NCMA Nexus Agenda

Lani Small, CFCM, is a boots-on-the-ground Subcontracts Administrator Advisor, with 15 years experience in government contracting, with clients spanning from federal agencies to DoD /Defense agencies to SLED (State and Local Government). She earned the CFCM credential in 2022 and attended NCMA World Congress in Nashville 2023. She is involved in local chapter NCMA events. She is an experienced trainer with public school teaching experience, and is a trainer internally to GDIT. For this training, she pulls from her training in CMMC and experience with NIST/DFARS, from both contracts/subcontracts perspective, and affecting defense and federal agencies both. Lani also serves on the Cybersecurity Working Group and the NCMA Committee at GDIT. Lani is excited about sharing our success stories and our lessons learned in cybersecurity.

Wes Bennett is a former member of the Senior Executive Service and is currently the Vice President of Contracts at Booz Allen. He is an expert in acquisition and contract management with over 20 years experience in various contracting leadership roles within the government and private industry. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in Legal Studies and a minor in Philosophy, and later earned a master's degree from Bellevue University in Acquisition and Contract Management. He has served in various roles in the Department of Defense, including the Senior Procurement Executive at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he received the Distinguished Civilian Award. He has also been awarded the Presidential Rank, Meritorious Executive Award, and several military medals for his contributions to national defense and the global war on terror. In addition to his professional achievements, Wes Bennett is an active member of the National Contract Management Association, where he previously served on the Board of Advisors and is currently serving on the Board of Directors. He is also an advocate for his local community coaching for various youth sports teams, such as wrestling, field hockey, and lacrosse.

Bonnie Evangelista is the Acquisition Policy Director and Tradewinds Execution Lead for the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), leading efforts to design and build a rapid acquisition environment aimed to accelerate the pace of digital, analytics, and artificial intelligence delivery to the Department of Defense. In her previous role, she served as the Deputy Product Lead for Applied Cyber Technologies within Army Program Manager Defensive Cyber Operations (PM DCO), leading efforts to provide the infrastructure and environments necessary for defensive cyber innovation and integration in the Army. Bonnie is an experienced acquisition and purchasing professional with expertise gained while supporting Federal Civilian and Department of Defense agencies for 15 years. She is fluent in Federal Government program management, acquisition life cycle, and cradle to grave contracting but is known as master strategist for rapid acquisition, prototyping, and other transaction authority projects. She has dedicated most of her career to simplifying complex acquisition and contracting processes and transforming conventional procurement models and mind sets.

Mike Carroll serves as an Acquisition Program Manager at Join Strategic Technologies, leveraging over three decades of experience in the military and defense sector. His distinguished career includes executive leadership as Chief of Acquisition and Procurement at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, where he demonstrated exceptional financial stewardship and organizational leadership. His innovative sourcing strategies have led to remarkable cost savings increased the effectiveness and efficiency of the command. Prior to his current role, Carroll held senior positions at Airbus Helicopters and Heritage Health Solutions, where he managed a $700M+ contract portfolio and established strategic relationships with key federal agencies. His expertise spans GSA Schedules, ID/IQ contracts, and international defense procurement. Carroll’s impact extends beyond direct procurement, having authored influential articles on multiservice contracting initiatives and developed strategies that enhance operability between North American defense allies.

John Savicky is the Vice President of Procurement Research at Simplar. John received his PhD in Engineering from Arizona State University. John has over 20 years in procurement research, and has assisted numerous private, public, federal, and international organizations with procurement oversight, policy changes, RFP development, proposal evaluation, and post award advisory services. Over his 20-year career, he has personally provided procurement support services for over 1,500 projects ($5+ Billion).

Brian Lines, PhD, PE, FMP is a professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Kansas. Dr. Lines helps owners tackle their most challenging projects & provides training in a variety of formats to improve the skillsets of procurement professionals internationally. Dr. Lines is also a volunteer instructor for the Center for Procurement Excellence (CPE) which offers many free training resources – check it out!

Dr. Jake Smithwick is the Director of Education with the Center for Procurement Excellence and is a professor at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Jake and his team have assisted hundreds of owners improve performance outcomes across thousands of projects ($15+ Billion of procured services in healthcare, insurance, construction, IT, auxiliary services, design, and more). His industry experience also includes six years in the US Air Force Reserve (civil engineering squadron).

Brent Pandozzi is a Senior Manager in the GDIT, Cyber Risk and Compliance Group overseeing audit, governance, and compliance activities related to Cyber and Information Technology. Previously to GDIT, he focused his efforts on helping DoD contractors align with NIST frameworks and, most recently, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Additionally, Brent’s experience includes IT assurance, enterprise risk management and cyber security assessments.

Azza M. Jayaprakash serves as Counsel and Lead for Law, Regulations, and Policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) Intellectual Property (IP) Cadre, in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. Azza also serves as Associate General Counsel in the Acquisition & Logistics Division of the DoD Office of General Counsel. She provides counsel on laws, regulations, and policies relating to intellectual property, advises and assists DoD customers in the development of intellectual property strategies, and assist DoD customers in drafting and negotiating of IP license terms in contracts and other agreements. She is also a member of the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council's Patents, Data, and Copyrights Team. She previously held positions as a patent attorney and Division Chief in the Army Material Command Legal Center advising various Army program executive offices on technical data and software rights issues. Prior to her DoD career, Azza worked at private law firms doing patent prosecution before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and intellectual property litigation.

Ms. Shawn Moore serves as the Technical Programs Division Chief, for the Defense Contract Audit Agency, Western Region located in Anaheim, California. In this capacity she is the technical audit advisor to regional management and 15 regional field audit offices providing technical audit guidance, training, and advice in complex technical audit areas including Cost Accounting Standards, Contract Terminations, Equitable Price Adjustment Claims, Non-profit and Universities, and other Federal Acquisition Regulation cost principles interpretations. Ms. Moore has over 25 years of extensive audit and leadership experience throughout the Department of Defense providing audit and financial advisory services to Navy, Marine Corp, Air Force, and DoD Contract Officials improving acquisition processes, enhancing operational performance, and strengthening financial management decisions. Ms. Moore holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from University of Redlands, Redlands, Ca and a Bachelor of Accountancy Degree from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM. Her certifications include Certified Public Accounting in the state of California, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Defense Acquisition Auditor, and Department of Defense Financial Management Level 3 Certification.

