CYNTHIA L. CULPEPPER Cynthia L. Culpepper, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of Contracting, Air Force Special Access Programs, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C. Ms. Culpepper is responsible for oversight and support of the Air Force Classified Contracting portfolio at Headquarters Air Force level, valued at greater than $40B, and career development and training for more than 50 military and civilian acquisition professionals. She is the senior advisor to the Service Acquisition Executive on acquisition strategy, execution, and policy and procedures for classified contracting. Ms. Culpepper, a native of Alabama, graduated from Mercer University and began her career at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. She has a wide range of experience in all aspects of systems, logistics, research and development and operational contracting and has served as the lead Contracting Officer on multiple ACAT I-IV programs. These include principal contracting officer for the Counterair Joint System and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile programs at the Air Armament Center. She also served as the Chief of Research and Development Acquisition at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Culpepper served as Chief of Contracting for Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO) and was responsible for a classified contracting portfolio that directed selected study, development and fielding activities tasked directly by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and Secretary of the Air Force, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office has been responsible for development and deployment of significant upgrades to the Integrated Air Defense System, now operational around the National Capital Region, and the launch and experimental operations of the X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle. EDUCATION 1981 Bachelor of Arts degree, Mercer University 2001 Master of Acquisition Management degree, American Graduate University CAREER CHRONOLOGY 1. September 1985 - July 1995, contract negotiator, Electronic Warfare Branch, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB, Ga. 2. July 1995 - May 1997, Chief, Commodities Contracting Branch, Operational Contracting Division, Air Force Development and Test Center, Eglin AFB, Fla. 3. May 1997 - October 1997, procurement analyst, Acquisition Support Team, Operational Contracting Division, AFDTC, Eglin AFB, Fla. 4. November 1997 - December 1998, Chief, Services and Commodities Contracting Branch, Operational Contracting Division, AFDTC, Eglin AFB, Fla. 5. January 1999 - November 2002, senior contracting officer, Counterair Joint System Program Office, Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Fla. 6. November 2002 - August 2005, Branch Chief, Medium Range Missile Systems Group, Air-to-Air Missile Systems Wing, AAC, Eglin AFB, Fla. 7. September 2005 - September 2006, Division Chief, Research and Development Acquisition, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Arlington, Va. 8. October 2006 - August 2010, Chief, Contracting Office, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office; Chief, Contracting Office, Air Force Special Programs Office; and contracting officer, Washington, D.C. 9. August 2010 - present, Director of Contracting, Air Force Special Access Programs, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Contracting), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C. AWARDS AND HONORS Larry Kabase Excellence in Air Force Classified Contracting Award (Team) Department of the Air Force Civilian Meritorious Service Award Larry Kabase Excellence in Air Force Classified Contracting Award (Team) Air Force Material Command Outstanding Contracting Civilian Award Outstanding Contracting Civilian Award, Air Force Material Command Bernard A. Shriever PEO Team of the Year Acquisition Award-Innovative Team of the Quarter, Air Armament Center Special Act or Service Award Advanced Missile Joint Program Office Civilian of the Year, Air Armament Center PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS Contracting, Level III, Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Information Technology Contracting, Level II, APDP Program Management, Level I, APDP Financial Management and Pricing, American Graduate University Certified Associate Contracts Manager, National Contracts Management Association (Current as of July 2013)