Michael McKenzie Sr.
Hanover
Summary
Clearance Level: TS/SCI w/Poly: Active - Senior Joint Operations Planner with 20+ years supporting the Department of Defense, including extensive experience on senior flag/staff officers and across Combatant Commands. Expert in the Joint Life Cycle (JELC) simultaneously exercising the Joint Operation Planning and Execution System (JOPES) supporting operational design, crisis action procedures, and integrating multi-domain capabilities into executable plans. Proven ability to translate strategic guidance into operational outcomes across SOF, cyber, space, and global force management environments. Trusted advisor to senior leaders on training, doctrine, and operational readiness.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Joint Operations Planner
Precision Focus Training and Consulting
11.2025 - Current
- Directly develops, synchronizes, and integrates cyber operations plans, policies, and strategies (OPLANs/CONOPs) within USCYBERCOM J7 to Combatant Command (COCOM) missions.
- Researches current/emerging threats and vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure supporting a Defense of Homeland Security Defensive Cyber Operations mission.
- Advises USCYBERCOM J7 senior leadership on continued development, training procedures, policies, and programs that meet or exceed the training mission sets.
Senior Exercise Analyst
DoD-US Air Force
02.2023 - 11.2025
- Co-founded the APOLLO training series simultaneously collaborated with three COCOM Staff, Action Officers, and external agencies on USSPACECOM's NEXUS concept of operations.
- Managed the Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) II Program while in the USSPACECOM J7, ensuring the strategic development and operational readiness of senior leaders were met.
- Served as Lead Planner for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), supporting for four COCOMs on behalf of DTRA, facilitating Joint and Operational Planning Groups (JPGs/OPGs/OPTs) to achieve strategic objectives.
Senior Analyst
Valiant Integrated Services
01.2020 - 02.2023
- Analyzed and interpreted the full spectrum of higher echelon guidance which included national strategies, joint doctrine, and directives in compliance with OPLANs, CONOPs, and tasking orders for three COCOMs.
- Directed a 4-person joint team during a major USAFRICOM exercise, delivering lead planning, subject matter expertise, and analytical support across two working groups.
- Spearheaded the transition of emerging training concepts into executable joint exercises by leading four distinct planning and execution teams. Oversaw the launch of new training programs.
- Cultivated Combatant Command relationships as the Lead Planner providing direct strategic support to the USSOUTHCOM training cycle.
- Provided direct leadership and expertise to support a USINDOPACOM Joint Exercise in the overall development of their training platform.
- Advised USSOUTHCOM senior leadership on training policy, procedures, and methods to maximize joint efforts within strategic planning process.
- Developed and maintained operational training projects serving on a Doctrinal Training Team (DTT).
- Developed five project goals in support of sustainment training and mission objectives within a FY calendar year.
- Effectively identified roadblocks and issues with the unit movement platform; developed a personnel placement program and executed the primary solutions to reach 90% efficiency rate.
- Effectively led Six Operational Teams simultaneously managing over 10 worldwide accounts valued over $20 million dollars to develop and implement organizational strategic plans.
- Served as a Senior Enlisted Advisor on a Tier 1 Joint Staff.
- Successfully demonstrated proven leadership while directly training and managing 10 key leaders, overseeing the health and welfare of over 100 personnel within the organization for six years.
Program Analyst III - SOFEX
Valiant Integrated Services
09.2018 - 01.2020
- Cultivated Combatant Command relationships as the Lead Planner providing direct strategic support to the USSOUTHCOM training cycle.
- Provided direct leadership and expertise to support a USINDOPACOMJoint Exercise in the overall development of their training platform.
- Advised USSOUTHCOM senior leadership on training policy, procedures, andmethods to maximize joint efforts within strategic planning process.
Strategic Project Specialist II
Valiant Integrated Services
11.2016 - 09.2018
- Developed and maintained operational training projects serving on a Doctrinal Training Team (DTT).
- Developed five project goals in support of sustainment training and mission objectives within a FY calendar year.
- Effectively identified roadblocks and issues with the unit movementplatform; developed a personnel placement program and executedthe primary solutions to reach 90% efficiency rate.
First Sergeant/Senior Operations Manager
US Army
04.2010 - 05.2016
- Effectively led Six Operational Teams simultaneously managing over 10worldwide accounts valued over $20 million dollars to develop andimplement organizational strategic plans.Served as a Senior Enlisted Advisor on a Tier 1 Joint Staff.• Successfully demonstrated proven leadership while directly training andmanaging 10 key leaders, overseeing the health and welfare of over 100personnel within the organization for six years.
Education
Ph.D. - Theological Studies
Kingdom Truth University
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Management
Northcentral University
United States Army Ranger School
US Army Leadership and Development Course
Senior-Level Leadership, Management Development Course
US Army Senior Leaders Course
Skills
- Operations planning
- Training program management
- Policy development
- Strategic planning
- Military operations knowledge
- Joint exercise facilitation
- Project coordination
- Risk assessment
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Decision making
- Relationship building
- Demand forecasting
- Capacity planning
- Scheduling coordination
- Time management abilities
- Project management
- Decision-making
- Meeting planning and leadership
- Critical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
Timeline
Senior Joint Operations Planner
Precision Focus Training and Consulting
11.2025 - Current
Senior Exercise Analyst
DoD-US Air Force
02.2023 - 11.2025
Senior Analyst
Valiant Integrated Services
01.2020 - 02.2023
Program Analyst III - SOFEX
Valiant Integrated Services
09.2018 - 01.2020
Strategic Project Specialist II
Valiant Integrated Services
11.2016 - 09.2018
First Sergeant/Senior Operations Manager
US Army
04.2010 - 05.2016
Ph.D. - Theological Studies
Kingdom Truth University
Master of Business Administration - Strategic Management
Northcentral University
United States Army Ranger School
US Army Leadership and Development Course
Senior-Level Leadership, Management Development Course
US Army Senior Leaders Course