TRACE STEYAERT
Camp Verde
Summary
Results-driven defense and aerospace executive with over 31 years of leadership in global supply chain and logistics. Proven track record of enhancing operational readiness and achieving over $6 million in cost savings while improving asset availability for F-35A aircraft. Expertise in strategic influence and operational excellence positions well for senior leadership roles. Dynamic leader with extensive experience in directing complex initiatives in high-stakes environments.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Principal Specialist, Project Management – Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT (KBR)
Wright-Patterson AFB
10.2025 - Current
- Developed advanced curriculum in Digital Product Support (DPS) for military and civilian logistics leaders, enhancing Air Force sustainment education.
- Led development of graduate-level instruction on digital sustainment ecosystems, digital thread/digital twin integration, product lifecycle management (PLM), AI-enabled analytics, sensor-informed maintenance, cyber-enabled logistics, and authoritative data governance, preparing students for modern challenges.
- Translated emerging digital sustainment concepts into executive-ready frameworks that improve asset availability, lifecycle cost performance, and enterprise decision quality.
- Supported defense sustainment strategy modernization by integrating model-based analysis and digital transformation principles into workforce development initiatives.
Senior Principal Specialist, Project Management – F-35A Fleet Management Office
KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT (KBR)
Wright-Patterson AFB
08.2023 - 09.2025
- Advised senior supply chain and sustainment strategy for global F-35A enterprise, navigating one of the most complex defense logistics environments.
- Directed logistics and supply chain initiatives for 1,763 F-35A aircraft, collaborating with Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and F-35 Joint Program Office to enhance fleet sustainment.
- Spearheaded an $80B+ global supply chain strategy, aligning 1,000+ stakeholders, resolving 150+ enterprise-critical issues, generating $6M+ in cost savings, and recovering 30,000+ labor hours supporting 493 aircraft.
- Designed and implemented supply chain dashboards and analytics, analyzing 33,000+ maintenance delay records to increase accountability and expedite sustainment decisions.
- Eliminated depot and hazardous material bottlenecks, improving material flow and saving $1.2M, while protecting uninterrupted global readiness and supply continuity.
Director, F-35 Global Supply Operations and Sustainment
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Wright-Patterson AFB
07.2022 - 08.2023
- Executive leader for a multinational sustainment and supply chain organization supporting the global F-35 enterprise.
- Directed a multinational logistics and sustainment organization supporting a $90B+ fleet of 1,000+ F-35 aircraft across 10 U.S. bases and 19 international partner bases.
- Held executive responsibility for global supply chain operations, spares planning, warehousing, deployment support, policy integration, and sustainment governance for one of DoD’s highest-priority aircraft portfolios.
- Chaired Supply Chain Management Advisory Group, implementing enterprise reforms that enhanced supply responsiveness and cross-organizational execution, directly contributing to improved readiness performance.
- Oversaw $50M+ in afloat and deployment spare packages, aligning inventory strategy with operational demand to ensure optimal support across distributed global locations.
Director, Logistics, Engineering & Health Services
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
06.2019 - 07.2022
- Directed integrated support operations for 46 military and Coast Guard installations serving 21,000 personnel in austere Arctic conditions.
- Led 120+ cross-service executive planning forums, eliminating operational support gaps and enabling successful execution of USNORTHCOM Arctic Edge exercises.
- Executed logistics and sustainment support for $19M exercise portfolio, enabling effective deployment and support of 1,600 personnel across 33 units.
- Delivered infrastructure and sustainment improvements, achieving over $1M in reduced contracted support costs through climate-controlled maintenance shelter solutions.
- Led integrated installation support, logistics, engineering, and operational readiness functions, enhancing operational capabilities in a critical Arctic environment.
Director, Logistics Readiness Division
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
07.2016 - 06.2019
- Led logistics readiness, distribution, and materiel operations supporting 375 PACAF aircraft and enterprise sustainment requirements across the Indo-Pacific theater.
- Managed a team of 36 logistics professionals overseeing tactical distribution, strategic inventory, and supply operations for assets valued at $1.7B+.
- Directed theater-level distribution, war reserve inventory, and operational readiness across Indo-Pacific, enhancing logistics effectiveness.
- Delivered 600+ tons of agile combat support equipment, increasing Air Force operational readiness by 60% for Korean theater requirements.
- Collaborated with multiple installations and enterprise supply chain organizations to enhance material availability and sustain aircraft readiness.
- Coordinated delivery of 285 tons of emergency relief supplies during Typhoon Yutu response operations, ensuring timely humanitarian and contingency support.
Deputy Director, Host Nation Coordination Cell
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Al Udeid Air Base
04.2015 - 07.2016
- Led strategic host-nation coordination, infrastructure enablement, and deployment support for U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
- Directed cross-functional coordination with Qatari government and military leaders to facilitate movement, access, customs, immigration, and infrastructure support for 202,000 U.S. forces transiting the theater.
- Secured approvals for $46M in base construction and logistics support required for B-52 operations through senior-level diplomatic and operational engagement.
