Data driving agencies toward new, better recruiting approaches

Ellen Ardrey

Associate Director of Support, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Ms. Ellen M. Ardrey is the Associate Director for Support (ADS) at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), synchronizing and managing NGA Human Resources, training and education, career services, leader development, protective services, security, counterintelligence, insider threat, classification management, information and records management, and facilities and installation management activities to ensure mission success and alignment with the NGA Strategy. She is also responsible for the planning and programming of NGA’s business services missions to ensure agile, efficient, and effective operations in support of the core mission areas of NGA, NSG, and ASG.

Prior to her appointment as ADS, Ms. Ardrey served as NGA’s Chief of the Human Capital Officer (CHCO) and Director of Human Development.

Ms. Ardrey began her career as an Air Force Intelligence Officer, serving in positions at the Squadron, Group, and Major Command levels, as well as at Headquarters, United States Air Force.

After a short period as a technical consultant and program manager for a private information technology firm, Ms. Ardrey returned to federal service in 2002, serving at the Defense Intelligence Agency. While at DIA, she held a number of executive roles in the areas of financial management, human capital, congressional relations, public affairs, and community management. Ms. Ardrey also served on a joint duty assignment with the United States Department of the Navy as the Deputy Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI).

Ms. Ardrey was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Duke University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree, and the University of Colorado where she earned a Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Information Systems. She is also a Certified Defense Financial Manager and a Presidential Rank Award recipient.

David Schlendorf

Assistant Director of Human Resources Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation

David Schlendorf is the Assistant Director (AD) of the Human Resources Division (HRD) at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where he focuses on the short and long term development of the FBI workforce. Mr. Schlendorf oversees, critical human capital issues related to the FBI workforce, the recruitment and hiring of thousands of FBI employees, the development and selection of FBI leadership, and the seamless delivery of HR services to all employees.

Before leading HRD, Mr. Schlendorf was the AD of the FBI’s Resource Planning Office, where he managed the organization’s $4.8 billion personal budget and allocation employee positions. Mr. Schlendorf earned an M.B.A. at Harvard Business School and earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and three children.

Cynthia Miller

CHCO and Chief of Human Resources, National Security Agency

CURRENT POSITION:

Ms. Miller serves as the Chief of Human Resources Group for the National Security Agency (NSA). She is responsible for the management, implementation and administration of all plans, policies, services and programs associated with the entire NSA workforce (civilian, military and seniors) strategies and design; employee services; recruitment and hiring; diversity; global services; and occupational health, environmental and safety services.

EDUCATION:

Ms. Miller is a 2008 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XX1 – Foreign Relations and International Affairs Fellows Program; an Equal Opportunity Commission (EEO) certified EEO Counselor; and graduate of the Masie Executive level Leadership and Development Program. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Administration form Savannah State University in 1977 and a Master’s degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University in 1983. She also graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 1991 with a master’s level equivalency in strategic planning. Ms. Miller is a graduate of the Armed Forces Command & Staff College, Navy Recruiting Orientation School, Navy Leadership School, and Navy Legal Officers School. She is designated as a Joint Services Officer and Manpower Personnel and Training Subspecialist.

PRIOR POSITIONS:

Ms. Miller’s most recent assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff for the NSA/Central Security Service (CSS). She was responsible for direct support to the Director, Deputy Director, Executive Director, and Chief of Staff and leading organizations that comprise the Agency.

Ms. Miller also served as the Chief of Staff of the Information Assurance Directorate (IAD) at NSA/CSS. In this capacity, Ms. Miller was responsible for daily IAD executive level operations and workflow, to include oversight of employer budget, staffing, and a myriad of additional executive level duties.

Ms. Miller served the Director, Leadership and Development of the Office, Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Associate Director of National Intelligence, Chief Human Capital Office (CHCO). Also, she supported ODNI and 16 agencies of the Intelligence Community by providing oversight on all matters pertaining to leadership and development of its employees across grade levels. Additionally, Ms. Miller served as the Chief of Staff for the CHCO. She was directly responsible for the management and oversight of daily operations and workflow, human resources, and a multitude of other Human Capital Office mission support programs and activities.

