Wes Feist

Business Operations Analyst at State of Montana Department of Administration
  • Claim this Profile
Contact Information
Location
East Helena, US

Topline Score

Bio

Generated by
Topline AI

0

/5.0
/ Based on 0 ratings
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)

Filter reviews by:

No reviews to display There are currently no reviews available.

0

/5.0
/ Based on 0 ratings
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)
  • (0)

Filter reviews by:

No reviews to display There are currently no reviews available.
You need to have a working account to view this content. Click here to join now

Experience

    • Government Administration
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Business Operations Analyst
      • Nov 2023 - Present

      Helena, Montana, United States • Actively engages in strategic planning, content management, and client success management; developing policy and procedures. • Manages projects, initiatives, proposals, business campaigns, and presentations with GSD leadership and staff to determine project requirements and liaise with the business and technical experts who can assist in developing solutions. • Responsible for risk management and control, including the ongoing process of risk identification, and the development of… Show more • Actively engages in strategic planning, content management, and client success management; developing policy and procedures. • Manages projects, initiatives, proposals, business campaigns, and presentations with GSD leadership and staff to determine project requirements and liaise with the business and technical experts who can assist in developing solutions. • Responsible for risk management and control, including the ongoing process of risk identification, and the development of appropriate risk response plans. • Allocates resources for projects, through collaboration with impacted managers. • Supports coordination of the Planning and Operations Team to ensure successful completion of Division-wide and program-specific initiatives. Show less

    • City Council Member
      • Sep 2020 - Present

      East Helena, Montana, United States • Serve Ward 1 proudly as an active council member and resident of East Helena; focusing on constituent needs, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration to achieve common goals. • Actively engage in budgeting and oversight of city’s annual $12.5 M budget, ensuring proper due diligence and transparency.

    • United States
    • Government Administration
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Director of the State Workforce Innovation Board
      • Dec 2021 - Nov 2023

      Helena, Montana, United States • Facilitated communication and policy among the US Department of Labor, Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Office of the Governor, and other state, private, and public partners to enhance workforce development and promote positive economic and individualized career outcomes. • Managed the SWIB for recruitment, retention, and policy direction; to ensure alignment with federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), state law, and Governor’s initiatives that ultimately oversaw the… Show more • Facilitated communication and policy among the US Department of Labor, Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Office of the Governor, and other state, private, and public partners to enhance workforce development and promote positive economic and individualized career outcomes. • Managed the SWIB for recruitment, retention, and policy direction; to ensure alignment with federal Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), state law, and Governor’s initiatives that ultimately oversaw the MT WIOA budget. • Professionally guided WIOA Core Partners: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Department of Public Health & Human Services, Office of Public Instruction, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, and Department of Commerce with technical assistance and administrative oversight of connected programs, grants, and processes. • Bridged resources and opportunities throughout Montana’s workforce, economic development, business, and association community for cohesive communication, asset allocation, personnel strategy, and state labor force success. Show less

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 200 - 300 Employee
    • Director Of Career Services
      • Jul 2021 - Jan 2022

      Helena, Montana, United States • Prepared, administered, and evaluated a substantial annual budget for compensation, events, supplies, and revenue through careful and continuous fiscal management and oversight. • Authorized and monitored dozens of annual contracts/agreements, for experiential education needs, with various organizations. • Represented Carroll College to the Helena area business and non-profit community to connect and explore hundreds of potential career and internship opportunities annually. •… Show more • Prepared, administered, and evaluated a substantial annual budget for compensation, events, supplies, and revenue through careful and continuous fiscal management and oversight. • Authorized and monitored dozens of annual contracts/agreements, for experiential education needs, with various organizations. • Represented Carroll College to the Helena area business and non-profit community to connect and explore hundreds of potential career and internship opportunities annually. • Created and delivered dozens of relevant workshops and presentations to hundreds of students every academic year; with topics such as internship searches, resumé/CV and cover letter writing and polishing, and interview skill building. • Carefully and thoughtfully, managed academic internship registration/approval process for dozens of students per semester. • Hosted an annual career and graduate fair, senior etiquette dinner, and other employer driven events to generate thousands of dollars in revenue for the department and campus, actively engaging employers, graduate programs, and community resources. • Oversaw online career management system (Handshake) to review and approve hundreds of employers, thousands of job reviews, and dozens of staff members; utilizing the platform creatively for cross-campus collaboration and access. • Implemented policies and procedures to actively manage and formalize international student work opportunities, aligning all opportunities with federal law, to ensure students legally secured and executed professional experiences properly. • Participated with and achieved community goals through dynamic involvement with community workforce development. • Managed Health Professions Advisor and Peer Advisors focused on employer relations and pre-medical and pre-dental advising for interdepartmental and campus-wide needs, time, and projects.

