Michael (Mike) Kinsel
Boise
Summary
Senior operations and preparedness leader with 20+ years of experience planning and directing complex crisis operations, training, and large-scale exercises for U.S. and coalition organizations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Proven record leading multi-agency, multi-site aviation and ground operations, developing all-hazards contingency plans, and conducting tabletop and full-scale validation exercises in high-risk environments. Adept at working with federal, state, local, and international partners to assess risk, build capability, and improve readiness. Known for calm decision-making under pressure, clear communication with senior executives, and building high-performing, cross-functional teams.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Professor of Military Science
Department of War
04.2023 - Current
- Lead the university’s Army ROTC program (multiple campuses across ~300 miles), responsible for recruiting, assessing, and developing future organizational leaders.
- Serve as academic department chair, overseeing budgeting, staffing, curriculum, and compliance, including a $139K+ annual budget and all scholarship/financial processes.
- Reversed negative performance trends within one year by applying organizational leadership practices, increasing cadet retention by 25% and strengthening partnerships with campus and community stakeholders.
- Negotiated formal agreements with nursing programs and the university registrar (e.g., priority registration for ROTC students, in-state tuition waivers for out-of-state participants), reducing barriers to participation and improving program resilience.
- Build relationships with state National Guard, local non-profits, and university leadership to align ROTC training with community needs and available resources.
Senior Executive Projects Officer
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Served on the Commanding General’s small advisory team, framing complex strategic problems, developing options, and preparing senior-level decision briefs on global Army Special Operations efforts.
- Produced dozens of in-depth decision packages (50+ pages each) blending operational, policy, and capability analysis to inform resource allocation and modernization decisions.
- Planned and executed the commanding general’s engagement in Europe, coordinating multi-city visits and engagements with U.S. and allied organizations supporting the war in Ukraine.
- Served as the primary representative for highly sensitive programs, distilling technical and classified information into clear, concise updates for senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Regularly coordinated with interagency and joint partners, modeling the kind of stakeholder engagement and communication SummitET delivers to its clients.
Senior Director of Aviation Operations
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
06.2021 - 04.2022
- Principal aviation operations advisor to the Joint Task Force Commander and staff for a 240,000-square-mile area of responsibility.
- Integrated, planned, and coordinated the employment of 80+ U.S. and coalition helicopters across five countries, supporting seven joint, interagency, and special operations task forces.
- Oversaw the synchronization of aviation support to MEDEVAC, personnel movement, cargo movement, and distinguished visitor missions, enabling:
- 12,480+ combat flight hours
- 121 MEDEVAC missions
- Movement of 11,200 personnel and 782,000 lbs of cargo
- 500+ distinguished visitor movements
- Managed relief-in-place transitions of three aviation brigades, ensuring continuity of operations through careful planning, rehearsals, and handover processes.
- Worked closely with national-level agencies (e.g., FORSCOM, TRANSCOM, HQDA, CENTCOM) to identify and source aviation requirements, aligning limited resources with mission priorities.
Strategic Planner
U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command
06.2020 - 06.2021
- Lead strategic and operational planner for worldwide Army Special Operations Aviation employment.
- Developed and refined operations plans (OPLANs), contingency plans (CONPLANs), campaign plans, and war-game designs, ensuring aviation forces were integrated into joint and interagency crisis response options.
- Coordinated global force employment for 4,000+ personnel and 200 aircraft, aligning force structure and resources with emerging requirements and capability gaps.
- Designed and led battalion-level pre-deployment validation exercises, serving as lead evaluator to ensure units were prepared for high-risk operations.
- Updated key planning guidance to Theater Special Operations Commands, directly shaping how aviation forces would be used in various crisis scenarios.
Chief Operations Officer
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Managed all operations for the Army’s only standing Special Operations Aviation Task Force, responsible for mission planning and coordination with special mission units and other government agencies for sensitive operations.
- Directed development of plans and orders for no-notice joint special operations, coordinating across multiple agencies to ensure legal, operational, and safety requirements were met.
- Helped manage a $4M training & exercise budget, a $27M ammunition budget, and a 19,400-hour flying program, aligning resources to training objectives and operational demands.
- Served as a Task Force Commander and forward operations lead during deployments, achieving 100% mission success while sustaining readiness and safety in high-risk environments.
- Contributed to doctrine, tactics, and equipment development for special operations aviation in the joint force.
Chief Executive Officer
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
06.2016 - 06.2019
- Commanded the largest aviation company in the Army, with 34 specialized aircraft, 26 military leaders/staff, and 72 contractors.
- Led 22 programs of instruction that trained 600+ students annually and executed 9,000+ flying hours per year, forming the backbone of Army Special Operations Aviation readiness.
- Designed and implemented training curricula, evaluations, and exercises that replicated real-world operations and stressors, generating unprecedented levels of combat power and crew proficiency.
- Managed risk across complex training operations, implementing standardized processes and empowering junior leaders to maintain safety and effectiveness.
- Selected as #1 of 4 company commanders and as a forward-deployed Task Force Commander, underscoring ability to lead both training and operational organizations.
Platoon Leader
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
02.2014 - 05.2016
- Led a platoon responsible for five highly modified MH-60M helicopters and 21 personnel supporting time-sensitive special operations missions.
- Planned and executed rotary-wing support to Crisis Response Elements in CENTCOM and PACOM, integrating with joint and combined forces.
- Managed a $4.7M budget and a 2,960-hour flying program, ensuring aircraft and crews were mission-ready for short-notice deployments.
Education
Master of Arts - Military Operational Art & Science
Air Command And Staff College
Montgomery05-2017
Bachelor of Science - Political Science And Government
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT05-2006
Skills
- Emergency Preparedness & Response Planning
- Exercise Design, Facilitation & Evaluation (TTX, functional, full-scale)
- Incident Management & Operations Centers (Joint / Coalition)
- All-Hazards Risk & Threat Assessment
- Interagency & Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination
- Crisis Action Planning & CONOPS Development
- Training Program Design & Curriculum Management
- Organizational Change & Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Planning & Policy Implementation
- Aviation Operations in High-Risk Environments
- Budgeting & Resource Optimization (multi-million dollar programs)
- Team Leadership, Coaching & Talent Development
Certification
- Security Clearance: current TS/SCI (expires April 2028)
- Extensive experience with joint planning processes, global force management, and operational design
- Numerous advanced aviation and leadership courses (special operations aviation, risk management, etc.)
Timeline
Professor of Military Science
Department of War
04.2023 - Current
Senior Executive Projects Officer
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
04.2022 - 04.2023
Senior Director of Aviation Operations
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
06.2021 - 04.2022
Strategic Planner
U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command
06.2020 - 06.2021
Chief Operations Officer
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
06.2019 - 06.2020
Chief Executive Officer
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
06.2016 - 06.2019
Platoon Leader
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment
02.2014 - 05.2016
Master of Arts - Military Operational Art & Science
Air Command And Staff College
Bachelor of Science - Political Science And Government
University of Utah