Leah Meares

IT Project Manager @CACI International Inc

🔥 Startup Founder✔️ ITBusiness Owner💼 C-level Executive🗿 HR⚖️ Legal🧨 ConsultingLegal SupportFounderParalegal✨ Business OwnerCOOProject ManagerTech SupportAdministrative Specialist🎓 Student

Innovative, self-starter IT Project Manager with 17 years of Military and contractor experience working with multi-functional teams offering outstanding support through troubleshooting and issue analysis. Strong and effective change agent with Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a minor in IT Project Management. Proven aptitude to manage multiple taskings for diverse projects. Cross-trained in Project Management, Subcontracts, Procurement, Program Operations, Configuration Management, Production / Integration, and C5ISR Technical Support. Skilled leader in creating automated solutions to increase productivity and efficiency. Established reputation as a sharp expert when working with users to identify and deploy solutions. Eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills. Motivated for growth

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Work Background

CACI International IncInformation Technology Project Manager

Jul. 2022Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, United States• Direct support to Program and Deputy Program Manager team in managing three separate cost-plus services contract programs supporting the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center, specifically, a Multiple Award IDIQ – GSA Alliant 2 contract vehicle with a ceiling of $465 million, a Multiple Award IDIQ – RS3 contract vehicle with a ceiling of $132 million, and a Stand-alone (Non-IDIQ) contract vehicle with a ceiling of $10 million. • Spearheaded project to develop the program’s SharePoint Online portal, OneScope, a cloud-based solution providing centralized access to program management-level information, integrating enterprise data and processes to provide situational awareness, visibility, and knowledge-sharing leveraging not only SharePoint Online, but PowerApps, PowerAutomate, and the Microsoft O365 Platform • Subcontracts Manager responsible for ensuring all Subcontractors under the three programs are managed and maintained within schedule, cost, budget, and performance of all aspects of the contractual efforts • Participate in future program proposals as well as new CACI Subcontractor opportunities to include Milestone reviews, Strategies, Pricing, and negotiations with strategic teammates that increase the probability to win • Assist PMO Staff in facilitating Government Customer approvals for mission-related travel requests, Extended Work Week (EWW) requests, and applications for DoD Common Access Cards (CACs)

L.A. Meares, LLCOwner

Feb. 2022Tampa, Florida, United States

CACI International IncProgram / Project Operations Coordinator

Feb. 2021 - Jun. 2022Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States• Work directly with Program Manager and Project Managers to provide effective and efficient management of the contractor's operational support functions involving multiple complex and inter-related project tasks with teams in multiple locations worldwide - Serve as Subcontractor Manager responsible for all Subcontractors on the Program facilitating timecards, PTO, EWW, travel, as well as pricing and funding of labor hours in Procure-to-Pay (P2P) database - Manage, Execute, and Review Financial Reporting for all Program Project Task Orders - Work with Program Financial Analyst (PFA) in supporting program financial management for pricing, invoicing, and forecasting - Organize project resources for the execution of project tasks to ensure contract deliverables are timely and within scope - Build and maintain tasking schedule - Facilitate training of Program Management Office (PMO) staff - Obtain vendor price quotes to purchase production inputs - Identify and coordinate resources needed to accomplish executable tasks - Maintain project records and publish management reports - Support business development efforts including cost proposal generation and pricing - Documenting procedures in place and evaluating new procedures to improve efficiency with a focus on continuous improvement - Work directly with government customers, subcontractors, and industry partners - Work collaboratively with cross-function teams

CACI International IncProgram Procurement

Feb. 2019 - Jun. 2022Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States• Hand-selected by SOCS Program Manager to spearhead SOCS Program Procurement team as the procurement subject matter expert for the purchasing order management process, to include all aspects of supplies, materials, service agreements, real estate and automotive leases for the SOCS Program with a proven track record of cost saving initiatives and holding suppliers accountable for timely invoicing. • Demonstrated leadership and coaching to Program Procurement team with ongoing guidance, training, mentoring, development and direction in assigning daily responsibilities, and supervising purchasing actions; used effective management skills to develop high performing self-sufficient Procurement team. • Overhauled the Procurement program by standardizing supplier research, Request for Quotes, facilitating direct or indirect Purchase Requisitions via a Corporate Purchasing Credit Card and Purchase Orders in Procure-to-Pay (P2P); drove existing purchasing process to full electronic automated tracking system via SharePoint site that increased effectiveness and productivity of Procurement team as well as positively impacted the Program Financials receiving praise from all key program stakeholders. • Actively engaged with Program Manager, Project Managers, and Program Financial Analyst to ensure that required cross-functional resources are allocated to execute projects and meet production requirements. • Successfully track all ongoing procurement operations, maintaining accountability of incoming and delayed purchase orders for timely delivery. • Update, maintain, and reconcile charges in databases or Material / ODC Financial Trackers for the Program Financial Analyst in order to provide accurate forecasting and reporting of procurement financial metrics. • Consistently collaborated and developed effective relationships with Program Management Office, Program Operations, Logistics Warehouse, as well as Corporate level Procurement, Category Management, and P-Card Purchasing

