World Congress 2025 Agenda

Clay Ahrens serves as the Contracting Functional Career Manger at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). He is responsible for creating and executing strategies to identify and hire exceptionally well qualified candidates to meet the Agency’s mission. These talented professionals acquire the services and hardware needed to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile attacks of all ranges and in all phases of flight. Immediately prior to his current role, Clay served as Consolidated Support Contracts Director at MDA. In that capacity he led a 27-member division that administered and awarded service contracts valued at more than $3 billion. Previous assignments at MDA include Contracts Director for Test, Deputy Contracts Director for Targets, and Deputy Contracts Director for Sensors. Clay earned a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a master's degree in management from Florida Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Jessica, live in Huntsville, Alabama. They have two daughters, Megan, age 23, and Ashley, age 21.

Jack has over four decades of Government contracting and supply chain experience leading diverse teams of contracting, procurement, and pricing staff in both the public and private sectors. Jack formerly served as the Director of the County Purchasing and Contacting for the County of San Diego which is the 2nd most populous county in California, and 5th in the United States. County’s annual procurement spend exceeds $2.0 Billion, with over 90% of the dollars being competitively awarded. Prior to joining the County, Jack previously held executive contracting and procurement positions in the private sector supporting government customers. Jack is a Past President of the California Association of Public Procurement Officials (CAPPO), an active member of The Institute for Public Procurement (NIGP), a National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) Fellow. He was a founding member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Public Promise Procurement Advisory Board, which was formed to strengthen public entities purchasing power, providing best-in-class cooperative contracts for goods and services for public agencies. He serves on the NCMA and World Commerce & Contracting, Standards Consensus Body (SCB), formed to create a globally accessible standard by adopting the Contract Management Standard® (CMS™), to elevate the contract management profession worldwide.

Mr. Raju Karki brings unparalleled insight into optimizing complex people and projection operations with automation. His extensive experience helps organizations navigate the growing U.S. government contracting market, streamlining operations to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. Mr. Karki has demonstrated a keen ability to leverage advanced ERP solutions, including AI tools, to tackle the challenges of time management, project oversight, and resource allocation.

For his entire career Jonathan Burman has been focused on creating purpose, productivity and growth through leadership alignment and accountability. With more than 30 years of experience in Organizational Development, Leadership, Human Resources, and Talent Management, he has worked with such firms as DuPont, Dropbox, Goldman Sacks, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CIGNA, MASCO Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, and Koch Industries. He is a firm believer that talent development is key to creating efficient and effective businesses. When he’s not empowering in the office, Jonathan is helping others, specifically children, embrace education. He is an active volunteer for Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. Every person he meets is important and he wants them to know that through his actions. Whether it is a kind word, careful listening, or providing direct support, Burman lends a hand to others in our community. In addition to co-founding The Best Workplace, he is a Performance Consultant and Instructor for Emory University’s Continuing Education Department. Jonathan has tremendous depth in leadership development, from the scoping and instructional design of programs all the way down to facilitation and coaching. He has received multiple certifications and has created countless tools for other professionals to use in their training and work. Some of his top distinctions include: ∙ Creating a global leadership development program called Leadership Connections to train 265 international leaders ∙ Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt ∙ Project Management Professional (PMP) ∙ ProSci Change Management Consultant ∙ Certified Master Coach ∙ Certifications in DiSC, Hogan, Predictive Index, MBTI, Korn Ferry/Lominger (Interview Architect, VOICES, Benchmarks) and Behavioral Event Interviewing ∙ Former Adjunct Professor at Rosemont College ∙ Creating 128 instructor-led and online training and development programs (3D Leadership©, CrowdThink©, TRIP Performance Coaching©, and JUICE Neuroscience of Influence©)

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.

Ms. Dorothy Dearborn is an experienced Government Contracting Officer who has worked on complex and mission essential contracts for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Army Contracting Command (ACC) - Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), ACC 409th Theater Contracting Command (TCC) in Germany, and Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency (DCSA). Ms. Dearborn is currently a Senior Acquisition Management Support for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) working in the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Ms. Erica J. Taylor is a Senior Procurement Analyst working for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Senior Contracting Official, Great Lakes and Ohio River Division. Before this position, Ms. Taylor was the primary HQDA Inspector General responsible for inspections of Army Special Access Programs (SAP). Since March 2020, Ms. Taylor was responsible for ensuring SAP contracting activities were compliant with applicable contracting laws, including FAR, DFARS, Army FAR Supplement, and Secure Environment Contracting (SEC) regulations. She also investigated allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse on classified contracts/programs; and assisted the Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID) as a subject matter expert on criminal investigations for classified contracts. Previously, Ms. Taylor was the Deputy Chief of Contracting for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Transatlantic Afghanistan District in Bagram, Afghanistan managing the district’s $600M BPA and Design Build Construction programs. She has worked for the US Army in Germany, Japan, and Afghanistan, overseeing military contracts worldwide.

Laurinda Hardy is a Contract Administration Specialist at The Boeing Company in BDS Contract Operations Services currently focusing on Contract Closeout. She has 13 years total experience in contracts and additional years in other finance areas. She has collaborated on creating and presenting internal trainings on the topics of closeout and canceling funds lifecycle management. Laurinda has been a member of NCMA since 2015 and is active with the St. Louis Gateway chapter. She is a chapter past president and has held many other chapter volunteer positions over the years. Laurinda has earned the CCCM, CFCM and CPCM certifications, co-authored a CM article in 2024 and was a recipient of the NCMA Outstanding Chapter Volunteer Award in 2020. She is honored to continue to volunteer and support NCMA, an organization that continues to grow and enhance the professional contracting community. Laurinda resides in the metropolitan St. Louis area in Illinois, where she spends her free time reading, bicycling and trying new foods.

Mr. Christopher Goolsbee has over fifteen years of contracts experience. His first seven years were with the federal government, and he has been within industry ever since. In 2010, he joined the Air National Guard and spent four years performing base-level contracting support for C-130s and special operations units (Pararescue). From 2014-2017, he supported NOAA’s NESDIS satellite program where he awarded and administered satellite systems contracts as a contract specialist and a contracting officer. In 2017, Mr. Christopher Goolsbee moved from government to industry where he became a contract manager for Aerojet Rocketdyne supporting space and weapon systems development contracts. Since 2019, he has been a Senior Contracts Manager within the Verint Americas Inc. Legal Department writing and negotiating software licensing contracts and agreements. Mr. Goolsbee holds a Certified Federal Contract Manager Certification from the National Contract Management Association, DAWIA & FAC-C Level II Certifications in Contracting, a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, and a Masters degree in Business Economics.

Truman Boyd serves as a Contract Specialist at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Throughout his time at the MDA, Truman has supported contracting operations in Innovation, Science, and Technology, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). Truman currently supports the Agency by providing contracting support for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases. Truman is recognized as a leader, hard-worker, and problem-solver. He recently played a vital role as the lead contract specialist awarding a time-sensitive contract sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD), Accelerate the Procurement of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program. Truman earned a bachelor's degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Athens State University. Truman and his wife, Alivia, live in Huntsville, Alabama.

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.

As a Partner, Government Contracting at Aprio, Jacelyn Ferriell is dedicated to supporting federal contractors. She leads the GSA consulting practice and oversees the firms comprehensive federal joint venture solution. Her unique approach involves building trusted partnerships with each client, proactively identifying ways to mitigate risks associated with federal contracting, and helping clients increase their revenue through their federal business. Jacelyn is exclusively focused on government contracting and possesses an in-depth understanding and hand-on expertise. Jacelyn brings 12 years of experience in federal contracting with a primary focus on GSA schedule consulting. She excels in proposal preparation, contract administration, and developing federal business strategies. Jacelyn also supports federal joint venture companies, guiding them through the complexities of compliance and helping them thrive in the federal marketplace. Jacelyn's extensive experience and strategic approach to client service ensure that each client receives personalized and effective solutions. Her commitment to understanding their unique needs and goals fosters a collaborative environment where clients feel supported and empowered to achieve their objectives.

Stephen J. Yuter is currently a Director at Slalom, a global consulting firm focused on strategy, technology, and transformation solutions. As part of the Public Sector/US Federal Leadership Team, Mr. Yuter oversees all aspects of contracts, risk management, strategy, and compliance. In his previous roles as Vice President with BrainGu, Principal with Booz Allen Hamilton, Senior Vice President with FleishmanHillard, and Chief Contracts Strategist with Deloitte, he provided invaluable insights into shaping and strengthening go-to market strategies to support exponential growth across their respective Public Sector practices. As a former member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Mr. Yuter provided executive leadership for operations, policy, and workforce development across several civilian and defense agencies, and served as source selection authority for over $10B of contracts. An active member of the government contracting community, Mr. Yuter is a current member of both the National Contract Management Association (NCMA)'s Board of Advisors and the Certification Oversight Body (COB), and a former member and committee chair of the Board of Directors. He is an NCMA Outstanding Fellow and Past President of the Potomac Chapter. Mr. Yuter continues to share his diverse aperture of experience as a Career Mentor in the NCMA CMLDP.

Wyeth is a Senior Acquisition Expert for Unison. Wyeth is a retired US Army Colonel and spent the last 19 years of his Army career in the Army Acquisition Corps. Known for his adept leadership across 27 years, Wyeth has extensive expertise in acquisition, contracting, and logistics. His international reach spans Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. As Commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency-Dallas, he managed a $140 billion defense industrial base contract portfolio. His innovations, such as the simplification of supply contracts while commanding the 925th Contracting Battalion, led to significant process improvements. With robust digital skills, Wyeth is comfortable with business applications, robotic process automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence tools. His military career is complemented by academic degrees including a MA in Procurement and Acquisition Management, a MA in Strategic Studies from Army War College, and a MBA from Westminster University.

Jason Zirkle is the Training Director for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). With 16 years of experience as an intelligence analyst, he has a strong background in investigating financial crimes. After serving in the United States Army, Jason joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst. At DPS, he became a subject-matter expert on financial crime investigations with the Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit, working on cases involving complex fraud, money laundering, public corruption, embezzlement, identity theft, and other white-collar crimes. His work supported numerous investigations that led to criminal convictions and the seizure of significant illicit funds. Since joining the ACFE in 2019, Jason has played a key role in teaching and updating the organization's training courses. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Texas State University and has served on the board of directors for the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS). He is also an active member of the ACFE, ACAMS, and the Central Texas Fraud Investigators Network.

Jill Ryan is an acquisition professional with over 25 years of federal acquisition experience. In September 2019, she joined the Unison Team as a Senior Acquisition Expert for the Virtual Acquisition Office (VAO). She works collaboratively with the creative team in the VAO to write new content in the form of Advisories, Quick Tips, At-a-Glance, That’s a Wrap, and the Softer Side of Acquisition publications, covering a wide variety of acquisition-related topics and developments. She provides support to other SAE’s in the form of peer reviews, performing fact-checking and providing creative input to in-process publications, inquiry responses, and VAO file document checklists. She develops training courses on new topics and reviews existing course materials to provide updates and enhancements. She helps facilitate new offerings, such as agency-specific training, and contributes acquisition content for new applications and bots. She develops content for and delivers webinar events and helps support the delivery of VAO content through creative participation in and feedback of the VAO platform. She is proud to be a 2020 recipient of Unison’s Foundational Behaviors Award.

Ryan is a Partnerships Manager at Pavilion. He works closely with public entities across the country to understand their needs & help them achieve key strategic goals through partnership with Pavilion. He first entered the procurement space in 2013 when he joined FedBid & sourced RFPs for federal agencies. Working closely with federal agencies & suppliers inspired his love for the domain. After receiving his Master's degree in Education, he returned to the procurement space with Pavilion in 2022. As a Partnerships Manager at Pavilion, he loves understanding the ins & outs of the procurement process and the way that teams leverage cooperative contracts. He's built relationships with the City of Houston, the National Association for Educational Procurement, Maricopa County, Harris County, the City of Austin, and dozens of other entities! In his free time, he enjoys hiking, watching sports, and spending time with his wife & their son.

With over 25 years in psychology, Miki Bakhtar, LPC, LMFT has transitioned from renowned clinical practice to spearheading organizational change. At Conciergia, LLC, he combines evidence‐based therapeutic techniques with strategic insights to enhance leadership, streamline communication, and transform workplace cultures. Miki is particularly adept at integrating artificial intelligence into culture change initiatives, guiding companies through the digital transformation that redefines how teams collaborate and innovate. His approach—focusing on clear communication, collaborative problem solving, and adaptive leadership—has made him a trusted partner for organizations eager to reduce friction and unlock their full potential. Miki’s passion for merging human behavior expertise with AI-driven insights makes him an exceptional force in driving sustainable, future-ready change.

Gigi Bakhtar is an AI Modernization Lead, author, and quality management powerhouse with 25+ years at the intersection of federal acquisitions, emerging tech, and strategic communication. Known for her bold vision and practical innovation, Gigi helped lead GSA’s groundbreaking Gemini for Workspace pilot, where she reimagined post-award quality management and acquisition automation using AI. A champion of ethical AI and Human-in-the-Loop design, Gigi builds tools and workflows that simplify the complex and empower acquisition professionals—not replace them. Her work has helped federal teams boost efficiency, enhance compliance, and get future-ready. She’s also the author of two engaging books: AI in Federal Acquisitions: Mastering the 9-Stage Lifecycle with Gemini Advanced™ and AI & The Future of Government: How Automation, Ethics, and ChatGPT Gov Are Transforming Public Service. At NCMA World Congress, Gigi’s sessions promise practical takeaways, live demos, and real-world stories—presented with clarity, energy, and a dash of humor. Whether you're new to AI or looking to scale smarter, her sessions are designed to be approachable, interactive, and (yes) actually fun.

Jackie Pelland is a founding partner of the leadership development company, Slingshot25, where she designs and delivers leadership learning programs and provides leadership coaching. Prior to Slingshot25, Jackie spent 25 years developing leaders in Fortune 500 companies. During that time, she studied the impact that leaders have on what it feels like to work for an organization. She believes every employee deserves a great place to work. There is no question that leaders have an outsized impact on the employee experience – they make or break it every day. But she also understands that leading others is difficult work that can go wrong even with the best of intentions. It’s this understanding that drives Jackie’s insightful, fun, and welcoming approach to leadership development, where she focuses on the essential and often-forgotten truth of leading people. Jackie holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a graduate of the altMBA program and is a certified coach.

Jason Zirkle is the Training Director for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). With 16 years of experience as an intelligence analyst, he has a strong background in investigating financial crimes. After serving in the United States Army, Jason joined the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst. At DPS, he became a subject-matter expert on financial crime investigations with the Texas Rangers Public Integrity Unit, working on cases involving complex fraud, money laundering, public corruption, embezzlement, identity theft, and other white-collar crimes. His work supported numerous investigations that led to criminal convictions and the seizure of significant illicit funds. Since joining the ACFE in 2019, Jason has played a key role in teaching and updating the organization's training courses. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Texas State University and has served on the board of directors for the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS). He is also an active member of the ACFE, ACAMS, and the Central Texas Fraud Investigators Network.