Ms. Katelyn Rigle is the Small Business Liaison for DCAA, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA. With over 15 years of experience in federal government contracts, accounting, and auditing, Katelyn brings invaluable insight into navigating the complexities of federal audits and compliance. As a trusted advisor for the Department of Defense and various agencies like NAVSUP and the Defense Logistics Agency, Katelyn has a deep understanding of how small businesses can thrive in the federal space. Her expertise in small business development and government contracting makes her a vital resource for any small business aiming to secure and maintain federal contracts. Whether you need advice on cost accounting, compliance, or building a stronger relationship with federal agencies, Katelyn can provide the guidance you need to take your business to the next level. Ms. Rigle graduated from King’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting as well as Strayer University with a Master of Business Administration, concentrating in Government Acquisition.

Kelley Kiernan is a professor of Cybersecurity and Information Protection at the DoD’s Defense Acquisition University. Kelley Kiernan is a cybersecurity and small business ecosystem leader, who applies her experience from Industry, NASA, Navy, Air Force and Space Force to pave the way for robust cybersecurity adoption in the acquisition ecosystem. Kelley is an engineer, scientist and an innovation expert. She is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and served as an Air Force officer where she was a recipient of the Air Medal. Kelley's champion leadership brings robust cybersecurity within the reach of everyone.

Mr. Ned Swanson is a Professor of Contract Management at the Defense Acquisition University’s Western Region in San Diego, CA. He joined DAU after ten years with the Department of the Navy as a civilian Contract Specialist at the Navy Engineering Logistics Office in San Diego. There, he provided acquisition support to various projects and programs as a contract negotiator and Procuring Contracting Officer. He has extensive experience in contracting and Program Office roles with Navy, Joint Service, and Foreign Military Sales systems-of-systems for Command & Control, information systems, and mission support services. Additionally, he has significant senior leadership experience in Operational Contract Support and contingency contracting.

Juliann Krogh is currently the Deputy Director of Contracts at the Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, VA. She manages an annual portfolio of $4.4 Billion with approximately 7,300 contract actions. Previously at MSC, she served as a leader in the Services and Ship Support Division. She directly managed a broad assortment of services with a divisional portfolio totaling of approximately $1.3 billion. Ms. Krogh has served in numerous contracting departments and made significant impacts in the improvement of federal contracting. As Navy Medicine East’s (NME) Small Business Professional, she assisted to 19 different Military Treatment Facilities as well as small businesses across the country, breaking competition barriers to facilitate greater small business participation in federal contracts. Further, as a direct result of her leadership, Ms. Krogh has realized millions of dollars in savings and streamlined many requirements within the Department of the Navy. Ms. Krogh has received numerous awards from Navy and Coast Guard organizations. The most notable being the BUMED Acquisition Professional of the Year FY15. A native of New York, Ms. Krogh graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and in 2010 with a Master of Public Administration.

Udaya Patnaik is the Chief Innovation Officer for the Federal Acquisition Service Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), in the U.S. General Services Administration. ITC facilitates $38 billion in annual government spending. Udaya’s portfolio includes emerging technology, innovation and strategy. Before joining GSA, Udaya was the Director of the Office of Digital Innovation for the State of California and co-founded Jump Associates, a strategy and innovation consultancy. Udaya has served on nonprofit boards, lectured at academic institutions and co-authored guidebooks and courses on innovation, community development and infrastructure. Udaya holds a B.Sc. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.

Rebekah Anchondo manages the Deorbit Vehicle Management Office in the International Space Station (ISS) Program office at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. As manager, she leads the team responsible for integrated design, development, acceptance and operation of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). Ms. Anchondo previously served in the ISS Vehicle Office where she performed Private Astronaut Integration and Commercial Segment integration. She also served as the ISS Vehicle Configuration Lead in the ISS Systems Engineering and Integration Office. Ms. Anchondo received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas and her M.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.

Ms. Michelle Currier serves as the Chief Learning Officer for the National Contract Management Association leading education, training, and innovative practices for the Association. Prior to joining NCMA, she served as Professor of Contract Management at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). Ms. Currier brings a wealth of real-world experience from her 46-year career, having served with distinction as a Contracting Officer, Division Chief, Deputy Director Small Business and Director of Contracts at the Naval Research Laboratory, Military Sealift Command, Small Business Administration, Naval Sea Systems Command, and the Army Contracting Command. Ms. Currier has received numerous DAU awards and recognitions, including inductee Hall of Fall, Frank J. Anderson, Jr. Leadership Award, Faculty of the Year, and Distinguished Teacher Designation. Ms. Currier was awarded the Army Superior Civilian Service Medal and Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Award. Ms. Currier was recognized by Inside Business as one of the Top 25 Women in Business in Hampton Roads. Ms. Currier is a recognized speaker coach for TEDxDAU events. Ms. Currier is a Past National President of the NCMA (2001-2002) and an NCMA Fellow. NCMA has recognized Michelle with the Alvis D. Keen Honorary Life Member Award, the Charles A. Dana Distinguished Service Award, Outstanding Fellow Award, the NCMA Education Award, National Achievement Award and NCMA Volunteer of the Year 2017. Ms. Currier is a frequent presenter at industry and government events and currently serves on the NCMA Board of Advisors. She is a Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP) mentor and faculty member.

Tyler S. Wallace, Ph.D., is a recognized leader in project management and applying innovative technologies. As Sr. Program Manager for the FAC-P/PM Certification at USAID's Office of Acquisition and Assistance, he oversees the agency’s project management training for the acquisition and assistance workforce. He has successfully modernized the certification program, integrating Gen AI to address the workforce’s evolving needs and enhance its relevance and impact.  With over 15 years of experience spanning government, healthcare, and academia, Dr. Wallace combines deep expertise with a proven track record of success. His extensive experience delivering project management and Gen AI training—both domestically and internationally—allows him to engage diverse audiences and effectively navigate cross-cultural complexities. In addition to his role at USAID, he serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia, where he teaches graduate students focusing on organizational behavior and health technology.  Dr. Wallace’s academic credentials include a Ph.D., an MBA, and professional certifications such as PfMP (PMI) and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (ASQ). His unique blend of practical experience and academic excellence equips him to provide actionable insights and strategies to address today’s complex challenges.

Patrick Hughes is a retired active-duty Air Force officer with 15 years in the Government contracting industry. During his Air Force career, he held a number of operational and contracting assignments to include NATO, Defense Contract Management Agency, US European Command, and the National Reconnaissance Office. As a defense contractor, Patrick's supported a number of agencies across the federal enterprise. He holds a DAWIA Level III Certification in Contracting. Patrick was the Director of Contracting at The MITRE Corporation where he was responsible for all buy/sell activity and is currently the Senior Director, Industry Advisory-public sector, for Icertis--a GenAI-enabled contract intelligence platform.

Jonathan Evans (he/him) is the Program Manager and Senior Facilitator for the Civilian Services Acquisition Workshops (CSAWs) Program. The CSAW Program is designed to maximize Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA) across government through the delivery of CSAWs - a facilitated requirements development workshop built around a specific acquisition and its multi-functional integrated project/procurement team (IPT). The workshop facilitates the team through the PBA process from beginning to end. Since 2019, Jonathan has effectively facilitated 34 workshops and affected well over $30 billion in estimated spend. As an acquisition professional and former 1102, Jonathan manages the government-wide playbook for PBA, called the Steps to Performance-Based Acquisition (SPBA), on buy.gsa.gov/spba. He regularly researches acquisition innovations and applications of PBA in order to effectively coach and mentor acquisition teams to grow their PBA maturity. As a facilitator, Jonathan has facilitated large and small group sessions on a variety of topics, including: requirements development, acquisition planning, project planning, strategic planning, human capital strategic planning, organizational culture and values, employee engagement, customer and industry engagement strategy, and team building. Mr. Evans has Bachelors degrees in Economics and Leadership Development from the University of Washington and maintains a FAC-C Level III (Professional) and FAC-COR Level III certification, as well as a Master Business Analyst Certification from George Washington University. He received a Master Human Capital Strategist Certification from the Human Capital Institute and has received advanced training and coaching in facilitation from Leadership Strategies, Inc. Jonathan is also a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM) through the Scrum Alliance.

Dr. Kenneth Sullivan is a Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University. He specializes in advanced project delivery methods, procurement, solicitations, and contracts, team performance optimization, organizational assessment & transformation, workforce development, and AI impacts on business. His processes and tools have been implemented by over 180 organizations on projects valued at over $20 Billion including in all sectors of design, construction, & facilities management, as well as projects in IT, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and business services. Prof. Sullivan possesses a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, an MBA in Real Estate and Urban Economics, and a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering, all from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has authored over 200 peer reviewed publications, co-authored the book Managing the Profitable Construction Business and won numerous awards for his work and teaching.

Alicia Lyttle, also known as “The Queen of AI,” is a seasoned entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, AI enthusiast, and digital marketing expert with over 23 years of experience in the industry. Alicia has a diverse professional background, having previously held positions at esteemed organizations, including The White House, The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and The City of New Orleans Mayor's Office. She later transitioned to the digital world, building a successful career as an entrepreneur, AI consultant, and digital marketing specialist. As a well-respected speaker and trainer, Alicia has traveled internationally to places such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, and Nigeria, sharing her knowledge and expertise on leveraging the internet for business success. She is the Founder of Pow Social Media, a Digital Marketing Agency, and Monetized Marketing, a training, and marketing company she runs with her sister Lorette. In addition to her digital marketing ventures, Alicia is a successful real estate investor and co-owner of Protected Equity LLC. Alicia is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, having received numerous awards, including the MarCom Awards, the Ava Digital Awards, the Communicator Awards, The dotComm Awards, The Nation Builders Awards, Clickfunnels Two Comma Club Awards twice, and the prestigious The Traffic Sales and Profits Circle of Seven Award. She is also a regular contributor to Public Broadcasting Television, hosting a weekly segment called "The Digital JamPreneur," where she teaches entrepreneurs how to build their online empires. As a business owner and entrepreneur coach, Alicia is committed to helping other entrepreneurs succeed. She coaches individuals on leveraging the power of the internet and using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to grow and scale their businesses.

Ms. Shene Commodore, CPCM, Fellow is CEO & Founder of Commodore Consulting. Ms. Commodore has over 30 years of buying and selling experience in the government market. She has a unique blend of expertise leading global government business operations development, creating contract management training, grant management curriculum, and managing government contract projects for over 30 years. Ms. Commodore also enjoys teaching leadership development classes. She previously served as a National Board of Director for the National Contract Management Association, where she currently serves on the Board of Advisors. Ms. Commodore was recognized by Minority Enterprise Advocate Magazine as one of the 25 Influential Women In Business for her dedication to helping clients win government contracts. She is also the 2014 recipient of the Security Industry Association’s Government Policy award for her contribution & leadership to help SIA address the public policy challenges impacting the physical security industry. Commodore Consulting provides contract management, strategic planning, proposal writing, GSA services, & training to government agencies and businesses.

Marsha Lindquist is an experienced pricing strategist & contracts professional. In her groundbreaking #1 Amazon Best Selling book, Secrets of Strategic Pricing for Government Contractors Marsha Lindquist delivers the wisdom of strategic pricing for Federal proposals. Marsha has built a tradition of quality consulting for Government contractors for over 30 years. She has wide-ranging experience with Government contracting firms–mostly scientific & high-technology companies. Marsha is adept in persuasive pricing that wins & is masterful in authoring customer-focused winning pricing strategies. Clients describe her as tenacious and a true pro. Ms. Lindquist has achieved the distinguished titles of NCMA Fellow, APMP Fellows & APMP Professional (CPP) as well as Future of Pricing Honoree by ProPricer. Marsha can be often seen hiking with her dog Ziva a young Australian Shepherd with lots of energy.

Eric Crusius is a partner at Holland & Knight who focuses his practice on a wide range of government contract (GovCon) matters, including bid protests, claims and disputes, compliance issues and sub-prime issues. Mr. Crusius has extensive experience in government contract litigation, including successfully prosecuting and intervening in numerous bid protests before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC), U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), boards of contract appeals and other federal agencies. He counsels clients regarding the Service Contract Act (SCA) and other labor issues, domestic preferences, export controls, cybersecurity, subcontracting and teaming agreements, and compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other agency regulatory requirements such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement (DFARS). Mr. Crusius also represents contractors in investigations, suspension and debarment proceedings, and in federal and state courts. He also supports the firm's corporate practice and performs due diligence and compliance reviews for acquisitions and sales of entities and business units in the defense and civilian space. Mr. Crusius also draws on his previous experience representing internet-based companies across the globe and focuses on cybersecurity issues particular to government contractors, including counseling contractors regarding cybersecurity compliance obligations, specialized breach response requirements required by various federal agencies (including the DOD), and certifications such as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). He is an industry thought leader with respect to these issues having appeared on Government Matters, Federal News Network and featured at conferences to provide insight to the greater contractor community.

