Ms. Lisa R. Sanders retired in 2025 after 38 years of federal service. She served as the Director of Science and Technology for Special Operations Forces, Acquisition, Technology & Logistics (SOF AT&L), U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida from 2011 – 2025, with a short break in 2014-2016 to attend senior service college and complete a career broadening assignment with the Headquarters, Air Force.
Other federal assignments included:
- Electronics Engineer at Naval Avionics Center in Indianapolis, Indiana where she served in
quality engineering, production engineering and program management. - Electronics Engineer and Program Manager for the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft at Naval Air Warfare
Center and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, MD. - Program Manager for production and modification of the CV-22 at NAVAIR, Patuxent River, MD.
- Systems Acquisition Manager for the C-130 program in Program Executive Office Fixed Wing,
USSOCOM SOF AT&L.
Prior to entering federal service, Ms. Sanders worked for 5 years as a cooperative education student at Delco Remy Div General Motors Corporation.
Personal Background:
Ms. Sanders has two adult children – Logan Parker and Casey Sanders and two grandchildren – Elysia Sanders (age 9) and Cayden Sanders (age 5). Ms. Sanders has served in numerous roles supporting a wide variety of leisure activities and charitable causes.
Some highlights include:
- 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, part time instructor at Black Belt Academy (California MD)
from 1999 – 2003. In this role, she coached students at the state and national level - Boy and Girl Scout Leader from 1997 – 2005
- Nursery Volunteer, coordinator and coach at numerous churches from the mid 1990s to present. She is now caring for the 2nd generation of children!
- Various leadership roles in the Durant High School JROTC Booster Club (2007-2011)
Education:
GMI Engineering & Management Institute, Flint, MI -Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, 1987
St. Leo University, St. Leo, FL – Master’s, Business Administration, 2010
Senior Service College Fellowship, Aberdeen MD – Senior Professional Military Education, 2015.
Awards:
- 2001 Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award
- 2010 Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award
- 2014 Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award
- 2018 USD for Acquisition & Sustainment Acquisition Workforce Winner (Small Business)
- 2021 Department of Defense (DoD) Vanguard Award for Small Business Innovation
- 2022 USD for Acquisition & Sustainment Acquisition Workforce Winner (S&T Manager)
- 2024 USD for Acquisition & Sustainment Acquisition Workforce Winner (Flexibility in Acquisition –
Team and Individual) - 2024 Presidential Rank Award, Meritorious Senior Professional