Jeffery White is Founder and CEO of J.A. White & Associates Inc. A leading industry firm in Federal Contracting and Compliance consulting offering a tailored line of advisory services to clients.  With over 38 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, White's expertise has led his firm to have an unprecedented 100% approval rate of Contractor Purchasing System Reviews (CPSR) and other Business System assessments.  The design of document automation, CPSR ProDocs, was spearheaded by visionary, Jeffery White. Used by small and large government contractors, the software streamlines the Procurement workflow process by leveraging a company’s existing enterprise platform and automates compliance-related Procurement file documentation. A company's benefits will include cost savings, 100% accuracy, increased CPSR success, error reduction, more proposal wins, and lead time reduction. White’s clients currently include government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Prior to J.A. White & Associates, Inc., White was an adjunct professor at Pennsylvania State and an instructor with George Washington University where he taught Price Analysis, Subcontract Management, and Project Management. White has published numerous articles in Pricing Magazine, Contract Management, Electronic Buyer’s News, NAPM Insight, Purchasing Today, and NAPM InfoEdge. White's work with NAPM, earned him the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Education Award of Excellence for Technology-Based Education Programs. White is a noted U.S. and International speaker for the Institute for Supply Management (formerly NAPM), the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and other Procurement organizations.  When not at work, he is spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is an avid car enthusiast, that enjoys traveling, movies, and cooking. 

Lori-Ann Rissler is the founder of a specialized consultancy firm dedicated to assisting small businesses in the field of federal contracting. In her role as a fractional Contracts Director, she offers her expertise in managing federal bids and pursuits, ensuring contract compliance, and devising strategic approaches to government contracting. This independent role draws on her extensive knowledge and experience in the contracting sector. Previously, Lori-Ann was a Principal at a venture capital firm, where she worked with portfolio companies to develop and execute effective government contracting strategies that transition successful prototypes into production at scale. Her foundational career experience includes over 11 years as a government Contracting Officer for the Air Force’s major weapons systems, during which she spearheaded innovative acquisition efforts. She holds a BS in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MS in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University.

Dr. Dolores Kuchina-Musina is the CEO/Founder 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.

Ms. Bonnie Evangelista is the Principal Deputy for the Acquisition & Assurance Directorate within the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) and one of the original founders of the Tradewinds initiative for the 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 (DoD). 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. Evangelista is an experienced acquisition and procurement professional with expertise gained while supporting Federal civilian and DoD agencies for 16 years. She is fluent in Federal Government program management, acquisition life cycle, and cradle-to-grave contracting, and she is also known as master strategist for rapid acquisition, prototyping, and other transaction authority projects. Evangelista has dedicated most of her career to simplifying complex acquisition, contracting processes, and transforming conventional procurement models and mind sets.

Daniel J. Finkenstadt, PhD, the sole proprietor of Wolf Stake Consulting LLC, has over 20 years of hands-on experience in defense, public procurement execution, research, and strategic management. He is one of the leading experts in functional uses of Generative AI for public procurement and executive strategy. Dr. Finkenstadt's expertise in public procurement is extensive; including market intelligence, acquisition innovation design, service performance management, and supply chain management research. He has published in multiple peer-reviewed outlets as well as leading managerial publications such as the Harvard Business Review and California Management Review - Insights. He has delivered courses and presentations to multiple military organizations and professional development organizations. He was also an assistant professor in defense management at the Naval Postgraduate School from 2020-2023 where he led the development and management of the Simulation and Ideation Lab for Applied Science (SILAS) that recently won the National Contract Management Association's Innovation in Contracting Award for 2023.

An international, cross-industry career that has moved from corporate management to extensive research, advisory and capability development services to public, private and third sector organisations. Tim has lived and worked in the UK, France (3 years) and United States (20 years), building an impressive research and entrepreneurial record, with demonstrated commitment to delivering social benefit. As Founder and President, World Commerce & Contracting (formerly International Association for Contract & Commercial Management), Tim has built a 72,000 member worldwide non-profit association which increasingly influences commercial policies and contracting practices in major corporations and governments. In September 2019, he was presented with the Financial Times ‘Market Shaper of the Year’ Award. Tim is also Professor and Chair, International Commercial & Contract Management, University of Leeds, School of Law, where he leads development of inter-disciplinary commercial programs. Prior to founding World Commerce & Contracting, Tim was on the Chairman’s staff at IBM Corporation and led the development of worldwide commercial processes and skills. His early career included management roles in banking, automotive and aerospace industries, where he led negotiations up to $1.5 billion in value. He has served in advisory roles for government departments in various countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Mr. Pete Guinto is the Senior Technical Advisor for Contract Pricing, within Price, Cost and Finance (PCF) at Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD (A&S)). He is responsible for contract pricing matters throughout Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise, in support of the Department’s 30,000 contracting professionals who spend over $300 Billion annually to bring world-class capability to the warfighter. Mr. Guinto formulates and oversees complex, DoD-wide pricing, profit, and contract financing policies and strategies supporting major defense acquisitions for the Department. As DoD’s senior advisor for acquisition and procurement negotiation strategies on major defense acquisition programs, he provides business advice and negotiation expertise, partners with the Components to pilot Defense-wide improvements and leverage best practices in pricing and contracting, and fosters opportunities for the DoD workforce to continuously grow its pricing skills. Prior to assuming his current position as a Highly Qualified Expert in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he served in a senior executive leadership position in private industry providing commercial clients with advice around regulatory and statutory compliance with ever changing supply chain regulations. Earlier, he held various positions within the U.S. Air Force, serving as a Contracting Officer, Price Analyst, and Program Manager with DoD assignments at WrightPatterson (twice), the Pentagon, and Randolph Air Force Base. He served as a negotiator or clearance official of ~$14B in Government Contracts spanning systems such as the F-15, F-22, F16, MQ-9, RQ-4, C-17, C-130, KC-46 and several classified systems, smaller systems and subsystems. Mr. Guinto also served as the Chief of Market Intelligence for the COVID Acquisition task forces for the Air Force, DoD (Joint Acquisition Taskforce) and part of the national supply chain task force led by FEMA. Mr. Guinto is a Government Acquisition Leader with professional experience in Law, Respiratory Therapy and Firefighting. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Akron in Ohio.