Ashley Chaves is a Procurement Team Lead and Unlimited Warrant Contracting Officer for the International Space Station (ISS) and Commercial Low Earth Orbit Programs Procurement Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center. She leads a team of acquisition professionals who manage a portfolio of contracts which include the United States Deorbit Vehicle, International partners in support of ISS, Commercial Destination Development in Low Earth Orbit, and Private Astronaut Missions. She led the acquisition strategy for USDV and currently is the administering Contracting Officer for the $1 billion United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). Prior to her current position, Chaves worked in the Exploration Systems Procurement Office supporting the Orion Program where she led the Orion Main Engine procurement, the primary propulsion system for NASA's Orion spacecraft. She also served as Contracting Officer for the Orion Production and Operations Contract and Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Contracts for the development and production of the Orion Spacecraft, which is NASA's spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to the Moon. She holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Mississippi and an MBA from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Hannah serves as a Distinguished Technical Fellow at MetroStar Systems. She is a trailblazer in the defense and intel community renowned for her unique and vibrant approach to government contracting. With over a decade of impactful work spanning federal agencies like the Department of State, Department of Treasury, and Department of Defense, Hunt's diverse experiences set her apart in the industry. Her 2021 Forbes 30 under 30 recognition in the Enterprise IT category underscores her achievements and commitment to continuous learning keeps her at the forefront of emerging trends in technology and leadership. Beyond academic accolades, Hunt's professional journey is a testament to her expertise, from spearheading innovation-driven initiatives as Chief Product and Innovation Officer at the Army Software Factory to serving as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Air Force's Software Factory Kessel Run. At the Army Software Factory, Hannah led the development and delivery of a cohesive suite of products “by soldiers, for soldiers” and evangelized agile acquisitions and DevSecOps in the Army. With an impressive track record, Hunt is dedicated to accelerating MetroStar's position as a leading provider of government digital transformation, emphasizing the growth of AI/ML capabilities within the company.

Ms. Laura Cooper has a key role in driving data and analytics implementation across the defense acquisition (not procurement) community. Her years in the private sector gave her experience leveraging data for organizational strategy, risk management, and strategic communication. She applies those and other skills, working with partners across the Department, to expand data use for senior leader insight and decision making.

Geoffrey Sage is the Director of the Enterprise Service and Analysis Division within the NASA Office of Procurement. As the Director, Mr. Sage is responsible for senior executive leadership and oversight of the Office of Procurement enterprise E-Business systems and initiatives, the Enterprise Pricing Office, and special acquisition initiatives supporting the Chief Acquisition Officer, Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, and Chief Program Management Officer. Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Sage served as the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Supplement (NFS) Manager and Performance Management Lead for the NASA Office of Procurement. In his role as the NFS Manager, Mr. Sage served as the Agency's principal point of contact for agency procurement policy and guidance as promulgated in the NFS and related policy and guidance resources. He oversaw and managed the process for creating, maintaining, and ensuring the quality of the NFS and its related documents in addition to developing, maintaining, and implementing agency-wide procurement guidance, procedures, and regulations. In his role as the Performance Management Lead, Mr. Sage had oversight of the Office of Procurement E-Business systems and tools, which included enterprise-wide E-Business systems, data, and the development and maintenance of metrics and goals. Prior to joining the Headquarters staff, Mr. Sage served at the operational field level at NASA’s Langley Research Center, Kennedy Space Center, and Goddard Space Flight Center, supporting a wide range of major space systems and associated commodities from construction to space communications and satellite development programs and projects. Mr. Sage began his NASA career in 2003 as a member of the NASA Contracting Intern Program (NCIP). Mr. Sage earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his Master of Art degree in International Commerce and Policy from the George Mason University School of Public Policy in Arlington, Virginia. He holds a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) Certification. Mr. Sage has received numerous awards and is a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement and Silver Achievement Medals and the Elmer B. Staats Contracting Professional Excellence Award. Mr. Sage is married and has a son and a daughter.

Justin has worked with hundreds of COs and Program professionals to identify acquisition strategies, improve market research, and buy emerging technologies in more efficient ways. A former 1102, Justin has led teams of acquisition SMEs in consulting and teaching federal and DoD organizations, rewrite acquisition guides and policies, develop technology roadmaps for program offices, and build procurement packages for major systems, AI, and RPA products.

Mr. Obermeyer leads DCMA’s effort to obtain a service provider FIAR audit for its role in managing approximately $115 billion in government contract property. Mr. Obermeyer previously served as the Director of DCMA’s Business Operations Center, from August 2013 through March 2020. The Center’s 415 personnel provided consolidated operational support to the DCMA Contract Management Offices and the military services and agencies for the business functions involving Contractor Purchasing System Reviews, Plant Clearance, Terminations, and Property Administration. Mr. Obermeyer joined the Defense Contract Management Agency on February 27, 2012 as the Director of the Contracts Planning and Performance Assessment Division, DCMA-AQA. Prior to joining DCMA, Mr. Obermeyer served with the TRICARE Management Activity, the Missile Defense Agency, and OUSD(AT&L)/DPAP in various senior contracting and policy positions. Mr. Obermeyer retired from the USAF in 2002 after serving more than twenty years as a Contracting Officer. He holds a Masters of National Security Strategies degree and a Senior Acquisition Course Certificate from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University; a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Dayton; and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He is a Distinguished Graduate of USAF Squadron Officers' School, and is a graduate of both Air Command and Staff College and the Defense Systems Management College's Advanced Program Managers Course. Mr. Obermeyer is a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows Program. Mr. Obermeyer is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager and NCMA Fellow, former NCMA Board of Directors member, and is currently on the Board of Advisors and the Editorial Advisory Board. Mr. Obermeyer received the Missile Defense Agency's 2004 Award for Business Management and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. NCMA presented Mr. Obermeyer with the NCMA National Achievement Award at the 2006 World Congress. NCMA presented Mr. Obermeyer with their second highest award, the Charles A. Dana Distinguished Service Award, at the 2012 World Congress. Mr. Obermeyer is a member of the National Property Management Association.

Roza Sheffield is a skilled government contracts litigator and counselor in Holland & Knight's Tysons office. Ms. Sheffield brings nearly 11 years of experience from her service in the Air Force Judge Advocate Corps (JAG). Her extensive background includes courtroom advocacy and providing strategic legal counsel on complex military and federal matters. With a proven track record of defending high-stakes government contracts and providing strategic legal counsel. As chief of the Field Support Branch and chief of contingency contracting, Ms. Sheffield led a team of attorneys providing legal guidance on a wide array of contract matters, including source selections, claims, terminations and fiscal law. She was also a key advisor on the Sentinel Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent program. In her role as the litigation team lead for the Air Force Acquisitions, Fiscal Law and Litigation Directorate, Ms. Sheffield managed a team defending more than $15 billion in contracts across the Air Force, Space Force and other commands. She successfully handled bid protests at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), defending more than $8 billion in mission-critical contracts. Ms. Sheffield also has extensive litigation experience with large aircraft procurement programs and foreign military sales contracts (FMS).

