Brendan Bray

About Brendan Bray

Brendan Bray is a dedicated and passionate professional who blends strategic and operational experience to lead innovation and change in customer-focused organizations. He is an expert in analyzing complex trends and generating clear strategic options, as well as collaborating across groups with diverse interests, and building momentum for organizational success. He has led and worked alongside cohesive teams across multiple disciplines including media, universal design, business development, project management, international relations, and leadership. Brendan excels at navigating and managing complex strategic, technical and organizational challenges across the public and private sector.

Experience

1. Director, Nps Harpers Ferry Center

   National Park Service

   Apr 2018 — Present

   Senior Program Manager responsible for a variety of operational decisions, conducts negotiations, and sets strategic priorities for a Center with over 150 clients. Responsibilities include formulation of organizational goals, policy, strategic plans, and business practices for a $25 million program with complex, interdisciplinary projects across the National Park system.• Manages a team of eight senior managers responsible for a staff of 90+ professional, administrative, and technical employees. Provides advice, counsel, and instruction to employees concerning work and administrative matters. Exercises discretionary authority to approve the allocation and distribution of funds in the organization\'s budget. Exercises final authority for the full range of personnel actions and organization design. • Maintains a deep knowledge of the policies and operations of the National Park Service and public laws pertaining to its operation as well as capability to motivate and direct a highly professional and technical organization.• Oversees ongoing planning and implementation of Center-wide reorganization which has resulted in a 35% increase in professional staffing capacity over the past 4 years using a variety of hiring authorities and DEIA recruitment practices. Launched a formal Project Management Office (PMO) focused on consistency and accountability in managing over 150 active media and museum service projects for the NPS. • Driven to establish and foster collaborative partnerships both within the NPS and outside the government. Succeeded at rebranding HFC to maintain a strong reputation with Parks and ensure talent retention and recruitment. Directly responsible for a significant increase in internships at the Center since 2018. This program has been recognized by NPS and academic leaders, and as a result will receive up to $150K in external funding in 2023. Six recent interns have gone onto to FT employment with the NPS since 2020.

Education

• University of Delaware

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

  2023 — 2026

• George Washington University/ ESI International

  Master's Certificate

  2009 — 2009

• Nova Southeastern University

  Joint M.S.

  2003 — 2005

• University of Rhode Island

  B.S.

  1997 — 2001

• Penn State University

  Geospatial Intelligence

  2010 — 2012

Skills

• Climate Change
• Sustainability
• Energy Efficiency
• Government Procurement
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Policy
• Government
• Business Process Improvement
• Leadership
• Proposal Writing
• Management
• Team Building
• Strategic Planning
• Data Analysis
• Public Policy
• International Relations
• Acquisitions
• Analytical Skills
• Policy Analysis
• Energy Audits
• Social Media
• Environmental Awareness
• Policy
• Energy Conservation
• Community Outreach
• Energy Performance Contracting
• Research
• Unmanned Vehicles
• Gis
• Operations Management
• Program Management
• Capital Budgeting
• Project Management