    • Saints Success Center Assistant Director - Career Services
      • Jul 2018 - Jul 2021

      Helena, MT • Prepared, administered, and evaluated substantial annual budget for compensation, events, supplies, and revenue through careful fiscal management and oversight. • Authorized and monitored dozens of contractual agreements for experiential education needs with various organizations. • Represented Carroll College to the Helena area business and non-profit community to connect and explore hundreds of potential career and internship opportunities annually. • Created and delivered dozens… Show more • Prepared, administered, and evaluated substantial annual budget for compensation, events, supplies, and revenue through careful fiscal management and oversight. • Authorized and monitored dozens of contractual agreements for experiential education needs with various organizations. • Represented Carroll College to the Helena area business and non-profit community to connect and explore hundreds of potential career and internship opportunities annually. • Created and delivered dozens of relevant workshops and presentations to hundreds of students every academic year; with topics such as internship searches, resumé/CV and cover letter writing and polishing, and interview skill building. • Carefully and thoughtfully, managed academic internship registration/approval process for dozens of students per semester. • Hosted an annual career and graduate fair, senior etiquette dinner, and other employer driven events to generate thousands of dollars in revenue for the department and campus. • Oversaw online career management system (Handshake) to review and approve hundreds of employers, thousands of job reviews, and dozens of staff members. • Shared overall supervision of student and professional staff for interdepartmental needs, time, and projects.

    • Coordinator of Internships & Undergraduate Research
      • Feb 2017 - Jul 2018

      Helena, Montana • Monitored dozens of contractual agreements for experiential education needs with various organizations. • Represented Carroll College to the Helena area business and non-profit community to connect and explore hundreds of potential career and internship opportunities annually. • Created and delivered dozens of relevant workshops and presentations to hundreds of students every academic year; with topics such as internship searches, resumé/CV and cover letter writing and polishing, and… Show more • Monitored dozens of contractual agreements for experiential education needs with various organizations. • Represented Carroll College to the Helena area business and non-profit community to connect and explore hundreds of potential career and internship opportunities annually. • Created and delivered dozens of relevant workshops and presentations to hundreds of students every academic year; with topics such as internship searches, resumé/CV and cover letter writing and polishing, and interview skill building. • Carefully and thoughtfully, managed academic internship registration/approval process for dozens of students per semester. • Hosted an annual career and graduate fair, senior etiquette dinner, and other employer driven events to generate thousands of dollars in revenue for the department and campus. • Oversaw online career management system (Handshake) to review and approve hundreds of employers, thousands of job reviews, and dozens of staff members.

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Grant & Loan Officer - Financial Aid Specialist
      • Feb 2015 - Feb 2017

      Helena. MT • Determined eligibility, awarded, and disbursed over $5 million in state, federal, and private financial aid to over 750 Helena College students anually, while upholding the highest level of confidentiality and proper stewardship of varied funds. • Initiated and certified all federal student grant and loan funds for eligible students, while efficiently navigating state and federal protocol to ensure equitable access and opportunity to Helena College students. • Reconciled federal funds… Show more • Determined eligibility, awarded, and disbursed over $5 million in state, federal, and private financial aid to over 750 Helena College students anually, while upholding the highest level of confidentiality and proper stewardship of varied funds. • Initiated and certified all federal student grant and loan funds for eligible students, while efficiently navigating state and federal protocol to ensure equitable access and opportunity to Helena College students. • Reconciled federal funds monthly, in cooperation with the Business Office, as a check and balance of proper financial management and accountability. • Counseled students individually, through orientation, and utilizing presentations for the purposes of better communication and education for responsible borrowing. Many of these efforts decreased the Helena College loan default rate by 3%. • Completed verification and correction to approximately 1/3 of student financial aid files in a timely and thorough manner. • Participated in and provided valued input with the state (MASFAA – Montana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) and national (NASFAA – National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) organizations that provide training, advocacy, and resources to financial aid administrators. Involvement included service on the board of MASFAA as secretary and on NASFAA task force to assist distressed students seeking assistance due to closed schools. • Served on the Institutional Advancement Committee to assist in furthering the mission of Helena College for students, alumni, and the broader community. This committee aided in the start-up of the Helena College Foundation and the formation of the Helena College Alumni Association to seek and provide opportunities and benefits to students and alumni. Show less

