Cowan & Associates Management Consulting In The News

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) to provide program support to Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Performance Management Branch (N56) for of the Enhanced Enterprise Performance Measures task under the Navy Shore Infrastructure Transformation (NSIT) Program.

C&A will assist in developing and integrating operational performance management and individual measures for Port Operations, Air Operations, and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation services with other ongoing performance management initiatives at CNIC. Additionally, C&A will help to align CNIC strategic guidance documents and measurement systems with higher-echelon Navy and Department of Defense (DoD) strategic plans, goals and metrics, and will coordinate closely with CNIC’s N52 Strategic Planning Branch, N56 Performance Management Branch and iShore initiative to develop the enterprise performance measures and framework.

C&A’s Senior Director, Jeff Pottinger and Associate Director Jim Snare will be heading up this effort.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net

January 28, 2010
C&A Awarded Contract to Provide Support to NAVSUP on Year of Supply Exhibit at US Navy Memorial

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a Navy SeaPort-e Task Order by FISC Norfolk det Philadelphia to provide support to Commander Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Headquarters, Office of Corporate Communications (SUP OCC), on their “Year of Supply” Exhibit at the US Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.

The “Year of Navy Supply” will kick off in April 2010 in conjunction with the annual “Blessing of the Fleet” ceremony at the US Navy Memorial. The exhibit will highlight the importance of supply throughout history, along with having interactive items and elements to show how supply supports today’s warfighter. Events highlighting Navy Supply will be held throughout the year as well.

C&A will provide strategic consultation and pre-production planning, produce and install the exhibit, and provide maintenance through April 2011. C&A’s Director, Jim Naber will be leading this effort, and will partner with Qnexis, Inc., a Herndon, VA-based strategic marketing communications and information systems consultancy to produce and install this exhibit.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net

January 25, 2010
C&A Signs Subcontract with Target Systems, Inc. to Provide Strategy Support to NAVSUP

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with Target Systems, Inc. , to provide strategic program support to Commander Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Headquarters, Distribution Strategy Team, within Fleet Logistics Operations (SUP 04).

C&A will provide technical writing support on the strategy doctrine on Naval Global Logistics Support, which focuses on alignment efforts with the operational theaters and identification of demand signals from major stakeholders and joint partners around the world. The NAVSUP vision for the Global Logistics Support Strategy is to provide support to naval and joint warfighters through a global logistics network that seamlessly integrates the afloat and shore infrastructure.

C&A’s Senior Director, Jeff Pottinger will be leading this effort.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net

January 21, 2010
C&A Signs Subcontract with CACI Enterprise Solutions, Inc. to Provide Support to CNIC BRAC Budget Office

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with CACI Enterprise Solutions, Inc. to provide program support to Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Budget Office (N8).

C&A will provide technical expertise necessary to assess the integrity and accuracy of official financial records, resolve anomalies, and provide a full range of analytical services to all levels of financial, program and administrative managers. This includes budget execution, formulation and fiscal analysis. C&A’s Associate Director, Maranda Brown will be heading up this effort.

January 20, 2010
C&A Signs Subcontract with Life Cycle Engineering Inc. to Provide Support to CNIC Strategy & Future Requirements Branch

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with Life Cycle Engineering, Inc. to provide Future Requirements Determination (FReD) services in support of Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Strategy & Future Requirements – Resource Management (N55) Branch.

C&A will provide program management and analytical support to CNIC Headquarters and regional staff in developing Program Objective Memorandum 2012 (POM-12) requirements and supporting documentation input to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N46. Additionally, C&A will establish and maintain a comprehensive Common Output Level (COL) /Capability Performance Level (CPL) definitions, performance metrics, and program models; coordinating and integrating N-Codes program requirements; and producing capability plans to the CNIC enterprise in their defense of their requirements. C&A’s Associate Director, Bob Miller will be heading this effort.

January 13, 2010
C&A Signs Subcontract with ITT AES to Provide Support to CNIC Performance Management Team

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with ITT Corporation, Advanced Engineering and Sciences Division, to provide a comprehensive Performance Based Management (PM) System for Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) N56 Performance Management branch.

C&A will help to establish and maintain a comprehensive measurement system to accommodate a CNIC enterprise requirement for PM, including performing cost management analysis so as to understand unit delivery cost and efficiencies. C&A will conduct customer surveys, collect data, conduct analyses and assist in performance management reviews (PMRs).

C&A’s newly promoted Director, Chad Clay will be leading this effort.

January 4, 2010
C&A Promotes Chad Clay to Director

Since joining the team in August, 2005 until December 2009, Chad has worked primarily as the project manager in support of the Defense Readiness Reporting System-Navy (DRRS-N) Program at Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Headquarters. Chad currently heads up the support team for the Performance Management Branch (N56) at CNIC, and also acts as C&A’s Program Director at CNIC HQ.

Prior to joining Cowan & Associates, Mr. Clay worked as an International Development Business Consultant on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Enterprise Development Project (EDP) for Central Asia in 2002 as an MBA Enterprise Corps (MBAEC) Volunteer.

Mr. Clay is proud to have served as a Surface Warfare Officer in The United States Navy from 1995 to 1999. In the Navy, Mr. Clay served as the Ordnance Officer, USS INGRAHAM (FFG-61) based in Everett, Washington and as the First Division Officer, USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) based in Bremerton, Washington.

Mr. Clay graduated from The University of Notre Dame in 1995 where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Concentration in International Peace Studies. Mr. Clay also graduated from The University of Virginia - Darden School of Business Administration in 2002 where he received his Masters in Business Administration.

December 10, 2010
C&A Signs Subcontract with Capstone Corp. to Provide Support to CNIC

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract today with Capstone Corporation. Inc. to provide Program Support to Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Command, Control, Communications & Protection (C3P) Ashore (N36), and Total Force Manpower Strategy & Plans (N14)Branches.

C&A Directors Scott Bethmann and Loren Heckelman will provide program management and analytical support to CNIC Headquarters and regional staff in writing and developing the C3P Ashore Strategic Plan, and C3 Operations Training.

Additionally, C&A will provide support for the CNIC Transient Personnel Unit (TPU) Operations and Shore Corrections Programs. C&A’s Associate Directors, Cathy Alexander and Dave Riley will heading up these efforts.

November 16, 2009
C&A Hires New Associate Director, John Friedlander
Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, John Friedlander, as part of its Arlington, Virginia team.

John is an expert in IT, training, personnel and financial management, administration and training. John currently provides senior level strategic, program management and administrative support to Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Command and Staff Office (N00H). Previously John was as a consultant with CACI Enterprise Solutions, Inc. as a Program Manager for the Chief of Naval Personnel (OPNAV N16) staff where he built a business case for future pay and personnel.

As a Captain US Navy Reserves, John served in a variety of IT and personnel assignments, including Requirements Analyst aboard the Chief of Navy Personnel Staff where he served on the Total Force Career Tools Configuration Management Control Board. At the Navy Personnel Command, John served as a Program Analyst where he developed the Functional Requirements Document for the Human Resources transformation effort.

While on active duty, John’s operational assignments included Auxiliaries Officer aboard USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7), and Electronics Material Officer aboard USS RICHARD E BYRD (DDG-23). His shore assignments included Instructor at Officer Candidate School (OCS), and Deputy Director for Training at Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

John received his BA in Government from Cornell University, and a Masters in Education from University of Rhode Island, and Masters in Public Education from Troy State University

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

August 12, 2009
C&A Makes Inc 500 Fastest Growing Company List

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia has earned the position of 304 on the 2009 Inc. 500 annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Since debuting in 1991 with 100 of the fastest-growing private US companies, the Inc 500 list has served as evidence of the significant accomplishments of entrepreneurial companies.

C&A achieved a three-year revenue growth of 781% and was ranked as #34 in the country among Government Services companies, and #30 in overall growth in the Washington, DC area.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

July 17, 2009

C&A Acquires New Building, Set to Expand

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia acquired a new property today at 2306 S. Eads Street in Crystal City, Virginia. This lot is adjacent to its current location at 2316 S. Eads Street. The building and property will be used as additional office, conference room and classroom space by C&A and its clients as it continues to grow. C&A expects renovations to be complete within 6 months. In addition, the lot will provide supplemental parking for C&A employees and its visitors.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

July 17, 2009
Cowan & Associates Hires New Director Loren Heckelman

Loren is an expert in process engineering, resource management, workflow analysis, and administrative services and training with over 29 years of experience in logistics, budget management, leadership and operations.

