Rich Stinson

The Chief Programs Officer (CPO) serves as a critical member of the leadership team, leading the planning, execution, and monitoring of a multitude of programs within the Planning, Infrastructure and Development (PID) Division and ensures the division's daily operations run smoothly. The CPO articulates, implements and operationalizes the strategic vision, mission and goals of the Division. The CPO supervises, coordinates and oversees all support operations for the Deputy Director, while coordinating across other Division/City Departments to ensure effective synchronization. The CPO manages program implementation, funding, coordination, and effectiveness across all Division programs, as well as managing budgets, large-scale events and program effectiveness. Additionally, the CPO is responsible for establishing and implementing the Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) Program as well as serving as the liaison for all military affairs and Joint Base San Antonio collaborative and strategic efforts.

The Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for supervising the efficient operation of the marketing and public relations division of the San Antonio Airport System. This includes the identification and development of an advertising, marketing, and public relations program that attracts the interest of the aviation industry, conventions, conferences, professional sports and entertainment, local and national media, business and leisure travelers. San Antonio Airport System includes both San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Stinson Municipal Airport (SSF).

A Distinguished Military Graduate commissioned an Infantry Officer on March 18, 1994. Later branch designated as an Information Operations Officer. Served in numerous leadership positions for 24 years at the Tactical, Operational and Strategic level in Conventional, Joint and Special Operations forces. Multiple combat deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan and the continent of Africa.

Responsible for the future planning of all cross-functional initiatives that involved joint or Army service operations in the U.S. Army North area of responsibility, including all of North America. Developed and maintained all U.S. Army North operational plans in support of Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civilian Authorities (DSCA). The actionable plans for crisis response also included both natural and man-made disasters, to include hurricanes, earthquakes, radio-active or nuclear contamination and biological contaminations. • Provided real-world, crisis response communication for Hurricane Harvey and wildfires in California. • Served as lead planner for all Defense Support to Civilian Authorities occurring in North America.

Director of Public Affairs, Community Relations and Key Leader Engagements for United States Army North (USARNORTH). Managed an aligned, engaged, and high-performing Public Affairs team to support all public engagement activities for an Army Service Component Command. Directed the internal and external communications program providing accurate and timely information to all audiences and stakeholders. Responsible for advising the Commander, senior leaders and command members on all public affairs issues. Developed and implemented public affairs plans, guidance, and products for operations and exercises, coordinating with appropriate Public Affairs and staff offices. Responsible for local and regional community engagement events to inform, educate and influence a key demographic. Managed social and digital media for the command. • Created a Strategic Communications and Community Relations Working Group that strengthened the partnership between USARNORTH, City of San Antonio, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders. • Trained more than seventy (70) Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army on social media communication and digital information and communication tools.

I was responsible for the world-wide assignment and professional development of over 500 Information Operations Officers in the grade of Captain to Lieutenant Colonel. I advised the Senior Leader Division in assignment of IO Colonels. Advised the Operations and Operations Support Division Chiefs, the Director of OPMD and the Commanding General of HRC on matters related to the Career Management and professional development of all Information Operations Officers. • Rated as the #1 LTC Assignment Officer in the Operations Support Division. • Applied prodigious skills as an IO Officer to develop a planning and execution process to address command strategic communications requirements. • Adroitly managed an Officer population of more than 500 Soldiers during a very turbulent period of drawdown and reorganization.

Assistant Chief of Staff, G7 (Information Operations) for the 3rd Infantry Division and Director of Information Operations and Effects (CJ7) for a Combined Joint Task Force responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and synchronizing all aspects of full spectrum Inform and Influence Activities (IIA). Responsible for the implementation of Public Affairs, Key Leader Engagements, Military Information Support Operations, Religious Outreach, as well as Technical, Cyber and Military Deception operations. Served as Chair for both the Information Operations Working Group and the Strategic Communications Working Group. • Established Information Dominance through a series of military deception operations against the Taliban. • Established a training program across the command of the 205 Afghan National Army Corps to enable their own execution of Information Operations. • Created a process for the Command Group to conduct Key Leader Engagements with the highest level of military and political representatives.

