LARA J. EMMONS
FALLS CHURCH
Summary
Developed leadership and strategic planning skills within corporate environment, looking to transition into new field. Excel in managing diverse teams and driving project success, with focus on innovation and efficiency. Seeking opportunities to apply these transferable skills in dynamic and challenging new role.
Detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication and project management skills. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in fast-paced environments. Recognized for taking proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues, with focus on optimizing processes and supporting team objectives.
Strong analytical, communication, teamwork skills, with +20 years of proven ability to tackle new challenges, quickly adapts to new environments, and committed to delivering results. Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Prog. Director of Research, Innovation, & Ventures
US Department of Health and Human Services, HHS
10.2024 - Current
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering professional growth and skill development within the team.
- Championed best practices within the organization to improve overall operational excellence across all programs.
- Implemented risk mitigation strategies, proactively addressing potential issues to ensure smooth program execution.
- Optimized program operations through continuous improvement efforts, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using key performance indicators, informing future strategy adjustments.
- .Identified areas of synergy between programs, enabling more efficient resource utilization and improved outcomes.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms that contributed to overall cost savings for the organization.
- Enhanced program efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing strategic plans.
- Conducted thorough market research to inform competitive strategy development and drive sustainable growth.
- Facilitated knowledge sharing among team members by creating forums for open dialogue and collaborative problemsolving.
- Monitored program performance to identify areas for improvement.
- Coordinated budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation to facilitate smooth flow of operations.
Branch Chief of Acquisitions
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
10.2020 - Current
- Supervises, leads, and mentors three teams of contract specialist, and 15 contracting officer representatives through the cradle to grave Federal acquisition process.
- Conducted regular audits to maintain strict compliance with internal controls, proactively addressing any discrepancies or concerns that arose during the process.
- Strengthened relationships with local businesses by speaking at BARDA Industry Day and other partnering on mutually beneficial initiatives. First to establish an Interagency Agreement with Defense Threat Reduction Agency for BARDA for two major acquisitions, total value $30M.
- Exercised supervisory authorities and responsibilities involving work assignment and review of over 120 contract modifications, new awards, and amendments annually.
- Analyzed, interpreted and shared regulatory policy expertise for the Head of Contracting Activity and Senior Procurement Executive.
- Reduced operational costs through careful evaluation of market research results, development of pre-negotiation objectives, and early coordination of auditors to ensure final negotiation objectives are met, total cost avoidance of $4M FY24.
- Enhanced branch production rates by handling staff conflicts, evaluations, hiring, and termination processes and coaching employees on company protocol and payroll operations.
Action Officer, Major Weapon Systems Division
Department Of The Air Force (DASC)
01.2019 - 10.2020
- Enhanced project efficiency by developing and implementing detailed action plans with clear objectives and timelines.
- Maintained meticulous records of all activities related to assigned tasks, enabling accurate documentation and reporting on project outcomes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion of critical projects, meeting organizational goals.
Deputy Division Chief of Business Enterprise Systems
Department Of The Air Force (DASC)
02.2017 - 01.2019
- Mentored, lead, and guided a team of highly skilled GS-15s to leveraged nine contract automation tools and streamlined manual tasks, increasing staff efficiency and reducing errors in critical procure to pay process.
- Advanced AF compliance to Acquisition Agile Act, NDAA FY 17 Section 806, Risk Management Framework, by drafting, briefing, executing, and reporting functional PPBE to AF CIO, DoD CProgram Executives, Defense Pricing and Contracting, AQX. AQI, Contracting Senior Executives, and DASC
- First MILDEP to successfully deliver a brand new end to end contract writing solution, CON-IT, to 11K contracting professionals worldwide, migrate +127K files, and decommission a legacy system (Standard Procurement System) saving the AF $200M annually.
- Provided expert-level support to end-users in troubleshooting technical issues, promoting a positive user experience across various business functions.
- Worked through technically complex issues, strategized, and collaborated with experts from system security management Defense Information System Agency (DISA), NIST SP 800-37 Rev 1 Vol 1, OMB Circular A- 130, and Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002
- Co-authored a total of 230 functional stories/features, developed training material, and user acceptance test criteria every two weeks.
