Ryan S. Kennedy

7150 Lackman Road Apt 908, Shawnee, KS • • (703) 999-6501

Highly competent, motivated, and results-driven executive equipped with broad-based experience in management, research and analysis, and policy advancement. Excellent written/verbal communication skills, organizational/problem solving skills, and an outstanding ability to maintain flexibility in a changing work atmosphere. Currently pursuing both an Executive MBA from the Henry Bloch School of Management, UMKC and a PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Consultant

Reachback Research Center, Human Terrain System (HTS)

CGI Federal / BAE Systems (July 2010- Sept. 2011) July 2010—Present

Receives research requests on various aspects of Afghanistan’s political, economic, and military sectors from military commanders and Human Terrain System teams in Afghanistan. Assumes full responsibility in gathering information, analyzing data for relevance, and producing quality research reports on schedule. Works collaboratively with teams in the office and serves as a liaison with several teams in Afghanistan toward fulfillment of company goals and objectives. Provides feedback to team members and incorporates team members input before presenting findings to various levels of management.

Notable Accomplishments:

z  Drove all efforts to produce more than 50 research reports on Afghanistan’s social and cultural sectors in support of Human Terrain Teams and military commanders.

z  Delegated tasks and worked collaboratively with team members to develop the research scope, identify deliverables and produce quality products on schedule.

z  Generated timely and relevant information related to the political, social, and economic aspects within Afghanistan to customer and Intelligence Community (IC).

z  Authored and published “Struggles Implementing an Exit Strategy,” an article related to Afghan security and US Foreign Policy implications in the Small Wars Journal.

Staff Assistant

Office of Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), United States Senate January 2008—August 2009

Rendered high level of assistance to a team tasked with maintaining and updating all constituent responses pertaining to the Office of Senator Jim Webb. Collaborated with Senator Webb's Legislative team and assisted in researching pressing issues for concerned constituents of Virginia. Performed comprehensive research and analyzed up to 30 state and Federal laws, along with relevant bills and amendments, and delivered such information verbally to concerned constituents.

Notable Accomplishments:

z  Successfully met deadlines for cataloging 100+ constituent entries into the Capital Correspondence database (CapCor)

z  Exemplified outstanding interpersonal skills to effectively interact with high-level officials and individuals of diverse cultures.

z  Facilitated on-the-spot briefings and engaged in open discussions with the senator on legislation affecting active military and veterans’ benefits.

Sergeant (Project Manager) August 2003—August 2007

United States Marine Corps Fallujah & Ramadi, Iraq

Directed and coordinated the preparation of personnel, weapons, and equipment for training movements and combat operations in Iraq. Directly managed teams ranging in size and supported the day-to-day aspects of operations while training and deployed. Responsible for establishing goals, objectives and supply chain management and presented findings to various levels of management.

Notable Accomplishments:

z  Primarily held responsible for over $800,000 of equipment and weapons.

z  Established procedures intended to mitigate risks involved with combat operations.

z  Served as a significant contributor to both the planning of combat missions and with controlling the mission scope.

z  Appointed as a task lead responsible for 6-12 personnel and successfully located enemy insurgents operating in the Area of Operation (AO).

z  Provided assistance in capturing dozens of insurgents and millions of dollars worth of weapons, caches, and explosives.

EDUCATION

Executive MBA, Candidate August 2012- July 2014

Henry W. Bloch School of Management, UMKC Kansas City, MO

Masters of Arts, International Relations April 2008-May 2010

The Catholic University of America Washington, DC

Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Thesis: “Lashkar e-Taeba (LeT) and Their Split into Two Separate Entities”

Honors Certification in Middle Eastern Studies August 2009-December 2009

University of Oxford Oxford, UK

Only postgraduate student selected out of fifty applicants for University of Oxford study abroad program.

Evaluated literature on the Arab Nationalist Movement in Syria and Egypt to produced weekly research reports of lengths up to 10,000 words. Each week I presented findings to the resident scholar.

Bachelor of Arts, History September 1998-December 2002

Radford University Radford, VA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Certificates: PMP Certification (Currently Pursuing)

Security Clearance: Active Secret, 2010

Publications: “Struggles Implementing an Exit Strategy” Small Wars Journal 13 August 2011.

Military Honors & Awards: Global War on Terror Medal (GWOT); Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V” (for Valor); Combat Action Ribbon; Iraq Campaign Ribbon; Sea Service Ribbon; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Ribbon.

Technical Proficiency: Microsoft Suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint