Learn from the Experts:

Melleny Cotton serves as Associate Director of the Department of War’s (DoW) Mentor-Protégé Program, where she oversees program operations, develops management initiatives, and implements policies to increase small business participation in the Defense Industrial Base. With over 20 years of federal service in Government Affairs and Public Policy, she has built strong partnerships across federal agencies, the defense industry, and Congress. Ms. Cotton also has more than 20 years of service in the U.S. Army and continues to serve in the Army Reserve. She holds a BA in Business Administration from Wayne State University and a Master’s in Human Resources from Central Michigan University.

Jerry J. Smith, MPM has over 24 years of leadership experience across military service, government contracting, and federal consulting. During his Army career, he served in communications, recruitment, retention, and policy roles, earning honors including Army Recruiter of the Year (1997, 2000), Soldier of the Year (1990), and induction into the Audie Murphy Club. For the past 15 years, Jerry has worked as a government contractor and consultant supporting agencies such as the DoD, NSA, SOCOM, OSD, and the Department of Energy, specializing in security protocols, project and program management, and federal acquisition and contracting. He is a certified PMP and MPM and holds a BS in Business Management and an MS in Global Supply Chain Management.