Jonathan Mostowski is a distinguished expert in government acquisition and contracting. He currently serves as the President of Agile Acquisitions, LLC, a consulting firm he founded in November 2015. Mostowski specializes in delivering expertise for federal acquisitions to government agencies and industry His career includes significant roles such as: Senior Director of Contracts and Business Operations at Rebellion Defense Acquisition Strategist and Bureaucracy Hacker at the United States Digital Service Senior Contracting Officer and Agile SME at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Mostowski has been instrumental in shaping legislation, policies, and acquisition strategies at the U.S. Department of Defense and the United States Digital Service He co-authored "TechFar," the first federally published document on procuring Agile development services, and helped create the Digital Information Technology Acquisition Professional Training Program (DITAP). He is also the author of "Leading Agile Acquisitions" and a recipient of the "2023 Marquis Who's Who in America.

Cynthia Ferreira is a distinguished Federal Strategic Advisor at Scaled Agile, Inc., renowned for her transformative leadership in adapting emerging technologies for mission-driven programs. She has served in leadership positions across public and private organizations, spearheading large-scale initiatives for Government agencies. Her experience includes various strategic and execution capabilities, from executive-level training and coaching to change management across complex technical systems. Notably, she has executed vital EPA architecture and modernization efforts and authored pioneering papers in Containerization, DevSecOps strategy, and API Frameworks. As a seasoned executive speaker, Cynthia's insights inspire excellence in teams, igniting a passion for successful, customer-centric transformations. She has made significant contributions to the field of Agile for Government through the publication of several white papers and workshops. These include the SAFe for Government series, which covers Agile Contracting with SAFe, Agile Roles and Responsibilities in Government, and guides for government leaders and mission owners.

Jess Bailey is the Director of Centralized Contracts at Geisinger overseeing contract operations and various contracting categories including product, equipment, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and purchase services. Throughout her career, Jess has built success through ability to build teams and drive change across multiple industries including healthcare, ed-tech, commercial construction, and real estate. Jess holds a Master of Business Administration from Baker University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas. Her spare time is spent with her husband and dogs or gardening.

Jonathan Burman has spent over 30 years driving purpose, productivity, and growth through leadership alignment and accountability. With extensive experience in Organizational Development, Human Resources, and Talent Management, he has worked with renowned companies like DuPont, Dropbox, Goldman Sachs, and Merck Pharmaceuticals. A firm believer in talent development as the key to business efficiency, Jonathan has created global leadership programs and designed 128 instructor-led and online training modules, including 3D Leadership© and JUICE Neuroscience of Influence©. Co-founder of The Best Workplace and a Performance Consultant at Emory University, he also holds certifications in Lean/Six Sigma, PMP, DiSC, and more. Outside the office, Jonathan actively volunteers with Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters, showing his commitment to empowering others, particularly children.

Cornelius Dowdell, also known as Neil, is a relatable and strategic HR consultant, facilitator, and talent strategist. He co-founded The Best Workplace and is passionate about helping corporations and startups invest in human capital. Neil has over two decades of experience working with Fortune 100 companies like The Home Depot, Porsche, Coca-Cola, Yamaha, and Delta Air Lines through his consulting firm, The Nelius Strategy. His expertise spans corporate learning, leadership development, and creating inclusive environments that foster continuous personal and professional growth. Neil's career began in federal service as a processing supervisor at a major passport facility, where he honed his Lean Six Sigma and project management skills. He later transitioned to higher education and corporate leadership roles, guiding organizations in talent management and leadership development. Cornelius holds a BA in Political Science and an MBA with a focus on Management and Leadership from Louisiana State University, along with several certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Everything DiSC. Building genuine relationships is central to Neil's work and personal life, where he believes emotional connections and shared experiences are key to success. His love of food and soul-driven experiences is a reflection of his commitment to fostering meaningful relationships.

Robyn Lauren Kopple Pfahl has an extensive career spanning over 20 years, specializing in government contracts across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business Management and a Juris Doctorate with certificates in Environmental Law and Native Hawaiian Law. Her unique blend of expertise has made her a sought-after leader in sustainable procurement programs for the past decade. Robyn approaches contract management with enthusiasm and collaboration, crafting creative, synergistic strategies that emphasize accountability and compliance. Currently based on a permaculture farm in Montana, she operates two firms—Pono Resolutions in Hawaii and Granite Law in Montana. Additionally, Robyn serves as the Executive Director of an international nonprofit headquartered in Hawaii, which facilitates connections and resources for sustainable global projects. Her experience in procurement extends to training and workshop development, where she shares her passion for using procurement as a tool to drive sustainable initiatives and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars. In her service to the state of Hawaii, she held various roles as a procurement expert, facilitator, and attorney, including as the state's first Farm to School Coordinator under the Department of Agriculture. In that role, she worked closely with farmers, distributors, schools, hospitals, and the Department of Defense, focusing on food security, economic stability, and cultural relevance through innovative procurement solutions.

Sarah Allen brings over 30 years of corporate and government executive leadership experience. As the founder of Green Door Finance, she addresses financial, contracting, and programmatic challenges to promote sustainable business practices. Sarah offers workshops on responsible program management and speaks on successful and sustainable contracts in the government sector. Her leadership spans the Space and Technology sector, working with federal and state departments like NASA, the Department of Defense, and the University of Hawaii. Sarah previously managed federal space-related programs with the Air Force Research Laboratory and U.S. Space Force, and led procurement for the Hawaii State Executive Branch as Chief Procurement Officer. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Sarah has also served as a Senior Advisor with ASI Government, assisting Pentagon contracts. She holds a Global Executive MBA, a Master’s in Acquisition Management, a Bachelor’s in Accounting, and PMP Certification. Her awards include Team of the Year, Superior Performer, and Hickam’s Very Important Patriot Award. Originally from South Africa, Sarah has worked across Africa, Europe, and the Pacific, but now calls Hawaii home, where the Aloha spirit inspires her life and work.

Julie Knechtel is a Professor of Program Management at the Defense Acquisition University, Midwest Region, located in Kettering, Ohio. Julie is a leader in program management and strategic communication, leveraging her extensive experience within the Department of Defense, including her time as Material Leader for C-130 Sustainment at Robins AFB and Chief of Strategic Communication for Air Force Programs and Resources at the Pentagon. Julie is an engineer, analyst and fluent in strategic communication. Julie's leadership and expertise drive the advancement of program management practices within the defense acquisition community.

Polly Hall is a senior leader in government procurement innovation, currently the Senior Advisor to the Chief Procurement Officer at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Her career highlights include: Leadership roles at DHS, including Executive Director of the Procurement Innovation Lab (PIL) and DHS Acquisition Innovation Advocate Expertise in strategic planning and modernizing procurement processes Recognized with Federal 100 Award (2019) and Top 50 Agile distinction (2020) Board member of Federal Innovation Council and DHS Center for Accelerating Operational Efficiencies Faculty instructor at Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business Polly holds advanced degrees in Political Science and Public Policy and is FAC-C Level Professional certified with a Digital Service credential. Her work has fostered cultural change and promoted innovative acquisition techniques across the Federal acquisition community.

