Graham Austin

  

Biography:

Security Clearance: Secret Clearance

Military Experience: 5.2 years

Work Experience: 37.3 years

Work Experience:

Resilience isn’t just a concept—it’s a strategy, a discipline, and a necessity in today’s unpredictable world. With a career spanning the military, government, and corporate sectors, I specialize in emergency management, operational risk mitigation, and business continuity planning, ensuring organizations remain agile and prepared in the face of crises.

As a Marine Corps veteran and strategic risk leader, I’ve managed large-scale emergency operations, conducted high-level risk assessments, and developed security frameworks that protect critical infrastructure, personnel, and business operations. Whether leading crisis response for international agencies, optimizing security protocols for government entities, or mitigating business risks in high-stakes environments, I bring a proactive, data-driven approach to safeguarding people and assets.

Key Areas of Expertise:
• Crisis & Emergency Management – Incident response, continuity planning, and interagency coordination to minimize disruption and accelerate recovery.
• Risk & Business Resilience – Identifying vulnerabilities, optimizing risk frameworks, and ensuring compliance across corporate, military, and government operations.
• Security & Operational Strategy – Developing intelligence-driven security measures to protect personnel, facilities, and critical assets.
• Interagency & Cross-Sector Collaboration – Aligning corporate, military, and government efforts for stronger crisis preparedness.
Leadership Under Pressure – Leading high-stakes missions with composure, strategic foresight, and operational efficiency.

Having worked with the U.S. Department of State, the Port Authority of NY & NJ, the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Marine Corps, I understand the complexities of risk management across diverse environments. I’m always open to connecting with fellow professionals, industry leaders, and organizations looking to strengthen their emergency preparedness, security posture, and operational resilience.

Let’s discuss how I can help your organization stay ahead of risks, build resilience, and navigate uncertainty with confidence. Feel free to reach out. 


Military Service:

  • Rank: First Lieutenant

    Branch/Position: Marine Corps

    Period: June 2019 - July 2024

    Occupation: 1302 - Combat Engineer Officer - 1302

    Security Clearance: Secret Clearance

    Duties Description:

    Engineer officers command or assist in commanding engineer units consisting of Marines in various MOSs whose duties include repair, maintenance, and operation of engineer heavy equipment; construction, operation, and repair of structures and facilities; clearing and emplacing obstacles such as minefields; construction of bridges; using explosives for construction and demolition projects; using specialized demolitions for urban breaching; storage and distribution of bulk fuel products.

    Training courses:

    • Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
    • Armed Forces Service Medal
    • Korea Defense Service Medal
    • Global War on Terror Medal
    • National Defense Service Medal
    • Sea Service Deployment Medal (X3)

Work history:

  • Job Title: DOD Skillbridge: U.S. Consulate General Okinawa Japan

    Company: U.S. Department of State

    Period: February 2024 - July 2024

    Role Description:

     • Led a 300-point risk audit and operational
    assessment at a high-profile facility, identifying over 60 corrective actions
    that strengthened business continuity and security for critical assets.  

    • Managed logistics and security protocols during
    a Congressional Delegation visit, facilitating successful interactions among 12
    senior officials and key stakeholders in governmental and industry
    sectors.  

    • Produced and presented detailed reports to
    enhance communication with business continuity plan owners and improve
    adherence to compliance guidelines.  

    • Collaborated with the Okinawa-American Chamber
    of Commerce to fortify economic partnerships, driving initiatives that promoted
    strategic alliances and enhanced operational resilience.   

  • Job Title: Combat Engineer Officer

    Company: United States Marine Corps

    Period: June 2019 - July 2024

    Trainings, Certifications and Licences:

    • Sharepoint Site Manager
    • Oracle Database Manager
    • Foreign Disclosure Officer
    Role Description:

     • Conducted risk assessments and internal audits as part of the Risk Management and
    Compliance Program, identifying operational vulnerabilities across multiple
    locations and implementing corrective measures for security and continuity.  

    • Managed the decommissioning of a pandemic response unit, achieving cost savings
    exceeding $50,000 while enhancing global personnel tracking efficiency for over
    15,000 incoming personnel.  

    • Led cross-departmental training and operational readiness initiatives, coordinating
    logistics and processes for 60 South Korean counterparts, ensuring effective collaboration in multinational exercises across the Asia-Pacific region.  

    • Streamlined personnel tracking and management systems, working directly with
    senior leadership to improve operational visibility and resource allocation
    across diverse military operations.  

  • Job Title: Strategic Communications Analyst - Office of Emergency Management

    Company: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

    Period: January 2017 - January 2019

    Role Description:

     • Monitored and assessed operational risks across enterprise facilities, providing real-time intelligence and risk evaluations for over 600 global incidents and 300 local events, enhancing decision-making
    for business continuity. 

