Kris Stark is a highly accomplished Senior Program Manager with a distinguished career spanning executive and senior management roles in both the public and private sectors. With a proven track record of delivering results in complex, high-stakes environments, Kris excels at driving organizational success through strategic leadership, risk mitigation, and operational excellence. His ability to lead diverse teams, foster strong relationships, and execute large-scale programs has positioned him as a trusted authority in program management and business transformation.

Currently serving as a Program Manager, Contractor Support Services at hJm Consulting, LLC, Kris provides programmatic leadership for the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program at Naval Air Systems Command. Handpicked for his expertise, he leads critical contract award processes and is overseeing the development of a multi-year $900M contract vehicle, which will ensure the success of state-of-the-art hardware and software systems to be implemented on a developmental unmanned aircraft. His ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive operational success has been instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives within the Advanced Development business vertical.

Before his current role, Kris served as an Engagement Manager in the Global Telecommunications Practice at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Professional Services. In this role, he led international agile cloud development teams, executing time-sensitive projects with a combined budget of $1.5M over six months. His leadership directly accelerated customer outcomes, increased business opportunities, and improved cloud adoption capabilities by 215%. Through his strategic vision, he reduced application deployment times from one month to just 20 minutes per application while enhancing security and operational efficiency.

Kris also gained valuable insights into corporate leadership and digital transformation during his tenure as a Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellow at AWS. This experience deepened his expertise in agile project management, customer engagement, and cloud strategy implementation, further strengthening his ability to drive digital innovation in complex organizational settings.

Prior to transitioning into the private sector, Kris had a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps, where he held several senior leadership positions in aviation program management, training systems certification, and operations. As a Program Manager, Training Systems Certification/Director of Operations at the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, he played a pivotal role in shaping training and certification programs for eleven U.S. Marine Corps aviation platforms. Under his leadership, these programs managed budgets exceeding $161M and influenced long-term investment strategies totaling $437.6M.

Additionally, Kris served as a Program Manager and Chief Technology Officer for the H-53E/CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters program at Naval Air Systems Command. Leading a cross-functional team of over 275 personnel, he managed a staggering $885M budget, overseeing 90+ separate project efforts that directly impacted aircraft readiness and modernization. He was also entrusted with a strategic initiative to implement an additional $800M for an aircraft readiness recovery program which resulted in a 100% increase in aircraft availability over four years for worldwide operations. As the Chief Technical Advisor, he led a team of 700 engineers, ensuring the successful execution of a $6B developmental helicopter program.

Further demonstrating his operational expertise, Kris served as the Chief Operations Officer/Director of Aircraft Maintenance for Marine Expeditionary Forces, where he was responsible for the maintenance, quality assurance, and operational deployment of a Marine Corps squadron valued at over $1B. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring mission readiness and operational success in combat and humanitarian operations worldwide.

Throughout his career, Kris has maintained an unwavering commitment to organizational leadership, program execution, and mentorship. His ability to streamline operations, improve productivity, and drive strategic initiatives has consistently delivered measurable success across diverse industries.

Kris holds a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana and possesses multiple professional certifications, including AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, SAFe 5 & 6 Advanced Scrum Master, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), and Program Management Level III certification from the Defense Acquisition University. He also maintains an active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS/SCI) security clearance, reflecting his extensive experience in handling sensitive and high-level government programs.

With a reputation for excellence in leadership, strategic planning, and program execution, Kris Stark remains a forward-thinking executive dedicated to advancing organizational success and shaping the future of program management in both the public and private sectors.

Character
Kris Stark is a principled and results-driven leader known for his unwavering integrity, commitment to excellence, and ability to navigate complex challenges with a steady hand. His dedication to mentorship, team development, and mission success underscores his reputation as a leader who prioritizes both people and performance.

Knowledge
With extensive expertise in program management, strategic planning, and risk mitigation, Kris possesses a deep understanding of both government and commercial operations. His ability to integrate technical knowledge with business acumen has enabled him to drive innovation, streamline operations, and optimize organizational performance.

Strategic
Kris has a proven ability as a self-starter, to develop and execute long-term strategies that enhance operational efficiency, drive technological advancement, and achieve mission-critical objectives. His forward-thinking leadership ensures that programs and initiatives align with evolving industry demands and organizational goals.

Communication
An effective communicator from C-Suites to small technical or business teams, Kris excels in conveying complex information with clarity and purpose. His ability to foster collaboration, build stakeholder trust, and translate strategic vision into actionable outcomes makes him a highly influential and respected leader.