Prior to that, Ms. Miller was Senior Advisor & Chief of Staff for the Intelligence Community Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity (IC EEOD), ODNI. She supported the Director, IC EEOD on administrative matters, budget, and tasks that involved the overall strategic management of the IC’s efforts to build and retain a diverse workforce. Additionally, she developed policies, a strategic plan, training plan, and provided guidance and consultation that impacted the representation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. She also served as a human resources advisor on executive level review boards comprised of the most senior leadership at the agency.

Previously, Ms. Miller served as the Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer and the Deputy Associate Director of Human Resources and Chief of Office of Recruitment and Staffing at NSA.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:

Prior to joining NSA, Ms. Miller served 27 faithful years in the United States Navy as a human resources officer; she attained the rank of Captain (O6). While in the Navy, she earned the following professional certificates and awards: Human Resources Certification, Planning Programming Budgetary System certification – WBB & Associates, Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative Certification – Navy Contracting Support Office, and Civilian Management Training Certificate.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

Selected as one of Diversity Inc. Magazine’s, “Women We Love to Love” featured personalities (front cover). Savannah State University’s 2008 National Alumni of the Year. Awarded NSA’s Director’s Distinguished Service Medal in 2007. Selected as NSA’s 2005 Nominee for the Women of Color Technology Award. Military Performance Awards include three Legions of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy Commendation Medals (two).

Ms. Miller is a native of Georgia and enjoys hobbies including: public speaking, aerobic exercise, singing, reading, dancing, and traveling.

Dr. Robert Smith

Director of National Recruitment, Customs and Border Protection

Dr. Smith joined the Customs and Border Protection team in 2017 and commenced his duties as the Director of National Recruitment. He leads the planning and direction of CBP's strategic human capital recruitment programs and related initiatives. Responsible for providing oversight and advisement to CBP HRM and Program Office staff in the development, coordination and delivery of complex recruitment strategies and outreach plans; adhering to recruitment and hiring policies and practices; applying cost effective, flexible approaches ensuring a sufficient number of applicants.

Previously, Dr. Smith served for 28 years on active duty in the U. S. Coast Guard and retired at the rank of Captain/O-6. In his final assignment he served as Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Recruiting Command in Washington, DC. In this role, he led over 450 field recruiters and central office staff in attracting, inspiring and hiring the most talented and motivated workforce available. He also executed an $11 million Global advertising campaign and the use of social media, outreach, recruiting and hiring activities to meet the service’s human capital/talent acquisition needs.

Prior assignments include Director of the U. S. Coast Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Military Campaign Office, Washington, DC; Executive Director to the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, Washington, DC; Executive Officer of Base Alameda, CA; Commanding Officer of the Personnel Services and Support Unit, Alameda, CA; Ethnic Policy Advisor to the Commandant, Washington, DC; Chief, Personnel Support Division, Deployable Operations Group, Arlington, VA; Human Systems Integration Surface Training Lead Deepwater, Washington, DC, and Supervisor, Marine Safety Field Office Coram, New York.

His personal awards include the two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and two Coast Guard Achievement Medals.

Dr. Smith is a 1991 graduate of U. S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School. He earned a Ph.D. in Psychology, a Masters of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Masters of Science in Instruction & Performance Technology, and a Bachelors of Science in Mass Communications. Dr. Smith is a 2013 Boys and Girls Club of America Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee, and a 2014 West Virginia State University Army R.O.T.C. Hall of fame inductee.

Michael Cirrito

General Manager, LinkedIn Government Practice

Michael Cirrito is passionate about transforming the way government identifies engages and recruits a 21st century workforce. As the General Manager for LinkedIn’s Government Practice in Washington, his team works with over 100 federal agencies; helping them to harness the power of LinkedIn’s platform to expand their access to talent. In addition to those duties, Michael works closely with LinkedIn’s nonprofit and Government Relations teams on initiatives to support veterans & Youth employment.

Prior to joining LinkedIn, Michael was the Vice President of Marketplaces at Washington Post Media where he led sales, product and marketing for the company’s marketplace advertising business categories.

Michael holds a BA in History from Clemson University and an MBA from Georgetown University. He lives with his family in Chevy Chase Maryland.

Jason Miller

Executive Editor, FederalNewsRadio.com

Jason Miller is an executive editor and reporter with Federal News Radio. As executive editor, Jason helps direct the news coverage of the station and works with reporters to ensure a broad range of coverage of federal technology, procurement, finance and human resource news.As a reporter, Jason focuses mainly on technology and procurement issues, including cybersecurity, e-government and acquisition policies and programs.