Kori M. McNabb serves as a Senior Procurement Analyst in the DAF Contracting Policy Division for the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting), Assistant Secretary (Acquisition). In this role, she oversees a wide range of education, training, and issues policy on Artificial Intelligence within Acquisition, publicizing contract actions, data rights/intellectual property, protests, and alternate authorities. Ms. McNabb acts as an advisor for Commercial Solutions Opening and Other Transactions as needed for executing units. Additionally, she provides information to the field through the Acquisition Toolbox – empowered by innovation which is hosted on Air Force Contracting Central. Ms. McNabb serves as the lead for the 1102 MilSpouse CONnect group – promoting retention and career growth for military spouses within the 1102 career field. Prior to her current position, Ms. McNabb was the Flight Chief over the Lifecycle Training Flight at the 338th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, Randolph. In this role, Ms. McNabb supervised a flight of 40 contracting professionals (mix of military and civilian) responsible for executing the Air Education and Training Command’s mission through acquisition ($4 billion portfolio). Through her prior experience, Ms. McNabb has knowledge in Research and Development, Grants/Agreements, Operations (Services, Construction, Commodities), and Systems level contracting. Ms. McNabb holds an unlimited Contracting and Grants/Assistance Officer warrant. Before entering public service, Ms. McNabb worked in the architecture and interior design industry. She worked in California for various firms specializing in green commercial design. After entering civil service, she earned a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and pursued a career in Government Contracting. EDUCATION 2009 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design, San Jose State University, San Jose, Calif. 2014 Master of Business Administration, Keller Graduate School of Business, Dayton, Ohio 2016 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB), Ala., by correspondence 2018 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence 2021 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. June 2010 – July 2011, Administrative Assistant, Civilian Personnel Office, Ramstein AFB, Germany 2. April 2012 – September 2014, Office Manager, Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 3. November 2014 – May 2015, Procurement Technician, AFRL, Kirtland AFB, N.M. 4. May 2015 – July 2016, Contract Specialist, AFRL, Kirtland AFB, N.M.

John is a member of the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command Acquisition Management & Integration Center where he has served as the Strategic Planning & CPI Manager for the past 25 years. He earned a Master of Science in Quality Assurance California State University Dominquez Hills and is a certified Quality Auditor and Plexus Coach/Trainer, Quality Engineer, and Juran Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.

Jason Pickart is a visionary leader with a proven track record in strategic planning, change management, and acquisitions. As the Director of Performance Analysis and Improvement for the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, he spearheads efforts to enhance user experience and leads performance management of the Department’s information technology advancement strategy. His impact extends beyond Government service as an active member of multiple boards and committees. With a master’s degree in Procurement and Acquisition Management and certifications including Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Jason has consistently driven transformative changes across organizations. He served as a Lead Contracting Officer for MHS GENESIS and the next Air Force One, while reshaping the competitive landscape of supersonic aircraft. His dynamic leadership style and ability to coach multifunctional teams make him a sought-after collaborator for solving complex challenges. Jason’s passion lies in rolling up his sleeves and working alongside teams to achieve results. His dedication to excellence continues to shape industries and inspire professionals nationwide.

McKensie Diver J.M., CFCM, CMLDP, is a dynamic Senior Acquisition Analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton, supporting Space Systems Command with her expertise in government contracting and procurement. As a graduate of the 2024/2025 NCMA Contract Manager Leadership Development Program, she has further developed her skills in conflict resolution and interpersonal relationship management, enhancing her ability to navigate complex acquisition environments. Her CFCM and APMP Foundation certifications underscore her commitment to professional excellence. With a Master of Jurisprudence from Michigan State University College of Law, McKensie has honed her skills in negotiation, legal research, and contract law. Her diverse experience spans small 8(a)s, non-profit defense contractors, and large primes, with a particular focus on non-traditional and creative contracting approach. McKensie's unique background has enabled her to develop innovative conflict resolution strategies, which she continues to refine under the mentorship of esteemed professionals both within and outside the NCMA community. Her passion for acquisition and contracting, combined with her legal acumen, positions her as a rising star in the field of government procurement.

Clara is a seasoned contracts executive with over 20 years of experience in government and commercial contracting, specializing in defense, aerospace, energy, and intelligence sectors. As Director of Contracts at Amentum, she manages contract operations within a $14B global portfolio, with expertise in contract and financial management, compliance, risk, and M&A integration. As a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Clara has led initiatives focused on process improvement, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation in contract management, including the development of contract performance dashboards, compliance enhancements, and financial management strategies. An NCMA Fellow, she continues to serve on the NCMA National Committee. She holds certifications, including CPCM, CCCM, CFCM, PMP, and LSSBB. A U.S. Navy veteran, Clara earned a Master’s in Financial Management from the University of Maryland and actively engages in NCMA, PMI, DAV, and TGIC.

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.

Self-proclaimed GovCon lover Lauren Wingate has spent the last 18+ years working for five small businesses in the federal contracting space. She has held roles in BD, Capture, Proposals, Recruiting, Contracts, Program Management and Social Media/Marketing. Lauren truly has learned the procurement lifecycle from “soup to nuts” and is always striving to learn and grow each day. As a member of NCMA Atlanta, she happily has spent the last eight years supporting/serving the chapter through various Board and Committee roles, including President, Communications Chair and Strategic Alliance Chair. She truly lives and breathes government contracting and is thrilled to be a part of the NCMA’s World Congress! When she needs a break from GovCon, she teaches Zumba and HIIT classes as a fitness instructor for Crunch and is mom to two growing teenage boys. She loves to travel the world and spread a smile wherever she can.

Patricia (Patty) Houchin is a seasoned expert in government acquisition, policies, and program management with over 15 years of experience driving strategic change and optimizing business practices within the public sector. Throughout her career, Patty has demonstrated a strong ability to navigate complex acquisition processes, lead organizational transformations, and establish programs that deliver results. Her expertise spans the full acquisition lifecycle, including policy development, process improvement, and program execution. She has a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to streamline operations, implement best practices, and ensure compliance with evolving government regulations. Patty’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing high-impact acquisition programs that support critical mission objectives and drive efficiency. A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, Patty has consistently excelled in fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within acquisition teams. Her deep understanding of federal acquisition systems and her ability to lead change initiatives has made her a trusted advisor to senior leadership in both government and private sector organizations.

Mike Carroll serves as an Acquisition Program Manager at Joint 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.

Tracy Marcinowski is a seasoned leader in federal acquisition and procurement transformation, with over 25 years of experience driving efficiency in multi-billion-dollar programs. As Assistant Commissioner for Acquisition at GSA’s Public Buildings Service, she oversaw a $7 billion portfolio and led a team of 800+ professionals. Tracy champions automation and process optimization, implementing initiatives that have saved over 50,000 labor hours annually, enhanced financial tracking, and increased managed federal spend by 20%. Her career includes key leadership roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Air Force, where she spearheaded enterprise-wide acquisition reform, strategic sourcing, and policy development. A recognized industry voice, she has spoken at NCMA World Congress on acquisition reform, disruptive technologies, and customer-centric procurement strategies. Tracy is committed to modernizing federal procurement by integrating technology, streamlining processes, and driving cross-agency collaboration. Her focus on innovation and efficiency continues to deliver greater value and effectiveness for government agencies and businesses alike.

Brittney Chappell is the Program Manager for the NASA Acquisition Innovation Launchpad (NAIL). In this role, she provides program oversight over the NAIL while championing efforts to continue innovating by collaborating with NASA’s acquisition community. Previously, she served as a Sr. Procurement Analyst for NASA within the IT acquisition policy space. Ms. Chappell served as the Director, Office of Acquisition for the GSA, Technology Transformation Services (TTS), where she provided leadership and oversight of TTS’s procurement functions, policy, and initiatives. A seasoned acquisition professional with over a decade of experience, she served as the Acquisition Team Lead over the Department of Transportation (DOT), IT Acquisition Center of Excellence (IT ACE) division where she was responsible for standing up the division to support the agency's IT shared services initiative aligning with its FITARA goals. Prior to DOT, Brittney was a Senior Contracting Officer at GSA in the Federal Systems Integration Management Center (FEDSIM) division providing assisted acquisition services for major Department of Defense IT requirements and also completed an extensive detail assignment as a Contracting Officer for the Executive Office of the President. She is a graduate of the Digital IT Acquisition Professional Training Program, USDA’s Executive Leadership Program, and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from George Mason University. Ms. Chappell has received numerous awards to include the DOT Administrators Award for Excellence and the Multiple Award Government and Industry award for Acquisition Excellence. Ms. Chappell lives in Washington, DC but she is a North Carolina girl at heart. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her doggie, Ida B.Chap and cheering on her favorite sports teams (Carolina Panthers, Duke Blue Devils, and East Carolina Pirates).