As a former US Navy Supply Corps Captain Loren served three tours at sea, including Supply Officer on the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). In this capacity he managed the ship’s entire logistics business, its 80 plane Air Wing and 12 other ships and submarines of the battle group during a six month deployment to the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf.

Ashore, Loren’s tours included Comptroller of US Fleet Forces Command where he directed budget formulation, execution, and accounting for over $40 billion in operating funds with a staff of 95 financial management professionals. He also served as Commanding Officer of the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, Norfolk where he directed the Department of Defense’s largest logistics support center with an operating budget of $1.04 billion and a staff of 1700.

Most recently, Loren worked as a Senior Program Manager at the American Funds Service Company where he established a company-wide record retention strategy and managed a pilot program transitioning the company from paper communications to electronic systems.

Loren received his B.S. in Business Administration from Miami University and his MBA from the University of Michigan.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

July 7, 2009
C&A Hires New Associate Director, David Riley

Dave is an expert in process engineering, resource management, and training with experience in logistics, leadership and operations.

As a former US Navy Aviator, Dave served in a variety of operational aviation billets including flight and instructor duty at Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW 121) where he flew the E-2C Hawkeye, and managed the safety training of 30 peer and senior squadron aviators.

Ashore, Dave served as an Instructor Pilot and Naval Aviation Production Process Action Officer at Training Wing One where he managed an operations efficiency analysis for the Naval Aviator Training process that included over 1,000 student pilots assigned at 12 locations nationwide.

His most recent assignment was at Commander U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain where he served as Force Protection Action Officer. There he developed and implemented fleet-wide policy responsible for the operational security for over 10,000 personnel and all U.S. Navy assets in the Central Asia, Middle East, and Horn of Africa regions.

David received his BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado, and is a graduate of the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

May 4, 2009
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director, Melody Twigg

C&A recently hired Melody Twigg as the Associate Director of Administration and Contracts. In this role she will assist the firm in a variety of capacities including human resource management, contract drafting and review, and client billing and invoicing. Melody brings more than 10 years of project management and legal experience to the firm. A graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Law, Melody has assisted Fortune 100 clients with international tax planning and compliance, corporate governance strategies and management consulting. As a trusted adviser Melody worked with international teams of consultants and client counsel to create solutions for multinational firms operating in challenging business environments. Her work with Big Four accounting firms included posts in Washington, DC, Charlotte, North Carolina, New York City, and London, UK.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

March 24, 2009
C&A Signs Subcontract with CACI to Provide Support to NAVSUP 2040 Strategic Vision Team

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with CACI Federal Inc. to provide program support to Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and its Supply Corps 2040 Strategic Vision Study Team.

This position works with a cross-functional team of military and civilian analysts with the objective of developing a 30-year strategic vision for employment and career development of the US Navy Supply Corps Officers.

C&A’s Director of Mechanicsburg Operations, Jim Naber, a retired Navy Supply Corps Captain will be leading this effort.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net

March 2, 2009
C&A Hires New Associate Director JD Ralston to Support CNIC N3

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, JD Ralston.

JD is an expert in air operations & programs, transportation and maintenance, with over 22 years of leadership and project management experience providing aviation leadership and expertise to the Military and commercial sector.

As a former US Navy Commander and Naval Flight Officer (NFO), JD’s previous naval service included operations tours as Maintenance Officer at Patrol Squadron 66, Operations Officer at Patrol Squadron 94, and Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Patrol Squadron 62, where he led and managed a team of 320 personnel, 9 aircraft, and won the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle “E”) in CY2005.

Ashore, JD’s tours included Director of Training and Flight Instructor for the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center where he led a staff of 26 in curriculum development and training for 48 courses and 875 students, and also completed the Navy Master Training Specialist certification.

Most recently, JD was the Navy Liaison Officer at Headquarters, Air Mobility Command (AMC) at Scott Air Force Base, IL. There he directed and managed the overall operations of 13 Navy-operated AMC terminals with a combined annual budget of $56M and oversight for the Transportation Working Capital Fund (TWCF), where he continues to work today.

JD received his BS in General Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Masters in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and has a Lean Six Sigma certification from St. Louis University.

February 23, 2009
Cowan & Associates Hires New Director Jim Naber to Head Mechanicsburg Office

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Director today, Jim Naber.

Jim is an acquisition and logistics expert with over 28 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and training expertise to the Military and commercial sector.

As a former US Navy Supply Corps Captain, Jim’s previous naval service included Executive Officer for Navy Supply Information Systems Activity (NAVSISA), Director, Nuclear Reactor Logistics Support Department for the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP), and Director, Customer Support Department at the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC), Jacksonville. His sea duty assignments included Supply Officer aboard the USS WASP (LHD-1), USS MONTEREY (CG-61) and USS WHALE (SSN-638), and Assistant Supply Officer aboard USS PROTEUS (AS-19).

Most recently, Jim was Commander of the Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna, PA (DDC) where he led a team of 2700 civilians and 20 officers in receipt, storage, issue and distribution of 800,000 line items worth $9.4B to worldwide warfighting customers, with $10.4B in sales.

Jim will head up C&A’s newly opened office in Mechanicsburg, PA which will serve its clients at NAVSUP, NAVSISA, NAVICP and DDC.

Jim received his BA in International Relations from Swarthmore College, Master’s Degree in Inventory and Logistics Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA, and Masters in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

November 28, 2008
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director Carl Bright to Support CNIC N3

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, Carl Bright.

Carl is a financial, operations and logistics expert with over 28 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and training expertise to the Military and commercial sector.

As a former US Navy Supply Corps Captain, Carl’s previous naval service included Washington, DC Office in Charge (OIC) for Navy Supply Systems Commander (NAVSUP), Deputy Commander Aviation for the Naval Inventory Control Point (NAVICP), and Commanding Officer of the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC), Puget Sound. His sea duty assignments included Supply Officer aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) and USS THOMAS A EDISON (SSBN-610), and Assistant Supply Officer aboard USS TARAWA (LHA-1).

Most recently, Carl was Director of KPMG’s Risk Management Advisory Services

Carl is currently providing aviation operations, financial management, budget and strategic planning support for the US Navy at the Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Headquarters N3 Staff in Washington, DC.

Carl received his BS in Business Administration from the Alcorn State University and Master’s Degree in Acquisition Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

October 22, 2008
Cowan & Associates, Inc. Signs Subcontract with Battelle to Provide Program Support to CNIC

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a one-year subcontract with Battelle Memorial Insitute to provide program support on Operating Forces POM development, budget/execution data, financial performance metrics development and related operations mission areas. C&A’s recently hired Associate Director, Bob Miller, a former US Navy Supply Corps Commander with over twenty-eight years financial and accounting experience, will be the lead Program Manager on this effort and report to the Commander, Navy Installations Commander (CNIC) Code-N3 Operating Forces Support Division in Washington, DC. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

October 15, 2008
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director Bob Miller to Support CNIC N3

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, Bob Miller.

Bob is a financial, operations and logistics expert with over 28 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and training expertise to the Military and commercial sector. As a former US Navy Supply Corps Commander, Bob’s previous naval service included as Deputy Force Supply Officer at COMNAVSURFLANT, Program Officer at Chief of Naval Operations Staff (N80 & N41), Requirements Officer at Navy Petroleum Office, and Assistant Supply Officer aboard the USS CANISTEO (AO-99) and USS BREMERTON (SSN-698).

Bob is currently providing financial management, budget, operations and strategic planning support for the US Navy at the Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Headquarters N3 Staff in Washington, DC.

Bob received his BS in Accounting from the Indiana University and Master’s Degree in Financial Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

October 1, 2008
C&A Hires New Associate Directors Gary & Laura Mizhir to Support CNIC

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired two new Associate Directors today, Gary & Laura Mizhir.

A husband and wife team, Gary and Laura are both former US Navy Supply Corps Officers who most recently served on active duty in the San Diego, CA area and are analysts with over 10 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and financial expertise.

Laura’s last active duty assignment was as Officer In Charge (OIC), Navy Priority Material Office (PMO) Detachment San Diego. She also served as Executive Assistant (EA) and Chief of Staff, for Commander, Naval Surface Forces a three-star Fleet Admiral. Her operational logistics assignments include duty as the Assistant Supply Officer onboard the US Navy Amphibious Ship USS ASHLAND (LSD-48).

Gary’s operational logistics assignments include duty as the Wardroom and Aviation Stores Officer onboard the US Navy Aircraft carrier USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73); Individual Augmentation (IA) assignment as Supply Officer aboard USNS STOCKHAM (T-AK-3017); and his most recent assignment was as Afloat Services Officer at Commander Naval Air Forces Staff San Diego, California,

Gary & Laura both currently support Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Headquarters -- Laura as an Analyst for their Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) Budget Office, and Gary as a Project Manager for the Defense Readiness Reporting System – Navy (DRRS-N) Program.

Laura received her BS in Psychology Suma Cum Laude and MBA w/honors, both from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Gary received his BS in Business Management Information Systems from Seton Hall University.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

September 24, 2008
C&A Awarded BPA to Provide National Guard Support Services

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was selected as one of the five offerors for award of multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) W9133L-08-A-0003, W9133L-08-A-0005, W9133L-08-A-0006, W9133L-08-A-0007, W9133L-08-A-0008 for National Guard Education Support Services, pursuant to the GSA rules of FAR 8.4 and Solicitation W9133L-08-R-2017. The National Guard has decided to award a BPA to the following companies:

1. W9133L-08-A-0003, MPSC, 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 900, Falls Church, VA 22041

2. W9133L-08-A-0005, IIF Data Solutions, 5885 Trinity Pkwy, Suite 120, Centreville, VA 20120

3. W9133L-08-A-0006, Cowan & Associates, 2316 South Eads Street, Arlington, VA 22202

4. W9133L-08-A-0007, SERDI-LLC, 9009 Goshen Valley Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20882

5. W9133L-08-A-0008, AMBIT, 1895 Preston White Dr. Suite 220, Reston, VA 20191

The total program ceiling amount of all 5 BPAs combined shall not exceed $200M.

Furthermore, the Government has selected C&A for award of the first BPA Call #01, W9133L-08-F-0284, at the obligated amount of $897, 954.00

C&A is teamed with SBG Technology Solutions Inc. an 8(a) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business based in Stafford, VA to provide these Education Support Services. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

August 11, 2008
C&A Hires New Associate Director Dawn Burton to Provide DRRS-N Support to CNIC

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and Department of Defense (DoD) today hired a new Associate Director, Dawn Burton. Dawn has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the University of California San Diego, is a former US Naval Surface Warfare Officer who served aboard the USS Antietam CG-54 and USS O'Brien DD-975 in Yokosuka, Japan. Most recently, Dawn was the Business Performance and Resource Manager for the Commander Navy Region Europe in Naples, Italy.

Dawn will be a Project Manager for the Business Management Office (N-5), Commander Naval Installations Command (CNIC) in Washington, DC, and assigned to CNIC’s Southwest Region in San Diego, CA to provide support on the Defense Readiness Reporting Systems-Navy (DRRS-N) Program.

C&A President Brian Cowan stated “I am delighted that Dawn will join our team of four experienced US Navy Veterans providing readiness and DRRS-N program support to CNIC. This is one of our strongest and growing capabilities at C&A, and we look forward to working together with the CNIC/DRRS-N Team to help improve readiness analysis and reporting for the warfighter.”

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

July 21, 2008
Cowan & Associates Hires New Director Scott Bethmann to Support CNIC IG

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Director today, Scott Bethmann.

Scott is a financial, operations and logistics expert with over 28 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and training expertise to the Military and commercial sector. As a former US Navy Supply Corps Captain, Scott’s previous naval service included as Executive Officer at Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Headquarters, Comptroller at Naval Inventory Control Point, Supply Officer aboard the USS JOHN F KENNEDY (CV-67), and Academic Director at the Naval Supply Corps School.

Scott most recently provided consulting and program management services to PRTM, a Washington, DC-based management consulting business, and their DoD clients throughout the US.

Scott is currently providing program and strategic support for the US Navy at the Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Inspector General (IG) Staff in Washington, DC.

Scott received his BS in Resources Management from the US Naval Academy and Master’s Degree in Financial Management from the US Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

July 1, 2008

C&A Hires New Associate Director Linda Greenwade

Cowan & Associates(C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia today hired a new Associate Director, Linda Greenwade. Linda is an Information Technology Strategic Sourcing Specialist with a professional certification in Systems Engineering, and a former career DoD civil servant who spent over thirty years supporting the US Navy in various capacities including the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC) in San Diego, CA where she was Branch Head for the Navy’s IT Umbrella Program, and Software Product Manager (SPM) for the Department of the Navy on the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI). ESI is a successful program that optimizes the acquisition of IT software and services within DoD, and has achieved $2B in cost avoidance during the five year timeframe that C&A has supported this initiative.

Linda is currently assigned as off-site program support for the ESI Team, reporting to the Department of Navy Chief Information Office (DoN CIO).

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

June 23, 2008
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director Baker Turner to Support OPNAV N127

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, Baker Turner.

Baker is an operations, training and logistics expert with over 8 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and training expertise to the Military and commercial sector. Baker’s previous service included as a US Navy Supply Corps Officer aboard the USS LA SALLE, Instructor at the Naval Supply Corps School, and Division Officer for the Iraq Military Transition Teams (MiTTs), Regional Support Unit Kirkush where he provided logistics support to the Iraqi Army 4^th and 5^th Infantry Divisions. Baker is currently providing training and analytical support for the US Navy at the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, OPNAV N127 Training Program Office.

Baker received his BS from the McIntire School of Commerce and MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business, both at the University of Virginia; and his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

June 20, 2008
Cowan & Associates, Inc. Signs Subcontract with GDIT to Provide Program Support to Navy Postgraduate School (NPS)

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) to develop a business case focusing on the creation, implementation, and on-going activities of the USCG Innovation Council. Jeff Pottinger, a former US Navy Supply Corps Captain with over thirty years logistics, strategy, academic/instruction experience, will be the lead Program Manager on this effort and report to the Navy Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, CA. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

June 2, 2008
Aquinas Institute Names Brian Cowan to Board

Aquinas Institute High School of Rochester, NY recently named alumnus Brian Cowan (’75) to its Foundation Board of Directors.

Brian is a former US Navy Commander, and President of his own 25-person management consulting company, Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and strategic planning to the federal government and academia

C&A recently completed a best practices study for Aquinas to identify work, membership, roles, resources, structures and governance rules for Boards similar to Aquinas’.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

May 27, 2008
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director Maranda Brown to Support CNIC

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, Maranda Brown.

Maranda is a financial analyst and accounting expert with over 10 years of leadership and project management experience providing supply chain and financial expertise to the Military and commercial sector. Maranda’s previous service as a United States Marine Corps (USMC) Supply Officer at Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar provided her with significant experience in financial management, which she currently leverages to support Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) as an Analyst for their Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) Budget Office.

Maranda received her BS in Accounting from Oklahoma State University where she was a student athlete and competed in track & field.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

May 9, 2008
C&A Signs Subcontract with Booz Allen Hamilton to Provide Program Support to SPAWAR

Cowan & Associates(C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a one-year subcontract with Booz Allen Hamilton to provide program support on IT Policy Development Implementation and related mission areas. C&A’s recently hired Associate Director, Mary Ann Engelbert, a former Navy Civil Servant with over thirty years IT experience and Clinger Cohen Act expert, will be the lead Program Manager on this effort and report to the Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR) Code 08 in San Diego, CA. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

March 3, 2008
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director Bruce Whiteman

Bruce is a software engineer and IT Strategic Sourcing expert, and a former career DoD civil servant who spent over thirty years supporting the US Navy in various capacities including the Naval Air Development Center, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, and most recently at the Naval Air Warfare Center Patuxtent River, MD where he was Branch Head for the Air Platform Development & Integration Laboratories and Tools Division.

Bruce’s other notable projects include Platform Engineering Manager for the P-3 and S-3 aircraft laboratories, software team lead for the Carrier-based Anti-Submarine Module, and Project Management Office for the AEGIS Combat System Interface.

Bruce is currently assigned as on-site program support for the Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Team at the Department of Navy Chief Information Office (DoN CIO), Arlington, VA. ESI is a successful program that optimizes the acquisition of IT software and services within DoD, and has achieved $2B in cost avoidance during the five year timeframe that C&A has supported this initiative. Additional information on the ESI project can be found at http://www.esi.mil.

Bruce earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University, is a DAWIA Level III in Systems Planning, Research Development and Engineering.

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

January 25, 2008

C&A Associate Directors Invited as Panelists at Upcoming AFCEA West Conference

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia announced today that Associate Directors, Rex Bolton and Jim Cecil have been invited as panelist speakers at the upcoming AFCEA West 2008 Conference in San Diego, CA 3 - 5 February 2008.

A 30+ year career DoD Information Technology Specialist, Rex has continued to provide his IT Strategic Sourcing expertise to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Department of Navy (DoN) Chief Information Offices (CIOs) in the areas of IT Enterprise Strategy, Policy and Planning. Jim Cecil likewise consults in the areas of IT strategic planning and performance management for government and commercial technology organizations. He has over seventeen years of experience working with senior executives in business planning, capital asset management, program and project management, budget development, and business process transformation and automation, and has an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

Rex and Jim will be a panel members on the IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Panels. Full schedule of C&A supported AFCEA West 2008 panels, with their schedule and description and schedule follows:

Tuesday/ 5 Feb 08 - - 8:30 - 9:30 AM:
Software Buyer's Shopping Guide: Buying software for your unit or enterprise requires a lot more thought and effort than simply plunking down your government purchase card for the latest version of shrink-wrapped software on the shelf. Linda Greenwade from the DON IT Umbrella Program and Sylvia Neidig from NAVICP lend their combined 50+ years of software contracting experience to you to provide you the "how-to's" of navigating through the process of acquiring software for your requirements.

Tuesday/ 5 Feb 08 - - 1:15 - 2:15 PM:
Spotlighting Net-Centric IT Asset Management: Discusses how to measure success in attributes beyond just asset cost and IT Asset Management (ITAM); the business practices that join financial, contractual and inventory functions to support IT life cycle management; and strategic decision making.

Wednesday/ 6 Feb 08 - - 9:15 - 10:10 AM:
Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) - How Should DoD Acquisition and Implementation Practices be Adapted to Make SOA a Reality? SOA is a hot topic these days. But does anyone fully understand how DoD acquisition practices need to change to make SOA and net-centric data access come to life? This session will provide an overview of SOA and share best practices associated with contracting and implementation of SOA-enabled technologies.

Wednesday/ 6 Feb 08 - - 10:20 - 11:15 AM:
Lean Six Sigma Comes To Enterprise Licensing: Take two complex processes like Lean Six Sigma and Enterprise Licensing then break them down in easy to digest nuggets that make sense are easy to employ. Learn the essence of everything you need to know about these two timely topics from the Department of the Navy's two Premier Subject Matter Experts in Lean Six Sigma and Enterprise Licensing. They will take you on an easy to understand guided tour that touches on the highlights of both subjects, then addresses how Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is being used to enhance the Department of the Navy's Enterprise Licensing efforts to support today's warfighter!

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

January 22, 2008
C&A Issued Task Order with SERCO-NA to Provide DRRS-N Support to CNIC

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was issued a one-year Task Order with Vienna, VA-based SERCO-NA to provide program support on Defense Readiness Reporting System-Navy (DRRS-N) and related mission areas. C&A’s newly hired Associate Director, Dave Cash, a twenty-year Veteran and former US Navy Supply Corps Commander, will be assigned as group lead for the readiness analytic working group on this effort and report to the Business Management Office (N-5), Commander Naval Installations Commander (CNIC) in Washington, DC.

C&A President Brian Cowan stated “I am delighted and proud that we now have three seasoned US Navy Veterans providing readiness and DRRS-N program support to CNIC. This is one of our strongest and growing capabilities at C&A, and we look forward to working together with the CNIC/DRRS-N Team to help improve readiness analysis and reporting for the warfighter.”

For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

January 7, 2008
Cowan & Associates, Inc. Signs Contract with Aquinas to Conduct Best Practices Study

Cowan & Associates, Inc. (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a contract with Aquinas Institute High School of Rochester, NY to conduct a Foundation best practices study to identify work, membership, roles, resources, structures and governance rules for Boards similar to Aquinas’; and will benchmarking best-in-class practices, and provide recommendations and action plan. Barbara de Butts and Brian Cowan will collaborate on this effort. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

October 26, 2007
Cowan & Associates Signs Subcontract with Booz Allen Hamilton to Provide Defense Readiness Reporting System Support to Commander Naval Installations Command

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a one-year subcontract with Booz Allen Hamilton to provide program support on Defense Readiness Reporting System-Navy (DRRS-N) and related mission areas. C&A’s newly hired Associate Director, Gaylen Truslow, a ten-year Veteran and former US Marine Corps Major, will be the lead Program Manager on this effort and report to the Business Management Office (N-5), Commander Naval Installations Commander (CNIC) in Washington, DC. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

October 3, 2007
Cowan & Associates Signs Subcontract w/CACI to Provide IT Support to DoN CIO and DASN C4I

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with CACI Enterprise Solutions to provide IT program support to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Command, Control Communications/Space (DASN C4I/S). C&A’s Associate Director, Mary Ann Engelbert, a retired Navy Civilian Service Executive will be the lead Program Manager on this effort. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

October 1, 2007
Cowan & Associates Awarded Contract to support DoD CIO

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a competitive $342K Prime Contract by the Army Contracting Agency (ACA) Contracting Center for Excellence (CCE) to provide Information Technology (IT) Program Support to Office of the Secretary of Defense Chief Information Office (OSD CIO) Commercial IT Policy (CITP) Directorate. This effort falls under Government Prime Contract #W91-WAW-07-P-0630, totaling up to $1.4M for base and all three option years, if exercised.

Jim Cecil, Associate Director for C&A, is Project Manager for this Contract and will be providing on-site program and strategic sourcing support for the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI)/IT Asset Management (ITAM) Programs.

September 13, 2007
Cowan & Associates Signs Subcontract w/RGS to Provide Logistics Support to OPNAV N41 Staff

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a subcontract with RGS Associates to provide analytical support on Navy and transportation logistics issues. C&A’s Associate Director, Cathy Alexander, a retired Navy Supply Corps Commander will be the lead Program Manager on this effort and will be reporting to the Head, Supply Ordnance & Logistics Operations (OPNAV N41) on the CNO’s Staff in Crystal City, VA. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

July 27, 2007
Cowan & Associates Brokers Contract between Darden and Navy Executive Learning Office

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business specializing in management consulting and business development for DoD and academia brokered a contract between the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and the US Navy’s Executive Learning Office (ELO) for Executive Education.

As part of this contract, Darden’s Executive Education Program delivered the first of three, two-week courses titled Navy Corporate Business Course (NCBC) to 33 senior US Navy Officers and civilians at their campus in Charlottesville, VA. The NCBC was designed to enhance an officer’s understanding of the Navy Enterprise Framework, application of best business practices, and optimizing readiness at best cost, as well as:

•     Strategic and effects-based thinking;
•     Strategy development, communication and execution;
•     Strategy development – financial, human capital and IT;
•     Performance management; and
•     Enterprise perspective and collaborative skills

During this July two-week training course the Darden School also welcomed 11 active and retired Navy admirals who are visiting Darden and delivering briefings to officers during the two-week NCBC program. In 2003, the Navy established the Executive Learning Office, which has developed executive learning programs to enhance the leadership capability of rising senior leaders. A critical component of that learning is applying best business practices to the Navy. The two primary programs are the NCBC and the Executive Business Course for newly appointed admirals. In 2006, with the assistance of Cowan & Associates, the ELO asked Darden to become a university partner and to host an East Coast version of NCBC to complement the West Coast version taught at the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA. They were especially interested in Darden’s case-study method of teaching. This summer marks Darden’s first NCBC program. As a follow on, the Darden NCBC Team conducted a fact-finding trip to the Naval Service Training Command, Great Lakes, IL in August 2007: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/html/news_article.aspx?id=11176

For additional information about Darden’s Executive Education NCBC Course, please go to: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/html/news_article.aspx?id=10748

back to top

July 7, 2007
Career Next Step Partners with Cowan & Associates to Assist U.S. Military Personnel with Career Transitions

Partnership combines 50 years of industry experience to establish the most comprehensive career assessment and search service
Career Next Step, Inc. and Arlington, Virginia-based Cowan & Associates (C&A) announced a strategic partnership to provide Career Next Step’s on-line career assessment service and career transition training methodology to the Department of Defense. Under the partnership agreement, Career Next Step and C&A plan to provide these services under C&A’s MOBIS contract# GSA10F-0246S with the General Services Administration.

