Stu Wertz
Colorado Springs
Summary
Results-driven professional with a proven track record in program management and capability development. Specialized in leading training initiatives and managing complex projects, ensuring operational excellence and enhanced team performance.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mission Operations Specialist, Training Lead
Saronic Technologies
Austin, TX
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Capability Development. Led the integration of unmanned surface vessel technology training for 40 new employees, providing detailed instruction on robotic systems and their use in operational and strategic environments.
- Mission Support. Managed and developed a two-week internal training course for Saronic’s Autonomous Vessel, Corsair, covering launching, recovery, mooring, autonomous programming, maintenance, and navigation. The course was designed to teach essential safety protocols for new hires before their permanent transfer to the US and abroad.
- Fiscal Management. Oversaw all logistical processes and major purchases for the course, including managing a NetSuite account and budgeting.
Tactical Rope and Rigging Instructor
Roco Rescue
Baton Rouge, LA
06.2025 - 09.2025
- Skilled Instructor. Developed and delivered engaging rescue training sessions for EOD Units.
- High-Risk Analysis. Assisted in evaluating participant performance during practical exercises and simulations during high-risk training evolutions.
- Technician. Utilized industry-standard rescue equipment to demonstrate techniques effectively, as well as the use of non-standard rigging for emergency purposes.
- Mission Oriented. Provided feedback on training materials to enhance clarity and effectiveness.
Program Manager and Analyst
Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC
03.2020 - 01.2023
- Stakeholder Engagement. Interfaced with 10+ stakeholders across five states representing 3 strategic enterprise capabilities of Bio Watch, Secure the Cities, and MDDP. Coordinated weekly with regional DOE, FEMA, and FBI partners regarding CWMD planning and execution for CWMD events, upcoming exercises, strategic initiatives, and training.
- Managed COVID-19 Airport Screenings. Responsible for administering federal contract requirements and operational changes for COVID-19 screening for hundreds of international flights at Seattle, Honolulu, and Los Angeles International Airports, and managed contracted AMR personnel at each site, totaling 30-40 personnel.
- Managed LAX Ebola Screening. Managed response associated with the outbreak of Ebola in 2021 for 8-10 AMR personnel, in-person and remotely, while also working closely with CDC’s LAX lead for infectious diseases and Customs and Border Protection during specific international flights with potentially infected personnel.
- Forward Thinker. Utilized years of experience to catalyze the US Coast Guard CST Teams' movement into strategic and operational support governed by specialized Presidential Executive Orders.
- Operations Allies Welcome. Assisted in the repatriation of thousands of Afghan Allies following the rapid fall of the Afghan Government to the Taliban.
- Exercise Support. Executed CWMD strategic and contractual goals, explosive training devices, and operational development of the FBI and US Coast Guard during a regional WMD exercise in the Cape Cod/Boston area, involving Federal, State, Local, and DOD VIPs.
- Special Event Management. Coordinated and executed CWMD’s involvement in Super Bowl 56. Conducted daily reporting and meetings with higher headquarters, CWMD medical personnel, Bio Watch collection efforts, State Lab personnel, and the FBI All-Hazard Center, and provided intel and threat awareness to 16 CWMD personnel in the field to ensure mission execution over three weeks.
- Coordinated Training. Ensured radiological sources for specialized bomb disposal team training were delivered correctly and used for critical federal law enforcement teams at the FBI’s Hazardous Device School. Worked closely with senior leadership and trainers at East and West Coast Guard’s Critical Response Teams by coordinating classified meetings with Joint Special Operations, Navy Special Warfare, and DHS funding personnel.
- Contract Training. Completed 100 hours of Contracting Officer Representative II training, via the Defense Acquisition Institute, associated with the duties, responsibilities, and organizational designation to represent contracts on behalf of the Contracting Officer.
J35 Future Ops
Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH)
Peterson AFB
10.2015 - 06.2018
- WMD Advisor. Managed three strategic programs across multiple Federal agencies, creating cross-functional teams to respond to counter-WMD and Terror threats to the Homeland.
- Developed Logistical Pathways. Researched and briefed Senior Executives on using select airframes to complete the mission. Developed training, response protocols, and briefs, totalling 1,000 hours of work.
- Forward Thinker. Developed long-term response solutions across thousands of miles of geography, resulting in the execution of $10 million worth of regional readiness exercises and drills.
- Supported Defense in Depth. Developed strategic and operational plans and processes as tasked by the NORTHCOM Commander. Used 17 years of tactical and operational experience to conduct analysis, meetings, and program management with collaborative software like Microsoft SharePoint and Project.
EOD Operator
Naval Special Warfare Development Group
Virginia Beach, VA
03.2003 - 10.2015
- Member and Teammate. Served at a premier Special Operations Unit capable of conducting high-risk missions across all military domains. Deployed 12 times across three combat theaters. Expert in Counter-IED, Counter-Terror, and CWMD operations, and fusing real-time intelligence (C4ISR, etc.) to drive mission results. Selected and trained to be an adaptive war fighter, a rapid learner, an introspective combat leader, and a valuable teammate.
- Leader. Led specialized teams in identifying, exploiting, and disabling explosive hazards for larger force operations and pinpoint strategic mission sets as ordered by the President of the United States.
- Warfighter Developer. Influenced and designed warfighter products with drawings, briefs, and contract development. Drafted requirements and statement of work defining specialized EOD tools, created operational techniques and procedures, and worked hand in hand with engineers from National Laboratories and in-house fabricators to produce products to address specific mission areas—applied tools in combat arenas with feedback and testing protocols.
- Out of the Box Thinking. Responsible for the development of non-standard firing devices, specialized surveillance platforms, advanced force technology, and munition recovery, resulting in the increased resilience and operations focus for future war fighters.
EOD Technician
EODMU5
Guam
01.2000 - 03.2003
- First Command. Deployed to support the US Navy Pacific fleet, working with Marines, Seals, and Navy Aviation Units during international exercises and direct support to operations.
- Disposal Operations. Conducted disposal operations of 3,500 lbs. of WWII ordnance on Saipan
- Security Operations. Conducted daily harbor security operations in Japan following the 9/11 Attacks, during heightened anti-terrorism levels.
Recruit and Student
US NAVY and US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School
Navy Basic, A School, EOD School
06.1998 - 01.2000
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sustainability
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ05-2024
Skills
- TS / SCI
- CT / CWMD
- CNWDI / RD
- Program Management
- Project Management
- Capability Development
- Joint Operations
- Special Operations
- Strategic and Operational Planning
- Intelligence Operations
- Technical Operations
- Problem Solving
- Budgeting
Certification
- Cyber Security Professional, Google - 2025
- All-Source Intelligence Analyst, McAfee Institute - 2025
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Mission Operations Specialist, Training Lead
Saronic Technologies
09.2025 - 12.2025
Tactical Rope and Rigging Instructor
Roco Rescue
06.2025 - 09.2025
Program Manager and Analyst
Counter-Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, Department of Homeland Security
03.2020 - 01.2023
J35 Future Ops
Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH)
10.2015 - 06.2018
EOD Operator
Naval Special Warfare Development Group
03.2003 - 10.2015
EOD Technician
EODMU5
01.2000 - 03.2003
Recruit and Student
US NAVY and US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School
06.1998 - 01.2000
Bachelor of Science - Sustainability
Arizona State University