Jeffrey Kendall Sapp

Jeffrey is a seasoned decision-maker with more than 30 years of cross-functional experience leading, managing, and stewarding organizations through periods of growth, change, and greater enterprise-wide success. He is skilled at working across senior administrative lines and multiple channels to resolve conflict, set priorities, increase teamwork, and build partnerships and collaborations. He is also a polished motivational speaker adept at helping students, individuals, and organizations appreciate their full potential while empowering them with insights and models for achieving higher levels of personal, professional, and enterprise-wide success. 

 

A 30-year Navy Veteran, Jeffrey’s experience includes serving as the Commanding Officer of six different ships, Commanding Officer of a Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC), and Deputy Director of the U.S. Navy’s Enlisted Personnel Plans & Career Policy Division. In the Pentagon, he served as Senior Aide-de-Camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Chairman, and a Strategic Plans Officer in the Joint Staff’s Plans & Policy Directorate. He also served at the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) headquarters as the Chief of Staff for the Naval Systems Engineering Directorate, Chief of Staff of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, and Chief of Staff to the Executive Manager responsible for Military Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology & Training for the Department of Defense. At the U.S. Naval Academy, he served as Deputy Director of Athletics for the U.S. Naval Academy Athletic Association (a nonprofit), Special Assistant to the Dean of Admissions, and Head of the Physical Education Department.

 

Jeffrey’s experience as a civilian executive includes serving as the first Executive Director of Serve Our Willing Warriors, a charitable nonprofit. He also served as Interim Vice President of Programs for the national education nonprofit Scholarship America and as Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer of the Navy League of the United States, a nonprofit advocating the importance of U.S. Sea Services to national defense and economic prosperity. Other position titles include Strategic Advisor to Leadership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Associate on Booz Allen Hamilton’s Transformation & Change Management Team, Leadership Advisor & Project Manager for the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and the In-country Operations Manager overseeing support services for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Jeffrey also served as the Lead Facilitator for Leadership Offsites for NGA and Senior Management Offsites for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Adjunct Faculty at U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) Corporate University School of Leadership Development; Adjunct Faculty at U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Leadership Institute; Visiting Faculty at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Leadership & Senior Management courses; and as a Business Seminar presenter for Leadership Fauquier, Career-Confidence.Org, and Paradigm Solutions Business & Management Consulting.

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Jeffrey attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he became the first African-American in school history elected Co-Captain of the Navy’s varsity football team and the first African-American football player from Navy to be selected as an NCAA Division One All-American. He is highlighted in specials televised by ABC and CBS sports and is an inductee of two Athletic Halls of Fame. In 2009, a national fan-based poll voted him one of the best defensive linemen in the 50-year history of Navy’s stadium. He is also featured on public access television programs on motivation and education that aired in seven states and books on diversity, leadership, and inspiration. They include “Blue & Gold and Black: Racial Integration of the U.S. Naval Academy” and “Secrets of Self-Starters: 48 Amazing Stories to Ignite the Self-Starter in You!”

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In addition to the U.S. Naval Academy, Jeffrey is an alumnus of the U.S. Naval War College, Armed Forces Staff College, Naval Postgraduate School, Salve Regina University, and the Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management. His undergraduate degree is in American Political Systems (engineering minor). His Master’s degrees are in Management Science, International Relations, and National Security & Strategic Studies.

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Some positive comments about Jeffrey from national media and government agencies:

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“Sapp has one of those infectious personalities that can adapt to any situation . . . never uncomfortable with anyone.”

The Washington Post

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“Excellent ability to extract and synthesize pertinent information into strategies and actionable items.”

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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“One of the Nation’s finest charismatic and dynamic hands-on speakers.”

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies