Kent Jones

Certified SAFe SPC & RTE with extensive experience serving as chief facilitator for enterprise Agile Release Trains (ART) within heavily dependency-driven government and contractor environments. Proven track record driving execution across coordinated workstreams (architecture, UI, API, integrations), managing program risks through ROAM, and collaborating with Product Management and Solution Architects to optimize delivery schedules and maximize predictability.

Senior Release Train Engineer / Senior Project Manager - Synergy - St George, UT (Remote)

(2022-10 - 2026-05)

Serves as the company leader and chief facilitator for enterprise Agile Release Trains (ART), driving execution across multiple coordinated workstreams including architecture/API, UI, and application integrations.

• Facilitated key Scaled Agile ceremonies and program events, including pre-planning, the two-day PI Planning event, follow-up readouts, and management reviews.
• Enhanced ART productivity by 120% and improved quality metrics by 30% by coaching Scrum Masters and teams on Agile practices, improving ART maturity over successive PIs.
• Owned and managed the program dependency matrix, capturing critical inbound and outbound dependencies across cross-functional teams and driving partners to firm commitments.
• Coordinated testing amongst teams. This included all automated testing and integration. Facilitated bi-weekly meetings that updated automated testing schedules, to include risk management for personnel and hardware.
• Partnered with Product Management and Solution Architects to maintain tight alignment between the program backlog, architectural runway, and sprint-level execution.
• Guided teams from broad, high-level discussions toward sprint-level granularity, ensuring explicit dependency capture and risk logging.
• Monitored and reported critical program metrics (predictability, velocity, dependency/risk burndown) to program leadership and the customer to ensure train health.

Release Train Engineer / Agile Coach - DCS - Ridgecrest, CA

(2020-03 - 2022-09)

Directed 14 teams across two ARTs supporting complex US Navy contracts, aligning delivery toward a shared vision in a heavily dependency-driven defense environment.

• Identified, escalated, and mitigated program-level risks and impediments; successfully facilitated ROAM framework during PI Planning and throughout execution.
• Facilitated discussions regarding deliverables and was responsible for DD 1423 (Contract Data Requirements List). Held weekly meeting updates for these deliverables.
• Coordinated across multiple external contractors and government stakeholders to surface and manage authorization timelines (including ATO bundling and approval paths) impacting the delivery schedule.
• Protected the train's integrity and predictability by helping leadership distinguish committed near-term features from future state architecture work.
• Initiated and matured the first operational Agile Release Train from conception to execution, managing the flow of value through complex military flight testing programs.
• Established an enterprise-wide Community of Practice, aligning delivery teams and driving systemic process improvements across stakeholders.

Program Manager - Sunriver Management - St George, UT

(2013-07 - 2020-02)

• Coordinated multiple contractor teams and community stakeholders, aligning ongoing operational delivery toward a shared, long-term strategic plan.
• Managed risks, resolved inbound/outbound vendor dependencies, and negotiated firm contractual commitments to maximize budget predictability.
• Facilitated quarterly readouts and stakeholder alignment meetings to adjust operational execution based on community feedback.

Lead Flight Test Engineer - DCS - Ridgecrest, CA

(2007-01 - 2010-07)

• Managed the delivery of critical datalink software updates to military aircraft, coordinating across engineering workstreams to resolve technical bugs.
• Collaborated directly with Department of Defense and military stakeholders to ensure technical updates met strict operational readiness timelines.

Officer / Aviator & Instructor - United States Navy - Various locations

(1997-12 - 2006-12)

• Led mission-critical operations and coordinated high-stakes workstreams under tight timelines in heavily regulated, compliance-driven environments.
• Mentored and coached personnel on advanced operational frameworks, ensuring team readiness, quality execution, and adherence to safety protocols.

Master of Science - Southern Utah University

Bachelor's Degree - Aerial Photography / Cartography - University of Utah