“Every year, more than one hundred thousand individuals transition from the military to civilian life” said Mark Higgins, CEO of Career Next Step. “We are deeply honored both personally and professionally by the opportunity to help these men and women achieve smooth transitions.”

Jeff Pottinger, Director at C&A and Program Manager for their Training Team noted that “we are excited about the prospect of utilizing Career Next Step’s cutting edge web-based career training program, and combining this with customized instruction for our DoD clients to help them better transition back to the private sector. Our relationships with our Military clients as well as the Darden Graduate School of Business positions C&A to better serve our DoD customers. We look forward to this opportunity.”

About Career Next Step
Career Next Step is a web-based self assessment and career development service. Using a battery of proven self-assessment instruments, guided results interpretation, and career search best practices, Career Next Step enables individuals to identify career paths that match their unique personal profile. The service is derived from an award winning course developed at the Harvard Business School in the late 1970s and continuously administered at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia over the last 25 years to incoming MBA students. The Career Next Step site was launched in the fall of 2005, and is now available for use by business schools, undergraduate universities, corporations, and individual career changers. Additional information can be found at www.careernextstep.com.

For Inquiries Contact:
Mark Higgins
Career Next Step, Inc.
5542 11^th Street, N.
Arlington, VA 22205
703-286-5558
mhiggins@careernextstep.com
www.careernextstep.com

Jeff Pottinger
Cowan & Associates, Inc
2316 South Eads Street
Arlington, VA 22202
jeff.pottinger@cowanassociates.net

June 11, 2007
Cowan & Associates Among 391 Firms Selected for Navy Seaport Work
By Michael Hardy
Special to the Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/10/AR2007061001017.html

The Navy has added 391 contractors -- nearly half of them from Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia -- to its multibillion-dollar Seaport Enhanced multiple award contract.

The May 23 addition brings the total of contractors on SeaPort-e, as it is commonly known, to more than 1,300. Contractors on the list are pre-qualified to compete for tasks put up for bids by certain naval agencies. The contracts have a two-year base period and as many as eight option years. The Navy estimates that agencies could issue up to $5.3 billion a year in orders under SeaPort-e.

The Navy periodically enlarges the SeaPort-e contractor base through a process called "rolling admissions." The latest expansion also added the Office of Naval Research to the roster of agencies eligible to place orders through the contract.

Other agencies on the list include the Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Strategic Systems Programs and the Marine Corps.

The 22 functional areas include such commonly needed services as modeling, simulation, and training and analysis support; system design documentation and technical data support; and software engineering, development, programming and network support.

SeaPort-e's long list of potential suppliers give the Defense Department an alternative to doing business through the General Services Administration's supply schedules, said Guy Timberlake, chief executive of the American Small Business Coalition.

While SeaPort-e has a much smaller number of companies than the schedules, its contractors still have many potential competitors for any one task, however, and there may be some that find that just being on the contract isn't enough to bring in revenues, Timberlake added.

"In the GSA schedules world, something like 20 percent of the companies are doing probably 90 percent of the business," he said, adding that smaller contractors would probably fare about the same under SeaPort-e. "You're still a small fish, but in a much smaller pond than it was before."

Michael Hardy is an associate editor with Washington Technology. For more go tohttp://www.washingtontechnology.com.

June 7, 2007
Cowan & Associates Signs Contract to Support US Navy’s COMLOGWESTPAC

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia signed contract N40345-07-F-0006 to provide strategic planning, and training support for upcoming Naval exercises in Japan and Republic of Korea. C&A’s Program Jim Allan, a retired Navy Supply Corps Admiral will be the lead Program Manager on this effort and will be reporting to Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific in Singapore. For additional information about C&A please go to: http://www.cowanassociates.net.

June 6, 2007
Cowan & Associates Signs Subcontract with Bearing Point to Support USAID

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was issued a subcontract to provide program support services to Bearing Point a global management and consulting company. C&A will provide Support for Economic Growth and Institutional Reform (SEGIR) to support US Agency for International Development (US AID) activities relating to Global business, Trade and Investment II (GBTII) under contract number EEM—1-00-07-0005-00.

June 5, 2007
Cowan & Associates Hires New Associate Director Becky Winston

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Associate Director today, Rebecca “Becky” Winston. Becky is an international thought leader in Project Management, and holds the prestigious position as one of only 37 Project Management Institute (PMI) Fellows worldwide. Becky provides consulting services in portfolio, program, and project management for various government agencies and corporations in R&D, construction, information technologies, operations, environmental management, and other areas of management including risk assessment. Becky also provides strategic and business planning for start up business ventures. Her most recent project includes support for the Director, Homeland Security Program, where she manages interfaces with Department of Homeland Security and Argonne National Laboratory, and conducts management oversight of all related programs and projects.

Becky’s other notable consulting projects include Business Relationship Manager for National Security, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, responsible for business development, strategic and business planning for the National Security Sector; and Senior Program Manager, Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies, Inc., where she managed Defense Programs and reported directly to the Vice President and General Manager.

Becky is a licensed attorney for the States of Nebraska and Iowa, and a member of the American Bar Association, Governmental Section National. She serves on the US Technical Advisory Group Member for the International Standards Organization (ISO) for project management standards development. As a PMI Fellow, she is renowned speaker and published author on Project Management and serves as Secretary-Treasurer and Global Advisory Panel for the organization.

Becky earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska, her MA in Biology from Iowa State University and BS in Education, Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Becky will direct C&A’s Risk Assessment Program.

May 23, 2007
Cowan & Associates Awarded Navy SeaPort-e Contract

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia has received a prime contract award as a result of the Navy’s Seaport e Rolling Admissions solicitation N00178-07-R-4000.

The SeaPort Enhanced (SeaPort-e) Program has made electronic procurement of Engineering, Financial, and Program Management support services a reality. Using SeaPort-e, the Navy Virtual SYSCOM (VS) Commanders (NAVAIR, NAVSEA, NAVSUP and SPAWAR) have adopted an integrated approach to contracting for support services. The SeaPort-e portal provides a standardized means of issuing competitive solicitations amongst a large & diverse community of approved contractors, as well as a platform for awarding & managing performance-based task orders. This unified approach allows SeaPort-e service procurement teams to leverage their best work products, practices, & approaches across the Navy's critical service business sector.

To view a complete listing of the successful awardees under this solicitation, please go to www.defenselink.mil/news/ and click on the “Contracts” link for awards made today 23 May 2007.

Additional information on the C&A SeaPort-e contract can be found at: http://www.cowanassociates.net

May 11, 2007
Cowan & Associates Awarded Contract to Support CNIC IG

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was issued a contract to provide program support services to the Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Inspector General’s (IG) Office. This award was made under a subcontract with SERCO-NA, a Vienna, Virginia-based company that provides a broad range of services to federal defense and civilian agencies, as well as state and local governments, and commercial customers throughout North America. Jim Cecil, Associate Director at Cowan & Associates, will be Program Manager for this effort.

April 22, 2007
Cowan & Associates Hires Admiral Jim Allan as its Newest Director

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia hired a new Director today, retired Navy Supply Corps Rear Admiral, Jim Allan. Jim served a distinguished and highly decorated 37-year career in the US Navy (Reserve Component) and has held a variety of challenging supply chain management, operational, training, and executive leadership positions. Highlights included Rear Admiral Allan’s mobilization as the Vice Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command in 2002, where he focused on business transformation, change management and Fleet readiness. Jim also served at US Transportation Command where he led the operationalization of the Defense Distribution Operations Center construct in the Pacific Theater.