- Collaborated with Silicone Valley company, Lean Startup, on Minimum Viable Product, General Electric executives evaluated, audited, and advised on our agile practices from start to finish. The feedback helped us to focus on continuous process improvement and fostered an agile-centric culture.
- Championed change management initiatives during major software transitions, effectively managing stakeholder expectations while minimizing disruptions to daily operations.
- Panelist speaker at Defense Pricing and Contracting and AF Financial Management conference
- Played pivotal role in business continuity planning, developing strategies that minimized risks related to system failures. Efforts resulted in a fully PDS compliant offline contract writing capability now adopted DoD-wide.
Action Officer - Business Enterprise Systems Div
Department Of The Air Force (DASC)
02.2017 - 01.2019
- In charge of all Government Accountability Office (GAO) engagements, audits, updates, and data collections for the Air Force.
- Applied understanding of [Type] policies to support mission requirements.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative methods, identifying areas for improvement and recommending solutions.
- Managed multiple high-priority projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality or accuracy.
- Leveraged subject matter expertise to provide guidance on best practices in task execution and risk mitigation strategies.
Contracting Officer
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Anti-Narcotics
08.2015 - 02.2017
- Warranted Contracting Officer, $6.5M, in support of 9 United States of America Embassies
- Independently performed all pre-solicitation, pre-award, and post-award acquisition duties
- Managed workload assignments, coached, and led 5-member team in planning, preparing, and executing solicitations, contracts, and modifications
- Prepared and conducted contract negotiation strategies, bid awards for requiring board approval
- Awarded service, commodities, and construction requirements aggregate value of $20M
- Performed contract, financial, and contractor performance self-assessment reviews
- Negotiated heavy equipment delivery through West Bank, Israel and Jerusalem successfully
- Primary Contracting Officer for 26 new requirements: drug dogs, armored vehicles, IT, criminal justice support service, personal service, building renovation, relocation services
- Analyzed market and delivery systems to assess present and future material availability
- Participated in the development of specifications for equipment, products or substitute materials
- Developed and implemented purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures
Acquisition Intern
Office of the Secretary of Defense (AT&L)
10.2014 - 08.2015
- Competitively selected by Director of Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP)
- Deployed Automated Contract Closeout Tool to 4 Military Departments (MILDEP), 28 Defense Agencies, and 75K Contracting Professionals
- Manually pulled, researched, and analyze 150 contracts from each MILDEP through the Procure-to-Pay process; resulted in identifying invoice system defaulted value on final payment
- Directed, planned, and implemented policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity
- Served as liaisons between organizations, shareholders, and outside organizations
- Reviewed and analyzed legislation, laws, and public policy, and recommend changes to promote and support interests of both the general population and special groups
- Directed and coordinated activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products
- Reviewed reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest policy changes
- Interpret and explained policies, rules, regulations, or laws to organizations, government or corporate officials, or individuals
Grants Officer
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
01.2013 - 10.2014
- Reviews all pre-award and post award documents to ensure compliance with DoD Grants and Agreements Regulation Supplement (DoDGARS)
- Conducted proposal analysis of a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee proposal for system development valued at approximately $3M from the initial proposal
- Enhanced collaboration within the organization by providing regular updates on grant activities and progress toward goals.
- Designed annual grant award strategy as key component of organizational funding initiatives.
- Strengthened project outcomes with detailed needs assessments, ensuring proposals accurately reflected community needs and organizational capabilities.
- Enhanced overall procurement strategy through participation in annual events, meetings, conferences, conventions, and seminars; stays abreast of the mission vision, objectives, and goals
- Conducted negotiations resulting in a revised proposal, resulting in a cost avoidance of $400K
- Conferred with leaders, scientists, and principal investigators to discuss defective or unacceptable services and determine corrective action
- Evaluated and monitored contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes
- Expertly established +125 grants/cooperative agreements under the Small Business Innovation Research, Small Business Technology Transfer Program, and Young Investigator Research Program
Contract Specialist
647TH Contracting Squadron, Specialized Flight
04.2008 - 12.2013
- Warranted Contracting Officer, $2.5M, for Air Force Medical Commodity Council (IDIQ-type) contract, administered ~30 task orders
- Ensured timely fulfillment of contractual requirements by closely monitoring progress and addressing potential issues proactively.
