Leafaina Tavai Yahn

About Leafaina Tavai Yahn

West Point graduate. A creative and strategic thinker, disciplined and dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience in planning, leading and directing military sustainment operations and logistics management.• Successfully commanded and led teams and large groups at every level from platoon or section (10-100 personnel) to brigade (over 4500 personnel).• A proven record of success leading large complex organizations in demanding environments including three deployments to Iraq supporting combat operations.• Performance and results driven with a strong desire for success and commitment to excellence. • Extensive knowledge and experience in the synchronization of logistics operations in support of contingency operations, equipping deploying forces, equipment readiness, supply and transportation management. • Effective team builder, mentor and leader developer. Superb communications, organizational and interpersonal skills.• Excellent time management, strong planning and process skills with the ability to create and implement a vision throughout the organization.

Experience

1. Chief of Staff, American Samoa Office

   U.S. House Of Representatives

   Jan 2015 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Chief of Staff for American Samoa\'s Delegate to Washington DC. Planned, coordinated and executed the standing up of her two offices in Washington D.C. and her District Office in American Samoa. Interviewed and new hired staff to fill all positions in both offices. Manages and guides a staff of 22 in both locations. Wrote the Staff Handbook to ensure all staff members understood the rules to follow as congressional staffers. Developed budget projections for the office and manage the $1.23M office budget for the Member of Congress. As a veteran, advise the Member on all veteran and military issues and assist her in her role as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Natural Resources Committee and Small Business Committee.

Education

• U.S. Naval War College

  Master's Degree, National Security and Strategic Studies

  2010 — 2011

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Foreign Area Studies - Latin America

  1985 — 1989

• Benedictine College

  EMBA, Executive Master of Business Administration

  2001 — 2002

Skills

• Global Thinker
• Employee Relations
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Partnerships
• Strategic Communications
• Logistics Management
• Multitasking Skills
• Military Logistics
• Building Coalitions
• Force Protection
• Logistics Consulting
• Joint Military Operations
• Strategic Leadership
• Training
• Leadership
• Organizational Leadership
• Resource Management
• Military Training
• Budget Process
• Maintenance Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Microsoft Office
• Politics
• Exercises
• Military Operations
• Professional Development Programs
• Leading Change
• Emergency Management
• Transportation Management
• Results Driven
• Leadership Development
• Creative Problem Solving
• Physical Security
• Security+
• Dod
• National Security
• Combat
• Active Top Secret Security Clearance
• Contingency Planning
• Command & Control