Additional flag assignments have included tours as Deputy Commander, Naval Operational Logistics Support Center; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, U. S. Pacific Fleet; Commander, Logistics Task Force Pacific; and Commander, Naval Logistics Forces Korea. Jim has also held six Commanding Officer and three Executive Officer tours in Aviation Supply, Contracts, material distribution. Jim had an equally distinguished civilian career with Xerox Corporation, and has held a variety of sales positions marketing to local, state and federal government accounts as well as top Fortune 100 accounts.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Masters in Business Administration specializing in Marketing from Indiana University. He is a graduate of the Naval War College, the National Defense University and the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Graduate Business School Executive Program and Program for Executives in Logistics and Technology. Jim will direct C&A’s program support efforts with Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific in Singapore.

April 2, 2007
Cowan & Associates Awarded Contract to Support OPNAV N10
Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was issued a contract to provide economist support services to the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) N10 Military Personnel Compensation Office. This award was made under a subcontract with SERCO-NA, a Vienna, Virginia-based company that provides a broad range of services to federal defense and civilian agencies, as well as state and local governments, and commercial customers throughout North America. Garrett Whitmore, Associate Director and Economist at Cowan & Associates, will be Program Manager for this effort.

February 12, 2007
Cowan & Associates Awarded Additional Work under Contract with the Commander, Navy Installations Command
Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in IT and management consulting to the federal government and academia was issued a Task Order for additional work under a subcontract with SERCO-NA, a Vienna, Virginia-based company that provides a broad range of services to federal defense and civilian agencies, as well as state and local governments, and commercial customers throughout North America. This effort falls under Government Prime Contract #N00140-06-D-0045.
Jeff Pottinger, Associate Director for C&A, will be Project Manager for preparation and submission of an annual report for the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) in Washington, DC.

December 04, 2006
Cowan & Associates Partners with SBG Technology Solutions Inc. for the Navy SeaPort Program

Cowan & Associates a Veteran-owned small business based in Arlington, Virginia specializing in management consulting signed a partnering agreement on 4 December 2006 with SBG Technology Solutions Inc. of Stafford, VA for the Navy SeaPort Program. Under this Program, the U.S. Navy beginning in June 2005 has awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple award contracts to 500+ contractors for support services for all phases of weapon systems acquisition and life-cycle support including research & development, prototyping, acquisition logistics, modeling, test & evaluation trials, and engineering support for:

- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA);
- Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR);
- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR);
- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP);
- Military Sealift Command (MSC);
- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC);
- Strategic Systems Programs (SSP); and
- United States Marine Corps (USMC)

These contracts are in addition to the existing 150 contracts already awarded under the SeaPort Enhanced (SeaPort-e) acquisition program for services procurements. It is estimated that a maximum of $5,3B of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-e multiple award contracts. The awards have a four-year base period with one five-year award term and an additional one-year award term.
For additional detail on this announcement, go to: http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/2005/ct20050531.html

For information on the SBG Technology Solutions Inc. SeaPort contract, and its small business partners including C&A, contact Carlos Del Toro, President SBG Technology Solutions carlosdeltoro@sbgtechnologysolutions.com or visit their website at http://www.sbgtechnologysolutions.com.

November 29, 2006

Cowan & Associates Awarded CACI Task Order for Naval Coastal Warfare Project

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-Owned Small Business specializing in management consulting and business development for DoD was awarded a $20K subcontract with CACI Enterprise Solutions, Inc. a Fairfax, VA based DoD IT and network solutions provider. Tim Quinton, a retired Coast Guard Commander and Associate Director at C&A will be performing a Boats and Civil Engineering Support Equipment (CESE) study in support of the Navy's OPNAV N857 Naval Coastal Warfare Program.

November 22, 2006

C&A Brokers Contract between UVA's Darden Graduate Business School and the Navy Executive Learning Office

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business specializing in management consulting and business development for DoD and academia brokered a contract between the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and the Navy Executive Learning Office for executive education. Darden Executive Education will deliver modules on Financial Management and Information Technology/Information Management for the Navy Corporate Business Course delivered at the Navy Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA to high-potential Navy officers and civilians.

September 22, 2006

Cowan & Associates Brokers Deal between Darden and the Naval Center for Acquisition Workforce Development

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business specializing in management consulting and business development for DoD and academia brokered a contract between the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and the Naval Center for Acquisition Workforce Professional Development for executive education. Darden Executive Education will deliver a seminar on coaching and mentoring to Career Field Managers responsible for the development of Navy acquisition interns. This effort falls under Contract No. N00104-06-M-Q664.

August 25, 2006

Cowan & Associates Awarded Subcontract with SERCO to support DoD CIO

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a subcontract with SERCO-NA, a Vienna, Virginia-based company that provides a broad range of services to federal defense and civilian agencies, as well as state and local governments, and commercial customers throughout North America. This effort falls under Government Prime Contract #NBCHF050166/GS-10F-0191J

Rex Bolton, Associate Director for C&A, is Project Managers for this Subcontract and will be providing on-site program and strategic sourcing support to the Commercial Policies and Oversight (CP&O) Directorate, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DoD CIO)) in Washington, DC.

Additional information on Serco can be found at: www.serco-na.com.

August 7, 2006

Cowan & Associates Awarded Contract with the Commander, Naval Installations Command

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned small business, specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a subcontract with SERCO-NA, a Vienna, Virginia-based company that provides a broad range of services to federal defense and civilian agencies, as well as state and local governments, and commercial customers throughout North America. This effort falls under Government Prime Contract #N00140-06-D-0045.

Chad Clay and Jim Snare, Associate Directors for C&A, are co-Project Managers for this Subcontract and will be providing on-site program support to the Commander, Naval Installation Command (CNIC) in Washington, DC.

Additional information on Serco can be found at: www.serco-na.com.

August 2, 2006

EPA Announces IT Systems Analysis Services Contract to Cowan & Associates

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $200K Delivery Order Award to Cowan & Associates, Inc. for IT Systems Analysis Services for its efforts in Environmental Information Integration. C&A will team with DecisionPath Consulting www.decisionpath.com, which provides data warehouse and business intelligence expertise to its government and industry clients. Decision Path is based in Gaithersburg, MD. C&A is an Arlington, VA-based Management Consulting Veteran-owned small business.

Back to school
Innovative Programs Reach Out to Nontraditional Students

by Heather B. Hayes
for Virginia Business
July 2006

Traditionally, executive education programs catered to, well, executives — usually high-powered, Fortune 500 managers on the way up. There wasn’t much interest in people like Barbara DeButts, a stay-at-home mom of 10 years, who wanted to re-enter the executive ranks.

A former corporate strategy specialist for Hewlett Packard who holds an MBA, DeButts didn’t need help with management skills. She needed a boost to her confidence and help with writing a résumé that would account for a decade-long gap in employment. “The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do was to try and write a résumé after 10 years of not working,” she says.

Last fall, DeButts, a McLean resident, turned to the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, her alma mater, and took a seminar through Alumni Career Services for women who wanted to get back to work — on their own terms. The program has been so popular that the school is considering a more formal and extensive executive education course that would target the needs of former executives trying to return to employment after a lengthy break. In DeButts’ case, she found the job she was looking for only a month later, hiring on as a well-compensated but part-time market development consultant for Arlington-based Cowan & Associates.

Targeting stay-at-home moms and the unemployed may seem like an exotic strategy for revenue-hungry executive education programs, but officials at these schools increasingly are reaching out to executives that represent nontraditional demographics and seeing them as critical to their future growth.

The Executive Education Program at the College of William & Mary, for example, now offers open and customized courses that meet the unique needs of military officials running bases and exchange stores. Meanwhile, the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business is in the process of designing noncredit workshops for the legal and medical communities. Old Dominion University (ODU) is targeting the emerging government contractor market in the Hampton Roads area. And George Mason University hopes to get an executive education program under way by 2007 in response to demand from the government contractor community in Northern Virginia.

Additionally, executive education officials are marketing their courses to sole proprietors, technology specialists, education administrators and nonprofit managers.

