Thursday, April 23, 2015

Spartan Race seeks Director of Operations

Position: Director of Operations
Location: Corporate Office, Boston                           
Department: COO
Founded in 2010, Spartan Race is the global leader in the sport of obstacle racing. Spartan races cater to individuals looking to test their physical limits and change their frame of reference for what they can accomplish, from everyday people looking to get off the couch and lead a fitter lifestyle, to elite endurance athletes who seek the ultimate physical test.
Spartan Race is a high-performance organization, and successful team members must therefore possess a strong work ethic and hands-on approach to business. We are innovative, create inventive solutions, and are exceptionally service minded. Team members at Spartan change lives, and have a passion for the organization. Paramount to our organization is the maturity to embrace ambiguity and ability to adapt according to the market and the continuing innovation of the organization.
Summary of position:
Reporting to the COO, this position is mainly responsible for the daily coordination of operations, as well as prioritization of time and resources to accomplish long term goals and constant improvement.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
·       Responsible for Spartan Race Battle Rhythm, ensuring effective and efficient use of everybody’s time.  Preparation, facilitating and follow up of all Spartan Race Communications forums. 
·       Responsible for the Synchronization Matrix, to ensure planning and execution of events and that all key resources are available to support the event. 
·       Responsible for planning, resourcing and executing projects for short and long term growth.
·       Ensure strategic initiatives and projects are resourced properly and meet milestones. 
These duties can be summed up as the coordinator of all current and future operations planning and execution.  
·       Responsible for establishing and maintaining operational rhythm and tempo across the company, synchronizing multiple departments and focus areas to promote efficiency and effectiveness.
·       Promotes efficient communication throughout the company by establishing and enforcing a standardized communication system that includes daily huddles and weekly staff/operational meetings.
·       Flattens the organization's communication by promoting significant cross-talk and dissemination of information to the lowest level.
·       Manages companywide synchronization matrix and ensures adherence and resourcing of day to day operations. Provides guidance to company leadership on departmental workload capacity and potential friction points.
·       Tracks special projects/initiatives and advises leadership on the integration according to current workload capacity.
·       Enforces deadlines and inter-departmental cooperation to achieve company goals.
·       Provides analysis and recommendations for the synchronization of short term, long term and strategic goals.
·       Mediates the relationship between executive company leadership and departmental heads.
·       Assists in coordination, collaboration and the communication of intent throughout multiple leadership levels in order to align all departments to achieve success.
Qualifications:
·       Ability to hold one-self accountable and an aptitude for prioritizing multiple projects.
·       Strong sense of teamwork with the ability to foster relationships.
·       Proactive, solutions-oriented; capability to identify efficiencies and decrease costs while maintaining a quality workplace environment and product.
·       Collegial approach to a business environment and cooperative work style.
·       Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
Requirements:
·       5+ years with proven leadership skills.
·       Bachelors in Business, Finance or related field.
·       Military Operational experience a plus.
·       Proficiency in Excel, Power Point and Shared Drive’s.
·       Operational background controlling or coordinating actions for multi-matrix organizations.

Interested?  PM me with your contact info.  Karl

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Darby Original, Ranger Hall of Fame Honoree Noel Dye Funeral 20 April in Bushnell Florida

WWII ARMY RANGER DARBY LEGEND AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE PVT 1ST CLASS RAYMOND NOEL DYE's 
final journey home will be on:
April 20, 2015 at 1400 (2:00 PM EST)
Florida National Cemetery ,6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, Florida 33513
(352) 793-7740

Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, United States Army Special Operations Command Deputy Commanding General will be attending, and will provide a testimony to the intestinal fortitude of Ranger legend Raymond Noel Dye, whose life of service was honored on April 9 at Fort Benning's Ranger Memorial.

Bio of a Legend

Dye joined the Army on Nov. 12, 1942 and shipped out to Oran, North Africa in April 1943. Upon arrival in North Africa, he answered Col. William O. Darby’s call for volunteers for the elite Ranger Force.  He served with F Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, and later with the 4th Battalion.  The success of 1st Battalion, known as "Darby's Rangers", in Operation Torch, and in combat actions afterwards, led to the formation of the five additional Ranger battalions, as well as the expansion of the Army Ranger program, a prelude to the historic legacy of the Rangers of today.

Ranger Noel Dye
“Ranger Dye saw many conflicts on foreign soil,” said Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn, United States Army Special Operations Command Deputy Commanding General. “He served with distinction in combat through three invasions – Sicily, Salerno and Anzio, Italy.”  Dye was wounded four times according to his book, “Leading the Way”.  “Ranger Dye was a Ranger, and true to the Ranger spirit, no hospital was going to keep him from being with his Ranger buddies on the battlefield,” Chinn said.  “His adventures of being AWOL from hospital treatment, so he could shoulder more than his share of the task, are described in his book.”

