Build operations that don’t depend on you to run.
Ironhorse Strategy Group partners with founders, aviation leaders, and operators to turn “held-together-with-duct-tape” systems into durable, scalable operations — from job site to flight line to boardroom.
Real-world operations, not buzzwords. Military discipline, Boeing systems experience, and hands-on construction and equine operations in one package.
From flight line to jobsite to boardroom
Ironhorse Strategy Group was created for leaders whose work lives are a constant loop of decisions, approvals, and fire drills. If everything depends on you, it’s not scalable. The mission: build operations, teams, and systems that stand on their own — without losing safety, performance, or mission readiness.
Director-level aviation leader and Vice President of Operations with more than 25 years of experience across aerospace, defense, and construction.
- Directed aviation and weapon systems programs exceeding $350M annually across multiple fleets.
- Oversaw 60+ concurrent engineering, modification, and construction projects at any given time.
- Led cross-functional teams of 100+ personnel in maintenance, avionics, engineering, and field operations.
- Built and ran Quality Assurance and operations frameworks recognized for safety and mission readiness.
- Assess – Diagnose bottlenecks, failure points, and owner-dependencies.
- Design – Build workflows, SOPs, and leadership structure that fit your reality.
- Implement – Work directly with your team to embed new ways of operating.
- Stabilize – Ensure the system holds when you're not in the room.
- Scale – Add capacity and complexity without losing control or readiness.
What Ironhorse delivers
Ironhorse Strategy Group combines executive-level strategy with the mindset of a crew chief and jobsite superintendent. The services below can be structured as short-term projects or ongoing fractional leadership.
- Strategic planning and operating rhythm design.
- Org structure, roles, and accountability mapping.
- KPI dashboards and performance reviews.
- Owner-dependency reduction and succession planning.
- Workflow mapping and SOP development.
- Scheduling, capacity, and resource planning.
- Readiness and maintenance optimization for aircraft, fleets, and equipment.
- Continuous improvement programs and change management.
- Support for E-4B and other mission aircraft programs.
- Systems engineering and modification oversight (NC3, AEHF, PNVC).
- Quality assurance, safety, and readiness frameworks.
- Airworthiness, FAA, and DoD compliance support.
- Jobsite workflow and crew coordination.
- Heavy equipment and fleet utilization strategies.
- Safety, QA, and regulatory compliance programs.
- Budgeting, cost control, and profitability systems.
- Supervisor, foreman, and lead training.
- Performance feedback and coaching frameworks.
- Culture of accountability and ownership.
- Training plans and workforce development programs.
- Short, high-impact diagnostic projects.
- 90-day transformation sprints.
- Retainer-based advisory and check-ins.
- On-site and remote hybrid support models.
Where the playbook comes from
Ironhorse Strategy Group is built on decades of aviation, defense, construction, and small-business leadership — not theory.
- Leads aviation modification and engineering programs for the E-4B fleet, integrating NC3, AEHF, and PNVC systems.
- Manages schedules, budgets, and cross-functional resources to align technical solutions with mission requirements.
- Serves as technical and operational liaison between Air Force, Boeing, vendors, and engineering teams.
- Ensures compliance with airworthiness, FAA, and DoD standards.
- Directed sustainment and support for over 20 avionics systems and 300+ components on mission aircraft.
- Led cost, safety, and performance reviews to improve readiness and lifecycle maintenance.
- Coordinated with cross-agency teams to safeguard safety and compliance.
- Oversees operations across equine facilities, mechanical repair, construction management, and large-scale dirt work.
- Leads field and office teams through project planning, budgeting, and execution with a focus on safety and efficiency.
- Negotiates vendor contracts, equipment logistics, and scheduling for cost-effective project delivery.
- Manages end-to-end construction and mechanical business operations, from strategy to execution.
- Implements process improvements and operational controls to enhance efficiency and team accountability.
- Leads client engagement, workforce development, and profitability.
Let’s talk about your operations
If your day is full of answering the same questions, solving the same problems, and putting out the same fires, you don’t need more hours — you need better systems. Let’s map out what a durable operating model could look like for your world.
Direct Contact
- Email: Rob.Pfleger@outlook.com
- Phone: 402.214.7364
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rob-pfleger
- Location: Nebraska City, Nebraska
Ideal fits:
Owner-led businesses, aviation & defense programs, construction and field ops, and teams who need
disciplined operations without adding another full-time executive.