“ The thing is, we need to find new markets,” says David Newkirk, Darden’s CEO of executive education. “Traditionally, we were about giving MBA skills to non-MBAs in big corporations, but that’s a shrinking market. More and more people have MBAs. More and more people work outside of the big corporations. And so if we as an industry want to grow, we have to look beyond what we normally have.”

In other words, executive education has to change its formula. In years past, many programs had a tendency to give students only what faculty wanted to teach. But now, Newkirk says, most programs, including Darden’s, are flipping their priorities, actually surveying potential students, finding out what they need and responding with teaching materials and courses that can meet those needs.

Executive education officials at William & Mary, for instance, developed and marketed their military-specific courses after doing an extensive market analysis of the Tidewater region. One thing they learned from that study was the importance of being adaptable. “We now try to be very flexible and willing to change at a moment’s notice, because, of course, the military’s requirements can change so rapidly,” says program director Rosanna Koppelmann.

Moreover, the survey found that military organizations were interested in learning about management topics outside the realm of traditional teaching. Currently, the most popular courses for military officers within the William & Mary Executive Education Program don’t cover principles of accounting and marketing but rather deal with strategic retail planning and Lean Six Sigma training. The latter is a popular management methodology that provides tools to make processes more efficient and improve the bottom line. “For them, that’s really important because they’re dealing with taxpayer dollars, so they want to figure out the smartest and most effective way to make those dollars go farther,” explains Koppelmann, noting that the program has provided course work to a number of Army, Navy and Marine Corps leaders, as well as civilian contractors.

The military, in fact, is one of the fastest-growing patrons of executive education and not just on the Peninsula. Military organizations have tapped Darden’s executive education program to design courses related to sustainability, contract sourcing and personal leadership development, as well as general management topics that deal specifically with the issue of interaction between military entities and commercial companies.

Darden is also reaching out to another government entity: public schools. The school is working with the Curry Partnership for Leaders and Education and just received a $5 million grant from the Wallace Foundation to provide principals, superintendents and school board members with training on appraisal, feedback, goal-setting and other management topics as they seek to turn around the financial performance of their schools. “What we’ve done is taken classic executive leadership skills and re-purposed them so they could apply in a school situation,” says Newkirk.

UR’s Robins School of Business decided to target the legal and medical community after discussions with alumni and local leaders. They helped identify that the fast-growing interest among professionals in those fields is obtaining a better understanding of business operations. “We think that the best business principles ought to be applied in social sectors, just as they are in the for-profit world,” says Richard S. Coughlan, associate dean for the school’s graduate and executive programs.

He notes that the courses cover traditional executive education topics such as communications, leadership and strategic planning but are tailored to the specific industries involved. They will be offered for the first time in early 2007.

UR’s executive education program picked up on the changing marketplace and the need to expand its horizons earlier than a lot of other institutions. As a result of strong community outreach and marketing efforts, demand for its courses has been growing by double digits over the last two years.

In a competitive global environment “business and organization leaders are recognizing that if they are not keeping up with the best practices in management, they’re bound to fall behind,” observes Coughlan. “So, many of them have recognized that staying in touch with higher education in a formal way and staying up-to-date in their knowledge and skills can be a real competitive advantage.”

Even nonprofits are getting attention these days. UR provides leadership training for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation, the William Byrd Community House and the Historic Richmond Foundation. And its Excellence Series for Small Business Owners — a public course developed in partnership with the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce — has been drawing owners of some well-known, long-standing Richmond companies, including Andy Thornton, co-owner of La Différence, a retail furniture store.

Even though he has been running his business for 26 years, Thornton decided to enroll after hearing early participants rave about the coursework. “I know a lot about our business, but there were certain skill sets that I have never really been able to implement like a lot of the strategic planning principles,” he explains. Thornton found that the commitment and time away from his business was well worth it. “There’s a lot more discipline now, and it’s been something that I can take to the management team to not only give them a new set of tools but also an understanding as to why we do some of the things we do.”

Still, simply reaching out to new groups is not necessarily going to be enough to drive demand. Many less-traditional populations such as sole proprietors, unemployed executives and even small-business owners may not have the financial resources to enroll in executive education. And busy managers and small-business owners have already indicated that they want as much impact as possible in a tight timeframe.

University officials are sensitive to these needs and are working to tweak courses and schedules to make it easier — and more cost-effective — for new students to take advantage of their offerings. “Many of these managers and small-business owners have always been interested in continuing their education and adding to their skill sets,” says Sheila Powell, director of the Executive Development Center at ODU. “But they don’t have a lot of time, and they’re not all that interested in heading off for a month-long course. They want something that’s convenient and that fits into their work schedule.”

June 15, 2006

Cowan & Associates Opens New Office in San Diego

Cowan & Associates (C&A), a Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned Small business that specializes in providing management consulting services and program support to DoD, announced that it has opened an office in San Diego, CA. near Naval Air Station North Island. According to Brian Cowan, President of C&A: "Our new office in San Diego will position us to better support our current Navy clients, as well as position us for anticipated future growth expected as a result of our recent GSA Schedule contract."

C&A was awarded a GSA Schedule MOBIS contract # GS10F-0246S in April 2006.

April 30, 2006

Cowan & Associates Awarded GSA Schedule MOBIS Contract

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a Management, Organization and Business Improvement Services (MOBIS) contract by the General Services Administration on April 26th, 2006 under contract # GS-10F-0246S. The MOBIS program offers a full range of management and consulting services that can improve federal agency performance and their endeavor in meeting mission goals.

Only a handful of MOBIS contractors, in addition to C&A, possess the necessary expertise to facilitate how the federal government responds to a continuous stream of new mandates and evolutionary influences including: President's Management Agenda; Government Performance and Results Act; Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act; OMB Circular A-76; Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act; and Government reinvention initiatives such as benchmarking and streamlining.

The particular MOBIS contract that was awarded to C&A is for management consulting services under the Special Identification Numbers (SINs) or categories for consulting, facilitation and survey services.

Additional information on the C&A MOBIS contract can be found at: http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/ContractorInfo?contractNumber=GS-10F-0246S&contractorName=BRIAN+J+COWAN&executeQuery=YES

April 22, 2006

Cowan & Associates Awarded USAID Subcontract

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a subcontract (No5300-600-06S-002) for $64,265 with Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI), a Bethesda, Maryland-based company that specializes in providing international business development and program support to the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This falls under USAID/DAI Prime Contract #497-M-00-05-00043-00 under MOBIS GS-10F-0359M.

Chad Clay, Associate Director for C&A, is Project Manager for this Subcontract and will be spending three months in Indonesia providing short-term technical assistance as an Interim Client Service Advisor that will oversee setup, staffing and client services training for the initial Regional Competitiveness Centers (RCCs) in Bandung, Jakarta and Surabaya, under the Indonesia Enterprise and Agriculture Development Activity (SENADA).

Additional information on DAI can be found at: http://www.dai.com/.

February 01, 2006

Cowan & Associates Awarded CACI Subcontract

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a subcontract (No. AMSO4SAW013) for $53,048 on 01 January 2006 with CACI Technologies, Inc., a Fairfax, Virginia-based company specializing in providing IT solutions for its Federal and DoD clients. This falls under Prime Contract N00104-040F0Q002.

Brian Cowan, President of C&A, is Project Manager for this Subcontract and will be providing Program Support to the Department of the Navy Chief Information Office (DoN CIO) and the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Team. ESI is a successful program that optimizes the acquisition of IT software and services within DoD, and has achieved $2B in cost avoidance during the five year timeframe that C&A has supported this initiative.

Additional information on CACI can be found at: http://www.caci.com/, and information on the ESI project can be found at http://www.esi.mil.

28 November 2005

Cowan & Associates Awarded Darden Contract

C&A will provide level-of-effort support to the Darden MBA for Executives, Executive Education and full-time MBA Programs, to conduct a market situation report addressing the greater Washington, DC region.

Brian Cowan, President of C&A, is Project Manager for this Contract and along with his consulting team of Barbara deButts, Jeff Pottinger and Chad Clay, will be providing Program Support to the Darden School on these programs.

Additional information about the Darden School and its programs can be found at: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/.

