Erich White
Lexington Park,MD
Summary
Dynamic and accomplished leader with 23 years of military experience in contracts management, program oversight, and operational leadership. Proven ability to drive organizational excellence, manage multimillion-dollar portfolios, and lead cross-functional teams in high-stakes environments. Seeking opportunity as Contracts/Supply Manager to leverage expertise in contracts lifecycle management, procurement strategies, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Adept at aligning resources, mitigating risks, analytic thinking, and delivering mission-critical outcomes while fostering collaboration and process improvement.
Contract management professional with strong track record in negotiating and managing contracts. Adept at ensuring compliance and minimizing risks through precise contract oversight. Known for excellent teamwork and adaptability in dynamic environments, with key skills in negotiation and compliance management. US Citizen with active SECRET Security Clearance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Contract Specialist
U.S. Coast Guard
08.2023 - Current
- Managed the contracts lifecycle for a $50M portfolio, ensuring compliance with FAR/DFARS regulations, risk mitigation, and cost-effective performance.
- Issued requests for proposals (RFPs), evaluated proposals, and qualified suppliers for contracts valued between $250K and $10M, aligning acquisitions with mission-critical, regulatory, and legal requirements to reflect agency business strategy.
- Negotiated 10 change orders and multiple contract terms using cost modeling and market analysis, securing favorable terms and improving schedule adherence.
- Maintained accurate contract files in compliance with established procedures, ensuring audit readiness and transparency, achieving 100% compliance with agency regulations.
- Provided acquisition expertise and sound business judgement to stakeholders, streamlining procurement processes and improving mission support outcomes for 4 major programs, resulting in fine-tuned, collaboration driven statements of work.
- Enhanced interagency collaboration by preparing findings and justifications that streamlined cross-agency procurement efforts and recommended favorable solutions to improve required services based on industry knowledge.
- Maintained certification as federal acquisitions specialist with experience in various contract types to include Blanket Purchase agreements, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts, Interagency Agreements, Firm-fixed Price and Cost Contracts.
- Formal Contracts Division, USCG Headquarters
Officer in Charge (Program Manager)
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2019 - 07.2023
- Directed operations and administration project lifecycle for a 67-member team, delivering search and rescue, law enforcement, and safety services across 500 nautical square miles, guiding team, supervisors, and partners through complex risk analysis and mitigation.
- Utilized excellent analytic skills, strategic planning, performance metrics, and process improvement initiatives to increase operational performance outputs by 30% annually.
- Managed a $150K annual budget and $8M in government assets, and internal food service program, ensuring resource optimization, compliance with audit standards, and response to increased internal/external customer challenges.
- Oversaw facility maintenance, logistics, and new projects across 13 acres of government property, reducing operational downtime and extending lifecycle of mission-critical infrastructure.
- Successfully and independently balanced resource management, training demands, and mission execution requirements while maintaining operational readiness through COVID-19 pandemic with no loss of productivity.
- Acted as on-site lead for multiple construction contracts identifying/mitigating conflicts of interest and compliance while interfacing with senior level stakeholders to ensure projects provided greatest return on investment for agency and taxpayers.
- Maintained annual operational and technical certifications on 4 different maritime response assets.
Executive Petty Officer (Deputy Program Manager)
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2016 - 06.2019
- Managed daily operations for a dynamic maritime response unit, balancing mission-critical demands with personnel/family readiness and rapid response capabilities.
- Coordinated budget oversight, training, and operational readiness for a team of 86 personnel, driving workforce performance and mission alignment with internal/external customer challenges, government shutdowns, and emergency responses.
- Negotiated contracts using market analysis and cost modeling, securing favorable terms and schedule improvements for critical operational resources and security.
- Increased productivity by 20% annually through workflow optimization, workforce development initiatives, and conflict resolution skills to provide internal/external customers with greater return on investment.
- Responded to operational challenges and recommended solutions to improve administrative, financial, and training processes influencing positive outcomes for the agency.
- Coordinated efforts between Contracts Managers and Vendors to develop alternate solutions to emergent contractual issues posed by construction efforts on aging infrastructure during and while recovering from emergency response operations.
- Maintained annual operational and technical certifications on 6 different maritime response assets.
Lead Instructor / Course Developer (Training Program Manager)
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2010 - 06.2016
- Developed and fulfilled training program requirements, delivering 6,500+ hours of practical and classroom instruction highlighting ability to interact with all staff levels and create successful and relevant training environments.
- Utilized excellent interpersonal and communication skill in designing and executing international training courses for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Border Guard and Mexican Navy, Maritime Search and Rescue Division, influencing positive outcomes for multiple international agencies.
- Created simulation-based curricula that improved comprehension by 25% and reduced training timelines by 10%.
- Created, evaluated and revised training plans based on data-driven assessments, aligning outcomes with organizational readiness goals balancing multiple priorities and ensuring alignment with agency, business, and training goals.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams and senior leadership to develop and update USCG policies and regulations governing operations and tactics, strengthening consistency and operational readiness.
- Maintained annual operational and technical certifications on 8 different maritime response assets.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Project Management
Colorado State University Global Campus
Denver, COSkills
- Contracts Lifecycle Management
- Procurement Strategy Development
- FAR/DFARS Compliance
- Change Order Negotiation
- Risk Mitigation
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Budget Oversight
- Process Improvement
- Training & Workforce Development
- Defense & Maritime Operations
- Independent Problem Solver
- Quality assurance
- Research and analysis
- Contract proposals
- Risk mitigation
- Contracting policies and regulations
- Team oversight
- Operating practices
- Contract administration
- Procurement strategies
- Contract negotiation
- Public safety and security
- Project management
- Skilled negotiator
- Fact-finding and investigations
- Acquisitions
- Proposal evaluation
- Dispute resolution
- Contract oversight
- Contract closeouts
- Conflict mediation
- Cost control
Certification
- Federal Acquisitions Certification – Contracting (FAC-C)
- Federal Acquisitions Certification, Contracting Officers Representative III (FAC-COR/Level III)
- Resiliency Building Leader Program – Trainer (RBLP-T)
Timeline
Contract Specialist
U.S. Coast Guard
08.2023 - Current
Officer in Charge (Program Manager)
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2019 - 07.2023
Executive Petty Officer (Deputy Program Manager)
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2016 - 06.2019
Lead Instructor / Course Developer (Training Program Manager)
U.S. Coast Guard
06.2010 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Science - Project Management
Colorado State University Global Campus
Advanced Military Training/Education
- Senior Leadership and Management Academy – New London, CT
- Mid-Level Leadership and Management Course – Petaluma, CA
- Maritime Operational Command and Leadership Course – New London, CT
- Instructional Systems Developer Course – Mobile, AL
- Military Instructor Training Course – Camp Lejeune, NC
Personal Information
Driving License: Valid U.S. Passport and Driver’s License