Daniel “Dan” Cary, 1st Lt, USAF

Academic Education

Institution	Degree	Year	GPA
Naval Postgraduate School	M.S. Business Administration	2025	N/A
Southern New Hampshire University	B.S. Business Administration	2015	3.94
CCAF	A.A. Contract Management	2013	N/A
CCAF	A.A. Aviation Maintenance	2012	N/A
Kellogg Community College	A.A. Liberal Arts	2006	3.25

School	Year Graduated
Mission Ready Contracting Officer Course	2022
Officer Training School	2022
Joint Task Force Staff Basic Course	2019
Joint OCS Planning & Execution Course	2018
Air Advisor Course	2017
Contingency War Planners Course	2017
NCO Academy	2017
Senior Enlisted Joint PME	2016
Contracting Technical Training	2012
Airman Leadership School	2011
Aircraft Maintenance Technical Training	2008
Basic Military Training	2007

Directed a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the execution of critical modernization programs, ensuring the sustainment and operational readiness of the USAF F-16 fleet.
Collaborated with senior leadership to shape strategic acquisition approaches for a $4.3B radar enhancement program, extending the service life and capabilities of the F-16 platform.
Championed integration efforts between program offices and contractors to mitigate risks and maintain milestones for high-priority avionics and communication suite upgrades.
Provided actionable insights and recommendations to leadership based on in-depth analysis of program performance metrics and market trends.
Supported the development of long-term sustainment strategies, ensuring mission alignment with Air Force objectives and operational timelines.

Managed a diverse portfolio encompassing 34 contracts valued at $3.5B, balancing competing priorities while ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations.
Led a seven-member team through intensive acquisition cycles, driving improvements in contract management processes to enhance efficiency and outcomes.
Spearheaded the implementation of innovative solutions to acquisition challenges, fostering a culture of critical thinking and problem-solving within the team.
Mentored team members, emphasizing professional growth and alignment with Air Force values, while ensuring high performance and accountability.
Directed the upgrade of a $45M avionics communication suite, leveraging stakeholder collaboration to address technical challenges and streamline execution.
Enhanced team readiness through targeted training initiatives, workload balancing, and cross-functional skill development to meet evolving program demands.

Selected by USAFE/AFAFRICA/CC as #1 in 2020 for SLECP-O commissioning.
Led contracting support for humanitarian assistance, noncombatant evacuations, and contingency ops across 2 COCOMs, 104 nations, and 29 NATO allies.
MAJCOM’s 1st NCO contracting war planner. Established contracting planners’ course, coordinated SAF/AQC tutor visits, influenced largest OPLAN rewrite.
Maintained oversight of 22 contracting officers at 6 sites across 5 countries; unified 5 teams for nuclear weapon incident response task force framework.

Coordinated execution of multi-national exercises and partnership engagements in 75 partner countries within EUCOM/AFRICOM.
Led $1.1M, 22-nation partner engagement hosting 180 medical reps/GO-level attendees for a disease threat reduction conference.
Sole contracting officer for 4-month counter-drug mission; executed $1M logistics plan to open $5M radar site. Delivered West African airspace depiction >1K miles.

Earned $5M warrant; oversaw 1,000+ contracts/$100M in requirements. Supported 50+ MAJCOM events/year.
Led AF1 contract support for 5 European POTUS visits across 13 locations; enabled US-EU strategic engagement.
Oversaw 30-member foreign military engagement team; devised logistics for 32 aircraft and 2.5K personnel, refining $3.4B EDI plan.

Managed 12-person team (civilians/officers/enlisted) with a $150M portfolio supporting 4 MAJCOMs.
Supported 1.6K personnel, 220 buildings, $1.6B infrastructure, RQ-4 ISR operations globally.
As Interim Superintendent and First Sergeant, oversaw $600K in community investments and created a $103.7M economic impact.

Supported AFCENT OIR & Freedom Sentinel missions while deployed to Al Udeid AB, Qatar. Saved $285K on 58 negotiated actions.
Authored $20M fire protection acquisition plan, protected $1.6B PL-3 asset.
Led 6-person contract closeout team, reviewed 1153 files, corrected 5-year backlog, accounted for $14.8M in tax dollars.

Executed $14.2M in commodity, service, and construction contracts. Ensured 100% FAR compliance.
Resolved $10M GAO case, improving communication and timeliness.
Overhauled Flight training program with teleconferences/hands-on courses (63 contracting/contingency topics, 1675 training hrs).

Maintained 83 A-10 aircraft ($971M), producing 4,140 sorties, 8,280 flight hours, and 56 combat-ready pilots.
100% pass rate on QA evaluations, strengthened deployed unit’s 95% QA rating.
Deployed to Osan AB ROK, achieved 96% mission capable rate, earned “Top Steed” award.

Maintained 27 A-10C aircraft ($315M), supporting 30 A/OA-10 combat ready pilots.
Supported 355 FW’s 4,000+ sorties and 8,000+ flight hrs annually.
Deployed to Kandahar, launched aircraft defending Army Outpost Kamdesh, saved 86 soldiers.

TS/SCI Security Clearance
APDP Levels I, II, & III certified
Unlimited Contracting Officer Warrant Authority
1 of entire 4-Star USAFE-AFAFRICA Command selected for Commissioning
Meritorious Service Medals: 2017, 2021, & 2024
Air Force Commendation Medal: 2015
Air Force Achievement Medal: 2011 & 2016
Excellence in Classified Contracting Team Award HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA 2017 & 2018 (MAJCOM)
NCO of the Quarter 319 MSG 2014 (Group)
Lance P. Sijan Award recipient 319 MSG 2013 (Group)
Outstanding Enlisted Contracting Member 2016 (Squadron)
AFCENT ECONS Team of Month July 2015 (Squadron)
3x NCO of the Quarter HQ USAFE-AFAFRICA/A4K (Division)
2x NCO of the Year 319 CONF 2012 & 2016 (Flight)
7x NCO of the Quarter 319 CONF (Flight)
"Top Steed" Award 2011 (Group)
"Proud Hog" Award 2008 (Squadron)
CGOC MVP 2015
SrA Below the Zone 2009