Keith Gibson, CFCM, is an expert in artificial intelligence strategy and acquisition. He began his career at 18, serving 11 years in the United States Air Force as a technology program manager and warranted contracting officer. Following his military service, Keith joined Goldman Sachs and later pursued a master’s degree in technology management at Columbia University, which he left to found his consulting firm, Runyara. As an early member of the Department of Defense's (DoD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), Keith played a pivotal role in the design and execution of Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO) and Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) initiatives, including the groundbreaking Desert Guardian project. Keith later served as the acquisition lead for the DoD’s Generative AI Task Force, Task Force Lima, where his contributions shaped key recommendations to the Deputy Secretary of Defense. His work directly influenced the establishment of the Chief Digital and AI Office’s Generative AI Branch. Recognized for his innovative approach, Keith has been honored with the NCMA Top Professionals under 40 Award and the NCMA Innovation in Contracting Award. He continues to serve both public and private sector clients at the intersection of government and emerging technology.

Jeff spent 27 years of active duty and civil service time in the U.S. Air Force with 21 years in various acquisition program management and leadership roles. He has an MBA from Wright State University, holds the Project Management Professional credential, and has a passion for life long learning. After deferring his retirement with the USAF, he joined ASRC Federal and performs a variety of business development, capture management, and portfolio management activities in support of US Navy, Joint Activity, and Field Agency contracts and future pursuits. Jeff has been married for 29 years, has 4 children, and 1 grandchild. He loves family time, playing golf, and is an avid Washington Commanders fan.

Mr. Steve Lahr is the Director of Program Management, Air Combat Command Acquisition and Management Integration Center (AMIC), Langley Air Force Base, VA. He is responsible for providing ACC with a unique cross-functional activity charged with program management of systems and services operated and maintained through large scale contracts (outsourced) supporting various CINCS and government agencies in multinational environments. Leadership responsibilities include cradle-to-grave program management and operations of weapon systems in support of MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft maintenance, A2 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and ACC/16th AF Cyber Operation’s portfolio, Global Prepositioned Materiel Storage, Combat Air Forces Contracted Air Support (ADAIR), AF Enterprise Contracted Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL), Counter Narcotic & Stabilization Policy, Nellis Backshop, T-38 Aircraft Maintenance Programs, Aerial Targets, North Warning System, and other multi-functional programs. Mr. Lahr grew up in Bruce, Wisconsin and entered the Air Force in October 1981, retiring from active duty in September of 2004, starting his civil service career shortly thereafter. He has over 40 years of government service and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps and is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Advanced Acquisition Certified in Lifecycle Logistics and Program Management.

Lauren Wingate is a sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience working in business development and project/task management. She has spent the last 17 years working for five different government contracting firms between Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA providing cradle-to-grave, womb-to-tomb support. She currently is the Vice President for Strategic Development and Partnerships with TJFACT, a $50M SDVOSB firm which provides professional services to DoD and Civilian customer, both CONUS and OCONUS. Lauren brings a passion and consistent work ethic to everything she does, including serving as the President, as well as on various committee roles to include Communications and Strategic Alliances, for NCMA Atlanta. She has extensive experience forging and maintaining long-term relationships with both government and industry clients and associates. She has been a member of NCMA for 17 years and is honored to continue to volunteer and support an organization that has done so much for the contracting community. Lauren resides in Atlanta, GA where she spends her free time with her two (2) boys, teaching fitness classes, and traveling.

Catrina Lewis is an accomplished leader with a distinguished career in contracting, specializing in systems-level procurement and IT service awards for the Department of Defense (DoD). As a Supervising Contracting Officer at Maxwell Air Force Base (MAFB) Gunter Annex in Alabama, Catrina oversees a team of seven personnel, ensuring the successful execution of critical IT service contracts. She is known for her dedication to fostering collaboration. Catrina holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration from Strayer University and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Auburn University Montgomery. She is NCMA CFCM certified and holds a LEVEL II DAWIA certification. A passionate advocate for professional development, she graduated from the NCMA’s Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP) 2024 Co-Hort. Notably, Catrina was recognized as the winner of the 2024 Air Force Materiel Command Professional Development Award. Beyond her professional role, Catrina serves as President of the NCMA River Region Chapter and President of the Auburn University Montgomery Alumni Board of Directors. Catrina exemplifies dedication, leadership, and service in both her career and community involvement.

Britney Jenkins, CFCM, is a distinguished contract management professional with over a decade of experience in the Department of Defense (DoD) unlimited contracting office. She specializes in contract management, policy formulation, and procurement execution, showcasing unparalleled expertise in her field. Her extensive knowledge is complemented by a Master's degree in Program Management from South University, reflecting her blend of academic excellence and practical application. Since joining NCMA in August 2022, Britney has demonstrated exceptional leadership by chartering the NCMA River Region chapter in July 2023, where she serves as President. Under her guidance, the chapter has evolved into a multifunctional training hub, focusing on small business development, professional growth, and creating a strong internship-to-employment pipeline. Britney's visionary leadership aims to elevate the contracting community, demonstrating her dedication to advancing the profession. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Britney is a proud mother and wife, committed to fostering positive relationships and connections. She holds several key certifications, including Certified Federal Contract Manager (NCMA), and holds both Level I and Level III Certified Acquisition Professional credentials in Program Management and Contracting, respectively.

Ally is a Procurement Manager with 13 years of experience at Sandia, where she has built a rewarding career in procurement. She began as a Subcontract Manager, developing a strong foundation in procurement and customer service. Ally then advanced to Pod Lead, where she honed her leadership skills by building a new team, repairing customer relationships, and implementing strategic agreements and training programs. When promoted to a Team Lead for Streamlined Acquisitions, Ally managed and mentored employees, improved team culture, and implemented efficiencies to reduce workload. Currently, she serves as a Procurement Manager, continuing to develop and bring out the best in others. She believes in building relationships based on trust and empathy, actively listening, and finding creative solutions. Born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, Ally now calls Austin, TX her home. Family is Ally's cornerstone, and she is inspired daily by her husband and their 3-year-old son. In her free time, Ally enjoys creative expression through art, prioritizes wellness and fitness, and loves exploring new places with her family.

