The Contracting Experience

00:43:39

The Contracting Experience - Episode 79: From...

The Contracting Experience ·

2026/08/13

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, host Rob Lorton sits down with Joe Fountain, a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and Director of Contracting for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). They explore his career progression from starting as a Copper Cap trainee in 2004 to now managing a massive $40 billion portfolio, highlighting the immense value of diverse platform experience and the importance of getting comfortable being uncomfortable.Fountain dives into the

EN

00:39:02

The Contracting Experience - Episode 78: Using AI...

The Contracting Experience ·

2026/06/23

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, host Rob Lorton sits down with Ryan Connell, Assistant Director of the Rapid Acquisition Team within the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO). They explore the rapidly evolving landscape of using Artificial Intelligence to modernize and streamline Department of War acquisitions.Ryan discusses the massive success of AcqBot, an AI tool now utilized by over 70,000 users to generate contracting documents, and highlights how the future

EN

00:19:47

The Contracting Experience - Episode 77: FMS...

The Contracting Experience ·

2026/06/01

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, host Rob Lorton speaks with Brittany Burton, Chief of Contracting, and Amanda Smith, Deputy Division Chief, from the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate (AFSAC). They provide an inside look into the complex world of Foreign Military Sales (FMS).Brittany and Amanda explain AFSAC’s mission to deliver air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to 96 partner nations. They describe how AFSAC acts as the Air Force's hub for FMS, managing

EN

00:37:32

The Contracting Experience - Episode 76: The RCO...

The Contracting Experience ·

2026/05/05

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, host Rob Lorton sits down with Ed Keller, Director of Contracting, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). They discuss how the RCO’s agile model can be a blueprint for meeting the 2025 executive order's mandate for faster defense acquisition.Keller explains how the RCO’s flat organizational structure and culture of empowerment, trust and risk tolerance are key to its success. He offers insights on how this model can be scaled across the

EN

00:33:33

The Contracting Experience - Episode 75: ...

The Contracting Experience ·

2026/02/10

Host Rob Lorton sits down with two senior leaders to explore the world of government contracting in an overseas environment. He is joined by Alex Hight, Deputy Director of Contracting, Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Germany, and Casey Kopecky, Deputy Chief of Contracts, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center, Italy.Alex and Casey share their extensive experience leading teams and executing contracts across Europe and Africa. They discuss the unique challenges and nuances of operating overseas,

EN

00:37:55

The Contracting Experience - Episode 74: The Army...

The Contracting Experience ·

2026/01/12

Maj. Gen. Mark Slominski, the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander of Air Force Materiel Command, joins the podcast to provide a unique look into the world of contracting through the eyes of a leader with a rich and diverse background.Slominski shares insights from his current role at AFMC and reflects on his 14 years of experience as a warranted Administrative Contracting Officer with the Army Corps of Engineers. He provides a detailed explanation of the warranting process for degreed

EN

00:42:25

The Contracting Experience - Episode 73: From...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/11/18

Host Rob Lorton sits down with Kyle Roberts, Chief of the Air Force Labor Advisors, to shine a light on an area of contracting that is often overlooked but absolutely critical—labor law compliance.During the conversation, Kyle shares some of the common mistakes contracting officers run into when applying labor laws. From assuming certain contracts are exempt, to overlooking wage determinations, to missteps with Davis-Bacon enforcement and collective bargaining agreements, he explains not just what

EN

00:29:55

The Contracting Experience - Episode 72: Accidental...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/09/16

This episode of The Contracting Experience welcomes Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, Founder and CEO of WWC Global, a company that grew from a small military spouse-led consultancy into a hundred-million dollar powerhouse, ultimately securing a $200 million contract with U.S. Special Operations Command. Lauren shares her journey as an "accidental entrepreneur," detailing how her experience as a military spouse led her to identify a need and create a thriving business. She discusses her early days working

EN

01:00:08

The Contracting Experience - Episode 71: Timeless...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/08/06

This episode of The Contracting Experience welcomes Tom Wells, a retired member of the Senior Executive Service with over 35 years of Air Force acquisition-related experience. Wells has held positions such as Director of Contracting, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and Director, 711 Human Performance Wing. He currently serves as Vice President and Senior Associate at Dayton Aerospace, providing senior-level support and acquisition training for government and industry professionals. In this

EN

00:49:34

The Contracting Experience - Episode 70: Other...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/07/02

This episode of The Contracting Experience explores the world of Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and their role in driving innovation within the Department of Defense. Host Rob Lorton speaks with Tim Greeff, President and Founder of the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), and Matt Summers, an agreements/contracting officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. They delve into the history, present, and future of OTAs, with a focus on the Strategic & Spectrum Missions