    • United States
    • Financial Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Market Services Specialist / Private Loan Specialist
      • Jun 2013 - Jan 2015

      Helena, MT • Maintained and managed hundreds of rehabilitation repurchase sales monthly of previously defaulted student loans to bring newly current borrowers onto the Student Assistance Foundation / Tru Student, Inc. servicing system. • Underwrote, approved, and funded dozens of personal loan applications daily, for the client: SimpleFi to aid with debt clearing and emergency loan needs; while providing financial wellness coaching to military and employer based applicants. • Led a team of… Show more • Maintained and managed hundreds of rehabilitation repurchase sales monthly of previously defaulted student loans to bring newly current borrowers onto the Student Assistance Foundation / Tru Student, Inc. servicing system. • Underwrote, approved, and funded dozens of personal loan applications daily, for the client: SimpleFi to aid with debt clearing and emergency loan needs; while providing financial wellness coaching to military and employer based applicants. • Led a team of underwriters through the daily processes and procedure updates that occurred with the start-up (SimpleFi) to ensure all representatives were well versed with market fluctuations and underwriting consistency needs. • Assisted dozens of FFEL and private borrowers with the servicing of federal and private loans using numerous computer applications to review, apply, and manage federal entitlement and privately granted options to borrowers daily. • Underwrote and pre-approved / denied over 750 student loan debt refinance applications, with superior customer service, for the external non-profit client: Social Finance Lending Corporation (SoFi) at an average of $85,000 per funded loan. Show less

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • High School to College Pathways Program Manager
      • Jun 2012 - Dec 2012

      Helena, MT • Built partnerships and coalitions among the Montana University System (MUS), Office of Public Instruction (OPI), and Department of Labor & Industry to progress the state’s secondary to postsecondary transitions program (Big Sky Pathways). • Collaboratively engaged with the MUS data analyst to extrapolate data for federal reporting and public awareness purposes. • Created an electronic submission system, using SharePoint, for the approval process of the Big Sky Pathways initiative for… Show more • Built partnerships and coalitions among the Montana University System (MUS), Office of Public Instruction (OPI), and Department of Labor & Industry to progress the state’s secondary to postsecondary transitions program (Big Sky Pathways). • Collaboratively engaged with the MUS data analyst to extrapolate data for federal reporting and public awareness purposes. • Created an electronic submission system, using SharePoint, for the approval process of the Big Sky Pathways initiative for secondary and postsecondary educators to increase efficiency and user capabilities. • Actively participated as a member of the State Executive Leadership Team to make decisions and determine the future of career and technical education for the students of Montana.

    • Perkins Accountability Specialist
      • Jun 2012 - Dec 2012

      Helena. MT • Co-managed Montana’s nearly $6 million allocation of federal Carl D. Perkins funds with the Office of Public Instruction for the betterment and evolution of career and technical education in the state. • Completed the biennial targeting plan for the Office for Civil Rights in the United States Department of Education to ensure campuses that receive federal funds complied with civil rights and disability code and legislation.