Shaïna Saint-Lôt is an acting team lead with six years of procurement experience buying IT products and services for Sandia National Laboratories. She leads a team of 15+ buyers in high-volume procurements covering a wide variety of items. Her recent experience includes mentoring buyers, revising procurement policies and tools, and leading complex, high-visibility projects with lab-wide impacts. Shaïna is motivated by the challenge of thinking creatively to meet customer needs in compliance-driven situations. Her goal is to leverage her expertise to collaborate with customers and peers, driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and fostering knowledge share. Building unlikely relationships and developing others sustains her through inevitable challenges. If she is challenged to learn and grow while having fun and making friends, she’s happy. Living in New Mexico with roots in Haiti, Shaïna continuously draws on her values of community, diversity, honesty, and enjoyment as she navigates work and life. Passionate about uplifting communities, she dedicates time to giving back through volunteering, serving on boards, and leading community initiatives. Family is central to her life, and she cherishes moments spent with loved ones. In her free time, she enjoys playing sports, savoring delicious cuisine, traveling, and watching international TV shows and films.

Tim and his ASI team are at the forefront of innovative solutions to federal acquisition challenges. ASI Government is known for its many engagements with federal acquisition innovation by improving procurement organization effectiveness with innovations inPerformance-based Contracting, Category Management and more recently leading procurement automation using artificial intelligence and machine learning. Tim’s volunteer service is focused on better government organizations like ACT-IAC, professional associations like National Contract Management Association, and pertinent industry associations like the Professional Services Council. As a valued leader of these organizations, he brings the power of many volunteers to improving government through public-private partnerships. Through his volunteer work for ACT-IAC, he led the development of the Periodic Table of Acquisition Innovations now hosted at GSA’s Federal Acquisition Institute. He was recognized with a Fed 100 award for that work. Tim is seeking help harness the power of procurement to decarbonize the federal supply base as a founding member of the NCMA Climate and Sustainable Procurement Community of Practice to help implement the recent Climate Executive Orders 2021. He recently published Procurement Officials Are Leading Federal AI Adoption for the University of Pennsylvania’s “The Regulatory Review.”

Samantha (Sam) Netzband, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, CCMA is a Contracts Manager at BAE Systems working in ES Contract Operations. She is passionate about learning and development and enjoys helping contracts professionals do their day-to-day work. Previously she served as a Principal Contracts Administrator in the I&S Sector. She also served a three-year term on the BAE Systems Inc. L&D Committee. Sam is an alumna of NCMA CMLDP and is currently Vice President of the NCMA Leatherstocking Chapter. Sam holds a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, an M.A. Political Science from the Syracuse University Maxwell School, a B.A. Political Science from the Syracuse University College of Arts & Science, and a Certificate in Contracts Management from the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education. Sam most recently was recognized with NCMA’s Advancing Professional Award at World Congress in Seattle. Sam is the President of the VVS Community Rotary Club. She is the founder and owner of two businesses, Wanderlust Writing and Knitting by Netzband. Her greatest passion is writing. She has written four books, which she is working on publishing soon. She is also the proud fur mom of one dog, Elliot, and five cats, Oscar, Bethany, Bob, Cleo, and Paulette.

Jennifer (Jen) Hicks works for C6ISR contracts in the Rotary and Mission Systems business area of Lockheed Martin. She primarily supports international submarine programs. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Jen worked as an Associate Attorney and at the New York State Science and Technology Law Center as a Special Projects Consultant helping aspiring entrepreneurs bring their new technologies to the market. Jen received her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 2018, her Master of Science in Organizational Management with a Specialization in Human Resource Management from Misericordia University in 2013, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ithaca College in 2012. Jen is currently pursuing a Master of Public Management (MPM) and graduate certificate in Public Sector Finance and Federal Acquisitions from the University of Maryland. Jen currently serves as the NCMA Leatherstocking Chapter President and graduated from the NCMA CMLDP class of 2023. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking, biking, live music, and taking her dogs to the park.

My name is T.R. Richardson, and I am an impactful Speaker, Trainer, and Facilitator. I have traveled the nation empowering learners and attendees with the skills and tools they need to achieve their personal, professional, organizational goals and objectives. I studied Psychology, Business, and Leadership Development at Florida International University. To date, I have personally trained over 400,000+ youth and adults across the nation through a blend of in-person and virtual instructor-led trainings and facilitations. I possess a history of leadership in local government and municipalities as well, having facilitated meetings and trainings for the New York City Department of Health, the University of North Florida, Florida SBDC, USDA and the Miami-Dade County School District (just to name a few). I have a strong background identifying training needs, providing interventions, and measuring training effectiveness. I possess excellent communication and relationship building skills with the ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. I am an innovative and goal-oriented change agent known for achieving organizational growth through implementation of training and facilitation programs, creating world-class learning environments, and making the mission and the material make sense no matter your learning style or learning speed!

Mr. Ken Carkhuff reported as the DAU Small Business Learning Director in August 2019. He is responsible for leading the life cycle activities of assigned Small Business Professional (SBP) learning assets. He also serves as a professor for all four instructor-led SBP courses. He was the first DoD acquisition professional to earn the new DoD Small Business Professional Credential in May 2021. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership) program at Liberty University. Mr. Carkhuff served as an Acquisition Program Manager in the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs (SAF/SB) from April 2019 to August 2019. He was responsible for policy updates and implementation, coordinating and conducting a subcontracting compliance assessment of selected Air Force contracting squadrons, and outreach to Industry. Mr. Carkhuff served as Deputy Associate Director of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and the Small Business Professional for NAVAIR Headquarters from October 2012 to March 2019. In this capacity, he worked with all the aviation program offices to maximize small business opportunities. He also served as the NAVAIR Mentor-Protégé Program, Program Manager. Additionally, he served as the acting Associate Director of the NAVAIR OSBP from August to October of 2015. He also served as the Small Business Deputy for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River from February 2008 to September 2012. Mr. Carkhuff completed a NAVAIR Leadership Development Program (NLDP) rotation in PMA-299 (H-60 Program Office) as part of Team SEAHAWK. He served as the Air Vehicle System and Production Integrated Program Team Co-Lead and as the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Strategic Planner where he was responsible for the production and delivery of domestic and FMS MH-60R helicopters. Prior to joining NAVAIR, he served as a Division Manager/NAVAIR Programs Manager for a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. In this capacity, he managed several programs with a combined total contract value exceeding $25M that supported four Acquisition Category 1 programs. Mr. Carkhuff is a retired naval officer and former SH-60B helicopter pilot with over 2500 flight hours. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (BS, Physical Science), the Naval War College (MA, National Security and Strategic Studies), the Naval Postgraduate School (MS, Contract Management) and Liberty University (EdS, Educational Leadership). He is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps. He is a certified DoD Contracting Professional and Program Manager (Advanced). He is a 2018 graduate of the U.S. Navy Insights into Industry Management Course at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. He is a 2017 graduate of NLDP, NAVAIR’s flagship leadership program. He was a member of the NAVAIR OSBP Team that received the Department of the Navy’s inaugural Small Business Team Award. He served as Chairperson of the DoD Mid-Atlantic Regional Council from July 2018 – December 2019. He is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an academic honor society for top business school students.

