DISA names new Office of Small Business Program director

Carlen Capenos is DISA’s newest Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) director.

Capenos, who was named OSBP director Aug. 6, has worked for the Department of Defense in contracting and with small businesses for 22 years, and has held positions in England, California, New Jersey, and Guam. She has been with DISA since 2015.

“During my career, I’ve seen the patriotism that small businesses have, and their desire to do their very best for the warfighter,” said Capenos. “I share that same patriotism and will focus on ensuring we’re doing our very best for small businesses so they can continue to support the warfighter.”

Capenos said her experience working with large contracting companies and small businesses has prepared her for the new position.

“I enjoy meeting with small businesses and seeing how passionate they are about what they do,” she said. “The Office of Small Business Programs has a responsibility to make opportunities for small businesses. However, it is not only about small business … we have to engage with large businesses as well because they have the big-dollar contracts and subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.”

Capenos believes contracting is a team sport, and says in her new role she will work collaboratively with the program managers/requirements holders, DISA’s contracting arm, external customers, and industry.

“DISA, at large, has benefitted, and will continue to benefit from Carlen’s stellar contractual support,” said Douglas Packard, the Procurement Services Executive. “The creativity, contracting acumen, and tenaciousness she has already demonstrated will generate great wins for the Office of Small Business Programs and DISA.”

She is excited to take on the new role and believes the OSBP will continue to be an asset to DISA and the small-business community.

“Small businesses have innovative ideas, strong work ethics, and they want to do well,” Capenos said. “I’m really looking forward to this new opportunity, new challenges, and ways to make OSBP even stronger.”

For more information, visit DISA’s Office of Small Business Programs page on DISA.mil.

Posted August 16, 2018