NEWPORT NEWS, Va. –
My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and diverse workforce and highlights what national defense team service means to them. Today, Christopher Chan shares his story.
My name is Christopher Chan, and this is “My DCMA.”
I am a contract administrator at DCMA Hampton. I’ve been a part of the DCMA team for three years and have loved every minute of it. My job duties include performing contract administration functions, which includes managing various contracts in excess of $1 million, and monitoring contractor performance to ensure compliance with applicable laws. I also perform final closeouts of my assigned contracts.
I like working here at the agency because it gives me an opportunity to serve in the Department of Defense and to give back to our warfighters. DCMA also gives me a great, flexible work schedule and the ability to grow within the agency.
How did you choose this career field and this agency?
After graduating from Old Dominion University in 2018, I applied to become a Navy officer. One of the officers who interviewed me, Navy Cmdr. Ronald Hoak, spoke about contracting being a pipeline while being a Supply Corps Officer. That was what first sparked an interest in me to work in government contracting. After not being selected for the officer program, my father told me to look into military job fairs and USAJOBS, and that is where I found DCMA.
I feel DCMA is important to America's warfighters because we make sure we are providing and guaranteeing products and equipment are actively ready for our military members in the field. We help ensure these supplies and services are delivered on time, and that all requirements are met.
I learned I was selected as the DCMA Acquisition Newcomer for 2022 while listening to the DCMA Global Town Hall. I was shocked and didn’t think I could even be on the list to win this award. When they announced I was the winner for this award, I was happy and jumped out of my seat! To me, the award means that with hard work, comes great rewards. I do thank my team members, for teaching me the ways of becoming a great contract administrator.
My future career goals include studying for the Contracting Officer Review Board to get my GS-11 limited warrant. I want to continue to pursue becoming an administrative contracting officer.
Some of the great things about working at my location include the ability to ask anyone of my co-workers questions and their willingness to help out. I have met some of the coolest people while working at DCMA Hampton. I was thankful to start working here at DCMA before the pandemic. I would come to the office every day and see almost all my co-workers. It made me so happy to be able to talk to them about work and mostly about their lives. Teleworking is great, but coming into the office when everyone would show up, gave such a great energy and vibe.
Something unique about me is that my grandmother (Lola) had ten boys. After emigrating from the Philippines, her nine sons (at the time) followed her to America for the opportunity of a better life. Seven out of the ten brothers joined the military. They have a total of 125-130 years in military service, including my father. He served in the U.S. Navy and retired as a commander after 30 years of service.
Though I was not able to follow my father’s footsteps in joining the Navy, working for DCMA has given me a great opportunity to help the warfighter in so many ways. I thank my father and his brothers (Jess, Jonathan, Charles Joseph, Jack, Jacob, Jorge, Julius, Jerry, and Robert) for pushing me and motivating me to become the man I am today. I am forever grateful, and hope I am making them proud.
What would you like people to ask about your work with the agency?
I wish people would ask me if I enjoy it. I would tell them I am enjoying working at DCMA and trying to gain as much knowledge as I can to better myself. People outside of work always ask me what I do, but never ask how I’m doing here. I think being in a great work environment at DCMA has made my time with this agency a blast.