Executive Director

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Executive Director	1SG (Ret) Michael Byer
E-mail	mike.byer@operationsong.org
Term Start	January 2022
Michael 's Experience: Mike Byer is a retired Army First Sergeant, OIF/OEF Veteran, guitarist, and amateur songwriter. Mike served in the Army for over 21 years with the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division. His tours of duty include Operations Desert Storm Southern Watch, Operation Restore Hope, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Mike served in numerous roles in the Army, from squad leader, to First Sergeant, as well as a Drill Sergeant, and Senior Small Group Leader at the John W. Kreckel NCO Academy. Mike was selected as the 101st Airborne Division Soldier of the Quarter, and was inducted into the prestigious SSG Audie Murphy Club. Mike was also awarded the Order of St. Michael for his contributions to Army Aviation. For his Combat Service, Mike was awarded with two Bronze Stars.  Upon Retirement, Mike started SOAR, (Sounds of Acoustic Recovery) a nonprofit program that aims to help Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder through music, specifically by teaching them how to play the guitar.

Staff

Full Time Staff	1
Part Time Staff	1
Volunteers	20
Contractors	35
Retention Rate	100%

Plans & Policies

Does your organization have a Fundraising Plan?	Yes
Does your organization have a Strategic Plan?	Yes
Years Strategic Plan Considers	5
When was the Strategic Plan adopted?	January 2021
Does your organization have a Management Succession Plan?	Under Development
Does your organization have a Policy and Procedure Plan?	Yes
Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy?	Yes
Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy?	Yes
Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy?	Yes

Evaluation

Is there a formal evaluation for...		Frequency (if applicable)
CEO/Executive Director	N/A	N/A
Senior Management	N/A	N/A
Non-Management	N/A	N/A

Awards

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Award / Recognition	Organization	Year
Margaret Strobel Civic Volunteer Group of the Year	Hands On Nashville	2018

CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments

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As an organization in its 11th year with 501(c)(3) status, Operation Song currently has only one staff member, a contract administrative assistant. She and our Executive Director do the day-to-day management tasks, and are in the process of hiring a Program Director. We have recently hired Tall Boy Marketing and Publicist Tiffany Shipp, to assist us with our demanding marketing and PR requirements. We have a deep roster of songwriters who have worked with OpSong who work in the programs and we have volunteers who help with events and programs as well.