Blake Chriswell

Project and Operations Management professional with 9+ years of military experience leading complex, multi-site operations, coordinating cross-functional teams, managing resources, monitoring performance, and driving process improvement in mission-critical environments.

Experience applying project management principles to government and defense-related initiatives. Proven ability to operate independently, communicate with senior leadership and external stakeholders, identify project risks and process gaps, and develop data-driven solutions that improve performance, quality, and mission execution.

Talent Acquisition Operations Manager at United States Marine Corps (2023-05 – 2026-02)

Directed recruiting operations across a 5,000+ sq-mile territory, leading a geographically dispersed team, competing priorities, schedules, resources, and performance requirements to achieve monthly and annual objectives.

• Planned, prioritized, and monitored operational activities across multiple locations while identifying schedule, resource and performance issues requiring leadership attention.
• Implemented standard processes and operating procedures that increased regional output by 34% year-over-year, improving consistency, accountability, quality, and execution.
• Analyzed performance metrics, workforce trends, and operational data to identify risks, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement; developed corrective action plans and monitored results.
• Coordinated with internal leadership, external organizations, and community stakeholders to establish requirements, resolve issues, communicate project objectives, and expand organizational opportunities.

Talent Acquisition Specialist at United States Marine Corps (2022-01 – 2023-04)

Managed multiple concurrent recruiting initiatives in a high-volume, deadline-driven government environment while balancing competing requirements, schedules, stakeholders, and performance objectives.

• Coordinated applicant onboarding and development activities while supporting team members in training and execution, contributing to the generation of 100+ applicants.
• Monitored performance metrics and workflow activity to identify bottlenecks, adjust priorities, and improve efficiency and candidate conversion.
• Served as Acting Operations Manager, coordinating daily schedules, tracking performance, managing administrative requirements, and maintaining accountability across recruiting activities.
• Collaborated with leadership and external stakeholders to identify requirements, address process gaps, resolve operational issues, and improve local recruiting outcomes.

Aviation mechanic Uh-1y/Ah-1z at United States Marine Corps (2016-06 – 2021-12)

Executed safety-critical maintenance operations in a highly regulated aviation environment where quality, technical accuracy, schedule adherence, and mission readiness were essential to successful aircraft operations.

• Planned and prioritized maintenance tasks based on aircraft requirements, operational schedules, personnel availability, parts, equipment, and maintenance deadlines to support unit readiness objectives.
• Diagnosed equipment problems using root cause analysis and implanted corrective actions to prevent recurring failures and maintain operational readiness.
• Coordinated with maintenance, supply, and operations teams to prioritize workloads, resolve issues, and complete mission-critical requirements within established timelines.
• Maintained accountability for tools, parts, and high-value equipment, ensuring accurate documentation and availability or resources required for daily operations.

Master's Degree in Project Management – Liberty University (2026 – 2027)

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Management – University of West Georgia (2012 – 2015)