    • Developed a standardized risk reporting framework that improved incident analysis efficiency, facilitating better coordination and response strategies across multiple teams and functions.  

    • Proactively investigated potential threats and provided critical incident updates, successfully preventing three major incidents and ensuring the safety of high-value infrastructure such as the World Trade Center and JFK Airport.  

    • Utilized advanced monitoring tools such as Dataminr and Hootsuite to identify emerging threats and coordinate emergency responses, issuing timely notifications to enhance operational resilience and
    security measures.   

  • Job Title: Senior Disaster Responder

    Company: American Red Cross

    Period: June 2015 - March 2018

    Role Description:

    • Led emergency response operations for over 300 incidents in New York City, facilitating financial assistance for more than 900 families through effective recovery strategies.  

    • Developed and executed Incident Action Plans during Hurricane Maria, enhancing operational efficiency in disaster assessments across Puerto Rico and supporting community resilience.  

    • Trained over 80 volunteers on emergency management protocols, boosting organizational readiness and earning 50+ FEMA certifications in areas such as Continuity Planning and Hazard Risk Assessment.  

    • Created a social media monitoring platform to improve situational awareness and assess community needs, playing a key role in public health and recovery efforts.  

  • Job Title: AmeriCorps Economic Empowerment Associate

    Company: International Rescue Committee

    Period: July 2015

    Role Description:

    • Coordinated the community mentorship program, connecting refugees with industry-specific mentors that enabled them to expedite their return to chosen careers and professional fields.

    • Developed and maintained databases for the Targeted Assistance Grant (TAG) Program, ESL Program, and Cultural Orientation which streamlined program management and client reporting processes.

    • Led Cultural Orientation classes for clients from eight countries, teaching American laws and customs that facilitated smoother integration and cultural adaptation.

    • Managed enrollment, case processing, and educational tracks for over 350 ESL students which improved the pathways to client self-sufficiency.

  • Job Title: Project Manager

    Company: Excursion Language Centers

    Period: September 2013 - January 2014

    Role Description:

    • Established and managed a volunteer intake program, streamlining the candidate approval process and improving recruitment efficiency by 30%.  

    • Developed and delivered public speaking and communication training classes, enhancing presentation skills for over 200 participants, which contributed to improved team collaboration.  

    • Created two instructional videos that reached over 3,000 students in Sri Lanka, facilitating better understanding of language skills and promoting educational continuity across diverse communities.  

    • Conducted candidate interviews to assess teaching abilities and skills, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and maintaining high standards for instructional quality.  

  • Job Title: Program Manager

    Company: Lak Aruna Foundation

    Period: April 2013 - September 2013

    Role Description:

    • Led the planning of the Ministry of Higher Education’s inaugural service learning program, achieving second place in the World Bank - Microsoft Youth Solutions Competition, which impacted over 1,000 students.  

    • Established and refined processes for collaboration between government and NGO partners, enhancing efficiency in volunteer processing and project selection by 30%.  

    • Promoted cross-cultural partnerships in underdeveloped regions, strengthening organizational effectiveness and expanding resources for local initiatives.  

    • Developed training materials for presentations, improving communication skills and engagement for over 150 participants in various educational workshops.  

  • Job Title: Expansion Coordinator

    Company: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity

    Period: June 2012

    Role Description:

    • Researched and built strategic relationships with 25 universities to identify growth opportunities, successfully increasing organizational partnerships by 60%.  

    • Coordinated the establishment of 11 new colonies, providing mentorship and resources, which resulted in a 70% retention rate among participants during their first year.  

    • Recruited and trained 80 members, enhancing their marketing efforts and local programming, leading to a 50% increase in goal completion rates across initiatives.  

    • Developed and presented materials to potential host schools, traveling extensively to secure partnerships that expanded membership by over 100%.  

  • Job Title: Strategic Performance Management Teams & Offsets Intern

    Company: Lockheed Martin

    Period: February 2011 - August 2011

    Role Description:

    • Monitored supplier delivery and quality, collaborating with Lean Six Sigma Black Belts to enhance process efficiency across multiple suppliers.  

    • Analyzed supply chain trends, reporting on tax credits for purchases exceeding $100 million, contributing to financial strategy and compliance reporting.  

    • Organized two major conferences for 60 manufacturers, successfully recruiting 20 new suppliers that improved the overall supply chain efficiency program.  

    • Developed and presented senior-level materials in PowerPoint for stakeholder engagement, strengthening client relationships within the supply chain network.  


Education:

  • University of Central Florida

    Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) – Business Administration

    Period: September 2026 - August 2012

  • University of Central Florida

    Bachelor's Degree – Economics

    Period: September 2026 - August 2011

  • University of Central Florida

    Bachelor's Degree – Political Science

    Period: September 2026 - August 2011

  • Cornell University

    Other – Master Certificate in System Design and Project Leadership

    Period: September 2026 - August 2016

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