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NCMA Boston Chapter Officers

Paul Leuchte | President  – president@ncmaboston.org

Paul has over 25 years of wide-ranging contract management experience in the military and commercial environments, both domestic and international. Currently, Paul is the Director-Government Contracts at Mercury Systems, Inc. Previously, he served as both Senior Contracts Manager and FSO supporting iRobot Corporation’s Defense Unit. Prior experience includes being the Contracts lead at an international business and litigation consulting firm, and the Contracts/Business lead for a contractor at the DOT/Volpe Center supporting the Acquisition Division. Paul proudly served for 23 years with the MA Air National Guard retiring as the First Sergeant of the 567th AF Band where he also performed on Trumpet, French Horn, and led the marching and ceremonial units as Drum Major.

Paul holds a MBA/Acquisitions & Contracts from Western New England University and a BA/Political Science from Bridgewater State University. He recently earned the CPCM certification. He is also certified by the NCMS (NISPOM Professional Association) as an Industrial Security Professional (ISP).

Sheralyn Fallon | First Vice President – 1stVP@ncmaboston.org

Sheralyn Fallon is the Subcontracts Team Manager at The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. in Cambridge, MA.  She has 15+ yrs. of contracts management-related experience, the last ten years focused on acquisition in a Department of Defense environment, with direct responsibility for Contracts, Subcontracts and Procurement.

Ms. Fallon holds a BS and an MBA from Boston University and a Master’s Certification in Procurement & Contracting from the University of Virginia.  She has earned NCMA’s CFCM and CPCM certifications and is an Honor Graduate alumni of 2016 NCMA Contracts Leadership Development Program (CMLDP).

Lorrie Baines | Treasurer – treasurer@ncmaboston.org

Lorrie Baines is a federal acquisition professional with 10 years’ experience with Government Procurement. Currently, Ms. Baines is a Branch Chief with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Service Area Office East, Network Contracting Office 1 – New England, and is responsible for the management of a procurement staff of 11 geographically separated contracting officers and specialist responsible for annual appropriations budget of $40 Million. Prior to her career in procurement, Ms. Baines worked as a senior auditor with the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

Ms. Baines holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. She has earned a CPCM NCMA Certification.

Cara Wulf | Co-VP of Programs – programs@ncmaboston.org

Cara is an Associate at McCarter & English, LLP, and focuses her practice on government contracts and regulations.  She counsels her clients regarding compliance with federal, state, and local public procurement requirements. She also assists in litigation involving bid protests, claims, and other disputes before federal agencies, courts and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).  Prior to joining McCarter, Cara worked for multiple U.S. Department of Defense agencies, where she gained experience with the FAR and DFARS.  Cara has extensive experience litigating claims under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA), and interfacing with the Department of Justice in connection with complex litigation before the Court of Federal Claims and various U.S. District Courts. She also has experience litigating issues regarding cost allowability, allocability and reasonableness, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), responses to contracting officer final decisions (COFDs), design-build construction contracts, requests for equitable adjustments, differing site conditions, delay claims, various programs administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), contract terminations for default and convenience, and advising on prime contract and subcontract terms and conditions.  Cara received both her BA and JD from the University of Michigan.

Lillian Mezynski | Co-VP of Programs – programs@ncmaboston.org

Lillian currently serves as a Contract Administrator at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), focusing on the Institute’s Complex Contracts.  At MIT, Lillian reviews and negotiates commercial contracts and provides guidance for procurements covered under the Uniform Guidance Procurement Standards.  Lillian holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Suffolk University and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law in 2015.  She has also received a Masters Certificate in Government Contract Management from Villanova University.

Tim Wind | Co-VP of Programs – programs@ncmaboston.org

Tim Wind is a contract specialist with the National Park Service’s Northeast Region Office in Charlestown, MA.  He supports all contracting needs of the national parks in the New England area, specializing in construction and utilities.  Prior to his current role, Tim held positions in policy and operations at National Park Service’s WASO headquarters office in Denver.

Tim holds an MBA from Regis University as well as a BA in Economics from the University of Northern Colorado.   He also has level II FAC-C certification.