Indy Vega, a Colombian immigrant, president, and CEO of CCI Group, is a leader in linguistic services and cultural solutions. Her company specializes in localization programs and global outreach, managing a diverse team of full-time employees and hundreds of contractors around the world. CCI Group brings unparalleled capabilities to empower communities, enhance sustainability, and strengthen the impact of their client's initiatives. As a self-made entrepreneur, Indy built her company from the ground up, leveraging support from programs like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and SBA T.H.R.I.V.E. program, and others. Demonstrating her ongoing dedication to professional development, Indy is now set to embark on the NCMA Executive Leaders Program, further enhancing her expertise in contract management and leadership. Indy's industry leadership is evident through her role as chair of industry summits and as a panelist for small business associations. USAID Administrator Samantha Power recognized her contributions at the 15th Annual Small Business Conference. Named the 2022 North Florida District and State of Florida Minority Business Owner of the Year by the SBA, Indy is also part of the team establishing the NCMA Chapter in Puerto Rico. Her ongoing involvement in these initiatives demonstrates her dedication to professional development and industry growth.

Nick Traboulay is a longtime NCMA member and CMLDP mentor and has been involved with sourcing & procurement business activities for over 15 years. His professional experience spans across contract management, sourcing, category management, supplier relationship management, strategic supplier partnerships, and negotiations. For the past 3 years Nick has focused on digital transformation initiatives for complex procurement and supply chain organizations in the aerospace & defense industry. He recently joined Ivalua, an industry leading source-to-pay technology platform to help more organizations develop better collaborative solutions across suppliers, procurement, finance, accounting, legal, and compliance.

Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina is the Chief Disruptor at REXOTA Solutions, LLC, a company in the DC-Metro area focusing on strategy, planning, pursuit, capture, management, and administration of Federal Contract/Agreement Awards. Dolores has over 10 years’ experience in federal, state, and international public procurement, specifically directing and managing strategic pursuits in collaboration with business development, proposal development, change management initiatives for Federal procurement acquisitions and served as a strategic partner in providing risk management support for Federal compliance contracts.

Karen DaPonte Thornton is a research fellow with the Acquisition Innovation Research Center, where she is part of the leadership team implementing the Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot, and a director on the Procurement Round Table, where she serves on the Acquisition Workforce committee. She previously served as Counsel on the staff of the Committee on Armed Services for the U.S. House of Representatives, where she was responsible for legislation and oversight related to acquisition policy and successfully negotiated hundreds of provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Before returning to public service, Ms. Thornton was director of the Government Procurement Law Program at GW Law, where she launched the Master of Studies in Law in Government Procurement degree for non-attorneys and the Government Procurement Law Concentration for JD students. Prior to her appointment as director, Ms. Thornton was a member of the GW Law Legal Research & Writing (now Fundamentals of Lawyering) faculty and taught first-year and upper-level courses. She began her legal career as an Army JAG officer and procurement attorney in the Office of the Chief Counsel at Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and has served in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Andrea Dame is Senior Program Manager of Defense Civilian Training Corps, within the Acquisition Innovation Research Center. She has a background in higher education, tech startup, and non-profit work. Her prior experience spans from leadership to curriculum development, with a specialization in learning experiences. She holds a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Leadership and is an ICF-certified coach with a specialization in positive psychology.

Chendra Conklin currently serves as an Acquisition Portfolio Manager/Senior Contracting Officer (CO) at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), as a senior staff advisor in the Office of Acquisitions and a consultant to the FRA program offices and acquisition community. Recently she spent time on the program side as a Senior IT Services COR in OCIO at the Department of Labor, as well as a Contract Program Manager at the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). Previously Chendra was a CO for 7½ years, including as part of the team that stood up the new contract shop at FirstNet. She is a strong proponent of acquisition innovation, and may work on that PMP certification this year.

Alexander Mavroukakis serves as a Supervisory Contracting Officer and Division Director at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In this role, he oversees a portfolio exceeding $3 billion in contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, managing procurement operations and strategic planning across twelve domestic and global client offices. He is responsible for ensuring efficient acquisition processes and maintaining exemplary client satisfaction within USAID’s mission-critical programs. Prior to his current position, Alexander held senior roles at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, where he led major contracting and industry engagement initiatives. He holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s in International Business from the University of Maryland.

Madison Harrell has over ten years of legal experience, starting as a paralegal specializing in state regulatory compliance and now serving in the federal contract management field. She currently works as a Contracts Manager supporting the Homeland and National Security division at IntelliBridge, LLC. Her certifications include Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), NALA Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP), NALA Certified Paralegal (CP), and Florida Certified Paralegal (FCP). She is a graduate of the 2023-2024 Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP) cohort with NCMA and was Distinguished Graduate. Madison currently serves as the Vice President of the Jacksonville Chapter of NCMA.

Dale Partridge is an Executive Program Manager in the ManTech Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Division. Mr. Partridge is a certified Program Management professional with over 30 years acquisition experience. His experience spans PM leadership both as a federal employee and in the private sector. As a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III PM-IT, Dale led key Acquisition Category (ACAT) IA Major Automated Information System supporting programs ensuring National Security. In DHS as a federal civilian with a FAC-P/PM III Dale supported several key programs and managed the DHS classified Local Area Network (C-LAN) and the unclassified Local Area Network (A-LAN) bringing innovative approaches to support acquisition using the elasticity of the cloud and ensuring cyber security for the applications and data. Other key certifications to support IT activities include FinOps Practitioner, Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP), and certified scrum master (CSM). He participated as a key contributor and team member supporting the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) update to the federal Program Manager description and activities to be used by PMs across the federal government. In industry he continued leading and overseeing large ACAT programs in DoD & DHS.

Audrey Montgomery (CPCM) is a Procurement Team Lead In the International Space Station (ISS) Procurement Office at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. She currently leads a team of acquisition professionals in support of ISS research and integration, and was the Contracting Officer in charge of the ~$1B United States Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) Source Evaluation Board. Ms. Montgomery previously spent a significant time in procurement policy at Johnson Space Center as a source evaluation board and policy advisor for some of the Agency's most complex procurements. She has has also served as the Contracting Officer for other complex procurements, including the Research Engineering and Manufacturing Integration Services (REMIS) 2 and Lunar Terrain Vehicle. She holds a BA in Mathematics and an MBA from Texas Tech University.