SOAR MANAGEMENT CONSULTING - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Contracts Specialist
Ms. Wheeler-Smith is a dynamic leader who designs fresh solutions to old operational problems. She brings a learning mindset and engaging personality that builds trust in an organization while establishing a vision for the future. An influential thought leader who brings authenticity and credibility to any leadership team, Karen is a J.D. with extensive, continually advancing leadership experience from an award-winning aerospace and defense federal contractor. She earned a reputation as the "go-to" resource to resolve complex operational and people challenges, improving performances and work cultures across areas that included contracts, procurement, and HR.
Job Titles:
- Operations Director and Talent Manager
Ms. Garin serves as SOAR's Operations Director and Talent Manager. In the Operations Director capacity she is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the administrative and support activities at SOAR. She brings a wealth of experience in managing business and non-profit organizations to her role as Talent Manager, where Ms. Garin is responsible for the recruiting and hiring of prospective candidates. Ms. Garin is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. Having worked successfully for IBM as a Marketing Representative focused on outstanding customer service and satisfaction, she would go on to volunteer and hold board and advisory positions in various military spouses groups, PTA boards, and sports teams including the Treasurer position for two different teams for several years. In her free time, Ms. Garin spends time with her husband and two Yorki-Poo's, visiting and traveling to see her two grown children and assistant coaching a local high school gymnastics team.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
Mr. Smith serves as SOAR's Director of Client Services responsible for developing SOAR consultants into change agents for their clients and the community, fostering strong relationships and designing and implementing solutions that make a difference. Neal brings 35 years of operational experience in the military and intelligence community supporting federal executives with strategy development and execution, strategic planning, performance measurement and strategic communications. While serving as a manager in the government and industry, Mr. Smith assisted in the development of strategic and execution plans covering military and corporate operations, security, human capital, program/resource management and communications. He is a retired USAF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer having served honorably in a variety of leadership positions in the defense of the Nation. In his free time, Neal is actively involved in his community and parish while also serving as a volunteer assistant coach for volleyball and softball with a local high school.
Susan Barborek is the Founder and CEO of SOAR Management Consulting, LLC. She offers SOAR's clients flexible strategies for transformational change and empowers SOAR staff to deliver results through exceptional client service. She has more than 30 years of experience in Federal Government consulting and thrives on helping organizations improve their effectiveness by designing and delivering customized solutions that meet their needs and exceed expectations. Her expertise includes strategic planning, organizational development, process improvement, creating innovative solutions and working in collaborative environments. She is known for rolling up her sleeves and getting it done!
Susan graduated from the University of West Florida with a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Bachelors in Psychology and Communication from the University of Michigan. She is also a certified Professional in Human Resources and Strategic Workforce Planning. She has served her community through leadership roles in the PTA, her HOA, and the non-profit BritePaths. In 2020, she was recognized by the Fairfax City Commission for Women receiving the 2020 Woman of Influence award. In her free time, she enjoys travelling with her husband and two grown children, coaching the high school gymnastics team, fostering kittens and running an Airbnb in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Mr. Barborek serves as the firm's Chief Financial Officer. Prior to SOAR, Mr. Barborek was Vice President at The Research Associates (TRA) for 10 years where he established a record of performance in technical and business project management, acquisition program implementation, program strategy, and extensive work with biometrics technology. Receiving an MBA from Virginia Tech and B.S. in Computer Science from Murray State University, Mr. Barborek took his skills into his early career honing management consulting and business development skills at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, going on to progress through positions with PriceWaterhouseCoopers (now IBM) and BearingPoint (now Deloitte) before joining TRA.
Todd has supported Fairfax High School through various roles in the Athletic Booster Club and as the parent representative to the track team responsible for the purchase and set-up of new equipment including high jump and pole vault pits. He has led numerous fund raisers for the Booster Club and athletic teams, currently serves as Treasurer of the neighborhood HOA, and enjoys riding his Harley Davison in his free time..
Ms. Perarnaud serves as SOAR's Corporate Accountant where she is responsible for managing overall financial functions including accounting, budget, credit, billing and collections, tax, and treasury. Moving from France in 1981, Ms. Perarnaud has lived her entire adult life in the Washington, DC area, where she received her B.S. in Marketing from George Mason University and her Master's Degree in Accounting from American University. She worked in the hotel, banking, and real estate/title industries for several years before taking time off to raise her three children.