Photo By Harrison Cox | NORFOLK, Va - Chelsey Morrison, a contract specialist within Mid-Atlantic Regional...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va – Chelsey Morrison’s career path took an unexpected turn from luxury hotels to government contracts, ultimately landing her at Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) in November 2023. Working as a contract specialist for MARMC’s Contracts Department (Code 400), Morrison is being recognized for her work alongside Lauren Heard on a pilot and dual path collaboration with Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC), for the Depot Modernization Period (DMP) availability for USS James E. Williams (DDG 95).
This complex undertaking involved managing two availabilities under a single contract, spanning across two different coastlines, under an Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA), a contract action in which the contract terms, specifications, or price are not agreed upon before performance is begun. Morrison and Heard played instrumental roles participating in tabletop exercises with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC), SWRMC, and industry partners leading up to the start of the availability.
“It’s been a huge learning experience,” Morrison said. “This contract is a little challenging, so we are all learning together, which is really nice.”
In her current role, Morrison finds satisfaction in the negotiation aspect of her duties. “I really like negotiating,” said Morrison. “I feel like it gives me more confidence, knowing that I’m able to help save money for the taxpayers.” Morrison sees her role as not just negotiating, but working with contractors, a skill she attributes to her background in hospitality.
Morrison’s responsibilities are multifaceted. “We’re doing the administration part of the contract,” Morrison added. “This involves ensuring that the work being done on James E. Williams is necessary and that the contract is being executed properly. We’re making sure that they’re not just finding frivolous things to do.”
Prior to MARMC, Morrison spent six years with Four Seasons Hotels, working in Chicago, Seattle, and New York City. The COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the hospitality industry hard, prompted her career change.
Despite the career shift, Morrison has found similarities between her past and present roles. The negotiation and people skills she developed in the hospitality industry have proven invaluable in her new position. “I had to be so personable with all of the people in hospitality that I feel like I have good people skills,” Morrison explained.
Looking ahead, Morrison aims to become a team lead within Code 400. “I think that’d be really cool, just to kind of have a hand in making sure that my own team is successful, versus just me individually,” Morrison said.
A Penn State graduate with a degree in Hospitality Management, Morrison is originally from the Hampton Roads area. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, Pilates, and pet sitting. Her return to the Hampton Roads area has allowed her to reconnect with family. Her father and stepmother are nearby, and her brother, who recently graduated from college, is also back home and considering a career change in government contracting.
“Chelsey’s work ethic, effective communication, and customer service are the keys to the current success of the USS James E. Williams availability,” said Cmdr. Justin DeVoe, deputy chief of contracts. “Although, there are many obstacles facing the contractual administration of the availability, she continues to develop and find ways to support the customer with getting RCC's on contract in a timely and effective manner. Chelsey also keeps SEA02 [NAVSEA Contracts Directorate] informed of funding constraints facing the availability, so that SEA02 can request additional funding from the customer. If not for her ability to track and communicate this information, work would stop.”
Morrison’s journey from luxury hotels to government contracting highlights the unexpected paths a career can take. Her story demonstrates the transferability of skills across industries and the opportunities that can arise from embracing change. As she continues her role at MARMC, Morrison brings a unique perspective and fresh energy to government contracting.
MARMC, a field activity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), provides surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private-sector maintenance, and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2024 10:40 |
| Story ID: | 478694 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, August Civilian in the Spotlight: Chelsey Morrison, by Harrison Cox, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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