Kimberly “Kim” Mlinaz serves as the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) Director of the Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Program. Under the oversight of the Deputy General Counsel for Contractor Responsibility and Conflict Resolution, Ms. Mlinaz is responsible for directing DAF conflict management policy, programs, and education. She provides advice and guidance regarding best practices in conflict management and negotiation principles. Further, Ms. Mlinaz is a member of the DAF Coaching Cadre.
After ten years of leadership experience in manufacturing, Ms. Mlinaz earned a Juris Doctor in 2010, and served as a law clerk for the Michigan Senate Majority Policy Office. Ms. Mlinaz’s primary area of legal expertise is labor and employment, with a focus on both effective representation and a proactive approach to problem-solving in the workplace. She served DAF in this capacity at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Air Force Materiel Command, and at the Air Force Legal Operations Agency’s Labor Law Field Support Center. Building on her practical experience, Ms. Mlinaz added formal training in systems thinking, leadership, and performance coaching to guide leaders toward maximizing performance through effective conflict management in the workplace. Prior to her current position as Director, she served in a career-broadening assignment with the DAF General Counsel’s Office, Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
EDUCATION
2022 Accredited Coaching Program, Flatter, Inc., Fredericksburg, Va., virtual
2020 Systems Thinking, Cornell Certificate Program, Ithaca, N.Y., virtual
2016 Executive Leadership Development Program, Department of Defense Civilian Developmental Education
2016 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2012 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2010 Juris Doctor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School – magna cum laude, Lansing, Mich.
1999 Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Mich.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Aug 2016 – Current, Associate General Counsel, DAF, Arlington, Va.
2. April 2015 – Aug 2016, Litigation Attorney, DAF, Labor Law Field Support Center, Joint Base Andrews, Md.
3. Jan 2015 – April 2015, Acting Division Chief, DAF, Labor Law Division, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Ga.
4. Oct 2012 – Jan 2015, Attorney, DAF, Labor Law Division, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Ga.
5. Aug 2011 – Oct 2012, Attorney, DAF, Civil Law Division, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Ga.
6. Aug 2010 – Aug 2011, Law Clerk, DAF, Civil Law Division, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Ga.
7. June 1999 – March 2009, Leadership Team (various positions), Menasha Corporation, Mich.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Exemplary Civilian Service Award, 2020
Award for Civilian Achievement, 2021 and 2014
SAF/GC Employee of the Year, Headquarters Air Force Annual Award Nominee, 2019