Julia Coon is a Senior Manager in Aprio’s Government Contracting Practice. She specializes in Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS/SCA) compliance, GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts, GSA MAS Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits, GSA MAS and SCLS due diligence and investigations, and Joint Ventures. Since 2015, Julia has worked with clients of all sizes across various industries to develop and implement best practices to ensure compliance and strategic success.

Katie Duggan is an Account Consultant in the National Security portfolio within the Dun & Bradstreet Public Sector Business Unit. She has worked at Dun & Bradstreet for over 5 years and has supported numerous clients including Department of Treasury, Department of Energy, and Department of State to name a few. Katie brings experience as being a trusted advisor and works through the contracting process with customer, understanding the needs of requirements for contracting professionals to issue awards.

Michelle Solomon is a Director of Data Science at Dun & Bradstreet working with the Public Sector Business Unit. She has worked at Dun & Bradstreet for over 5 years and in that time has worked with a number of clients including, TSA, SBA, FDA, Dept of Commerce, IRS, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, etc. Her work includes AI, machine learning, data visualization, and other analytics.

John Stultz is a Procurement Risk Solutions Architect in the Risk, Fraud, and Compliance practice at SAS. John’s mission is to help commercial and public organizations implement modern procurement risk mitigation approaches to enhance internal control mechanisms and prevent financial loss. With more than 26 years of experience at SAS, John has partnered with organizations worldwide helping them leverage data and analytics to operationalize risk detection solutions so they can leverage modern infrastructure and make advancements towards using machine learning and AI. John brings a wealth of best practice data preparation and data analytic insight to machine learning and AI implementation conversations. John holds a Master’s in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and resides in Reston, VA. When not helping agencies or companies avoid revenue lost to fraud, waste, and abuse, he can be found hiking or camping in the Shenandoah mountains of Virginia.

Breana Wilson is a Contract Specialist within the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Acquisitions Management, where she has worked for the past year. Prior to that, she supported the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as a Contract Specialist from 2021-2024, handling all aspects of the contract lifecycle. Breana currently oversees multiple high-visibility service contracts for the House, including its' food service and gym operations, providing her with a unique insight into the House's procurement guidelines and processes. Breana holds a Master’s in Legal Studies with a specialization in Contract Management from Arizona State University and brings five years of experience to the field. She is passionate about creating opportunities in the government sector and fostering a transparent, inclusive environment for businesses of all sizes.

After graduating from the College of William & Mary Law School, Evan Feely began his career in Federal acquisitions in 2018 as a contractor providing on-site acquisition support for the Department of the Interior's Interior Business Center (IBC). Evan left IBC in 2019 for a position with the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA), where he served as a Contract Specialist / Contracting Officer for five years, obtaining his FAC-C Level III certification in 2022 and his FAC-C Digital Services certification in 2023. In 2024, Evan was hired by the U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Acquisition Management as a Senior Contracts Specialist, where he is currently employed. During his career, Evan has had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of acquisitions, from laboratory equipment purchases to telecommunications and IT services to clinical trials and drug manufacturing studies, as well as a diverse mixture of contract vehicles and types. However, he has received his greatest professional satisfaction from serving as a mentor to his colleagues, which was fostered by his time as Director of the NCMA Tysons Mentoring Program from 2018-2020. Evan is passionate about Federal procurement and enhancing his knowledge and skillset so as to better serve the American public.

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), and Future of Pricing Honoree by ProPricer. Marsha can often be seen hiking with her dog Ziva a young Australian Shepherd with lots of energy.

James Trudeau is the Lead Procurement Analyst and Internal Controls Officer for the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO) for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) within the Department of Commerce. He is responsible for all aspects of procurement policy and internal controls for FirstNet Authority mission units, including the $100 billion Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) Contract. Prior to this position, James served as the Deputy Director, Program Management Division, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida. In this capacity, he served as the Acquisition Program Technical Director leading a team of 24 personnel overseeing $1.6 billion in programs. James previously served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and has deployment experience in Afghanistan. He also has private sector experience with Booz Allen Hamilton, and experience in academia as a course instructor for Villanova University.

Melissa Wagner is currently a Detailee to NASA HQ for the NASA Acquisition Innovation Launchpad (NAIL), where she serves as a Procurement Analyst, facilitating enterprise-level innovation and supporting operational activities. Prior to the NAIL assignment, Ms. Wagner was a warranted Contracting Officer in the Office of Procurement's (OP) Program Management Support Division at NASA John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) where she served as the Lead Contracting Officer for SSC’s propellant and laboratory services contracts. Ms. Wagner has over 19 years of combined military and civilian service experience and has managed and led numerous contract actions to support SSC and its commercial partners. Her career began in SSC’s OP in 2014, where she was detailed as the admin/recorder for the ITS Source Evaluation Board (SEB). Throughout her tenure, Ms. Wagner has procured and administered contracts for various needs, including barge refurbishments, laboratory services, autonomous services, and propellants for SSC. She actively participated in several NASA initiatives, including the Foundations of Influence, Relationships, Success, and Teamwork (FIRST) leadership program, the Agency and Center Future of Work (FoW) teams, and served as the Executive Secretary for SSC’s Joint Management Council (JMC). She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, legacy FAC-C Level III, and multiple FAC-C Credentials including Contract Administration Special Topics and Operational Contracting. Ms. Wagner has received numerous awards during her career to include NASA’s Early Career Achievement Medal, Space Flight Awareness Award, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Adam Goldstein is currently Associate Commissioner, Office of Acquisition and Grants, at the Social Security Administration. In that role, he serves as the agency's Senior Procurement Executive--overseeing $2 billion in annual procurement spend. He previously completed the agency's Senior Executive Development Program, where he held numerous programmatic executive roles. Prior to joining SSA, Adam served as Deputy Director of the Army's 408th Contracting Support Brigade in Kuwait, Chief of Contracting for the Agricultural Research, and Service Contracting Division Chief for CENTCOM Joint Theater Support Contracting Command in Afghanistan. He previously held positions with CACI and several other agencies. Adam is an Honor Graduate of the CMDLP, holds both CFCM and CPCM certifications, and is a Fellow of NCMA.

Benjamin Bryant is the ARPA-H Deputy Head of Contracting Activity. The Business Innovation Division (BID) provides expert business advice, crafting and managing acquisition and assistance arrangements with industry performers to further the ARPA-H mission. From 2009 – 2018, Benjamin led dynamic teams to achieve the unique acquisition needs of the Pentagon’s senior leadership. In 2018, he developed a new division to support the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, where he successfully pursued the facilities, training, and authorities necessary for the team to acquire a broad range of unique classified and unclassified technology using Other Transactions (OTs) for Research and Prototyping. Within a year of developing a rapid research and development team, Benjamin’s team obligated the 4th most OTs in the Federal Government. Some of these efforts include successful transition from prototype to production for micro nuclear reactors, autonomous ships, and Hypersonics research and development.

