1. MATTHEW S. GUENTHER
matthewguenther12@gmail.com  (307) 757-5124
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Senior executive with verifiable success of achieving operational goals in start-up, turn-around, and rapid change
environments. Consistently chosen by leadership as the #1 performer across many different job assignments,
locations, and organizational units. Proven technical competence in launching rockets into space as well as
maintaining nuclear missile sites. Possesses the people skills to orchestrate community events and effectively
lobby U.S. Congress. Past experience demonstrates the drive to lead large groups of people to high performance
while correctly and safely accomplishing objectives in high pressure, zero defect environments that have strict
timelines and consequences with national security implications.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
 Operations Director
 Crisis Management
 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
 Strategic Planning
 Human Resource Management
 Engineering Management
 Government Affairs
 Logistics/Distribution Manager
 Performance and Process Improvement
 Top Secret Clearance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 1996 - 2016
Colonel with 20 years of Air Force service. Proven leader building coalitions and strategic alliances through a philosophy
of trust, respect and excellence. Led large, geographically dispersed organizations with a people first approach to mission
accomplishment.
Branch Chief for National Military Command Center, Joint Staff; Washington, DC 2014 – Present
Supervised the quality control evaluators for an operations center that monitors worldwide events for the Joint Chiefs of
Staff. Directed crisis response for global terrorist attacks and provided strategic watch for activities such as North Korean
missile launches. Enforced protocol for the American side of the 1963 Moscow–Washington hotline that links the
Pentagon and the Kremlin (the so-called "red telephone"). Rated #1 of 23 peers.
 Developed, trained, and evaluated operational procedures that generate emergency action messages from the
President of the United States to inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch control centers, nuclear
submarines, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft and battlefield commanders. Streamlined process by over 20%.
 Built consensus among ten competing organizations to develop six command and control plans used to direct
worldwide operations of submarine, bomber and missile forces.
National Defense Fellow, Tufts University, Fletcher School; Boston, Massachusetts 2013 – 2014
1 of 43 officers selected across the entire Air Force by a competitive board process for a National Defense Fellowship.
Gave lectures and built educational partnerships with doctoral and graduate students from over 30 countries. Academic
specialization included: Treaty Development, Rise of China, and Deterrence.
Senior Executive Officer, Air Force Global Strike Command; Shreveport, Louisiana 2012 – 2013
Senior advisor to three-star general on issues affecting 23,000 people at five bases; responsible for $4.6B in assets.
 Communicated General’s intent and established trust amongst agency senior leaders. Led executive staff in
planning and executing all facets of Global Strike Operations including project management, human resources,
budget, future planning, public affairs, and government relations. Rated #1 of 316 peers.
 Global Strike Command representative to Department of Defense and Headquarters Air Force as well as to U.S.
Congress and foreign government officials. Networking, skillful communication and effective advocacy led to full
funding for next generation strategic bomber, cruise missile and ballistic missile.

2. Matthew S. Guenther – Page 2
Commanding Officer, 490th
Missile Squadron; Great Falls, Montana 2010 – 2012
Responsible for execution and performance of $1.25 billion in resources ensuring safe, secure operations of 50
intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear capabilities. Commanded 103 Airmen performing critical duties throughout
a 13,800 square-mile complex.
 Achieved top performance rating over four other units through collaborative leadership and fostering a strong team
and mission focus. Conducted 3,650 highly successful operational deployments throughout the missile complex.
Reversed negative performance trend, taking unit from “worst to first” by establishing a culture of accountability
and achievement. Rated #2 of 20 peers.
 Actively led operations, human resources, budget, training, evaluation and quality control processes for 100+ team
members. Was handpicked to “fix a broken unit.” Identified root causes degrading combat readiness. Effectively
established and communicated core functions and mission success expectations based on stakeholder input.
Dramatic turnaround validated by outside assessments and recognition as most proficient unit in the Operations
Group; achieved best inspection results in ten years.
 Selected over 20 peers for Leadership Great Falls. Grassroots program brought city leaders together to build
coalitions and educate members on all facets of the city including government, industry, medical, agriculture,
finance, education and military. Enhanced partnership between the city of Great Falls and Air Force Base.
Branch Chief, Air Force Planning Policy and Strategy Division; Washington, DC 2008 – 2010
Responsible for developing policy and strategy implemented throughout the Air Force. Supports Quadrennial Defense
Review, Nuclear Posture Review, and Arms Control Treaty development. Rated #1 of 53 peers.
 Authored 220-page directive to establish Air Force Global Strike Command, a 23,000 person organization that
provides combat-ready forces to conduct strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike operations. Led the largest
Air Force re-organization in over seventeen years designed to improve the management of its nuclear arsenal.
Facilitated collaboration and built consensus amongst disparate stakeholders including United States Congress, two
major Air Force Commands and five air force bases.
 Led legislative and public affairs messaging rollout and highly contentious Congressional engagement for new
headquarters base selection. Chief speech writer for two Air Force generals. Communicated intent of the Air
Force’s #1 priority to the public, Congress, Department of Defense and foreign governments.
Georgetown Legislative Fellow, Office of US Senator Lindsey Graham; Washington, DC 2007 – 2008
Chosen by Air Force Chief of Staff to serve as Senator Graham’s Legislative Assistant. Led worldwide delegations,
prepped Senator for over 30 hearings and crafted four major pieces of legislation. Proactive liaison between South
Carolina and Washington DC. Lindsey Graham “#1 field grade officer I’ve worked with in my 26 years in Congress.”
 Key architect of Post-9/11 GI Bill. Developed provision allowing military members to transfer education benefits to
spouses and children. Creative amendment increased Defense Department service member retention.
 Grassroots advocate for 6 South Carolina military bases. Fact finding trips and open communication with city and
base leaders, as well as constituents, informed decisions and policy making on Capitol Hill.
 Senator Graham depended on analysis and recommendations to shape worldwide defense operations including:
Global War on Terror, surge of forces in Iraq and purchase of new Air Force air refueling aircraft.
Congressional Liaison Officer, Secretary of the Air Force Legislative Liaison; Washington DC 2006 – 2007
Ballistic Missile Operations Officer; Cheyenne, Wyoming 2002 – 2006
Space Launch Maintenance Officer; Cape Canaveral, Florida 1998 – 2002
Ballistic Missile Maintenance Officer; Cheyenne, Wyoming 1996 – 1998
EDUCATION
Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, National Defense Fellow 2014
Georgetown University, Government Affairs Institute, Air Force Legislative Fellow 2008
Colorado State University, Masters of Education – Education Leadership 2004
United States Air Force Academy, Bachelor of Science – Human Factors Engineering 1996