Richard D. Coleman, Jr.

Richard was honored to serve as a U.S. Marine Corps Colonel among award-winning teams of diverse cultural and demographic backgrounds in global logistics and supply chain management, acquisition management, and recruiting.

Richard has 23 years of managerial leadership experience designing, developing, and integrating information systems for a $10 billion inventory supporting all U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft worldwide. He specialized in improving operational effectiveness and efficiency through technological innovation. Notably, he collaboratively planned, organized, and managed 30 projects that improved supply effectiveness, reduced costs by $110 million, and supported the largest aircraft transformation in Marine Corps history. By refining systematic recruiting practices, he also led Marine Corps Recruiting Station Cincinnati—ranked last for 36 months—to become an award-winning team recognized twice by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Since transitioning from military service, Richard has focused on creating cultures of organizational excellence as a consultant in both the private and public sectors. He has instructed thousands in leadership development, performance management, and process improvement. In 2023, he earned the Leading Smart Cities with Trust certification from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the AI in Action certification from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government—credentials he applies to helping cities integrate information systems to improve trust and service delivery.

“I love a challenge, collaborative teamwork, and a good sense of humor. Compassion, balance, and an ability to manage the paradox of competing values are skills I value, which I look forward to applying while serving our students as part of the UAGC team.”

Accomplishments

• Recognized by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training for instructional excellence at the California Institute of Arts & Technology (2018).
• Lead Mentor for UCSD Rady School of Management’s Veteran Ventures entrepreneurial program (founded by UAGC’s Mike Hayden), which launched 43 start-ups and contributed to San Diego earning the America’s Finest Defense Community Award (2018).
• Presented the White Stone Award for servant leadership by San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulkner and leadership expert Ken Blanchard on behalf of the San Diego Leadership Forum (2016).
• Led 71 full-time employees supporting 490 aircraft worldwide, improving the effectiveness of a $1.2 billion inventory from 70% to 80% and aviation readiness from 70% to 75% through redesigned information-system management (2012).
• Developed a “bridging strategy” to transition management of a $10 billion inventory from an antiquated operating system to an Enterprise Resource Planning/SAP solution (2010).
• Inspired 450 employees in a multibillion-dollar logistics enterprise to reverse a two-year decline and improve aircraft readiness by 20% through engaged mentorship and continuous process improvement based on Lean Six Sigma (2006–2007).
• Strategically planned supply chain management for a $6 billion inventory supporting 1,400 aircraft at 28 sites across the Pacific Rim, including 500 Navy and Marine aircraft deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Developed and deployed an information system providing in-transit visibility for all OIF logistics operations (2003–2004).
• Revolutionized logistics responsiveness for all Naval aircraft by championing satellite-based logistics data transmission (INMARSAT) and leading the fielding of 80+ MX 2400T+ transmitter/receivers and the Streamlined Alternative Logistics Transmission System (SALTS) (1991–1992).