CACI International IncTechnical Support Team Lead

May. 2019 - Jan. 2021Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States• Adept at managing high-level concurrent C5ISR objectives for the SOCS Technical Support Director, Functional Managers, Project Managers, and Program Manager to promote efficiency and influence positive outcomes. • Proficient as primary liaison between Technical Support management and C5ISR Telecommunications Analyst Technicians worldwide managing databases, reporting, and resolving issues quickly and with attention to detail to enhance communication while fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration. • Strategically manage, track, and optimize inbound logistics flow of materials from SOCOM site locations worldwide to identify and leverage best practices in process, communication, reporting and analytics while maintaining excellent collaboration with Logistics internal and external stakeholders.

United States Army ReserveParalegal (27D)

Jan. 2006 - Jun. 2019Fort Bragg, North Carolina• Expert Staff Sergeant (E-06) receiving recognition for demonstrating superior initiative, technical skills, leadership, attorney and paralegal teaming, devotion to duty, and volunteered to deploy to remote combat locations on various missions outside of normal paralegal duties while serving in the capacity of a senior NCO managing a Brigade legal office in a deployed environment. • Served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Kyrgyzstan • Awarded numerous awards for achievements for Paralegal services, including Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medals, Army Commendation Medals, and several certificates of Achievements. • Won Company and Brigade Soldier of the Month boards • Managed multiple legal offices supervising the day-to-day legal activities including facilitating investigations in many diverse areas of law such as Legal Assistance, Criminal Law, Family Law, Administrative Law, Civil Law. • Supervised, trained and mentored countless junior Paralegals.

CACI International IncDatabase Automation Configuration Technician

Feb. 2018 - May. 2019Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States• Volunteered outside of normal responsibilities to train in Procurement during transition period; was selected to continue to serve as an Alternate Purchasing Cardholder (P-Cardholder) for purchases for the program contract; also trained and facilitated procurement actions in Procure2Pay (P2P) database coordinating with CONUS and OCONUS buyers to facilitate vendor sourcing for quotes of purchases over the micro- purchase limit to include overseas vehicle leases and apartments for OCONUS Field Service Representatives (FSRs). • Served on Integrated Product Team (IPT) responsible for the virtual configuration of Special Operations Communications Systems satellite communications (SATCOM) in the government's asset lifecycle and configuration management database, COLTS, in support of U.S. Special Operations Command and other joint warfighting commands. • Hands-on working experience in Program Production / Integration with installations, integrating, troubleshooting or maintenance of satellite communications family of systems (FoS) as well as expertly proficient in providing COLTs assistance and Integration support for the SOCS family of systems to include the SDN-SD, SDV2, SDV3, SDN-LV3A/V3B/LVX, SDN-H, SDN-M and any follow-on systems as well as ancillary kits such as the FDMA, and BRODU. • Launched the Integration Logistics Coordinator role responsible for submitting all Local Material Requests for required equipment, materials for SOCS production tasks to facilitate and expedite the flow of materials to and from the Warehouse to the production line. • Consistently sought after across the entire SOCS Program as the go-to person for training Technicians on the government's database, COLTS.

United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)Legal Assistant

May. 2016 - Feb. 2018Fort Bragg, North Carolina• Served as Government Purchase Card (GPC) Cardholder responsible for careful planning and forward-thinking management of supply levels for purchasing and maintaining office equipment, supplies, training resources, contracts within the micro-purchase threshold; also appointed as Ordering Officer responsible for single purchases over the micro-purchase threshold not to exceed $25,000. • Provided sound legal assistance for 1,974 FORSCOM-USARC Staff and 22 subordinate unit commands; developing familiarity and rapport with all clients and customers assessing their needs and committed to providing quality assistance. • Provided direct paralegal support for 32 legal personnel, also served as sole paralegal support for 7 staff attorneys in the Military Law Division preparing and assisting in investigations as well as drafting various legal records that include administrative law opinions. • Served as the personal assistant to the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), the senior ranking directorate leader, personally responsible for maintaining the SJA's calendar, appointments, scheduling travel to include flight arrangements, billeting, and preparation of travel orders and travel vouchers. • Fostered a team-first attitude in the office consistently aiding co-workers on requirements; indispensable to the accomplishment of the myriad of different legal missions.

