Lakeya Cunningham
Charlotte
Summary
Leadership is about developing people, strengthening operations, and creating environments where safety, accountability, and service excellence become the standard. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to building high-performing teams, solving operational challenges, and delivering dependable results that positively impact both organizations and the communities they serve.
Results-driven Transportation & Aviation Operations Executive with more than 15 years of progressive experience leading transportation operations, workforce development, dispatch coordination, safety compliance, customer experience, and operational performance across transportation, aviation, healthcare, and customer service environments. Recognized for developing high-performing teams, training commercial drivers, coordinating complex daily operations, maintaining DOT compliance, and delivering exceptional customer experiences in fast-paced, safety-sensitive environments. Demonstrated success improving operational performance through proactive leadership, effective communication, continuous process improvement, and collaborative problem-solving. Known for developing people, strengthening operations, and creating cultures built on accountability, safety, professionalism, and service excellence.
Overview
1
1
Certification
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Transportation Operations Specialist
WNY Transportation
01.2005 - Current
- Provide operational leadership within a fast-paced transportation environment by coordinating dispatch operations, supporting driver performance, maintaining DOT compliance, and ensuring safe, reliable, customer-focused transportation services.
- Coordinated daily transportation operations by managing dispatch communications, monitoring driver activity, and optimizing route assignments and operational performance.
- Coordinate workforce scheduling and route adjustments to maintain uninterrupted transportation services while maximizing operational efficiency.
- Train and develop commercial drivers through onboarding, route instruction, safety education, coaching, and continuous performance support.
- Serve as an operational resource during service disruptions, emergencies, and changing transportation conditions by implementing timely solutions.
- Collaborate with leadership, dispatch personnel, drivers, and customers to resolve operational challenges and improve service delivery.
- Identified opportunities to enhance transportation performance by monitoring operations and recommending actionable process improvements.
- Reinforce DOT regulations, company policies, and safety standards while promoting accountability and operational excellence.
- Collaborated with leadership, dispatch personnel, drivers, and customers to resolve operational challenges and enhance service delivery.
Provider Operations Specialist
Highmark Health
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Supported healthcare operations through provider relations, claims research, billing analysis, and operational support, achieving high productivity and customer service standards.
- Investigated claims, billing discrepancies, and payment issues using CRM systems and healthcare databases.
- Collaborated across departments to resolve complex provider concerns.
- Collaborated with departments to resolve complex provider concerns, enhancing overall service delivery.
- Maintained detailed documentation to ensure compliance with organizational procedures and support operational integrity.
Energy Operations Specialist
Tesla
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Supported residential energy operations by providing technical support, scheduling, billing, and service coordination to enhance customer experience.
- Coordinated with technical support teams to resolve service issues efficiently.
- Coordinated with technical support teams to resolve service issues, improving response times and customer satisfaction.
- Maintained accurate service documentation while supporting operational excellence.
- Delivered responsive customer service in high-volume environment, ensuring timely resolution of customer inquiries.
Business Development & Operations Specialist
Planet Marketing
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Directed business development initiatives, recruiting and mentoring a high-performing organization to enhance leadership, operational excellence, and customer engagement.
- Built and developed an organization of 500+ independent business professionals through recruiting, coaching, and leadership development.
- Monitored organizational performance and coached team members toward achieving business objectives.
- Monitored performance metrics and coached team members to align with business objectives.
- Fostered accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the organization.
Travel Operations Specialist
Independent Travel Advisor
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Managed domestic and international travel planning, delivering personalized customer service and ensuring operational coordination.
- Coordinated travel itineraries, accommodations, and transportation to enhance client experiences.
- Resolved travel disruptions, cancellations, and scheduling conflicts to maintain seamless travel for clients.
- Built long-term client relationships through responsiveness, organization, and attention to detail.
Transportation Safety Specialist
Student Transportation of America
01.2012 - 01.2019
- Ensured safe and dependable student transportation services by adhering to DOT standards and transportation safety procedures in a highly regulated environment.
- Provided safe transportation services by strictly following DOT regulations and company safety policies.
- Responded effectively to emergencies, route changes, and operational challenges while prioritizing passenger safety.
- Coordinated communication with dispatch, school administrators, and transportation personnel to maintain service continuity.
- Maintained communication with dispatch, school administrators, and transportation personnel to ensure service continuity.
