Panel members Michael Fischetti, Heather Dallara, Dean Dastvar, Crystal Douglas, and Jeffrey B. Birch.
NCMA Battlefield-Dulles Chapter President Heather Dallara participated as a panel member at the University of Virginia’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies’ Student Federal Contracting Symposium held April 9, 2014 at UVA’s Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church.
The event focused on helping students find their way in the acquisition profession by focusing on the skills that government and industry acquisition professionals need to be successful. The panel responded to audience questions answered regarding, mentoring, promotion strategies, and skill sets necessary for the government and industry both now and in the future.
Heather spoke to the audience about her own career path and how being a student in UVA and being actively involved in NCMA allowed her to stay current in her field as well as helped her take on positions of increasing responsibility. She specifically mentioned the NCMA Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP), NCMA certifications, and her active involvement at the local NCMA level at Battlefield-Dulles Chapter, first as Treasurer and now President. She also mentioned the UVA Graduate Certificate in Procurement & Contracts Management as another important key in her success. In addition to education and certifications, Heather stressed the importance of building a network of professionals and highlighted the importance of NCMA in helping her establish that network.
Other panel members included Jeffrey B. Birch, Director (Acting) of the Federal Acquisition Institute; Michael Fischetti, Executive Director of NCMA; Dean Dastvar, Esq., Patent Attorney, Department of Interior, and Crystal Douglas, Vice President of Contracts, VSE Corporation.