Mr. Stephen Speciale is a Senior Acquisition Analyst supporting the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health's (ARPA-H's) contracting office. Mr. Speciale is a subject matter expert in research and development (R&D) contracting activities necessitating unique business approaches and non-traditional contracting instruments like Other Transactions (OTs). He ideates and implements innovative business processes for R&D efforts, creates and maintains agency policy and guidance, develops and reviews pre- and post-award contracting documentation, and develops ARPA-H's workforce by creating and delivery content on various contracting and acquisition topics. Mr. Speciale also manages ARPA-H's OT Community, a valuable, publicly accessible community sharing OT-related information and resources. He previously supported the Department of Defense as a Professor of Program Management and Financial Management. Mr. Speciale's experience spans various organizations in various positions (both within the Federal Government and industry) for program management, contracting, financial management, risk management, and auditing.

Kym Ali is an award-winning nurse, speaker, and consultant recognized for her innovative, human-centered approach to transforming workplace culture. As the founder of Kym Ali Consulting, Kym has been featured on FOX Business and the Today Show, showcasing her expertise in building resilient, high-performing teams. With a mission to "Nurse Organizations Back to Health," Kym Ali Consulting specializes in tailored solutions that drive measurable results. Notably, based on the 2024 All Employee Survey Scores her strategies decreased burnout at an office within the Department of Veterans Affairs by 4% during a period of leadership changes and reorganization. Kym’s proven methodology combines her clinical background with organizational development to create empathetic, sustainable solutions. Her work aligns individual strengths with organizational goals, fosters resilience, and enhances team collaboration. Whether coaching executives or leading workshops, Kym delivers actionable insights that leave a lasting impact. A recognized thought leader, Kym empowers organizations to overcome challenges and achieve success through her commitment to cultivating well-being, boosting morale, and driving engagement. With over 15,000 individuals trained and a 98% customer satisfaction rate, Kym Ali is dedicated to transforming workplaces into thriving environments where people and performance flourish.

Cristi's career journey spans from contract administrator to Corporate Vice-President, marked by consistent success and transformative contributions. In the Bid, Proposal, and Award Program, Cristi identified government contract opportunities, authored winning proposals, and provided administrative support, securing over $10 million in opportunities for clients. On the GSA Schedule Team, she trained clients to maximize their GSA contracts, managed all contract aspects, ensured compliance with pricing policies and regulations like the Buy American Act, and maintained deep expertise in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Cristi's consulting prowess led to a significant expansion of the client base. She implemented software-based systems to streamline processes, integrating sales and service efforts and boosting productivity by 300%. As Corporate Vice-President, Cristi negotiates contracts, conducts on-site training, and bridges communication between clients and the government. With over a decade of experience, Cristi has shaped the success of hundreds of companies, leveraging her unparalleled expertise to guide them toward sustainable growth.

Mr. Josh Jordan serves as the Director of Acquisition at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), leading strategic initiatives to foster collaboration and enhance the acquisition experience for FRA and industry. Raised in Alexandria, VA, Josh is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Virginia's College at Wise, where he graduated with honors while serving as team captain of the men’s basketball team. With an acquisition career spanning multiple Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Department of Defense (DoD), Josh has navigated complex acquisition landscapes supporting diverse missions in varying political climates. At FRA, Josh is a catalyst for change, championing innovation and collaboration with a focus on stakeholder experience. His office is committed to cultivating a procurement environment that embraces industry engagement, leverages technology, and streamlines processes to build capacity within the acquisition community and maximize value for taxpayers. Beyond work, Josh is a passionate advocate for personal growth and wellness. As an avid reader, fitness enthusiast, and sports aficionado, he balances his rigorous professional commitments with a zest for life. He enjoys dining on international cuisine, exploring new travel destinations, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Hawley is an Air Force Veteran who began her 25+ year federal career as a USAF heavy-aircraft instructor navigator. Upon completion of her active duty service she transitioned to civil service, growing into an Unlimited Warranted Contracting Officer, Team Lead, and Section Chief. Dr. Hawley also served as a Procurement Analyst and Source Selection Advisor in the Air Force Installation Contracting Center (AFICC) Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE). While working in the AFICC ACE, Dr. Hawley mentored acquisition teams across 56+ programs valued over $11 billion dollars. She coached teams through acquisition processes, developed interactive workshops to improve industry engagement, created new training materials to support development of future warranted contracting officers, streamlined training materials and guides for Strategic Sourcing efforts, and presented at summits on market research and industry engagement. Previous contracting experience includes support for base level operations, specialized communications infrastructure programs, multi-million-dollar cyber support services efforts, and management of contracts supporting USAF Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) environmental restoration efforts. Dr. Hawley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at Miami University of Ohio, her Master of Public Administration at the University of Oklahoma, and her PhD in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University.

Ms. Chendra Conklin has recently returned to her Contracting Officer (CO) roots, and currently serves as an Unlimited warranted Senior CO and Acquisition Portfolio Manager at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), leading collaboration efforts between program partners and the Office of Acquisition. Her diverse portfolio includes expertise working in both in government contracting and several years on the program side as an Acquisition Program Manager (PM) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). She began her contracting career with the US Forest Service, then moving to NIST to continue her growth as a Contracting Officer. She was later selected as part of the team to establish a new Chief Procurement Organization (CPO) for the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) in the Department of Commerce, where she demonstrated her technical acumen and contracting prowess as both a Contracting Officer and an Acquisition Program Manager. Ms. Conklin’s next stop was supporting the US Department of Labor as a Senior IT Contract Support Program Specialist (COR), providing program management, performance assessment, and contract management expertise. Ms. Conklin is a strong proponent of acquisition innovation, presenting at various forums including most recently at NCMA’s 2025 Nexus on overcoming acquisition myths. She encourages FRA Acquisition teams to challenge traditional notions of acquisition processes and industry engagement. She holds a full suite of CO, PM, COR, and NCMA certifications, and may work on that PMP cert. this year.

Jontae M. Rice is a seasoned leader and entrepreneur with over 13 years of expertise in procurement, strategic sourcing, and the beauty industry. She currently serves as a Category Manager at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), where she drives procurement and strategic sourcing initiatives, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and innovation across projects. Jontae’s professional journey includes mastery of cradle-to-grave procurement strategies, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation within procurement processes. Prior to WMATA, she served as a Senior Contract Officer at Royalty Professionals LLC/Miracle Systems, supporting federal agencies like the Export-Import Bank of the United States. She is skilled in issuing solicitations, evaluating proposals, and awarding contracts under rigorous regulatory conditions. As the founder of Royalty Professionals LLC, Jontae combines her passion for procurement and the beauty industry, offering a unique blend of services that empower clients. A licensed cosmetologist, she added NAICS beauty codes to her portfolio and created the Entrepreneur Outreach Program to educate others on marketing to government and commercial agencies. Jontae holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a focus on Government Contract Management and certifications including CPPM, DAWIA Level II, and Lean Supply Chain Management. Her mantra, "Reach One Teach One," reflects her dedication to helping others succeed.

