Casey Lawhorn, MBA
Senior Contracts Manager
Tampa,FL
Summary
Senior Contracts Manager with over 12 years of experience in strategic contract management, business development, and government contracting within the aerospace and defense industry. Proficient in managing complex United States Government (USG) Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, with a strong background in FAR, DFARS, and ITAR regulations. Holds an active Secret Clearance and an MBA, specializing in aligning contract processes with strategic objectives, driving growth, and building strong relationships with key defense clients.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Contracts Manager
Honeywell International
04.2023 - Current
- Manages US Government contracts, ensuring seamless integration with company-wide strategies and business development goals, worth $1.3 billion
- Provided expert guidance on contractual matters to corporate leadership, supporting informed decision-making processes
- Implements strategies to improve acquisition timelines and customer pace of contractual actions, employing robust change management practices to mitigate unauthorized changes
- Communicates effectively with internal and external customers, establishing mutually beneficial relationships and frequently influencing business decisions
- Utilizes strong negotiation and contract renewal skills, maintaining compliance and profitability while optimizing contract terms to align with strategic objectives and maximize value
- Applies business acumen to identify and leverage new opportunities in the defense sector, particularly with the Department of Defense, contributing to market expansion and contract acquisition through targeted market analysis and client-centric solutions.
Senior Program Manager
Lockheed Martin Corporation
09.2020 - 04.2023
- Spearheaded advanced aerospace business development initiatives with US Army and Air Force, aligning with strategic military requirements
- Managed and ensured compliance of government contracts valued at $885 million, maintaining schedules and budgets
- Cultivated strong relationships with military stakeholders to streamline project execution and resource allocation
- Mentored a team of Junior Project Managers, enhancing their project management skills and ensuring alignment with organizational goals
- Acted as a liaison between cross-functional team and the customer, fostering mutually beneficial relationships and frequently influencing business decisions
- Implemented strategies to improve acquisition timelines and customer pace of contractual actions, driving results and closure of actions through proactive investigation and critical thinking
- Utilized robust change management practices to balance requirements of development and transition-to-production programs, mitigating unauthorized changes
- Effectively communicated with internal and external stakeholders to streamline project processes, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall program efficiency and effectiveness.
Senior Contracts Manager
Lockheed Martin Corporation
09.2017 - 08.2020
- Administered US Government contracts worth $365 million, focusing on compliance, efficiency, and effective delivery against stringent timelines and budgets, aligning with the strategic business objectives
- Served as the primary point of contact for all contracting matters, acting as a liaison between the cross-functional team and the military clients, cultivating and maintaining robust relationships essential for navigating complex contract negotiations and collaborations in the defense sector
- Implemented strategies to improve acquisition timelines and customer pace of contractual actions, proactively investigating matters, applying critical thinking, gathering detailed information, and seeking innovative contracting techniques
- Led a team of 7 Contract Leads, enhancing team capabilities in contract negotiation and execution, driving results and closure of actions through collaborative efforts
- Directed key aerospace and space systems contracts with US Army and Air Force, contributing to significant business growth
- Fostered robust relationships with military clients, facilitating complex negotiations and collaborations.
Senior Operations Manager
United States Parcel Service (UPS)
05.2015 - 04.2017
- Led strategic contract management and business development, ensuring operational efficiency and high-quality service delivery
- Established and maintained strong client relationships through effective communication and contract negotiation, acting as a liaison between cross-functional teams and customers
- Implemented process improvements to optimize acquisition timelines, leading to increased productivity and reduced operational costs
- Proactively investigated and resolved complex logistical challenges, applying critical thinking and seeking innovative contracting techniques
- Balanced the requirements of development and transition-to-production programs through robust change management practices, ensuring adherence to industry regulations and high standards of quality control
- Managed a team of 2 Assistant Managers and 8 Supervisors, providing guidance and mentorship for improved team performance and employee satisfaction.
Business Account Executive
Time Warner Cable
05.2011 - 05.2015
- Led strategic contract management initiatives, fostering mutually beneficial relationships with key business clients and influencing business decisions through effective communication
- Served as a liaison between cross-functional teams and clients, managing all aspects of contracting matters and ensuring customer satisfaction
- Led B2B sales initiatives, driving company growth through strategic business development and client outreach
- Implemented business development strategies to improve acquisition timelines and pace of contractual actions, contributing to market expansion and increased revenue
- Applied critical thinking and negotiation skills to drive results and closure of actions, proactively investigating matters and seeking innovative contracting techniques
- Utilized in-depth knowledge of industry trends, client requirements, and supplier management to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
Education
MBA -
Northern Kentucky University
Newport, KY 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Business
Northern Kentucky University
Newport, KY 05.2001 -
Skills
Client Relationship & Contract Negotiation
Government Contracting
Proposal Development & Review
Change Management
Regulatory Compliance
Financial & Budget Management
Project Management
Risk Management & Legal Mitigation
Team Leadership & Development
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Relationship Building & Stakeholder Management
Analytical & Critical Thinking
Timeline
Senior Contracts Manager
Honeywell International
04.2023 - Current
Senior Program Manager
Lockheed Martin Corporation
09.2020 - 04.2023
Senior Contracts Manager
Lockheed Martin Corporation
09.2017 - 08.2020
Senior Operations Manager
United States Parcel Service (UPS)
05.2015 - 04.2017
Business Account Executive
Time Warner Cable
05.2011 - 05.2015
MBA -
Northern Kentucky University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Business
Northern Kentucky University
05.2001 -