Dye saw too much for a young Ranger still in his late teens. His adventures in war led him from one battle to the next; surviving a gunshot wound and a mortar shelling.  "Noel represented close traits to what many of you have seen in your ranks today where you can knock a Ranger down but he will keep getting up,” said retired Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Greenway. “He has a life example we can all aspire to follow.”

One of the most tragic events of young Ranger Dye’s life was the death of his Ranger buddy, Charles Roby. “We all grow old fast in combat, and what took his breath away and a moment that was etched in his heart forever, happened on a cold November morning in 1943, when he saw his Ranger buddy, Charles Roby fall on the battlefield – killed in action,” General Chinn said.  Noel always talked about Roby every time we met; Roby was a true friend to him and I know they are together now in the Objective Rally Point with the Big Ranger in the sky.”

An excerpt from Ranger Dye’s memoirs:

“We made our way about two-thirds of the way across the field when we started taking a lot of small arms fire. We found as many low spots on the ground as we could for cover. As we lay on the ground, our packs and canteens were being shot off. The Germans then started with mortars. After the second shell, Sgt. Altieri had us sound off, in order as usual. No one had been hit. Sgt. Altieri then called us by name, two at a time to get across the last part of the field and into the woods. We ran toward the woods. Roby was heavier than me and carried a Thompson submachine gun with ammo. Roby was on my right as I ran past him and dove across the fence. The mortar barrage continued as I lay on the ground trying to catch my breath. I crawled back into the woods where it would be safe enough to stand up. I called out for Roby but there was no answer. I asked others around me, "Where's Roby?" No one knew. Finally someone pointed toward the field.”

“Ranger Dye’s military career was one of duty, honor, courage, loyalty, selfless service and determination to get the mission done,” Chinn said. “He fought alongside his fellow Rangers throughout Italy, Africa and other campaigns across foreign lands, enduring the cold winters of war.”

Chinn left the memorial attendees with a final thought at Fort Benning, Georgia, during Best Ranger Competition.

“When you look at the life of this great Ranger Hall of Fame legend, from the beginning of his life until the end; we have an inside view of all those wonderful moments he experienced - the lives he touched - the friends he made -  the Soldiers he served with. His epitaph will read, Raymond Noel Dye, born November 2, 1924 - March 8, 2015.  the dash in the middle of his birth and his death represents everything he did in this wonderful life he had. That little dash represents someone who was truly larger than life.”

Dye’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, National Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Dye is survived by his wife Theresa, son Richard Meyer, daughter Tondra Mineo and granddaughter Stephie.

Rangers Lead the Way!

For more on Darby WWII Ranger Raymond Dole, please visit
http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/rtb/rhof/index.html

Ranger Noel and Theresa Dye are personal friends, and I grieve with his family and the Ranger family.  These treasures are becoming more rare - not too far off there will be none remaining on this earth.  Find them and appreciate them while you can.  RLTW  km

Rangers Monger and Dye, 2011

Thursday, April 9, 2015

GallantFew launches The Darby Project

GallantFew, Inc. announces launch of The Darby ProjectGrant McGarry named as project director


 
Every Ranger veteran deserves a life filled with purpose and hope - and who better to help a transitioning Ranger veteran than another Ranger who has already transitioned?

The Darby Project matches transitioning Rangers with Ranger "Guides" - Rangers from the same unit, same military specialty, who have previously successfully transitioned and live in the same local area as the transitioning Ranger. This helps overcome isolation and leads to a smoother and more successful transition.

Elite US Army Rangers face unique challenges when transitioning. The characteristics that make them elite soldiers can prevent them from reaching out for assistance which in turn can lead to isolation and worse. The Veterans Administration tells us that 22 veterans take their own lives every day, and that veteran unemployment and homelessness remain unacceptably high.  

Grant McGarry
In conjunction with the launch of The Darby Project, decorated Ranger veteran, Grant McGarry, has been named as Project Director. McGarry served as rifleman to team leader in the 1st Ranger Battalion and transitioned from active duty to jobs with Triple Canopy and the Coca Cola Company, as well as starting a small business, Live the Ranger Creed. While working for Coca-Cola, Grant helped start the Coca-Cola Military Veterans Business Resource Group and was appointed the Atlanta Chapter President. Grant has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama and plans to start his master's degree in the fall.  

GallantFew's Executive Director, Karl Monger, said "McGarry is a well-respected Ranger veteran who understands the unique transition challenges this community faces. His energy and focus will result in a stronger bond between the active-duty Rangers and the Ranger veteran community, which will lead more Rangers to successful civilian lives filled with purpose and hope."

Rangers planning to transition (or still working through their transition) and Ranger veterans interested in becoming Guides should visit www.darbyproject.org for more information.  There, they will provide contact information and proof of service.  Following a brief interview, they will be identified as a Guide or a Future Guide (all transitioning Rangers will one day help another) and a transition plan of support will be established.


GallantFew is a nationwide charitable nonprofit organization established in 2010 and provides a "Revolutionary Veteran Support Network".  Other programs include The Raider ProjectRun Ranger Run and Descendants of Sparta.  Contact info@gallantfew.org for more information.