COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal
TITLE: Director, business management/contracting operations
YEARS OF SERVICE IN ACQUISITION WORKFORCE: 19
YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 30
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Professional in contracting; Advanced in program management
EDUCATION: M.S. in national resource strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces; MBA, University of Alabama; M.A. in public administration, California State University, Chico; B.S. in political science/public administration, California State University, Long Beach
Daniel T. Cottrell
by Holly Comanse
Great teachers understand that their work continues even after a lesson has ended. Daniel Cottrell, director of contracting operations and business management for the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA) in Alabama, embodies this principle. With a strong desire to learn and a deep appreciation for knowledge, Cottrell is always eager to share what he knows with others. His commitment to mentorship is not just a duty, but a passion.
“I truly enjoy teaching, mentoring and encouraging the next generation of acquisition professionals,” Cottrell said.
In his current role, he is responsible for the planning, directing, reviewing and coordinating of critical assigned procurement functions for ACC-RSA—the Army’s largest contracting center that operates with more than 900 personnel across six locations and manages approximately 15,000 contract actions. ACC-RSA executes contracts actions valued at around $20 billion annually in support of operations, services and weapon systems, all contributing to Army readiness.
Cottrell joined the Army Acquisition Workforce because he wanted to explore the business side of the Army after six years of gaining operational experience in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and two command tours in support of the border mission. He served as a principal assistant responsible for contracting on three occasions: Korea from 2006 to 2008, Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010 and at the Army’s Aviation and Missile Command in 2010. He retired as a colonel in 2011.
“My greatest satisfaction lies in knowing that I have been able to influence and affect the warfighter, both in and out of uniform, across various assignments around the world,” Cottrell said.
Even with a total of 43 years of military and civilian service under his belt, Cottrell continues to see the value of furthering his education. In 2016 he completed Acquisition 405, Executive Refresh as a comprehensive overview and refresher on the various areas and career fields within the Army Acquisition Workforce. He found the course particularly beneficial for his role as a senior acquisition professional serving overseas and highly recommends it to others. He explained the knowledge he gained not only enhanced his ability to engage in discussions on contracting with non-contracting acquisition professionals but also helped him establish a network of relationships with senior peers, which continues to provide dividends to him.
Cottrell enjoys sharing the knowledge he has been afforded throughout his career, both in his personal and professional life. “I have been fortunate to be able to provide advice often during my career,” Cottrell said. And as a father of two and grandfather of three, Cottrell knows a thing or two about being a leader and mentor to younger generations. In fact, he considers raising a family (and now being a grandparent) to be the most rewarding experience of his life, noting that “it has significantly shaped my values and approach to work and mentorship.”
A good mentor doesn’t shy away from sharing his mistakes, he said, as he believes doing so can help others learn and grow. Cottrell also advises junior acquisition personnel to approach every situation as an opportunity, develop important skills and always maintain sight of Army readiness through support to Soldiers and their families.
“I hope to have more opportunities to contribute to developing our Army’s future acquisition leaders,” said Cottrell of continuing his career in the Army Acquisition Workforce.
In Cottrell’s free time, he enjoys trivia and is particularly knowledgeable in subjects of history and sports, especially baseball. Much of his knowledge stems from listening to the conversations of his parents and five older siblings during his upbringing. He believes listening to them fostered his desire to learn from others and share what he knows.
“For us [in the Army Acquisition Workforce], knowledge is critical to support the warfighter,” he said.
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