Staff - Virginia PTAC at George Mason University, an APEX Accelerator Virginia PTAC at George Mason University, an APEX Accelerator

Meet The Team

"I love teamwork. I love the idea of everyone rallying together to help me win."
― Jarod Kintz, A Zebra is the Piano of the Animal Kingdom

Lisa Wood

Statewide Director

Ms. Wood holds a MBA from the University of New Haven and a BSBA through the Robert Morris University of Pittsburgh. Lisa is currently pursuing her PhD in Instructional Management and Leadership (School of Education and Social Sciences) with Robert Morris University of Pittsburgh. She previously was the Statewide Director of the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) for the Connecticut PTAC and prior to that was Statewide Director with the Ohio Department of Development after serving as PTAC Director for the Northwest Commission of Pennsylvania. Before joining the PTAC community, Lisa was a Contracting Officer for Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. In her prior roles, Wood performed contract administration and negotiation duties. She also recommended bidders, handled issue inquiries, negotiated bids, performed cost and price analysis, and prepared comprehensive letters to justify recommended contract actions.

Cecelia Cotton

Lead Procurement Counselor, Hampton

As the Lead Procurement Counselor for the Hampton Roads area, Cecelia F. Cotton coordinates support services to assist businesses in finding government procurement opportunities, and assists government agencies in reaching socioeconomic goals. Retired from Civil Service after 31 years, Ms. Cotton served as a Contracting Specialist, Procurement Analyst, and OSDBU for the Army. She has an A.A. in Public Administration, B.A. in Human Resources Management, and a Graduate Degree in Religious Studies. She is Level III DAWIA certified contracting professional. Cecelia loves serving the needs of others, and lives by the motto: “Time is money to the small business person.” She enjoys singing, writing, public speaking, studying Scripture, old movies/sitcoms, and spending time with family.

Daryl Corley

Procurement Counselor, Virginia Beach

Before joining the team in 2019, Daryl had more than 30 years of contracting experience with comprehensive contract Life Cycle support in reviewing initial procurements package for accuracy to contract closeout. Most recently, he worked as a Senior Consultant for MSDS Consultant Services, LLC, which included working with the diverse business community, and clients on contractual issues, provide training material for stakeholders and clients — instructing classes on contract regulatory compliance in the federal government. He created best practice mentor protégé program by combining governmental and commercial organizations. Previously, he worked as a consultant/trainer for CACI demonstrating the ability to resolve a variety of issues. He also provided consultant support creating solicitation matrixes, market research, acquisition plans at the contracting offices for the various agencies. Daryl is also a Service Disabled Veteran and dedicated to assisting Veteran Entrepreneurs.

Lisa Powell

Procurement Counselor, Fairfax

Lisa Powell worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration at the Connecticut District Office from 1998 to 2019 as an Economic Development Specialist monitoring the HUBZone and 8(a) portfolios for the local office before joining the team as a Procurement Counselor in January 2021. During her time at the SBA, Lisa worked closely with all of SBA’s resource partners to facilitate procurement workshops held at local Community Colleges, Chambers of Commerce and libraries. As a Business Opportunity Specialist, she was involved with the Government Contracting programs that the SBA provides and worked very closely with the purchasing agents for the Federal and State Agencies as well as the larger prime contractors while organizing SBA Matchmakers and assisting small business.

Michael Townsend

Procurement Counselor, Northern Virginia

Michael Townsend is the former Sr. Director for Small Business Development and Utilization at SAIC. He was the corporate point of contact for all small business matters related to federal government, state and local government customers and commercial small business vendors and partners. His responsibilities included promoting small business utilization and outreach within the company, government customers and industry. Mr. Townsend developed and implemented the corporate small business processes in accordance with statutory requirements and was also the Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO) responsible for small business compliance and reporting. Additionally, he oversaw and managed SAIC’s small business special programs including Mentor-Protégé (Federal Civilian and DoD), HBCU/MI and Ability One. B.S. Computer Management of Information Systems, University of Maryland University College Project Management Professional (PMP)

Michele McCoy

Procurement Counselor, Chesapeake

Michele McCoy joined the team in July 2015 following 33 years of federal service with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While at NOAA she held the positions of Purchasing Agent, Contract Specialist, and Branch Chief, Simplified Acquisitions. Michele was Small Business Specialist from 1994 until her retirement as a Contracting Officer with a Level III unlimited warrant at NOAA. She worked closely with the Commerce Office of Small Disadvantaged and Business Utilization (OSDBU), and often spoke on behalf of the department at events throughout the country. Michele has a BA in Humanities from Virginia Wesleyan College, post graduate courses in Business Management, and enjoys helping small businesses find success in the federal government contracting world.