Exceeded all requirements and completed the John F. Kennedy School of Government’s Master of Public Administration curriculum at Harvard University. Course of study emphasized National Security, National Policy, Strategic Communications, Political Affairs and Decision Making in Crisis Situations. • Created a web page as a class project that rose to #2 on Bing and #14 on Google search engines. • Provided multiple presentations to peers and Professors on Department of Defense Operations. • Held an elected position in a Harvard University sponsored student organization.

Division Chief for the J3 Information Operations Directorate (J39) for Special Operations Command - Europe in Stuttgart, Germany. Responsible for planning, coordinating and executing Information Operations, Psychological Operations, Civil-Military Operations, Strategic Communication and Inter-Agency coordination for the Commander in both Europe and Africa. Integrated aspects of Electronic Warfare, Operations Security and Computer Network Operations to achieve desired effects within operations in the War on Terror. Deployed with the Joint Special Operations Task Force in support of crisis and contingency operations. • Requested by name from the Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces to serve as lead IO planner for OPERATION NEXUS, a classified combined Joint Chiefs of Staff named operation. • Successfully created a partnership between European Command and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies to publish a magazine expertly designed to influence the whole of government - military, civilian agencies and ministries - addressing common security issues with a vital strategic target audience in one endeavor. • Worked with US Embassies in Lebanon and Cyprus to coordinate and synchronize strategic communications and public affairs for a potential non-combatant evacuation operation.

Responsible for the synchronization, coordination and overall assessment of the 4th Infantry Division Information Operations. Integrates Division IO elements to include Operational Security, Electronic Warfare, Psychological Operations, Military Deception, Computer Network Attack and all associated supporting and related activities into all operations. Responsible for coordination with other staff agencies, military units, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and local civilians. • Awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions during a clearing operation with the Iraqi 5th Brigade, 6th Division. Planned, coordinated and executed IO in support of combat operations, a textbook case of IO employment praised by the Multi-National Corps - Iraq Commander. • Developed and implemented the Division's Electronic Warfare and Counter-Improvised Explosive Device operational plan and training programs credited for saving lives in combat. • Served as lead IO planner for the highly successful Operation Together Forward II in Baghdad.

Observer-Controller at the National Training Center. Responsible for training Mechanized Infantry and Armor Companies and Cavalry Troops through continuous observation, on-the-spot coaching, and mission oriented After-Action Reviews based on current Army Doctrine to improve unit performance and ensure attainment of rotational unit training objectives. Responsible for reviewing and providing input on Army Doctrine and tactics, techniques, and procedures relating to mechanized warfare at the Company-Team level. • Awarded Outstanding Observer-Controller of the Quarter on two different occasions. • Selected by name to train Soldiers on the Korean peninsula for deployment to Iraq. • Recognized for superlative efforts by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combined Arms Center Commander, and the National Training Center Commanding General.

The Master in Public Administration (MPA) is an intensive program that prepares established professionals for positions of significant and increased responsibility in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The program is designed for students with a record of high academic distinction and exceptional professional accomplishments and promise. Students choose courses and study under any Harvard Kennedy School faculty member. Students also work very closely with faculty on developing leadership skills and networks to prepare for highly successful post-Harvard Kennedy School careers. Harvard Kennedy School graduates have gone on to become heads of state, cabinet ministers, military officers, diplomats, journalists, chief executives, and non-governmental organizational directors.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program emphasizes the application of modern business practices to the special challenges of the aviation and aerospace industries. Course work builds a strong, traditional business foundation upon which students can layer a specialty in Airport Management, Airline Management, Aviation System Management, Supply Chain Management, or Finance. Courses focus on Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Applications, as well as Accounting for Decision Making. The faculty brings expertise and experience from diverse areas, both academically and professionally. Faculty engage students in their required research, which supports the models of study within the coursework since they’re based on real-world, authentic situations.

Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is proud to be among the top aerospace engineering programs in the country. Providing unique cutting-edge educational and research opportunities, including space exploration, national defense, air transportation, communications and sustainable energy, the Department of Aerospace Engineering's mission is to produce high quality, adaptable, systems oriented aerospace engineers who will contribute to the advancement of aerospace engineering and related disciplines.