14 October 2005

Cowan & Associates Signs Consulting Agreement with Darden Executive Education

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia signed a consulting agreement on 14 October 2005 with the Darden Foundation at the University of Virginia.

C&A will provide level-of-effort support to the Darden Executive Education Program for business development for the Federal Government and DoD customers in the greater Washington, DC region. Jeff Pottinger, Associate Director at C&A, is Project Manager for this Contract and will be providing Program Support to the Darden School on these programs.

Additional information about the Darden School and its programs can be found at: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/.

29 August 2005

Cowan & Associates Signs Consulting Agreement with Competitive Innovations, Inc.

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia has entered into a consulting agreement with Competitive Innovations (CI), LLC, an Information Technology Management Consulting Hub Zone Small Business based in Culpeper, Virginia.

C&A will provide level-of-effort support to CI for program support for several of its DoD and Federal Government clients. Chad Clay, Associate Director at C&A, is Project Manager for this Contract and will be providing Program Support to the CI for its work on these programs.

Additional information about Competitive Innovations can be found at: http://www.cillc.com.

29 June 2005

Cowan & Associates Partners with KPMG for the Navy SeaPort Program

Cowan & Associates, an Veteran-owned small business based in Arlington, Virginia specializing in management consulting signed a partnering agreement on 29 June 2005 with KPMG Inc. of Washington, DC for the Navy SeaPort Program. Under this Program, the U.S. Navy beginning in June 2005 will award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) multiple award contracts to 503 contractors for support services for all phases of weapon systems acquisition and life-cycle support including research & development, prototyping, acquisition logistics, modeling, test & evaluation trials, and engineering support for:

- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA);

- Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR);

- Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR);

- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP);

- Military Sealift Command (MSC);

- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC);

- Strategic Systems Programs (SSP); and

- United States Marine Corps (USMC)

These contracts are in addition to the existing 150 contracts already awarded under the SeaPort Enhanced (SeaPort-e) acquisition program for services procurements. It is estimated that a maximum of $5,3B of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-e multiple award contracts. The awards have a four-year base period with one five-year award term and an additional one-year award term.

For additional detail on this announcement, go to: http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/2005/ct20050531.html

For information on the KPMG SeaPort contract, and its small business partners including C&A, contact George Britton, KPMG Federal Practice Support at gvbritton@kpmg.com or (202) 533-6547.

1 June 2005

Cowan & Associates Moves to New Office

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia moved to its new office spaces in Crystal City. The company is now located conveniently at 2316 South Eads Street, just four blocks from the Crystal City metro station, and provides free parking to clients and visitors.

C&A's new contact information is:

2316 South Eads Street
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 920-2282

1 January 2005

Cowan & Associates Awarded MAC Consulting Subcontract

Cowan & Associates (C&A), an Arlington, Virginia-based Veteran-owned, small business specializing in management consulting to the federal government and academia was awarded a subcontract (No C005-DASN(L)-02A) for $77,600 on 01 January 2005 with MAC Consulting Inc., a Fairfax, Virginia-based company that specializes in providing logistics program support to the Department of Defense. This falls under Prime contract N00104-04-F-0107, and GSA Contract GS-10F-0288N.

Brian Cowan, President of C&A, is Project Manager for this Subcontract. He will be providing program support to Mike Skratulia and the MAC Consulting team at the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Logistics) in the areas of Lean Six Sigma training, and Continuous Improvement Surveys and Assessment studies.

January 29, 2004

UVA Top News Daily

Cowan & Associates President Brian Cowan Names Darden Dean to Chair Graduate Business Foundation Deans Advisory Panel

The Graduate Business Foundation (GBF) has announced that Darden School Dean Robert S. Harris will chair the Foundation’s Dean's Advisory Panel through 2005.

The Dean's Advisory Panel provides strategic guidance to the GBF as it serves its primary stakeholders, student government leaders at 50 of the world’s top graduate business schools. “It is an exciting time to collaborate with my dean, colleagues and the GBF,” Harris said. “Working with student leaders is a wonderful opportunity to shape individual careers and spur innovation in business programs around the world.”

The GBF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, promotes leadership and innovation in graduate business schools by creating a network of student government leaders and by recognizing executives, educators, and students who best exemplify the ideals of leadership and innovation. Brian Cowan (MBA ’91), President of the GBF said, “We are grateful for the leadership and counsel that Bob Harris will bring to the Advisory Panel and to our Foundation. It will help us to better serve and develop future business leaders.”

In April 2003, The Darden School hosted the 20th annual Graduate Business Conference, which brings together student leaders to exchange leadership initiatives and create new student programs nationwide.

More information about the GBF can be found at http://www.graduatebusinessfoundation.org.

September 14, 2001

UVA Top News Daily

Cowan & Associates President Brian Cowan Among Darden Alumni Highlighted for 9/11 Acts

“Any of My Darden Classmates Would Have Done What I Did” - Brian Cowan

From out of the chaos and rubble unleashed on September 11, by men who used a passenger jet to bomb the Pentagon, the heroic account of two Darden alumni — both MBA ’91, both rejecting the term, ‘hero’ — resonates.

As Brian Cowan tells it, he retired from the military as a Navy commander in 1999 and formed a management consulting business, working closely with the Department of Defense. On Tuesday, September 11, he was in a meeting in Crystal City, VA, which is near his home and near the Pentagon, when he heard the news of the attack on the Pentagon. When DOD was evacuated, Cowan took a look outside at the traffic gridlock in all directions and decided to walk home. When he saw television coverage of the fires in New York and at the Pentagon, he says he couldn’t stay home. “I’ve been in hostile situations on Navy ships, and I’ve been on 100-person firefighting crews during my time in the Navy. I felt I had to pitch in and help,” he says.

Cowan changed his clothes and rode his bicycle to the Pentagon, where he says he has never seen such chaos at any time before in his life. He describes people everywhere, running; some wounded, some trying to assist others, some trying to escape the area altogether. He showed his military ID and was able to get close enough to assist in setting up the triage tents in the inner courtyard of the Pentagon. He spent eight hours on Tuesday, helping to organize drugs, IV’s, water, and bandages for the wounded, and all the while, the fire caused by 30,000 gallons of aircraft fuel raged on around him.

He says the victims were trapped on the Southwest side of the Pentagon, near the heliport. “Rescue workers weren’t able to enter the building to search for victims until mid-afternoon. The heat was so intense, they couldn’t go inside. Hoses only served to spread the fire, and it wasn’t until they later used foam that they could put the fires out,” he says. Cowan went on to describe a “chaotic yet somehow coordinated” effort at the disaster site. He saw volunteers, including those from the military, fire departments, Secret Service, congressional offices, private physicians, and the FBI, there, amidst the perimeter guards carrying submachine guns, doing whatever they could to find and sustain life.

The first FBI special agent on the scene was Cowan’s Darden classmate, Mike White. Although White declined an interview beyond saying that Cowan is the hero, not him—Cowan says White didn’t have to be at the Pentagon that day, either. “Mike’s my hero. He set up the police lines around the perimeter of the crash site to keep the evidence intact,” Cowan says. All day, and into the night, according to Cowan, White held off all the personnel in the area – doctors, firefighters, police, government officials, military, and freelance photographers – in order to preserve the evidence of the crime scene. In a suddenly unorderly world, White tried to maintain order, observes Cowan.

Jon Megibow, Darden's Director of Strategy for Scale and Scope, was the Director of Admissions when Brian Cowan was here. He recalls Cowan's leadership qualities. "Over the last 15 years Darden has had a string of remarkable students sponsored by the US Navy. Once they complete their degrees, they return to the Navy, which is what Brian did until he retired last year. Brian was active in numerous community-oriented activities during his time here and always seemed to be looking for ways to help out. He was instrumental in bringing a national MBA student leadership conference to Darden, and he eventually served on that organization's national board of directors. He was also a member of the Student Admissions Committee," he says.

Cowan says he did what any of the “Darden family” would have done in similar circumstances. “Darden develops leaders and a sense of community. That stays with you always,” he adds.

Go to UVA's Top News site for other Darden news.

Cowan & Associates, Inc.
703-920-2282
2316 S. Eads St
Arlington, VA 22202