends, define root cause of issues and implement corrective actions. Effective scheduling, proactive planning and efficient time management led to a 67% reduction in overdue training. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook. Top Secret SCI/DCID security clearance, 7/2013.
· Fault Isolation
· KPI Analysis
· Root Cause Analysis
· Lean / Six Sigma
· Resource Management
· Strategic Planning
· Human Resource Management
· Program Management
· Policy / Procedure Development
· Training Program Oversight
· Diplomatic Communication
· Team Building
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Maintenance Manager (Wing Weapons Manager) – United States Air Force 6/2013 to Present
Provided oversight and management of 200+ technicians who performed loading, maintenance, repairs and inspections on the flightline as well as in backshops. Developed policy and procedure to ensure team met all production goals while maintaining the highest standards of quality and complying with OSHA safety guidelines.
· Oversaw the proficiency training and certification of all crews to ensure they exceeded expectations. Reduced overdue training by 67% in 2014 which directly contributed to team’s 100% QA pass rate.
· Introduced 100% inspection requirement of all maintenance performed prior to release for flight; directly contributed to a 100% equipment operability rate for the release of 693 live munitions.
· Motivated and led team to balance sense of urgency with quality. Met deadlines with 91.8% of repairs completed in 8 hours or less while achieving a 0.85% error rate prior to flight – below 1.5% standard.
· Trained personnel from all branches of the U.S. military. Promoted inter-service relations while serving as a maintenance production and weapons loading management subject matter expert.
Maintenance Superintendent (Fabrication Flight Superintendent) – United States Air Force 12/2012 to 6/2013
Planned, directed and supervised the maintenance efforts of 140 personnel from 4 specialties. Oversaw staffing and allocation of personnel. Directed maintenance quality, team’s productivity rates and all aspects of human resources management including performance evaluations, counseling, discipline, recognition and promotions.
· Planned priorities and coordinated all repairs, maintenance and modifications to optimize production and maintain the health of a fleet of 123 aircraft in one of the most international dynamic maintenance units.
· Compiled and analyzed performance metrics and quality assurance inspection results. Identified positive and negative trends, recurring issues and deficiencies in policy and procedure as well as training needs.
· Led team to achieve aircraft availability of 86%, which was 5% above USAF standards; implemented “do it right the first time” philosophy to ensure production and quality goals were met.
· Created safety, policy and procedure compliance training and evaluation program that tested team’s knowledge weekly. Improved from 40% pass rate the first week to 100% pass rate within 3 months.
· Planned and supervised equipment upgrade projects; oversaw procurement of necessary parts and scheduled the upgrade process to ensure 100% of aircraft were flight-ready without interrupting customer production.
THEODORE ERNST • Page 2
806 N Riverview • Bellevue, IA 52031 • C: 210.557.0298•
Maintenance Superintendent (Armament Flight Superintendent) – United States Air Force 12/2011 to 12/2012
Managed 65+ personnel; conducted short-term and long-term planning and scheduling. Coordinated with production superintendent on establishing priorities and leading maintenance production, scheduling and planning for 3,900 pieces of equipment. Analyzed malfunctions to diagnose root cause and implemented corrective actions.
· Balanced focus on quality and safety within the shop. Ensured 100% compliance with technical instructions and zero safety violations or unsafe conditions violations with on-time training, hands-on inspections of work in-progress and taking a proactive approach to problem solving.
· Oversaw 650 quality assurance (QA) inspections every year where the team earned 98% pass rate.
· Managed $240M equipment account and maintained 98.8% operability and availability rate.
· Led several Lean/Six Sigma events. Created a specialized maintenance team that focused on specific systems. Created streamlined maintenance processes and reduced down time from 5 days to 3 days.
· Team was awarded Secretary of Defense Field Level Maintenance Award for the base in 2012.
Maintenance Director (Wing Weapons Superintendent) – United States Air Force 6/2009 to 12/2011
Provided oversight of 300+ technicians who performed maintenance, repairs and inspections on the flightline as well as in backshops. Established policy and procedure to ensure team met all production goals while maintaining the highest standards of quality and complying with OSHA safety guidelines.
· Oversaw the proficiency training and certification of all crews to ensure they exceeded expectations. Reduced overdue training by 67% in 2008 which directly contributed to team’s 100% QA pass rate.
· Introduced 100% inspection requirement of all maintenance performed prior to release for flight; directly contributed to a 100% equipment operability rate for the release of 693 live munitions.
· Motivated and led team to balance sense of urgency with quality. Met deadlines with 91.8% of repairs completed in 8 hours or less while achieving a 0.85% error rate prior to flight – below 1.5% standard.
· Trained personnel from all branches of the U.S. military as well as foreign military members; promoted international relations while serving as a maintenance production management subject matter expert.
Training Manager (Military Training Superintendent) – United States Air Force 6/2005 to 6/2009
Directed the daily training management of 1500+ military trainees. Established, communicated and enforced training standards and policies.
· Chaired daily training meetings, established priorities, reviewed training status and defined strategic goals that efficiently allocated resources, staffing and equipment in a time-sensitive, dynamic environment.
· Analyzed key training indicators in order to define the root cause of issues and identify trends or inefficiencies; recommended procedural changes or corrective actions that improved performance.
· Created an effective schedule of all training efforts that enabled the team to achieve efficient training practices within training guidelines.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Associate of Applied Science, Aircraft Armament Systems, Community College of the Air Force
Associate of Applied Science, Education and Training Management, Community College of the Air Force
USAF Training includes:
Information Assurance • Emergency Management and Emergency Response Operations Course
Maintenance Production Management • Maintenance Management Systems • Lean / Six Sigma
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) • Hazardous Communications (HAZCOM)