Future contracting officer leaders learn the ‘recipe for success’

The Defense Logistics Agency Energy Acquisition Workforce Development Division closed out its fiscal year 2024 Contracting Officer Mentoring Program during a ceremonyrecognizing the accomplishments of 18 participants in the McNamara Headquarters Complex Auditorium, Aug. 28.

The ceremony marked the culmination of an eight-month mentoring program open to all warranted contracting officers below the deputy director level. During the program, participants connected monthly through seminars that spanned topics such as the Nature of the Business, Back to the Basics of Contract Actions, Effective Facilitation of Team Collaboration, and more.

The mentoring program develops contracting officers' skills and expertise, while providing support as participants navigate challenges and issues and network with acquisition professionals and leaders.

Joy Massey, a contracting officer supervisor on the Natural-Gas West Team, said she felt honored to participate in the mentoring program, which served as both a career-broadening and networking opportunity for her.

"The accomplished mentors imparted a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that will be utilized throughout my career," she said. "Mentors provided training that enhanced my acquisition knowledge, as well as advice to assist me in my professional development as a leader."

Karla Smith Jackson, deputy chief acquisition officer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, served as the keynote speaker for the event. In her speech, she shared with the future leaders and acquisition professionals her recipe for success.

"The three ingredients are knowing your craft [technical expertise], have leadership skills and a positive outlook because you will always have setbacks and face adversity, but it is about how you deal with it, that makes all the difference," she said.

Smith Jackson stressed the value of good leadership and the importance of lifelong learning while encouraging the group to seek out challenging roles and assignments and to find a mentor regardless of their career level.

"Leaders take people where they want to go, but the best leaders take people where they did not know they wanted to go," she said.

Smith Jackson emphasized that it is great to have smart people filling acquisition leader roles but said she feels that still is not enough.

"The deep knowledge of government procurement rules, regulations, and policies make you valuable to the customer - being able to get that contract signed and to continually get results is both a win for the customer and the agency," she said.

Gabriella Earhardt, DLA Energy's head of contracting activity, congratulated participants on their efforts and tenacity in pursuing professional development, something she said would make even the toughest drill sergeant proud.

The acquisition executive encouraged the future leaders with a quote from the late professional tennis player Arthur Ashe.

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. It's never too late to rise to that challenge," she said.

"There is always more to learn, more to achieve, and more ways to grow," she added.

Earhardt thanked the participants for completing the program despite staffing shortages and juggling demanding work responsibilities.

"You are the unsung heroes in this mission, providing the globally resilient energy solutions our warfighters need," Earhardt said. "For that, you have my utmost respect and appreciation."