Steven Merkel

Chief Operating Officer – Building High-Performing Cultures: Enterprise Transformations │ Team Development │ Operational Excellence

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

About

Leading organizational change while building high-performing cultures of trust, purpose, and collaboration, has been my focus as a senior leader. By driving operational excellence and aligning strategy, systems, and people, I help organizations achieve their most pressing priorities. During my career journey, I led business transformations that facilitated growth and delivered efficiencies, redefined the educational experience for thousands of future leaders in the US Army, and provided operational leadership while executing mission-critical strategic initiatives. In all endeavors, I leveraged an effective blend of disciplined leadership, strategic intelligence, and expertise in operations, to deliver measurable results. A servant leader with a people-first mindset, I unite teams through clarity of mission, values, and expectations, communicate with transparency, and invest in individual’s professional growth. With a focus on helping others succeed, I mentor corporate business professionals and both active duty and transitioning military leaders as they enter the private sector. Outside of work, I have a passion for sailing, an activity that sharpens my leadership instincts as I course correct in response to unpredictable conditions and stay calm under pressure. I’m also an avid beekeeper, a hobby that teaches me the art of balance as I nurture growth while maintaining structure and harmony. Strategic Leadership │ Organizational Transformations │ Scaling Operations │ Enterprise Operations Organizational Capability Building │ Culture Building │ Strategic Planning │ Financial Management Operational Excellence │ Process Optimization │ Technology Leadership │ M&A Integration │ Team Development │ Talent Development │ Stakeholder Engagement │ Performance Management

Experience

  • Chief Operating Officer at Barnes & Thornburg LLP
    2017 - 2025 · 8 yrs

    Partnered with the firm’s senior leaders on long-term planning and implementation of growth strategy. Oversaw all operational and administrative functions while serving as trusted advisor on all business matters and driving collaboration across multiple stakeholders. ✔ Spearheaded transformation initiative that included launch of the scalable systems for back-office operations critical to exponential growth in revenue and expansion into multiple new markets. ✔ Introduced new functions and roles that enhanced organizational capability, effectiveness and service delivery while enabling improved decision-making, cost savings, and revenue growth.

  • Chief Of Operations at United States Military Academy at West Point
    2014 - 2017 · 3 yrs

    CHIEF OF OPERATIONS (2016-2017) BRIGADE COMMANDER (2014-2016) Promoted to COO leading development of operational strategies for the nation’s first military academy. Coordinated, synchronized and supervised execution of all academy-wide operations and key initiatives while driving cross-functional alignment (e.g., academic, athletic, military). Broad role that included management of human resources, security, facilities, and financial resources. ✔ Introduced Lean and Six Sigma methods to streamline administrative workflows and created a repository of leadership information for ongoing improvements in development systems and training. ✔ Created a more inclusive and coordinated support structure for cadets as champion of increased stakeholder engagement during the development journey.

  • Chief of Staff, Multinational Security Force at US Army
    2013 - 2014 · 1 yr

    Directed strategy development, operations, and integration of a multinational security force in Afghanistan. Senior leader in the high-risk environment building relationships of trust and promoting collaboration across diverse national and international stakeholders. ✔ Transferred regional and national supply chain touchpoints from the US to Afghan national forces. ✔ Implemented key performance metrics that drove transparency, accountability, and efficiencies.

  • Chief of Staff at First Army
    2010 - 2013 · 3 yrs

    Oversaw daily operations for organization supporting the training of Reserve and National Guard forces across the US, two territories, and the District of Columbia (˃11,000 soldiers, two divisions, 16 brigades). ✔ Created a scalable operation and delivered significant efficiencies by standardizing and integrating training and systems across 29 states / territories and by implementing Lean Six Sigma practices. Additional Experience: Retired Colonel, United States Army Brigade Commander, Camp Atterbury, IN – Directed 1,000 soldiers, ensuring readiness for mission support. Battalion Commander, Field Artillery Battalion, Hinesville, GA – Provided leadership to 500 soldiers. Executed a successful hostage rescue mission during Iraq deployment.