- Reviewed subcontractor agreements to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, minimizing risk exposure.
- Managed full procurement cycle by planning, reviewing, soliciting, awarding, administering and closing out contract to achieve seamless transition at all levels of procurement.
- Implemented robust tracking systems to monitor ongoing contract performance, enabling proactive identification of potential issues.
- Negotiated optimal contract terms and conditions to lessen business risk and maximize financial objectives.
- Managed high-value contracts portfolio, maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive contract strategies that met business objectives.
- Facilitated communication between involved parties to enable timely contract sign-off.
- Lead Contract Specialist for joint program, Asia Pacific for Security Studies (Army facility, Navy funded, and AF contract procedures) for renovation project, 100 notebooks, and 8 adjunct professors
- Closed 9 contracts and deobligated $198K of excess funding and $255 of expired funding during the closeout period
- Chaired Performance Evaluation Board for specialized contract, Exercise Support and Joint Pacific Range Complex requirements
- Extra duties included Commander's Resource Advisor, civilian training manager, and Government Purchase Card holder
- Administered Request for Information, combined synopsis, and industry day announcements
Education
FAC-C Professional -
Defense Acquisition University
Fort Belvoir, VA03-2022
Leading Effectively Through Change -
Office of Management and Budget Executive Training
01.2018
Masters Certificate - Program Management
George Washington University School of Business
01.2016
Certificate of Completion - Distant Learning
Air Command Staff College
Maxwell AFB01.2015
DAWIA Program Management Certification - Level 2
Defense Acquisition University
01.2014
DAWIA Program Management Certification - Level 1
Defense Acquisition University
01.2013
DAWIA Contracting Certification - Level 3
Defense Acquisition University
01.2012
DAWIA Contracting Certification - Level 2
Defense Acquisition University
01.2011
DAWIA Contracting Certification - Level 1
Defense Acquisition University
01.2009
MA Degree - Procurement and Acquisitions
Webster University
01.2007
BA Degree - Political Science
University of Hawaii Manoa
01.2005
Skills
- Strategic Relationship Development
- Innovative Business Models
- Branch Performance Management
- Data-Driven Policy Assessment
- Research Analysis Expertise
- Operational Strategy Creation
- Dedicated Professionalism
- Business Process Optimization
- Proposal Writing Expertise
- Strong Verbal and Written Skills
- Encouraging Creative Solutions
- Long-Term Strategy Creation
- Proficient Team Organizer
Active Clearance
Secret
Timeline
Prog. Director of Research, Innovation, & Ventures
US Department of Health and Human Services, HHS
10.2024 - Current
Branch Chief of Acquisitions
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
10.2020 - Current
Action Officer, Major Weapon Systems Division
Department Of The Air Force (DASC)
01.2019 - 10.2020
Deputy Division Chief of Business Enterprise Systems
Department Of The Air Force (DASC)
02.2017 - 01.2019
Action Officer - Business Enterprise Systems Div
Department Of The Air Force (DASC)
02.2017 - 01.2019
Contracting Officer
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Anti-Narcotics
08.2015 - 02.2017
Acquisition Intern
Office of the Secretary of Defense (AT&L)
10.2014 - 08.2015
Grants Officer
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
01.2013 - 10.2014
Contract Specialist
647TH Contracting Squadron, Specialized Flight
04.2008 - 12.2013
Leading Effectively Through Change -
Office of Management and Budget Executive Training
Masters Certificate - Program Management
George Washington University School of Business
DAWIA Program Management Certification - Level 2
Defense Acquisition University
DAWIA Program Management Certification - Level 1
Defense Acquisition University
DAWIA Contracting Certification - Level 3
Defense Acquisition University
DAWIA Contracting Certification - Level 2
Defense Acquisition University
DAWIA Contracting Certification - Level 1
Defense Acquisition University
MA Degree - Procurement and Acquisitions
Webster University
BA Degree - Political Science
University of Hawaii Manoa
FAC-C Professional -
Defense Acquisition University
Certificate of Completion - Distant Learning
Air Command Staff College
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