CACI International IncProgram Control Analyst

Jun. 2015 - May. 2016Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States• Provided on-site Project Management support and coordination to complex contracts, projects, tasks and business units while serving in the Program Operations section of the SOCS contract • Became Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the customer's Cataloguing Ordering & Logistics Tracking System (COLTS) with minimal training and within weeks of joining the program; actively applied expertise to support government's vision and strategic direction. • Developed a harmonious working environment both with internal and external stakeholders allowing for mutually beneficial partnerships in support of the program and its' customers; developed a good rapport with peers and excelled at facilitating accountability for after actions with relations to taskings. • Assisted in configuration management of diverse variants of the SOF Deployable Node satellite terminals; consistently found issues and provided well thought out solutions to problems in COLTS, that greatly increased the efficiency and accuracy of the data which allowed increased quality of service to the customer. • Performed in-depth QA/QC of program deliverables to ensure compliance with government and customer requirements and monitored progress of program requirements.

Baskin FleeceLegal Assistant

Nov. 2014 - Apr. 2015Clearwater, Florida• Enhanced attorney effectiveness by developing case information and evidence; tracked all cases; supported attorney’s trial proceedings • Legal receptionist for law firm • Kept cases organized by establishing and organizing files; monitored calendars; meeting deadlines; documented actions; input information into file database and case management software; confirmed case status with attorney • Aided in the development of trial cases by maintaining contact with people involved in the case; prepared and forwarded summonses and subpoenas; prepared discovery requests; assisted in preparing responses to opposing counsel; generated status reports • Handled multiple caseloads simultaneously by maintaining information in OneDrive and OneNote; enhanced trial proceedings by organizing evidence; prepared exhibits • Accomplished organization goals by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; explored opportunities to add value to job accomplishments

Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, XVIII Airborne CorpsParalegal Non-Commissioned Officer

Feb. 2013 - Sep. 2014Fort Bragg, North Carolina• Served as lead senior paralegal on a high-profile general court-martial case receiving national media attention while managing multiple junior paralegal professionals as well as a complex logistics team. • Assisted, advised, investigated, and analyzed Special Victims trial cases to include assault, sexual assault, high profile, and age specific. • Observed and participated in victim and witness face-to-face interviews, drafted charge sheets, conducted legal research, and provided discovery. • Maintained open communication and coordinated training with all critical assets such as Federal, State, local and military law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, victim advocates, and other paralegals. • Flawlessly facilitated and expedited the flow and transportation of materials, records, investigations and other Military Justice matters through various department agencies for processing and creating harmonious relationships for continued partnerships. • A keen attention to detail utilized when inspecting materials, evidence, and investigations upon delivery to verify delivered materials match the requested specifications; maintained accountability prior to release to ensure safe holding procedures. • Streamlined witness logistics by creating a witness travel information pamphlet that is adaptable for all court-martials and highly utilized by servicing paralegals and was implemented installation wide by the Fort Bragg Budget Office. • Initiated a comprehensive continuity book for the largest legal assistance office in the Army. • Served as logistical liaison and coordinator for all victims and witnesses to provide travel arrangements using Defense Travel System. • Document management skills utilized in SharePoint, maintained trackers for trial cases, prepared and organized correspondence for court proceedings.

RTI InternationalIndustrial Security Specialist I

May. 2011 - Aug. 2011Durham, North Carolina- Assist in the provision of security oversight for the facility relative to the establishment and maintenance of a security program - Monitor and review Position of Trust Clearances, initiating periodic reinvestigations to OPM as needed and guide applicants through the e-QIP process - Provide security briefings, debriefings, and awareness training for personnel - Consult with programmer to create a Positions of Trust Clearance tracking system for utilization by the Industrial Security Office - Create intricate process flows for initiating clearances by each federal agency’s contract requirements - Establish and maintain successful working relationships with government and internal customers

HR DirectionsSecurity Administrator (Contractor for RTI International)

Jul. 2010 - Apr. 2011Durham, North Carolina- Provide administrative support to the Industrial Security Office - Build data reports, file security personnel documentation, records management - Filing, copying, preparing data for transmittal - Perform packet compilation, assembly, and tracking of clearance records - Foster positive working relationships between the Industrial Security Office and the Security Department for security processing