Mr. Pless assumed his position as the Department of Navy (DON) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) Mentor Protégé Program Manager in September 2024. In Mr. Pless’s role, he administers and manages all active and non-active Mentor Protégé Agreements (MPAs). In addition, he educates the acquisition workforce about the Mentor Protégé Program, reviews budget request and provides advice and guidance to the major buying commands concerning potential and new MPAs. Prior experience with Federal compliance, auditing and accounting professional with a record of achievement in conducting lending and credit reviews. Mr. Pless Performed as a NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Certified Small Business Professional – Administrative Technical Specialist interface on behalf of small businesses with government contracting officers (COs), contract specialists, and end-users. Performed as a Divisional Administrative Contracting Officer for DCMA, an independent combat support agency within the Department of Defense. Accomplishes complex and critical contract administration actions that have division-wide application pertaining to overall administration of DoD, and non-DoD contracts awarded to the assigned division. Mr. Pless also set Forward Price Rate Agreements with Boeing and was a Price Analyst. He reviewed DCAA Audits of CAS Accounting of Boeing Military Aircraft and Business Systems for Boeing Military Aircraft, as well as Direct and Indirect Cost Auditing. Mr. Pless was also a Forensic Auditor with KPMG LLP and audited Banking and Federal Institutions. Mr. Pless holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Goldey-Beacom College, he is a Small Business Professional Certified, DAWAII Certified Level III, and previous Warranted Contracting Officer