Executive Bio – Don Patton
Chief Operating Officer
Don Patton is the COO of RELYANT LLC. RELYANT provides global solutions to governments and defense related organizations throughout the world. Mr. Patton brings the experience of running programs in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Business Experience
Don’s background is diverse and spans across 20 years of proven leadership experience. He has 10 years service in the United States Army as a commissioned officer and over 10 years of progressive experience in the corporate sector. His experience includes performing strategic evaluations of business initiatives and providing expertise in systems engineering, business and strategic development, and project management. He is an accomplished Program/Project manager possessing extensive experience managing multi-million dollar businesses and global government contracts with a strong understanding how to mitigate risks while working in austere environments.
Previously, Don founded and managed the largest business unit within another government contracting firm. This business unit was responsible for providing security, construction, life support, K9 and mine action services to numerous clients internationally to include the United States and various foreign governments. Duties included strategic planning, proposal preparation oversight, project management oversight, contract management, and customer relations across the enterprise. He led efforts during his tenure resulting in numerous contract awards over a 5 year period with a combined value of more than $700M.
Initially, in 2003, he personally led the Captured Enemy Ammunition Program in Iraq, a $79M munitions cleanup operation for the Army Corps of Engineers, which collected and destroyed Iraq’s enormous stockpile of munitions. While rising to the position of Vice President, he directed his business’ tremendous growth through strategic initiatives, development of robust processes and procedures, budgetary control of all programs, proposal process management, and assurance that all services provided met quality standards and contract specification.
Don also served in a variety of progressive leadership positions with General Electric (GE) culminating in his management of their direct current (DC) industrial motor manufacturing plant in Dothan, AL. Duties included managing daily production, sales, operating expenses and customer service of a $25M DC industrial motor production facility with 150 employees. During his tenure Don increased production by 17% while decreasing labor and warranty costs and exceeded the sales, inventory and operational cost targets in a declining sales environment. His production facility was presented the VPP Star Award for safety by OHSA, placing the facility among the top 1% of all US manufacturing plants.
Continuing Education and Certifications
Don is also a graduate of GE’s John F. Welch Leadership Development Center Advanced Management Training Program. Prior to GE, he served in the US Army for over 10 years. While on active duty, he commanded an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company at Fort Drum, NY. He also served as the senior logistics manager for the Army’s EOD program, and served as both the Operations Officer and Executive Officer for the EOD Battalion located at Fort Gillem, GA in Atlanta. Don is a senior EOD Technician and a certified Six Sigma Quality Black Belt. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1989.
