Joy M. White, director of contracting, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, served as the keynote speaker at the September meeting. In this role, White advises the program executive officer for space programs on acquisition strategy, contract execution and contracting policies and procedures. She is responsible for more than 600 contracts valued at $60 billion in addition to the career development and training for more than 250 military and civilian contracting professionals. White discussed ongoing initiatives designed to improve the contracting process at the SMC. Topics included multifunctional independent review teams, incentives, peer reviews and organizational conflicts of interest.