STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. –
My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and dedicated workforce and highlights what being part of the national defense team means to them. Today, Shara Snauwaert shares her story.
My name is Shara Snauwaert, and this is “My DCMA.” I am a contract administrator at DCMA Land Systems based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. I have been a part of the DCMA team for almost six years. My job duties range from performing contract receipt and review, collaborating with our program teams, tracking invoices and payments, to every day problem solving. I work within DCMA Land Systems Workforce Engagement Team, and I am a graduate of the DCMA Emerging Leaders Program.
I enjoy working at DCMA because I have an opportunity to make a difference every day in the lives of men and women serving in our military. The first half of my career was spent in the automotive field. I began as a part-time employee in 1980 inspecting and packaging parts and inputting data during the launch of the quality control statistical process control era. I worked for a gentleman who was an Army captain prior to becoming the president and CEO. Under his mentorship, I flourished in my capabilities and leadership skills. I was extremely fortunate to receive opportunities that others my age were not offered. After his retirement, it was a perfect time for me to begin the second half of my career by giving back to the men and women who support our nation by serving our country.
In 2015, I transferred the knowledge I had gained in the automotive field into the military arena by working for a military contractor. After four years, I joined DCMA.
One of the great things about working at my location is our team. In our lives, people can make things enjoyable or gloomy. I work for leaders who are flexible, have open lines of communication with the workforce, take suggestions from the trenches and address issues proactively. I have an opportunity to collaborate with a wide variety of teammates who are experts and excel in their fields. I’m proud to be a part of a contract management office that is vital to the support of our national defense.
DCMA is important to America’s warfighters because we ensure whatever product or service is needed to complete their mission is at their disposal when they need it, while adhering to all contractual requirements. We are the independent eyes and ears of the American taxpayer. Our task is to obtain the quality products or services the warfighter needs on-time and at a reasonable and realistic cost.
As we all negotiate this transitional time at the agency, we need to truly focus on why we’re here. We need to continue striving to achieve our mission, so that those who we support can focus on their mission. I encourage employees to show up every day ready to bring their “A” game, do their best to bring positive change to their work environment and be flexible. As my battle buddy has instilled in me, “One team, one fight!” Together, we are DCMA!
My future career goals include continuing to support our DCMA team and warfighters. I want to do my utmost to assure they have everything they need for success, whether in an office, on a military base or on the battlefield. I come from a military and service-oriented family. My maternal grandfather served in the Army Air Corps and my father was an Army captain. My uncles were in the Army and Air Force, and my brother served in the Marine Corps. My paternal grandfather was a police detective. Service to our community and country is in my blood. I am proud to support our service members and their mission to the best of my ability.
My favorite hobbies include traveling, scuba diving and competing with Sweet Adelines International, which is an organization of women’s barbershop-style acapella choruses. Currently our chorus, the Motor City Blend out of Farmington Hills, Michigan, is ranked 10th in the world.