Passenger Operations Specialist
Amtrak
08.2016 - 08.2018
- Facilitated passenger transportation services through reservations, ticketing, customer assistance, and operational support to enhance travel experience.
- Guided passengers with reservations, ticketing, and travel modifications to ensure seamless journey.
- Resolved travel concerns while maintaining exceptional customer service.
- Supported efficient passenger operations through strong communication and attention to detail.
- Coordinated daily operations ensuring timely train schedules and service delivery for optimal passenger satisfaction.
- Managed inventory control processes for equipment and supplies across multiple locations.
- Implemented safety protocols to enhance operational efficiency and employee compliance.
Aviation Operations Specialist
PrimeFlight Aviation Services
06.2014 - 08.2017
- Coordinated passenger services and maintained operational efficiency to enhance customer experiences in fast-paced aviation environment.
- Coordinate passenger service operations including check-in, boarding, baggage services, and customer assistance.
- Collaborate with airline personnel and airport operations teams to support on-time performance and efficient passenger movement.
- Resolve passenger concerns, schedule changes, and service disruptions professionally while maintaining exceptional customer service.
- Support compliance with TSA, FAA, airline, and company operating procedures.
- Cultivated positive customer relationships through effective communication and solution-focused service.
Education
Criminal Justice -
Bryant & Stratton College
Skills
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Aviation Operations
- Dispatch Operations
- DOT Compliance
- Safety Management
- Fleet Operations Support
- Route Scheduling & Coordination
- Incident Investigation & Documentation
- Operational Reporting
- Process Improvement
- Operational Decision Making
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Areas Of Executive Expertise
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Aviation Operations
- Dispatch Operations
- Driver Training & Development
- DOT Compliance
- Safety Management
- Route Scheduling & Coordination
- Fleet Operations Support
- Workforce Development
- Performance Coaching
- Incident Investigation & Documentation
- Operational Reporting
- Customer Experience Management
- Process Improvement
- Business Development
- Leadership Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Operational Decision Making
Community Leadership
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Aviation Operations
- Dispatch Operations
- Driver Training & Development
- DOT Compliance
- Safety Management
- Route Scheduling & Coordination
- Fleet Operations Support
- Workforce Development
- Performance Coaching
- Incident Investigation & Documentation
- Operational Reporting
- Customer Experience Management
- Process Improvement
- Business Development
- Leadership Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Operational Decision Making
Professional Philosophy
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Aviation Operations
- Dispatch Operations
- Driver Training & Development
- DOT Compliance
- Safety Management
- Route Scheduling & Coordination
- Fleet Operations Support
- Workforce Development
- Performance Coaching
- Incident Investigation & Documentation
- Operational Reporting
- Customer Experience Management
- Process Improvement
- Business Development
- Leadership Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Operational Decision Making
Certification
- Licensed Insurance Agent - State of Texas
- Commercial Driver Training Experience
- DOT Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Personal Information
Title: Transportation & Aviation Operations Executive
Signature Leadership Achievements
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Aviation Operations
- Dispatch Operations
- Driver Training & Development
- DOT Compliance
- Safety Management
- Route Scheduling & Coordination
- Fleet Operations Support
- Workforce Development
- Performance Coaching
- Incident Investigation & Documentation
- Operational Reporting
- Customer Experience Management
- Process Improvement
- Business Development
- Leadership Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Operational Decision Making
Executive Value Proposition
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Aviation Operations
- Dispatch Operations
- Driver Training & Development
- DOT Compliance
- Safety Management
- Route Scheduling & Coordination
- Fleet Operations Support
- Workforce Development
- Performance Coaching
- Incident Investigation & Documentation
- Operational Reporting
- Customer Experience Management
- Process Improvement
- Business Development
- Leadership Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Operational Decision Making
Timeline
Provider Operations Specialist
Highmark Health
01.2022 - 01.2023
Energy Operations Specialist
Tesla
01.2021 - 01.2022
Passenger Operations Specialist
Amtrak
08.2016 - 08.2018
Business Development & Operations Specialist
Planet Marketing
01.2016 - 01.2021
Travel Operations Specialist
Independent Travel Advisor
01.2016 - 01.2021
Aviation Operations Specialist
PrimeFlight Aviation Services
06.2014 - 08.2017
Transportation Safety Specialist
Student Transportation of America
01.2012 - 01.2019
Transportation Operations Specialist
WNY Transportation
01.2005 - Current
Criminal Justice -
Bryant & Stratton College