Joseph Moore

Procurement Counselor, Hampton

Joseph Moore, CPCM, joined as part time procurement counselor in 2005, becoming full time Director for the Hampton Roads area of the statewide program later that year. After enjoying years of helping clients find unique solutions, he took a 5 year hiatus in 2010 to work as a Federal Government Contracting Officer in Maryland supporting a special IT program. Returning in March 2015, Joe is an experienced Contracting Officer in both private industry and government and finds great enjoyment using his knowledge to help clients obtain positive results.

Linda Owen

Procurement Counselor, Chesapeake

Often working from the Chesapeake Economic Development Office, Linda Owen has provided procurement counseling since retiring from Civil Service in 2007. A graduate of St. Leo University, she began government service in 1976 at the Naval Air Station, Norfolk. She has worked in procurement and purchasing for a many naval installations including NAVAIR, NAVSEA, NAVFAC, NAVSUP, NAVAL MEDICAL, and SPAWAR. While Director of the Small Business Program, she met all small business goals for both of the commands under her direction. She enjoys meeting new people, learning their stories, and providing valuable information to assist them to grow their business and achieve the American Dream.

Kellie Burns Peterson

Client Services Coordinator, Fairfax

Kellie came to the team after 12 years as the Director of Office Administration and Communication for a non-profit. In her role there she handled a variety of duties including facility management, facility scheduling, equipment purchasing, website maintenance, social media marketing, print media, monthly/weekly printed and online newsletters and bulletins. With previous experience in sales and marketing positions for several private sector firms, she also trained as a technical writer for a small Defense contractor and has experience with Procurement and Contracts with the Department of the Army. Drawing on a diverse background of experience, Kellie especially enjoys working with clients while learning all the aspects of PTAC’s role in connecting small business to Government contracts and assisting clients to meet with knowledgeable counselors.

Elizabeth Torrens

Operations Manager, Fairfax

Elizabeth Torrens moved into her role as Operations Manager in 2014 after working as the Assistant Business Manager for the MEC-Fairfax. She loves looking for a big-picture solutions while still accounting for detail. Easily changing hats, Elizabeth has done everything from driving tractors at a pumpkin patch, answering retirement questions during the financial crisis, to breaking ground on a sustainable food forest on the GMU Fairfax campus. Finding a home at the Mason Enterprise Center since moving to Virginia has been rewarding and she looks forward helping clients make use of the valuable services at the Virginia PTAC, an APEX Accelerator.

Frank Toth

Procurement Counselor, Fairfax

Frank Toth brings decades of acquisition/purchasing experience to his position as a procurement counselor. While on active duty as US Air Force and civil service employee at Wright Patterson AFB, Frank’s responsibilities continually evolved as Contracting Officer for Research and Development, aircraft procurement, and Foreign Military Sales to European and Middle Eastern military allies. At GSA, he was team leader for the transition of the Federal Procurement Data System from DOD to GSA, Director of Public Buildings Service Contract Management Division, and Director of Federal Protective Service. Acquisition and purchasing experience with Bethlehem Steel Corporation and Cornell University Aeronautical Test Laboratory rounded out his goal to experience, grow and share entrepreneurial knowledge.

Richard Rosanelli

Procurement Counselor, Richmond

Richard Rosanelli has over 32 years of contracting/procurement experience with four Federal agencies (USPS, Treasury Dept., State Dept., & DLA/DoD) as an unlimited contracting officer and deputy director of a SBO. In addition to being a CVE Counselor, Richard can help with understanding the FAR, interpreting solicitations, and assist with marketing strategies, to name just to a few of his areas of expertise. Richard brings a wealth of experience and understanding in how the Federal agencies operate and an in-depth knowledge of the procurement process to help clients understand how to contract with government at all levels.

Michael Blythe

Procurement Counselor, Central Virginia

Michael Blythe joined the team in March 2022, having previously served eight years in the Ohio University PTAC in Pickerington, Ohio. Before becoming a Procurement Counselor, Michael served 30 years in the United States Air Force in the security/counterintelligence (CI) and International Politics. He possesses a BS in International Politics from USAF Academy, MA International Affairs, Masters of Public Administration and a Masters in Government Contracting. Michael has performed as a management consultant for a major DoD contractor with significant overseas responsibilities, where he was a key participant in several multi-billion DoD contract proposals. He also served two years with a major contract proposal organization responsible for highly classified DoD/NRO contracts.