ABOUT
ABOUT
Our Mission at GEN4 Services, LLC
At GEN4 Services, LLC, our mission is to be the trusted partner of choice for government and commercial clients—analyzing opportunities, designing innovative solutions, and delivering expert services from initial Concept of Operations through full program transition and activation.
With a proven record of success winning over $20 billion in government contract awards GEN4 has become the industry’s Team Member of Choice. We specialize in building and supporting U.S. Government contracts across:
· Program Management
· Facility Services
· DoD Logistics
· Aviation Services
· Program Transition & Management
GEN4 is more than a service provider, we are a force multiplier, committed to driving mission success and long-term value for our clients.
Corporate Leadership
Emmett Shaffer
President
Donald Shaffer
Vice President of Operations
Colonel Emmett C. Shaffer III, USA (Retired), is the President and founder of GEN4 Services. A proud native of Brookfield, Ohio, he is a Distinguished Graduate of Youngstown State University. After 22 years of distinguished service, he retired from active duty in 2003, bringing with him a legacy of leadership, innovation, and mission success.
The majority of his military career was spent within the elite ranks of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Following the events of 9/11, Emmett was selected as Deputy Commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In this critical role, he orchestrated and supported combat operations in Afghanistan while overseeing the Army’s Special Operations Aviation Training Program. His responsibilities included assessment, training Lieutenant, and integration of all special operations occupational specialties, as well as managing the operational readiness of the regiment’s aircraft fleet.
A Master Aviator and U.S. Army–certified Maintenance Test Pilot, Emmett also holds an FAA Commercial rating in both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. His expertise bridges tactical execution, technical mastery, and strategic leadership at the highest levels.
In 2008, Emmett founded GEN4 Services, building a company rooted in precision, performance, and partnership. Leveraging his deep experience in executive leadership, complex mission planning, and logistics support and teaming with his wife, Patricia, who brings over 30 years of government contracting expertise GEN4 has developed lean, proven business development processes that consistently deliver winning solutions for clients worldwide
Colonel Don Shaffer, USAF (Retired), brings 27 years of distinguished active-duty service to his role as Vice President of Operations at GEN4. He spent the majority of his career in Air Mobility Command and Air Education and Training Command, flying airlift, tanker, and trainer aircraft, and completed three tours at the Pentagon. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Don built a reputation as a proven leader and strategist across the highest levels of the Air Force.
Throughout his career, Don commanded six times at the squadron, group, and wing levels. He served as Vice Wing Commander of the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, South Carolina, and as Wing Commander of the 319th Air Refueling Wing/319th Air Base Wing at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota. There, he successfully oversaw the historic transition from AMC’s KC-135 air refueling mission to ACC’s RQ-4 Global Hawk strategic reconnaissance mission, an achievement that showcased his ability to lead organizations through complex change.
His final military assignment was as Senior Advisor to the Air Force Chief of Staff at Headquarters USAF, where he provided critical counsel on global air mobility and operational strategy. A command pilot with more than 3,800 flight hours in eight different aircraft, including the T-38, C-141, C-17, and KC-135, Don combines technical mastery with operational foresight.
At GEN4, Don leads with the same dedication and precision that defined his Air Force career. As Vice President of Operations, he drives program analysis, develops Concepts of Operations, oversees BOE estimates and staffing strategies, and provides executive oversight of GEN4’s operational contracts, ensuring mission success for every client.
Devin Smith
VP Business Development
& Facility Services
Dr. Devin Smith serves as Vice President of Business Development and Facility Services at GEN4 Services. He is a seasoned healthcare executive, writer, and human resources professional with over 15 years of experience spanning higher education, corporate leadership, and military service.
Dr. Smith earned his Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg, an MBA from Strayer University, and dual bachelor’s degrees from Morehead State University and the University of Dayton. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and professional articles, contributing to the fields of healthcare management, workplace feasibility, and organizational leadership.
Previously, Dr. Smith held senior global leadership roles at Proofpoint and Amazon, where he designed and implemented international programs in disability accommodation, employee relations, and COVID-19 response that directly impacted hundreds of thousands of employees across multiple continents.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Smith served as a U.S. Army Linguist Supervisor in Afghanistan, managing teams of interpreters in support of operational readiness. His diverse professional background also includes leadership positions with Nestlé, General Mills, and Government contracting, where he drove workforce retention, and multimillion-dollar efficiency improvements.
A recognized thought leader and published author, Dr. Smith continues to bridge the worlds of healthcare, academia, and business, providing strategic solutions that advance organizational performance while enhancing employee well-being.