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News | June 2, 2025

Vanguard Award Nominees Announced

PENTAGON, June 2, 2025  –  
Established in 2015, the DoD Small Business Vanguard Awards Program recognizes the exceptional contributions of DoD small business professionals and members of the acquisition community that influence small business participation in Defense procurements. The awards process is managed on behalf of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) by the Director, Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). The nominees selected for the awards demonstrated
excellence and significantly contributed to the small business mission during the period of October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

The Revolutionary Leadership Award 

Recognizes individuals who lead by example to overcome barriers and drive innovative small business inclusion across the DoD marketplace. The nominees are:
  • Beth A. Scherr - Headquarters, U.S. Army Contracting Command
  • Cassandra G. Martin - Defense Health Agency, Office of Small Business Programs
  • Melissa A. Johnson - U.S. Special Operations Command, Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

The Ms. Tracey L. Pinson Small Business Professional of the Year Award 

Honors individuals who champion small business growth and sustainability in alignment with the DoD mission and embody Tracey L. Pinson's legacy. The nominees are:

  • David Willis - U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Small Business Programs
  • Christine G. Manglona - United States Air Force
  • Cassandra G. Martin - Defense Health Agency, Office of Small Business Programs

The Small Business Innovation Research Award 

Awarded to individuals or teams advancing SBIR/STTR programs through faster contracting, impactful outreach, and consistent technology transition success. The nominees are:

  • Dr. Mathew Willis - Army Innovation Program, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology
  • William G. Baker - Naval Sea Systems Command

The Verdure Award 

Recognizes teams developing innovative acquisition strategies that increase small business participation and strengthen the defense industrial base. The nominees are:

  • U.S. Army Futures Command Army, Applications Laboratory
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency

The Vanguard Award 

This top small business award is presented to the DoD component organization that best exemplifies a commitment to small business programs in a variety of functional activities. The nominees are:

  • Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of Small Business Programs
  • Department of the Navy, Office of Small Business Programs
  • Department of the Air Force, Office of Small Business Programs