Acknowledgments

Writing a textbook can be an impossible undertaking without the support and encouragement of family, friends, and colleagues.

First and foremost, I thank my family for their love, support, and encouragement. My husband Jim has supported my career every step of the way. He suggested I start my own consulting company and didn't complain about late nights taking and teaching classes or traveling across the country. He recommended that I write a book, and here it is. My daughter Ingrid has been supportive, too. She was patient and understanding while I researched, wrote, and edited, sometimes late into the night. It's easy to succeed when you have this kind of support.

In addition, I wish to acknowledge the following professionals for their advice and assistance:

Rand L. Allen, Esq., partner at Wiley Rein LLP, Washington, D.C.

Connie Chintall, certified cost estimator/analyst and principal analyst at Chintall Management Consulting, Inc., Warrenton, Virginia

Michelle Currier, CPCM professor of contract management at the Defense Acquisition University's Norfolk, Virginia, campus

Tom Reid, Esq., chief problem solver at Certified Contracting Solutions, LLC, Louisville, Colorado

Michael L. Mixell, Esq., and Sara L. Rubright, Esq., attorneys at Mette, Evans, & Woodside, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

Myra Strauss and Courtney Chiaparas, editors at Management Concepts, Vienna, Virginia.

In addition, I’d like to acknowledge the following organizations whose professional support gave me the knowledge and network necessary to write this book:

The National Contract Management Association

The University of Virginia's Procurement and Contract Management Program.