Government Contracting Council Meet & Greet

Description

Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 4:30 - 6:00 PM

Next Meeting: February 12, 2026

This Council develops a space for contractors to exchange information on trends and regulations, while fostering partnerships with local, state and federal procurement agencies. Our objective is to bring together contractors and government representatives to discuss opportunities and compliance.  

Guest Speaker: 

Joshua A. Makely

Chief Procurement Officer
Manassas City Public Schools

      Joshua A. Makely, CPPO, CPPB is the Chief Procurement Officer for Manassas City Public Schools, where he has led the division’s procurement operations since 2022. With a career in public procurement dating back to 2012, Joshua has held key roles across multiple sectors, including Loudoun Water, Arlington County Government, Arlington Public Schools, and Manassas City Public Schools. 

     His diverse background spans utility, local government, and K-12 education, giving him a unique perspective on sourcing and compliance challenges. A strong advocate for procurement excellence and best practices, Joshua brings over a decade of experience to the evolving world of public sector procurement.

Dr. Michael E. Wooten

Chairman
Virginia Community College System

     The Honorable Dr. Michael E. Wooten serves as Chairman of the State Board for the Virginia Community College System, where he leads governance for Virginia’s 23 community colleges. He previously chaired the Northern Virginia Community College Board, strengthening regional workforce pathways and institutional performance.

     A nationally recognized leader in procurement and public administration, Dr. Wooten is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Previously he served as the federal government’s procurement policy chief in his role as Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy within the Executive Office of the President. 

    He chaired national policy boards to include the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, the Cost Accounting Standards Board, and the Chief Acquisition Officers Council. He also served as Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the District of Columbia and as Professor of Contract Management at the Defense Acquisition University.