    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Business & Hospitality Presenter
      • Aug 2007 - Jun 2012

      Greater Denver Area • Advised hundreds of domestic prospective students through the admissions process, to ensure best-fit students matriculated, utilizing the integrated student relationship management systems of Banner and Talisma. • Oversaw a $75,000 annual budget for purposes of travel, advertising, program implementation, and university promotion. • Supervised professional staff members during campus programming and assigned projects, along with student employee supervision for the professional and… Show more • Advised hundreds of domestic prospective students through the admissions process, to ensure best-fit students matriculated, utilizing the integrated student relationship management systems of Banner and Talisma. • Oversaw a $75,000 annual budget for purposes of travel, advertising, program implementation, and university promotion. • Supervised professional staff members during campus programming and assigned projects, along with student employee supervision for the professional and administrative needs. • Guided students that were members of, award winning, campus student organizations as an advisor with Phi Beta Lambda (PBL – Collegiate Future Business Leaders of America), a college political organization, and the Collegiate Ambassador Team (university prospective student welcome group). • Served on a multitude of university committees, assisting with decision making and implementation of programs and policies Committees included: The Adult & Continuing Education Implementation Team, numerous Staff and Faculty Search Committees, the Transfer & Returning Learner Advisory Council, and the University Honors Committee. • Established and maintained national professional relationships with hundreds of Career and Technical Student Organization Advisors for the promotion of JWU and the recruitment of qualified students. • Organized and facilitated conferences, hosting an average of 500 students per conference and over 3,500 students per year. • Presented professional development topics in business, leadership, and hospitality to students throughout the United States involved in Career and Technical Education. • Attended, planned, and participated as an active member with state and regional organizations. • Served on multiple high school advisory boards throughout the State of Colorado, acting as a voting member to determine the direction of academic and organizational goals.

    • International & Transfer Representative
      • Aug 2007 - Jun 2012

      • Advised dozens of international prospective students through the admissions process, to ensure best-fit students matriculated, utilizing the integrated student relationship management systems of Banner and Talisma. • Oversaw a $75,000 annual budget for purposes of travel, advertising, program implementation, and university promotion. • Reviewed and maintained the articulation agreement between JWU and the Colorado Community College System. • Traveled domestically and… Show more • Advised dozens of international prospective students through the admissions process, to ensure best-fit students matriculated, utilizing the integrated student relationship management systems of Banner and Talisma. • Oversaw a $75,000 annual budget for purposes of travel, advertising, program implementation, and university promotion. • Reviewed and maintained the articulation agreement between JWU and the Colorado Community College System. • Traveled domestically and internationally recruiting international students for JWU’s Denver Campus. • Reviewed international documentation of foreign students to determine admissibility for admission to the university. • Served on multiple community college advisory boards throughout the State of Colorado, acting as a voting member to determine the direction of academic and organizational goals.

    • United States
    • Investment Banking
    • Branch Compliance Coordinator
      • May 2006 - Jul 2007

      • Supervised and provided compliance support to over 230 staff and associates located out of the Denver Branch. • Prepared clients’ financial plans for suitability review to ensure proper recommendations were made by AXA associates. • Maintained and audited compliance and human resource files for associates, upholding the stringent policies of AXA. • Conducted training of policies and procedures of FINRA, SEC, and AXA to staff and associates of AXA Advisors. • Tracked, monitored… Show more • Supervised and provided compliance support to over 230 staff and associates located out of the Denver Branch. • Prepared clients’ financial plans for suitability review to ensure proper recommendations were made by AXA associates. • Maintained and audited compliance and human resource files for associates, upholding the stringent policies of AXA. • Conducted training of policies and procedures of FINRA, SEC, and AXA to staff and associates of AXA Advisors. • Tracked, monitored, and distributed approximately $150,000 of incoming and outgoing client funds daily. • Managed the approval process for branch advertising, third party gifts, and outside business for AXA representatives.

    • District Intern for Western Division Vice President
      • Feb 2006 - May 2006

      Greater Denver Area • Reviewed approximately $1,000,000 in client accounts daily, with associates’ guidance and knowledge. • Executed customer relationship management system, ensuring clients’ satisfaction with AXA products and services. • Created a District Intern training curriculum, specified for the demands of the district used widely within Denver Branch.

Education

  • University of Denver
    Master of Arts, M.A. Higher Education, Organization & Governance and Public Policy
    2008 - 2010
  • Johnson & Wales University
    Bachelor of Science, B.S. Management, Finance, Human Resources Management, and Leadership Studies
    2002 - 2006

Community

You need to have a working account to view this content. Click here to join now