- Streamlined execution of $1.4B War Reserve Materiel program, ensuring deployment continuity.
Director, Logistics Operations Branch
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Pentagon
06.2013 - 04.2015
- Led rapid acquisition and fielding of 200 MRAP vehicles and 198 critical equipment items, avoiding $108M in immediate operational costs.
- Directed logistics wargaming and contingency planning, strengthening combat support capability and responsiveness.
- Led logistics planning and operational analysis, enhancing decision-making for senior Department of the Air Force leadership.
- Negotiated equipment-use agreements, cutting asset procurement by 50% and maximizing resource utilization.
Commander / Director, Logistics Readiness Squadrons
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Tucson
06.2009 - 06.2013
- Led aviation and installation logistics organizations, overseeing supply, transportation, deployment support, and mission sustainment to enhance operational readiness.
- Directed 450-person logistics organizations managing supply chain, distribution, and deployment operations across multiple aircraft platforms, ensuring timely support for missions.
- Managed accountability and operational support for $858M in aviation and mission support assets.
- Drove performance improvements that earned multiple major command-level logistics effectiveness awards, highlighting commitment to operational excellence.
- Earned recognition as USAF Field Grade Logistics Readiness Officer of the Year and received the Airman’s Medal for heroism.
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) - Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
Dayton, OHMaster of Arts (M.A.) - Organizational Management
University of Phoenix
Las Vegas, NVBachelor of Science (B.S.) - Health & Wellness Management
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZSkills
- Project management
- Program management
- Project execution
- Project oversight
- Stakeholder management
- Resource management
- Resource allocation
- Budget management
- Budget creation
- Budget administration
- Crisis management
- Safety and security procedures
- Strategic planning
- Strategic oversight
- Innovation management
- Performance improvement
- Quality assurance
- Data-driven decision making
- Performance standards and analysis
- Goal planning
- Organizational management
- Organizational development
- Operations oversight
- Team coordination
- Team collaboration
- Team development
- Cross-functional leadership
- Effective communication
- Verbal and written communication
- Public speaking
- Group facilitation and presentations
- Collaboration techniques
- Networking
- Personnel reviews
- Employee performance evaluations
- Prioritization
- Problem solving
- Multitasking
- Digital product support
- Cost management
- Policy adherence
- Crisis management
- Schedule oversight
- Project oversight
- Team coordination
- Verbal and written communication
- Collaboration techniques
- Cost management
- Policy adherence
CORE EXECUTIVE CAPABILITIES
- Global Supply Chain Strategy & Execution
- Aerospace Sustainment & Fleet Readiness
- Enterprise Logistics & Distribution Operations
- Integrated Product Support (IPS) / Product Support Management
- Multi-Site Operations Leadership
- Program & Portfolio Management
- Readiness / Availability Optimization
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Operations Transformation
- Inventory, Material & Asset Management
- Spares Planning & Deployment Support
- Data Analytics / KPI Dashboards / Performance Metrics
- Budget Planning & Financial Stewardship
- Contract Oversight & Vendor Coordination
- Risk Management & Contingency Operations
- Process Improvement / Lean Six Sigma
- Depot Repair Management and Performance Metrics
- Policy Development & Governance
- Executive Communications
EARLY CAREER LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Progressed through increasingly senior leadership roles across the U.S. Air Force with expanding responsibility in supply chain management, logistics operations, deployment execution, readiness planning, transportation, materiel management, and organizational command. Built a strong foundation in enterprise logistics strategy, operational execution, team leadership, and mission-critical resource management, culminating in service as a U.S. Air Force Colonel (O-6) and executive leader of global logistics and sustainment organizations.
ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALS
- Security Clearance: Active Top Secret / SCI
- Industry Focus: Defense, Aerospace, Aviation, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Sustainment, Readiness, Global Operations, Distribution, Multi-National Collaboration
- Executive Equivalency: U.S. Air Force Colonel (O-6) / Senior Enterprise Leader
Certification
- Defense Support of Civil Authorities, Level III
- Lean Management / Six Sigma
- Humanitarian Disaster Relief
Accomplishments
- 2008 United States Air Force Logistics Readiness Field Grade Officer of the Year
- Airman's Medal for Heroism
Timeline
Senior Principal Specialist, Project Management – Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT (KBR)
10.2025 - Current
Senior Principal Specialist, Project Management – F-35A Fleet Management Office
KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT (KBR)
08.2023 - 09.2025
Director, F-35 Global Supply Operations and Sustainment
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
07.2022 - 08.2023
Director, Logistics, Engineering & Health Services
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
06.2019 - 07.2022
Director, Logistics Readiness Division
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
07.2016 - 06.2019
Deputy Director, Host Nation Coordination Cell
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
04.2015 - 07.2016
Director, Logistics Operations Branch
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
06.2013 - 04.2015
Commander / Director, Logistics Readiness Squadrons
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
06.2009 - 06.2013
Master of Science (M.S.) - Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
Master of Arts (M.A.) - Organizational Management
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Health & Wellness Management
Northern Arizona University