Geoff Merritt | VP of March Workshops – marchworkshop@ncmaboston.org

Geoff Merritt is a senior manager in the Industry Specialty Services Group at BDO with a focus on Government Contracts. This group of over 60 professionals provides unique business solutions to organizations across a wide array of industries including government contracting, life sciences, nonprofit, manufacturing, technology, and construction among others.

He has over 10 years of professional finance experience with focus on Government Finance & Compliance in the Aerospace & Defense sectors. Geoff has held management positions with small and mid-sized divisions of large corporations, bringing extensive hands-on experience with compliance matters relating to Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, TINA, and Government Business System controls.

Mike Gauthier | VP of Education – education@ncmaboston.org

Mike Gauthier currently serves as a Team Lead in the Contracting Services Department at MIT Lincoln Laboratory.  He provides oversight, direction, and leadership to a tactical group of contracts professionals in accordance with FAR, DFARS, and MITLL policies and procedures.  He is also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Brandeis University Rabb School of Continuing Studies (Division of Graduate Professional Studies) teaching Negotiation, Procurement & Contract Management, and Project Management in the Government.    Previous to MIT and Brandeis, he was the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Woburn, Procurement Analyst for City of Somerville and worked for many years servicing the Federal and State Governments as a contractor.

He is certified as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) and as a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) by the National Contract Management Association.   He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College, a Master’s in Public Administration at Framingham State University, and trained extensively at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Gauthier was a presenter at the 2016 NCMA World Congress and 2015 March Workshop.  He is a published author in NCMA and Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General publications.

Anthony Hugar | VP of Membership – membership@ncmaboston.org

Anthony is a Contracts Administrator at Draper serving on the National Security and Space Team.  Prior to joining Draper he was the Director for Themis Bar Review’s New England region.  While he works primarily in government contracting now, he has a CCCM and years of experience working with commercial contracts, business organizations, and real estate.  Anthony is a licensed attorney in the Commonwealth and a 2014 graduate of Suffolk University Law School.  He is a native of Western Pennsylvania and is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Dawn Sousa | Co-VP of Administration – administration@ncmaboston.org

Dawn has over thirty years of experience in Purchasing across various industries, working her way up from a Purchasing Assistant to a Senior Buyer. Ms. Sousa has been in a Contract Specialist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory for the past five years where she supports the Operational Contracts Team focusing on Software Licensing and Maintenance Agreements. Ms. Sousa holds a BS in Liberal Studies from Northeastern University, a Certificate in Procurement & Contracts Management from University of Virginia, and an AS in Business Management from Newbury College. Currently, Ms. Sousa is pursuing a degree in Information Technology at Northeastern University.

Donna DeFuria | Co-VP of Administration – administration@ncmaboston.org

Donna DeFuria is a Contracts Specialist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA. Her introduction into the contracting arena began in 2010 in construction contracting. She went on to become a Contracts Specialist in 2015. Donna most recently received her degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Acquisition and Contract Management from Strayer University. She also holds a Certificate in Procurement and Contracts Management from the University of Virginia. In 2014, the Contracting Services Department at MIT Lincoln Laboratory awarded her a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding performance and contributions. In addition, she has been previously involved with NCMA as a volunteer in the area of event planning.

Marsha Cervantez | Awards and Fellow – awards@ncmaboston.org

Marsha Cervantez is a federal acquisition professional with 18 years’ experience with the Government and Defense Industry. Currently, Ms. Cervantez is a Contracts Manager for General Dynamics C4 Systems in Needham, MA, responsible for the management of US Government contracts and subcontracts. Previously, Ms. Cervantez served 11 years as a Contracting Officer for the US Air Force. Ms. Cervantez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Arizona. Ms. Cervantez has been an active NCMA member of both the Saguaro and Boston Chapters throughout her career. She has held the positions of Saguaro Chapter VP of Education, Boston Chapter VP of Programs and VP of Administration, was named the Boston Chapter’s 2006 Outstanding Young Professional, and most recently, was named the Boston Chapter’s “Member of the Quarter” in 2013. Marsha is honored to serve as President for the 2014-2015 Program Year, and hopes to reach out to members and prospective members to sustain the Boston Chapter’s rich heritage of Education and Integrity in the Contract Management arena.