![\"Official](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/jsc2017e109533.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>Phillips joined the U.S. Air Force in 1994 and planned to serve for at least 20 years, but in 2010\u2014while preparing for a third deployment after 14 years of service\u2014he found himself facing a medical separation from the military. \u201cIn a very short amount of time I had to figure out next steps for a career and lifestyle that no longer involved being an active duty servicemember,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Thanks to a special hiring authority obtained by Peterson Air Force Base\u2019s Office of Procurement, Phillips was able to transition to the civil service and apply his experience as an Air Force contracting officer to a new role. Phillips returned home to Houston and shifted from a Defense Department job to NASA as a contract specialist, spending his first 10 years at Johnson supporting all aspects of the Center Operations Directorate. He was then tasked with the challenge of serving as a lead contracting officer within Johnson\u2019s procurement office for the International Space Station Program. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Phillips currently leads a team of highly skilled acquisition professionals who support a variety of contracts that sustain the International Space Station\u2019s operations, maximize science conducted aboard the orbiting laboratory, and pave the way for a seamless transition to commercial low Earth orbit destinations. He oversees the team\u2019s daily work, which includes strategic planning and acquisition of contracts valued at more than $21 billion. Specifically, the team handles NASA\u2019s Cargo Resupply Services contracts, a cooperative agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, and the Research, Engineering & Mission Integration Services-2 contract.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\u00a0\u201cI am responsible for providing high-quality procurement products, services, and support to ensure that executive and technical customer needs are met and exceeded while maintaining compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and guidelines,\u201d he said. That work has included modifying the program\u2019s original acquisition strategy to minimize delays, target cost savings, and emphasize critical infrastructure and services such as the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems aboard the space station.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Phillips enjoys seeing the direct impact of his work. \u201cThis career field almost always allows me to see the fruits of my labor, whether I am procuring office supplies and equipment or managing construction projects,\u201d he said, noting that the remodeling of Johnson\u2019s building 20 was his first project at the center. He is also proud to have supported the career progression of fellow procurement professionals and technical staff. \u201cIt\u2019s a nod to those who came before me and provided me with their leadership and technical knowledge of procurement.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n