EN

00:37:45

The Contracting Experience - Episode 69: More than...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/06/04

This special episode of The Contracting Experience bids farewell to Maj. Gen. Alice Trevino, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Trevino reflects on her accomplishments, particularly her focus on alignment, prioritization, and simplification, and shares insights on empowering contracting professionals by giving them a seat at the table. She stresses the importance of integration across the Air Force

EN

00:46:19

The Contracting Experience - Episode 68: From Data...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/05/22

This episode of The Contracting Experience dives into the evolving landscape of data utilization within the Air Force, featuring Jon McGugin from the Air Force Materiel Command's Contracting Digital Division and Teresa Frank, the Cost and Economics Division Chief in AFMC's Financial Management Directorate. Jon and Teresa explore the advancements of the Contract Data Specialist position, building on its introduction in Episode #47, and discuss the parallel development of similar data-focused roles in

EN

00:26:03

The Contracting Experience - Episode 68: Tackling...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/04/22

In this second installment of our conversation with Alexis Bonnell, we explore more practical applications of AI for the acquisition workforce. In this episode, Bonnell demystifies the concept of "prompt engineering," explaining how crafting effective questions is crucial to getting the most out of AI tools.We also get an inside look at AcqBot, AFRL's AI-powered contract writing assistant. Bonnell discusses how this tool is designed to honor and respect the expertise of acquisition professionals,

EN

00:33:05

The Contracting Experience - Episode 66

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/04/01

The Contracting Experience - Episode 66

EN

00:22:02

The Contracting Experience - Episode 65: Commercial...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/02/10

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, we sit down with Elizabeth Midkiff and Kori McNabb from the Secretary of the Air Force/Acquisition Policy Division, and Brittany Harris from the Air Force Installation Contracting Center, to discuss the new Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Center of Excellence within the Acquisition Toolbox on Air Force Contracting Central.The CSO Center of Excellence is a one-stop shop for resources and guidance on using CSOs, a solicitation method that allows

EN

00:57:47

The Contracting Experience - Episode 64: Providing...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/01/27

In this episode, we partner with the Small Business Directorate, Air Force Materiel Command, and welcome our Small Business Co-Host, Marcy Bain, as we interview Francine Morris, Director of Government Contracting, Small Business Administration.Morris helps us understand the basics of our small business programs, SBA resources available to both the government and small businesses, and the type of work that she is doing every day in her role to help all in the acquisition world meet our mission

EN

00:45:28

The Contracting Experience - Episode 63: CHANGE for...

The Contracting Experience ·

2025/01/13

In this episode, we sit down with Sara Leslie and Nate Armstrong, Co-Chairs of the CHANGE organization at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as well as Josh Beitel, one of the advisors to the organization. They share their insights and experiences leading the organization and discuss the benefits and opportunities that CHANGE provides to contracting trainees.The conversation covers a range of topics, including the organization's activities, such as networking events, community service and

EN

00:54:08

The Contracting Experience - Episode 62: Contracting...

The Contracting Experience ·

2024/11/06

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, we are joined by Tony Everidge, Executive Director, Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he helps lead a team of over 750 acquisition professionals who manage a $55 billion contract portfolio. Tune in as Everidge shares his insights, drawing on his days of playing collegiate and semi-professional basketball. He discusses how those experiences taught him valuable life lessons—like teamwork,

EN

The Contracting Experience - Episode 61: Education...

The Contracting Experience ·

2024/10/08

In this episode, we are joined by Capt. Ariel Parker and Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Ledford, two Air Force contracting professionals fresh off their fellowships in the Education with Industry (EWI) program. Parker and Ledford discuss their impactful experiences working with a start-up company and a non-profit tech accelerator. They offer insights into how their time with industry can benefit contracting professionals and provide practical lessons that listeners can apply in their daily work.Tune in

EN

The Contracting Experience - Episode 60: Setting the...

The Contracting Experience ·

2024/09/12

In this episode of The Contracting Experience, we welcome Maj. Gen. Alice Trevino, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Contracting, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Trevino provides valuable updates on the 2024 Department of the Air Force Contracting Flight Plan, focusing on key accomplishments, challenges, and future objectives. She also discusses the Great Power Competition and Air Force re-optimization efforts, including the introduction of

EN

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Big Cabbage Radio

Mike Chmielewski

AM Quincy

Quincy Access Television (QATV)

Bilbo Hiria irratia

Platform

Wale Bakare

Lignes de défense

RFI