Mrs. Elizabeth Midkiff is currently a SAF/AQC Field Support Representative, for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting, Washington, D.C. She is remotely located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. In her role as a Field Support Representative, she supports OSD, SAF/AQ, and AF MAJCOMs in special projects such as both the AFMC and SAF/AQC Digital Transformation Campaigns. She provides advisory support to SAF/AQ, SAF/GCQ, OSD, and AF MAJCOMs on acquisition activities: acquisition strategies, source selections (SS), pricing, draft RFPs, and DAS(C)/ADAS(C)/SCO Clearances. She trains, advises, and mentors AF Source Selection (SS) Trainers and Teams through Phase I: Acquisition Planning & Phase II: SS Execution, SSA and SSAC Training, and SS Training Summits. She interprets, advises and participates in policy development as the AF FAR 15 Contracting by Negotiation and FAR 25 Foreign Acquisition Policy Point of Contact. She provides Air Force Contracting perspective to SAF/AQ, OSD, MAJCOMs, Federal Agencies, and other Air Force Functional Communities while fostering a collaborative, knowledge-sharing environment and culture. She supports Robins AFB in all phases of Contracting support for the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), and other installation customers. Mrs. Midkiff awarded four Other Transaction for Prototype Agreements (two for the Robins AFB Operational Community and two for the Tyndall AFB Program Management Office (PMO). She orchestrated two AF Pitch Days (one for Robins AFB and one for Tyndall AFB). She awarded 4 AFWERX requirements against the Base of the Future Rapidx CSO for Tyndall AFB. Mrs. Midkiff entered public service in the Contracting Co-Op Program. Following completion of this program she was selected to participate in the Copper Cap intern program and then the Advanced Copper Cap intern program. Throughout her career, she held positions as a Contracting Specialist, Contracting Officer, Agreements Officer, Executive Officer to the Robins AFB Director of Contracting, and Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE) Source Selection Advisor, in areas of C-5 Services, C-17 Spares, Support Equipment & Vehicles, and Operational Contracting. She was selected to participate in the Emerging Leadership Development Program transitioning her to a Robins leadership position as Chief of the Operational Services Installation Contracting Section. EDUCATION 2005, Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing, Minor in Political Science Georgia College & State University 2012, Master of Business Administration, Georgia College & State University CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. 2005-2006, Contracting Co-op, C-5 Services Contracting, Robins AFB, GA 2. 2006-2009, Copper Cap Contracting Specialist, C-5 and C-17 Aircraft Platforms, Robins AFB, GA 3. Feb-Oct 2009, Executive Officer to Director of Contracting, Robins AFB, GA 4. 2009-2010, Advance Copper Cap Contracting Specialist, AFLCMC Support Equipment & Vehicles, Robins AFB, GA 5. 2010-2013, Contracting Officer, AFLCMC Support Equipment & Vehicles, Robins AFB, GA 6. 2013-2017, Source Selection Advisor, AFLCMC Acquisition Center of Excellence, Robins AFB, GA 7. 2017-2020, Chief, Operational Installation Services Section, AFSC, Robins AFB, GA 8. 2020-to Present, SAF/AQC Field Team Representative, Robins AFB, GA PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS Contracting, Level III (Current as of Feb 2021)

Dr. Ross Uhrich is an ARPA-H Program Manager, Board-Certified Surgeon, and Assistant Professor of Surgery. Since joining ARPA-H in February 2023, Dr. Uhrich has proposed, developed, and launched two Programs (NITRO and POSEIDON), both to address key health care challenges for all Americans. Prior to ARPA-H, he worked as a Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and Assistant Professor of Surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, respectively. In addition to these roles, Dr. Uhrich spent 12 years with the U.S. Navy, finishing his tenure as a Lieutenant Commander. Throughout his career, he has cared for thousands of members of the U.S. Armed Forces at various health care facilities, including the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Naval Health Clinic Quantico, and WRNMMC, and served as an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery consultant to Congress. He also treated patients at Charleston Area Medical Center, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, and Suburban Hospital. Dr. Uhrich holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Yale University, a Doctorate in Dental Medicine with Honors from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA with a focus in Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Leadership from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He completed his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Traci Newsom is currently a Division Director within the Business Innovation Division of ARPA-H; supporting the Proactive Health Office. She and her team are passionate about finding creative acquisition solutions to meet ARPA-H’s mission to accelerate better health outcomes for all. Prior to coming to ARPA-H, Traci held both policy and operational positions in the Department of Defense and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kimberly Jones has over 20+ years of Federal and DOD Acquisition experience as a subject matter expert in procurement solutions. Using her skills in requirements and business process redesign discussions, she has assisted her customers in their system modernization efforts. Ms. Jones thrives on bringing her customers the best options tailored for them and has focused her career on the betterment of the systems used by the government contracting professionals and support of the Federal and DOD acquisition communities.

As a former Contracting Officer for the U.S. Department of State and other civilian agencies, Lauren Bloomquist brings nearly 20 years of subject matter expertise in federal procurement; supply chain management and logistics. Since joining CGI in 2017, she’s provided the voice of the contracting community and promoted best practices and effective solutions in client system implementations. In her current role, Lauren brings a deep understanding of procurement processes, realities and pain points to best serve the federal acquisition and financial communities for years to come.

Kimberly Choplin has more than 26 years of experience in the Federal Government. Throughout her time as a civil servant, she has served in the Army, then started her government career as a Procurement technician for DCMA, and continued her career as an operational Contracting Officer with a short break as an auditor. That short break increased her ability as an operational CO, and lead to her creating and now leading the Quality Assurance/Internal Controls team for FDIC. Kim is a FAC-C Professional, FAC- COR, FAC-DS II, and NCMA CPCM certified. In addition, Kim is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). Kim and her husband of 25 years, parent their five children and their extended family.

MC Consulting is an international management consulting firm supporting the federal government ecosystem providing professional services in the areas of acquisition, program, and human capital management solutions. As CEO, Jennifer sets the firm’s strategy and manages its commercial and federal practice with the goal of "Empowering the Possible." MMC specializes in delivering innovative solutions to client challenges using the Engagement + Empowerment + Execution = Excellence service delivery formula. MMC is an 8(a), woman owned small business located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Jennifer is a long-standing member of NCMA. A co-founder and president-elect of the NCMA MetroMD Chapter in Prince George’s County, Maryland, she is also a past president of the Tysons chapter. She is also a former CO with nearly two decades of experience supporting both government and industry clients. She currently serves as the MetroMD Board Chair and is a mentor and graduate of the NCMA CMLDP. Mrs. Hanks earned a Master of Science in Management from The Catholic University of America, a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Music from The University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL). Jennifer resides in Maryland with her amazing husband and 3 wonderful daughters.

Christi Venable is a licensed Professional counselor by trade and an award-winning Business Owner, Corporate wellness Expert, Organizational Leadership and Culture Change agent and Keynote Speaker.  She is a certified Gallup Strengths Finder Coach. She is the founder of SMILE Therapy Services, a multi-million-dollar mental health , wellness, and consulting company that she managed to build from the ground up. SMILE is on a mission to help corporations and government agencies prioritize workplace culture and mental health and wellness to improve productivity, retention and overall wellness of employees. SMILE has been named one of the fastest growing companies in the country by INC5000 2 years in a row. Christi was named SBA's  Small Business Person of the year for Washington DC in 2020 and Enterprising Women of the year in 2022.  Christi is also a proud member of the BOW Collective. A Collective of the top 1% of Black Women Business Owners in the US.

Tom Reynolds is a Partner in HKA’s Government Contracts Practice in Washington, D.C. Tom is a forensic accountant and CPA with 20 years of experience helping government contractors navigate the complex government contracting compliance rules and regulations. Tom has provided government contract accounting, auditing and advisory support to government contractors across numerous industries, including aerospace and defense, manufacturing, healthcare, construction, engineering, and professional services. Tom has presented contractors’ positions and facilitated negotiations with contracting officers, DCAA, DCMA, and other regulatory bodies. Tom has supported government contractors in connection with business systems compliance assessments, DCAA/DCMA audit support, False Claims Act disputes, merger and acquisition due diligence and post-merger integration, and indirect rate modelling and analysis. Tom deals extensively with critical government contracting regulations and requirements, including the FAR, DFARS, and CAS.

