Robert Smith

Current

• Instructional Design & Technical Writing SME at Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

Past

• Deputy Director, Educational Programs at Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters
• Chief, Curriculum Development at Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

Education

• 1 - MA in Education
• 2 - BA in Mathematics & Computer Science
• 3 - Certified Instructor

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Recommended

17 people have recommended Robert

Connections

242 connections

Industry

E-Learning

Websites

• CAP's Online University Page
• CAP's Aerospace Education Page
• CAP's Cadet Programs Page

Robert Smith’s Summary

Results-centered, hands-on leader with 11+ years distinguished subject matter expert (SME) experience in leadership development, instructional design and technical writing. Excels at seeing the big picture, identifying gaps and managing initiatives. Adept at planning and successfully executing projects on an international scale. Author of policies, technical manuals and regulations for a national corporation. Proven ability to design new training products, improve emerging products and lead established products through their life-cycle while garnering high ROI. Skilled in translating organizational needs into e-learning and classroom experiences with competitive benchmarking. Reputation as a creative, proactive supervisor who transforms highly skilled individuals into cohesive, productive teams. Certified in ISD and ADDIE standards, with an advanced degree in education and proficiency with adult and youth learner modalities.

Robert Smith’s Specialties:

Leadership, Instructional Design, Technical Writing, e-Learning, Curriculum Development, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Transformational Leadership, Public Speaking, Human Resources, Coaching, Training, Consulting, Budgeting, Mentoring, Personnel Management, Resource Management, Educational Analyst, ISD Expert, Ethics

Robert Smith’s Experience

• Instructional Design & Technical Writing SME

  Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  2008 — Present (1 year )

  Under contract as an Instructional Design & Technical Writing SME writing lesson plans for a new leadership textbook to be used by over 50K members. Prior contract with CAP included writing enterprise-wide lesson plans, on-line test questions and experiential, hands-on activities. Built new instructional training solutions impacting the entire organization. Classroom instructor and instructor trainer for the annual national Cadet Officer School, the premiere leadership development program for CAP’s top students. Translated complex instructional design theories into products that aligned with business objectives.

• Deputy Director, Educational Programs

  Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  2000 — 2007 (7 years )

  Spearheaded policy and all educational programs globally. Senior project leader supervising 14 chiefs, program managers and educators with a budget of $4.1M. Directed the highly successful congressionally mandated aerospace education and cadet program missions. Wrote technical manuals and regulations. Collaborated with external and internal executive leaders as Senior Training Director and Subject Matter Expert. Created multiple e-learning delivery methods, to include on-line, blended and classroom training. Decided which Learning Management Systems would best fit the corporation while complying with SCORM and Section 508 accessibility standards. Master instructor for multiple national-level courses. Master trainer of instructors and staff. Guided design teams through the ISD process, yielding highly regarded beginner, mid-level and advanced national training programs. Served on the Financial Management Board. Cross-directorate team leader for CEO-initiated special projects and research.
  
  Notable Accomplishments:
  • Successfully moved CAP into a blended e-learning environment.
  • Condensed average onboarding time from 315 days to 22 by creating a web-based orientation program.
  • Raised completion rates for 1st level of training from 74% to 96% in one year.
  • Restructured training courses, now consistently rating a high ROI utilizing Kirkpatrick's Level 4 evaluations.
  • Co-authored analytical blueprint on future e-learning needs, endorsed by CAP's governing board.
  • Authored 12+ technical manuals, regulations and pamphlets.
  • Managed and edited 120+ training products.
  • Created mentoring and character development programs, along with new/mid/senior/executive leader programs.
  • Saved $230K/year by producing new member package and a “Next Step” CD with publications and videos.
  • Researched a cost overrun of $500K that resulted in reorganizing procurement practices.

• Chief, Curriculum Development

  Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

  (Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

  1998 — 2000 (2 years )

  Directed CAP training programs across the US. Supervised 7 direct reports with a budget of $2.3M. Chaired cross-directorate meetings with executive leaders and volunteers. Wrote policies, technical regulations and manuals. Identified software and other learning tools. Created experiential, hands-on curricula for training seminars. Utilized gap analysis for course improvement. Created programs in ethics, accountability, public trust and emerging trends. Taught courses in adult learner modalities, curriculum development, core values, emotional intelligence, MBTI, theory of constraints, lean manufacturing, six-sigma, test design and administration, ISD and ADDIE modeling standards, executive development and instructor training. Analyzed cross-directorate data trends that resulted in improved job performance in a variety of occupations to include procurement, finance, customer service, work-hours and new program cost impact.
  
  Notable Accomplishments:
  • Initiated blended distance learning and online testing for the corporation.
  • Led team to produce education modules used by 27K students and teachers per year.
  • Wrote supplemental training course materials used by 28K members worldwide.
  • Optimized organizational resources, saving $300K in appropriated funds.
  • Created a best practices website, used by members to better manage programs.
  • Reduced time to reimbursement from 2 months to 3 days with no errors.
  • Reengineered CAP’s character development program to a more student-centered approach, utilizing case studies to inculcate effective decision-making skills.
  • Produced a video, “How to Avoid the Hazing Trap,” now required viewing for members involved in youth training.

Robert Smith’s Education

• 1 - MA in Education

  Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , Louisville, KY

  Studies included curriculum development, learner modalities, Bloom’s taxonomy, Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluation and Kolb’s experiential education model.

  Activities and Societies:

  Senior Class Vice President; State President of the Alumni Association (Florida).

• 2 - BA in Mathematics & Computer Science

  The Citadel , Charleston, SC

  Studies included educational philosophies, statistics, advanced mathematics, leadership development and computer programming.

  Activities and Societies:

  Commanded The Citadel Composite Squadron for the Civil Air Patrol, State Vice President of the Baptist Student Union.

• 3 - Certified Instructor

  United States Air Force , Maxwell AFB, AL

  Maxwell Air Force Base (in-residence). AIS is the teachers’ college for the United States Air Force. Widely acclaimed by civilian and military educators, AIS is known throughout the DoD for its role in satisfying the requirements of the Air Force for educated instructors. The school prepares instructors to teach in diverse educational environments using state-of-the-art educational skills and technologies. Studies include ISD, ADDIE, learning theory, e-learning, LMS, SCORM, curriculum development, evaluations and test item analysis.

Additional Information

Robert Smith’s Websites:

• CAP's Online University Page
• CAP's Aerospace Education Page
• CAP's Cadet Programs Page

Robert Smith’s Interests:

Family, flying, computers, public speaking, teaching

Robert Smith’s Groups:

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), American Society for Training & Development (ASTD), eLearning Guild, Civil Air Patrol

•    Executive Suite
•    Linked:HR (#1 Human Resources Group)
•    Learning, Education and Training Professionals Group
•    The Citadel Military College of South Carolina
•    FlyerTalk.com
•    Consultants Network
•    Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary)
•    ASTD National
•    Emergency Management Professionals
•    Linked 2 Leadership
•    Civil Air Patrol Network
•    Civil Air Patrol / The United States Air Force Auxiliary
•    the Organizational Development NETWORK
•    Training&Development
•    The eLearning Guild
•    Instructional Design & E-Learning Professionals' Group
•    Civil Air Patrol Volunteers and Employees
•    LInked:HR - HR Leadership
•    Linked:HR - Organization Development & Training

Robert Smith’s Honors:

Exceptional Service Award, Civil Air Patrol (3 times)
Meritorious Service Award, Civil Air Patrol (2 times)
National Commander's Commendation Award, Civil Air Patrol (2 times)
Commander's Commendation Award, Civil Air Patrol (4 times)

Robert Smith’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch