Jim Sears

Background

About Jim Sears

Executive who is passionate about advancing America’s leadership in STEM and wants to lead organizations with the same passion. Strategic thinker and decision maker who made a career leading and developing high-performing, global organizations as large as 60K employees by communicating clear vision and mission, fostering collaboration and accountability, and removing bureaucracy. Comfortable building and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders including federal agencies, research labs, industry, community partners, federal agencies, and congressional leaders. CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND COMMANDER As Air Education and Training Command (AETC) deputy commander I was Sr. Executive VP managing C-suite operations and ensuring seamless day-to-day functions of an education and workforce development organization responsible for accessing, training, and educating over personnel annually with 60K employees and a $9B budget. I transformed workforce development by leveraging technology advancements and implementing a learner-centered, mission-focused, and outcomes-based structure to create lifelong learners. Additionally, as the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Commander (CEO) I directed the test and evaluation of more than 91 major acquisition programs valued at over $1 trillion through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with zero test delays. Finally, in Afghanistan, I made daily life and death decisions, led all combat air operations, and oversaw the three busiest US combat airfields while achieving impressive mission success with no friendly fire incidents. EXPERT IN STRATEGY, PLANNING, AND ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION Over a three-year period, I served as the equivalent of the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer/SVP for Strategy for AETC. As COO, I provided visionary academic leadership, overseeing the successful implementation of innovative programs and fostering a culture of excellence in education and training delivery. I also developed a plan to increase airfield operations at five airports by 29%. Those initiatives led to success in my role as CFO, where I spearheaded development and execution of a strategic plan designed to revolutionize USAF education and training by implementing technological advancements in instructional system design, instructor development, flexible timeline management, and improved data analysis. These initiatives saved the Air Force more than $910M over the next seven years.