T. Suzette Moore,, MS, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, is a highly experienced and successful leader with over 30 years in public sector procurement management and leadership. Suzette is the founder of Inspired Growth LLC, a consulting, mentoring, coaching and training company aimed at strengthening middle management in the public and private sector. She is the former Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), where she led a 2.2 billion dollar annual spend for eight years. Prior to her appointment as Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer for WMATA, Suzette was appointed Assistant Secretary for Procurement & Logistics for the State of Maryland Department of General Services. She reported to a cabinet level Secretary and advised all levels of state government concerning procurement laws, regulations, and policy. Preceding her appointment as Assistant Secretary, she served as the Chief Procurement Officer for the Maryland Aviation Administration where she directed and supervised the Office of Procurement, responsible for large, complex and multi-year contracts for BWI Airport. Suzette is a transformational leader and in each of these positions, she has demonstrated enthusiastic leadership, a positive attitude, and exceptional customer focus. Her can-do spirit, growth mindset and focus on continuous improvement have made positive impacts in every organization she has served. Suzette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Norwich University.

Sydnee Distance is a seasoned Contract Management professional and proud business owner based in Baltimore, MD. She is the visionary behind The Procurement Princess, which recently expanded to include procurement and government contracting graphics and design for presentations. Sydnee’s entrepreneurial spirit reflects her dedication to making procurement accessible and engaging through creative solutions. Sydnee began her career in grant management while earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Capitol Technology University. After graduation, she transitioned to private-sector contracting at a Fortune 500 company, where she obtained a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2014. Her career includes significant contributions to public sector contracting and procurement education. A leader in her field, Sydnee holds three professional certifications: CPPB, NIGP-CPP, and CCMA. In 2023, she joined the National Institute of Government Purchasing’s instructor team. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Education at Northcentral University, she actively designs and leads procurement, entrepreneurship, business, and technical writing training courses. Balancing professional excellence with personal commitments, Sydnee serves as a graphic design chair and social media manager for nonprofits and cherishes family, education, and traveling abroad.

Calvin J. Mitchell Jr. serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Management (OAM), Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) and Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer. He is the senior executive responsible for leading the administration of $3 billion annual contract portfolio. As the SPE he is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and overseeing the procurement programs of the Department. Advise the Secretary and other agency officials to ensure that the mission of the executive agency is achieved through the management of the acquisition activities. Previously, he served as the Director, Department of Education, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Mr. Mitchell is responsible for implementing the Department’s small business procurement programs across the $2.8 billion procurement operation. He has an undergraduate degree in Business and a master’s in business administration from Centenary University of New Jersey.

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 at Agile Defense. 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.

Jessica Johnson CFCM, CPCM, Fellow, Contracts Director at Umbra, is well-versed in the contract management subject matter, with experience spanning over 15 years across defense, intelligence, technology, manufacturing, and commercial industries. Known for her passion for tackling unique business challenges, Jessica is dedicated to supporting fellow professionals in their career journeys. She actively engages in educational initiatives, industry collaboration opportunities, and candid conversations to foster growth in the field. A frequent presenter at National Contract Management Association (NCMA) conferences and online training sessions, Jessica excels at making complex topics such as weighted guidelines, subcontract management best practices, termination procedures, and source selection processes accessible and engaging for audiences. Jessica's contributions to the field have been recognized through several prestigious awards, including the NCMA Advancing Professionals Award (formerly Top 40 under 40 award) and the NCMA Fellow Award. She is a graduate of the Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP) and is a dedicated CMLDP career mentor. Within the NCMA, she has held numerous leadership roles in the Dulles Corridor Chapter and now serves on an NCMA National Committee, having contributed the focus areas of Professional Development & Certification, Governance & Ethics, and Strategic Planning. A lifelong learner and former instructor for CFCM and CPCM exam preparation courses, Jessica holds both CFCM and CPCM certifications. She is a proud graduate of Howard University (BBA, Marketing) and Virginia Tech (MBA, Organizational Leadership).

Alexa Tsui is a force of nature in the GovCom space, known for breaking down barriers and building bridges between government and industry. As the Chief Operating Officer of G2Xchange and creator of the #GovCom movement, she's on a mission to transform how the federal contracting community connects, collaborates, and grows. A self-proclaimed "recovering perfectionist," Alexa's leadership journey evolved from rigid management to championing a human-first approach that emphasizes authentic relationships and positive intent. Today, she leads with a servant leadership style that has proven particularly effective in building high-performing teams. As the host of #GovCom Unfiltered podcast and the GovCon community's unofficial "speak-easy" talent connector, Alexa brings to light the human stories behind government contracting while helping countless professionals advance their careers. When she's not steering G2Xchange's ambitious mission to become the only tool government needs to effectively do business in the GovCom space, she serves on various industry boards. With degrees in English and Teaching, Alexa brings a unique perspective to the technical world of government contracting. Her mission? To make federal contracting more human, more connected, and more effective - one relationship at a time.

Josh Stiles is a warranted Contracting Officer (CO) in the Office of Procurement’s (OP) Engineering Directorate Support Division at NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MFSC) where he manages the Agencywide Consolidated Programmatic Support Services Programmatic Planning and Control (CPSS PP&C) IDIQ Contract and underlying Task Orders. In addition to his role as a CO, he serves as MSFC’s Center Innovation Advocate in support of the NASA Acquisition Innovation Launchpad (NAIL). Mr. Stiles has 10+ years of government contracting experience in support of NASA/MSFC. He had experience supporting the Space Launch System (SLS) Program and performing contract administration with CPAF/CPIF/CPFF Contract Types. He supported the Human Landing System (HLS) Program for 3+ years and supported five separate Source Evaluation Boards (SEB) in a fast-paced Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Research and Development (R&D) environment. He also gained over a year of experience as a procurement analyst performing policy compliance activities at NASA/MSFC. He gained experience in procuring programmatic support for the Engineering Directorate, Institutional Services (Logistics, Environmental Remediation and Monitoring, etc.), and Interagency Agreements (NASA Pegasus Barge). Mr. Stiles holds a bachelor’s degree in finance with a concentration in economics from the University of Alabama and has obtained a legacy FAC-C level II and FAC-C Professional. He is a third generation NASA Civil Servant whose lineage includes both procurement and electrical engineering. Mr. Stiles has received numerous awards during his career to include a Silver Achievement Medal, Special Service Award, Individual Contributions Awards. He has received Group Achievement Awards during his time in Policy, HLS SEB Evaluation Teams, and the G-Invoicing Transition Team.

Dr. Danielle May is currently a Detailee to NASA HQ for the NASA Acquisition Innovation Launchpad (NAIL), where she serves as a Procurement Analyst, facilitating enterprise-level innovation and supporting operational activities. Previously, as a warranted Contracting Officer in the Office of Procurement's Business Management Branch at NASA Langley Research Center Dr. May, served as the Contracts Closeout Officer, IT Specialist for OP and SEB IT support. Dr. May has a strong background in contract management, having played a key role in significant projects such as the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) and the LeO Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID). Committed to mentoring and inclusivity, she is Co-Chair of the Langley Employee Resource Group Council and a leader in the BEST Employee Resource Group. Her contributions to diversity and inclusion were recognized with NASA's 2023 Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility Medal. Joining NASA in 2017, Dr. May has prior federal service with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Air Force Air Combat Command, where she managed high-value contracts and supported warfighter readiness. A retired Air Force veteran, she holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Business Administration, along with a Doctorate from Saint Leo University.