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Brenda Cockrell  currently serves as a contract specialist where she supports financial and C4&IT procurements in the Acquisition Directorate, USCG Headquarters, Washington, D.C. She recently transitioned into the contracting series from information technology, having a varied industrial background. Her diverse background includes providing various administrative, management and financial support services including accounting, budgeting and information technology. Ms. Cockrell has practical knowledge and experience in light civil aircraft piloting and mechanics. She is a Department of Labor and USN graduate apprentice in pneumatics and hydraulics.

Prior to relocating to Headquarters, she was a senior systems analyst for the US Coast Guard Finance Center, Chesapeake, Virginia. There she managed the Workflow Imaging Networking System for the Coast Guard’s 23 remote contracting sites. One of her major contributions at the Finance Center was the instrumental role she played in the planning and implementation of the Deepwater Electronic Data Interchange Project. Additionally, she provided in-house systems support to the Contracts Team in the Commercial Payables Branch and designed the Contracting Officer’s Warrant Program for the Office of Procurement Policy and Oversight.

Prior to her service at the Finance Center, Brenda provided analytical services for the USAF at the Air Combat Command, a major command headquartered at Langley, Air Force Base. In this position, she tested and analyzed command and control intelligence systems and their data used in air operations centers world wide.

Ms. Cockrell’s career also includes providing support to various Combatant Commands. She served 16 years in the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), having left a headquarters position to relocate to Virginia in 2003. Her service with the USN includes nine years aboard USMC Air Station Cherry Point prior to tenure in a NAVAIR headquarters position. As a Lead Navy analyst, she supported information systems for the Naval Air Depots. While serving in this position, she worked with NAVSEA as well as the USAF Logistics Commands under a memorandum of agreement providing system support for their Air Logistics Centers.

Her significant awards include: USN Special Act Award and Special Achievement Awards, USCG Commandant Award and USAF Exceptional Performance Award.

Brenda is a graduate of East Carolina University where she earned a B.S. in Industrial Technology (concentration in Manufacturing), and an M.S. in Business Administration and Management from Boston University. She has continued her studies in world languages with Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University. Her interests include: world politics and travel, educating herself in other cultures and customs and enjoying good food and wine.