Sean O'Brien
- Navy Account Manager, IBM
Biography
Sean O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Rochester in New York and was designated a Naval Flight Officer and a bombardier/navigator in the A-6E Intruder in 1992.
His assignments include Attack Squadron Five Two (Knight Riders), NAS Whidbey Island with deployments onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Attack Squadron–One One Five (The Eagles) forward deployed in Atsugi, Japan. Where he deployed onboard the USS Independence (CV-62).
Sean then reported to Electronic Attack Squadron One Two Nine to receive training in the EA-6B Prowler. He was then assigned as a Plank Owner to Electronic Attack Squadron One Two Eight (VAQ-128) providing electronic attack support to U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Operations. His last squadron assignment was as Operations Officer for Electronic Attack Squadron One Three Two (VAQ-132). During this tenure, the Scorpions, flying off the USS George Washington (CVN-73), provided round-the-clock combat air support for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sean reported to NRD New Orleans as the Executive Officer in June 2006. In December 2007, he assumed command of Naval Recruiting District New Orleans. His tenure at NRD New Orleans started in the months following Hurricane Katrina. His leadership was said to be instrumental in the critical reestablishment of Navy Recruiting on the Gulf Coast and the ascension of NRD New Orleans from number 26 to the number 3 recruiting district in the country in just three years.
His shore assignments include instructor duties with VA-128 and VAQ-129. He was the EA-6B Systems Phase Head, a classroom and flight instructor, and El Centro Detachment OIC. Most recently while at NETC, he flew as an Associate Instructor with VT-86 in Pensacola. He earned an MS in Information Systems and Operations at Naval Post Graduate School. He then served as Computer Network Operation Branch Chief on the Joint Staff in the J-3 Deputy Directorate for Global Operations and Information Operations.
In 2009, Mr. O’Brien was selected by the Chief of Naval Operations to Command a Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion forward-deployed to Taji, Iraq, the largest Navy command on the ground in Iraq. He led this Battalion of 450 Sailors guarding 4,000 of the most violent terrorists in Iraq, as well as training all Iraqi Correctional Officers to transition detention operations to the Gov. of Iraq in April of 2010.
He returned from Iraq and reported to Commander Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) as the Deputy Director of NETC Information Management Division. Along with the staff and field teams, they provided secure, reliable, state-of-the-art information technologies and business capabilities on the world’s largest training network to enable NETC’s mission; training every sailor for the fleet.
After Sean retired from active duty in 2013, he decided to settle his family in Pensacola and started his own business; Sean O'Brien Consulting, LLC. The firm provided IT Business Integration, Solution Architect, Business Capture and Development, Strategic Planning, Business Process Reengineering, Information Systems, and IT Operations services. In 2015 a contract evolved into a full-time executive position with GDIT. He currently holds the position of Navy Account Manager with IBM.
His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with “V” device, Arial Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, Army Commendation, and Achievement Medals.
Sean is married to the former Jennifer A. Schulz of New York and Mobile, Alabama. They have five sons, Connor, Dillon, Abner, Colin, and Danann.
