Francis Saavedra
Communications And Cyber Officer
Hutschenhausen
Summary
Accomplished Director at U.S. Air Forces In Europe – Air Forces Africa, with a proven track record in leading high-stakes cyber operations and strategic initiatives. Expert in systems planning and cyber defense, demonstrated through the creation of a top-performing cyber unit and directing significant technical upgrades. Skilled in mentorship and cross-functional team leadership, ensuring operational excellence and efficiency.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Cyberspace Forces
U.S. Air Forces In Europe – Air Forces Africa
2021.10 - Current
- Advises and serves as the single point of contact for situational awareness of full-spectrum cyberspace operations within the operational environment for the Joint Forces Air Component Commander.
- Created top-performing defensive cyber unit for a company with 35,000 employees through offering mentorship, direction, and chances for career advancement.
Joint Cyber Center Branch Chief
United States Africa Command
2018.10 - 2021.09
- Planned and carried out offensive and defensive cyber operations for a multinational organization with 2,000 employees spread across 53 countries.
- Managed daily operations to guarantee efficiency, prompt issue resolution, and compliance with company policies and procedures for a team of 35 employees.
Commander, 603rd Air Communications Squadron
603rd Air Operations Center (USAF)
2016.07 - 2018.09
- Led a team of 120 Airmen in ensuring the readiness and defense of the $1.9 billion USAFE-AFAFRICA Air Operations Center, supporting two combatant commands and operations across 105 nations.
- Directed the execution of a $2.2 million operations and maintenance budget and oversaw $3 million in technical upgrades to the command and control systems for USEUCOM and USAFRICOM.
Commander, Detachment 2
318th Cyberspace Operations Group (USAF)
2014.06 - 2016.06
- Amplified cyber operations to the Secretary of Defense and 47 general officers, facilitating a $1 billion budget increase for the Nellis AFB training ranges.
Communications and Cyber Officer
USAF
2000.05 - 2014.05
- Directed operational test and evaluation and authored DISA’s first-ever phased testing approach for OSD’s report to Congress, successfully testing and fielding the $885 million IP-based warfighter transport network.
- Served as operations officer for a 104-person special access program intelligence unit; managed $10 million in contracts and $30 million in resources, oversaw 50 Secretary of the Air Force requirements, and provided intelligence baseline for a $75 million national-level program.
- Led the integration of C3 in the space protection program, saving $100K annually in O&M costs, while re-baselining the IT infrastructure for Air Force Space Command’s special access program.
Education
Master of Science - Information Systems Management
U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 2006.07 - 2008.03
Master of Arts - Education
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ 2004.06 - 2006.06
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Park University
Parkville, MO 1991.06 - 1999.07
Skills
Project Management
Operations Management
Team Management
People Management
Certification
Acquisition 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), Test & Evaluation 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), & CompTIA A+ Certification
Timeline
Director, Cyberspace Forces
U.S. Air Forces In Europe – Air Forces Africa
2021.10 - Current
Joint Cyber Center Branch Chief
United States Africa Command
2018.10 - 2021.09
Commander, 603rd Air Communications Squadron
603rd Air Operations Center (USAF)
2016.07 - 2018.09
Commander, Detachment 2
318th Cyberspace Operations Group (USAF)
2014.06 - 2016.06
Master of Science - Information Systems Management
U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
2006.07 - 2008.03
Master of Arts - Education
University of Phoenix
2004.06 - 2006.06
Communications and Cyber Officer
USAF
2000.05 - 2014.05
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Park University
1991.06 - 1999.07
Acquisition 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), Test & Evaluation 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), Systems Planning, Research, Development and Engineering 101 Cert (Defense Acquisition University), & CompTIA A+ Certification
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