Hey! Nice to meet you.
Leader. Citizen. Partner. All of these are important aspects of who I am and what I do. This page echoes my interests, challenges, and most importantly: my lessons learned.
I have a wide range of leadership, technical, and management experience in my personal life, private industry, and the military. While have proudly served the U.S. Air Force, my strongest drive is to serve my country and its people, including the Airmen I work with. My guiding principles are important, though evolving. One of the most important ones (that still gets me in trouble) is simple:
I’d rather do the right thing the wrong way than do the wrong thing the right way.
EXPERIENCE
- Over 20 Years as an Active Duty Enlisted Airman
- 11 deployments to various locations across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa
- Numerous deployed/in-garrison/staff leadership roles leading and developing teams of up to 700 Airmen, government civilians, and contractors
- Experience in numerous technical roles, including aviation operations, communications equipment operation/troubleshooting, and personnel administration
EDUCATION
- Master of Arts – International Relations, University of Oklahoma, 2021
- Bachelors of Arts – Middle Eastern Studies, American Military University, 2009
- Associate of Science – Communications Applications Technology, Community College of the Air Force, 2009
- Associate of Arts – Arabic Studies, Defense Language Institute, 2007
SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE & TRAINING
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, University of South Florida, 2021
- Master Resiliency Trainer, U.S. Air Force, 2016
- Professional Manager’s Certification, Community College of the Air Force, 2016
- CompTIA Security+ (no longer active) 2013-2019
- CompTIA Network+ (no longer active) 2013-2019
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
- Numerous military decorations, including the Bronze Star, four Meritorious Service Medals, 21 Air Medals, and six individual joint and service medals
- Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year – 363d Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance Wing, 2017
- Honor Graduate, Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy
- Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
- Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
- Offutt Chiefs’ Group – President, Treasurer, Key Advisor
- Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter 984 – Board of Trustees, Membership Chair, & Life Member
- Hidden Hills Homeowner’s Association – Board Member & Treasurer
- Air Force Association – Chapter Congressional Liaison & Life Member
- Disabled American Veterans – Life Member
- Veterans of Foreign Wars – Life Member
- Relay for Life – Volunteer Coordinator & Team Captain
- Habitat for Humanity- Volunteer Coordinator
INTERESTS
- Reading, gaming, fitness, traveling, cooking, driving, amateur radio, writing
Let’s Connect!
Send me an e-mail
It’s the easiest address ever:
Get social(ly awkward)
I’m chronically online, but an intermittent poster
Instagram: @tkvertner
Bluesky: @vertner.net
LinkedIn: vertner.link
IRL
If you happen to be in the Omaha area, let’s meet for a coffee (or two)