COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal
TITLE: Branch chief, Modernization Directorate
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 39
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Contracting Professional
EDUCATION: MBA and B.S. in marketing, both from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University
AWARDS: Team Award, 4th Quarter 2019

Felicia C. Jones

by Cheryl Marino

In the world of contracting, one must be adaptable to challenges, focus on objectives and encourage feedback to promote efficiency and teamwork.

In acquisition, as with any field, fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment where all team members feel respected and valued for their individual strengths can be challenging, but according to Felicia Jones, a branch chief of the Modernization Directorate at the Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA), it’s paramount to overall success. Jones has learned in her nearly four decades as a contracting professional that it takes empathy, understanding and, above all, patience to create and maintain a cohesive, productive team dynamic that will routinely yield positive outcomes.

“The most important lesson I have learned on the job, as well as off the job, is to be patient with people,” said Jones, who began her acquisition career in 1985 as an Army Materiel Command (AMC) intern contract specialist at Redstone Arsenal in an area called Repair Parts, where she handled spare components necessary for maintaining and sustaining military equipment and systems. “In the contracting area, we deal with so many individuals that I have found it’s best for me to think first before I react.”

Jones believes taking that extra step allows her to respond intentionally, rather than impulsively, reducing the risk of escalating conflicts or making hasty decisions that could be regretted later. It also provides an opportunity to assess the situation, consider the consequences of her words or actions and empathize with others’ perspectives. This deliberate approach, which Jones applies to any critical decision, both personally and professionally, helps to ensure that her reactions align with values and goals, fostering better communication and stronger relationships.

As a branch chief for the Modernization Directorate at ACC-RSA, Jones oversees a team of contract specialists and officers providing support to the Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center. Since specialists often bring diverse perspectives and expertise, her focus on being patient, she said, has allowed her to listen actively, address challenges constructively and foster a supportive environment.

The role she and her team play is critical to the Army’s mission because they provide Soldiers with what they need, when they need it. “The reason my position is important to the Army is that we provide research and development services that create new technologies that give the military an edge over other forces,” she said. “It also helps the military to maintain national security by providing the technology and weaponry needed to do so.”

In addition, she explained, her team is responsible for the procurement of information technology (IT) requirements in the form of computer hardware and software, desktop and laptop computers, printers, software renewal licenses and other IT requirements.

To sum it all up, Jones and her team contribute to the Army’s success by ensuring troops are equipped, supported and prepared for their missions, but Jones stated that her greatest satisfaction “is being a part of the Army that protects the United States.”

Jones has come a long way since her AMC internship making small purchases in Repair Parts. For several years, she continued in that role before working in Major Weapon Systems, where she supported Close Combat Weapon Systems (now Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions) for the majority of her career. “I became a contracting officer and then became a supervisor,” she said. “I later moved to EXPRESS [Expedited Professional and Engineering Support Services] and now work in the Modernization Directorate—all in acquisition.”

The most important points in her career, Jones said, were being chosen for a developmental assignment on a Major Weapon System team early on in her career and, later, becoming an unlimited warranted contracting officer. “I thought it would be interesting to work in contracts,” she said of the latter position. Empowered with delegation authority to enter, administer or terminate contracts, she’s handled various types of contracts, including firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-award-fee contracts. Most contracts she has dealt with during her career, Jones noted, have been with major defense contractors.

Looking to external sources for professional development and leadership growth has also been important to her career progression, Jones said, noting that she especially enjoyed taking Darden Executive Education classes at the University of Virginia and attending National Contract Management Association World Congress conferences, with the latter uniting the contract management community each year for a training event on the impact of collaborative problem solving.

“The career points mentioned helped me to consider seeking a supervisory position,” said Jones, adding that in addition to classes and conferences, working in a program office to “understand the other side of contracts” is something she wishes she pursued that might have also been of benefit to her. “I would have liked to better understand the perspective of the team that put the requirement together,” Jones said.

Learning all there is to know about contracts doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of experience and training to build upon your skills, and according to Jones, mentoring doesn’t hurt either. “I have told many acquisition personnel to learn your craft and not to be in a big rush to get the next promotion,” Jones said. “It takes time to learn contracting, and you want to be fully prepared for the next position. Get with an experienced person and let them mentor you.”

Outside of work, Jones is active with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and its foundation, The Ivy Center of Huntsville Madison County, as well as The Links, Incorporated, a volunteer service organization. She also enjoys decorating and making live flower arrangements for various events for family, friends and her church, where she is co-chair of the ladies ministry. Though it may seem to have nothing to do with her day job, putting together flower arrangements, like contracting, requires creativity, attention to detail and strategic planning. Both also emphasize problem solving, resourcefulness and delivering results that meet specific requirements. Jones explained, “With the contracting field, you often must become creative and work with various individuals outside of your team—as I have done with my outside activities.”