Joel Westa

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A versatile, results-driven senior professional with over 30 years of experience leading, educating, commanding and managing operational organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad. Experienced in nuclear safety, security, reliability, control, inspection and exercise programs. Experienced graduate level educator, teaching US and International Senior officers in seminar and platform formats in a War College environment. Superior management skills to develop programs and proven leadership abilities to achieve goals quickly and cost-effectively, and under pressure. Dynamic problem solver able to innovate compelling win-win solutions to complex situations. Demonstrated successes directing operations, human resources, and cross-functional team building for Air Force, Joint and inter-agency organizations, in both peace and war time. Operationally fluent and can rapidly assimilate new ideas, data and processes. Maintains an Operational and C4ISR community-wide network of associates. Extensive real world operational experience. CLEARANCE: ACTIVE Top Secret SSBI, SCI eligible

Assistant Research Professor, Warfare Analysis and Research Dept, Center for Naval Warfare Studies at Naval War College

February 2010 - August 2010

Applied expertise in nuclear weapons proliferation, deterrence, employment and escalation and sophisticated research methodology to lead and coordinate all phases of in-depth analytical research projects and decision issues involving strategy, Program Objectives Memoranda issues, conventional and nuclear warfare Principal focus was efforts to conduct and analyze Mahan Scholar inputs to the Deterrence and Escalation Game and Review 10 (DEGRE 10). Functioned as principal participant in defining problems, collecting data, formulating concepts and evaluating findings for DEGRE 10 event Analyzed changing ideas and capabilities and develop strategic concepts and theories related to deterrence across a broad spectrum of domains

Commander, 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base

November 2007 - October 2009

Commanded one of only two B-52 Wings in the Air Force, comprised of 3800+ personnel, budget of $140M and $3.2B in equipment/facilities Responsible for providing combat-ready B-52H Stratofortress aircraft, crews and associated combat support for deterrence, crisis response, global power projection, major theater war and maritime operations and Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployments. Commanded a team of committed professionals who transformed the 5th Bomb Wing after the unauthorized transfer of nuclear weapons--Minot went from embarrassment to being the benchmark for nuclear operations in under 18 months. Served as installation commander for DoD’s only dual nuclear Wing installation with a base population of nearly 12,000.

Vice Commander at 36th Wing at Andersen AFB, Guam

June 2006 - October 2007

Deputy commander of Wing/installation providing for 8500+ personnel with resources spanning 19,025 acres, 1844 facilities, $6.4B physical plant, $140M in Operations and Maintenance Funds, $16M is supplies/equipment. Co-chaired Environmental Restoration Advisory Board, overseeing largest Super fund sites in the Pacific theater. Co-authored Joint Basing Regional construct for DoD

Professor, National Security Decision Making Dept. at Naval War College

June 2004 - May 2006

Provided graduate level Joint Professional Military Education to over 500 U.S. and International officers and senior civilians annually. Co-authored highly rated readings on “Risk and Uncertainty”, and “Air Planning Challenges.” Handpicked as key member of Balanced Scorecard effort to lead needed change at NWC; Naval PME issues resolved and realigned. NWC liaison to USAF “Checkmate” and “Skunkworks” and NWC Halsey Group; provided operational planning oversight to real-world wargame for CNO. NWC “Mahan Scholar”; classified research published and distributed to aid in PACOM OPLAN development

Commander at 340th Weapons Squadron, Barksdale AFB, LA

2001 - 2003

Commanded cadre of 49 handpicked officers in execution of syllabus for AF’s most advanced B-52 training course—460 flight hours/822 academic hours Sent in to fix broken unit; results—400% increase in student applications, 100% increase in graduates—his instructors first to deploy for Operation Enduring Freedom Co-authored critical bomber/SOF close air support procedures used in Operation Enduring Freedom. Managed $5.8M flying hour program and budget of $390K

Deputy Chief, Commander's Action Group / Strategist, 12AF Air Operations Center at 12AF

1999 - 2001

Supervised 68 person staff forming key cadre of USSOUTHAF wartime/contingency/exercise combat operations and plans divisions of the AOC and 12AF Responsible for strategy and planning of all combat air operations employing assigned fighter, bomber, and support forces Oversaw integration of joint electronic warfare, command and control, combat search and rescue, and recce assets to meet JFACC requirements Provided 12AF/CC with time critical proposals influencing AF doctrine, strategy, force structure, modernization, and warfighting Authored first USSOUTHAF theater strategy; adopted as foundation for exchange/engagement programs Strategist to 12AF/CC: #1 advisor for air campaign planning

Radar Nav at 524th Bomb Squadron

1986 - 1992

Director of Academic Support at Marine Corps University

August 2010

Ensures educational processes and procedures are in compliance with the standards of higher education, meeting regional accreditation requirements, and providing the MCU leadership with data for informed decisions. Manages the University curriculum review board, regional accreditation, academic chairs, professional military education continuum, and academic policies. Adapts and extends established concepts and methods, and assesses proposals for innovative alternative approaches from the standpoint of educational soundness, likelihood of success, feasibility, cost, priority, and consistency with the overall objectives of the Marine Corps professional military education program. Serves as Alternate Designated Federal Official for Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Serves as MCU's Accreditation Liaison to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

The George Washington University

2012 – 2015

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Brookings Executive Education

2011 – 2011

Concentration: Strategic Thinking--Driving Long Term Success

Harvard University Kennedy School of Government

2009 – 2009

Certificate

Concentration: Senior Executive Fellows Program

National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College

2009 – 2009

Certificate

Concentration: JPME II

Naval War College

2003 – 2004

MA

Concentration: National Security and Strategic Studies

US Army School of Advanced Military Studies

1998 – 1999

MMAS

Concentration: Theater Operational Planning

US Army Command and General Staff College

1997 – 1998

Concentration: Operational Studies

USAF Weapons School

1991 – 1992

Patch

Concentration: Air Warfare

Penn State University

1979 – 1983

M.M.

Concentration: Music

The King's College

1975 – 1979

B.S.

Concentration: Music Education