WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2025) — The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) recognizes the selection of 10 contracting officers for the fourth cohort of the Immersive Commercial Acquisition Program (ICAP) for 2025-2026.
The ICAP Fellowship, a collaboration between the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and DIU, offers an immersive 12-month fellowship that provides hands-on experience in commercial acquisition. The selected fellows for the flagship innovation program are:
Danielle Beavers-Rose, U.S. Coast Guard
Patrick Conrad, Air Force
Ryan Cunard, Army
Stephen Johnson, Defense Contracting Management Agency
Lacey Lockard, Defense Health Agency
Nichelle Morris, Department of the Navy
Kelsie O’Connell, Navy
Dyanne Van Der Kamp, Navy
Chelsie Voss, Air Force
Jennifer Weyand, Defense Health Agency
Launched in May 2022, ICAP fellowship is a unique opportunity for acquisition professionals to work directly with cutting-edge technology companies, learn from industry experts, and gain valuable experience in commercial acquisition. Fellows benefit from an immersive experience that combines DAU learning with relevant, on-the-job training through the execution of DIU prototype projects.
ICAP is a critical component of the Department of Defense's efforts to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing technological landscape. The program provides acquisition professionals with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to navigate the complex world of commercial acquisition.
To celebrate the accomplishments of the outgoing 2024-25 cohort and welcome the new fellows, DIU and DAU are set to host an ICAP Recognition Ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 1:00 p.m. in Howell Auditorium at the Defense Acquisition University campus on Ft. Belvoir, Va. and streaming online. Registration is required. For more information please visit: https://www.dau.edu/events/immersive-commercial-acquisition-program-recognition-ceremony-0
To learn more about the ICAP fellowship and its impact on the defense acquisition process visit the ICAP website: https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/immersive-commercial-acquisition-program-icap
Danielle Beavers-Rose
Danielle Beavers-Rose is a GS 1102-13 Contracting Officer at the United States Coast Guard's C5ISC, with eight years of contracting experience and over two decades in finance. She lives in Eustis, Florida, with her husband, Rupert Rose, a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer. They have six children and seven grandchildren. Outside of work, she is involved with her church and enjoys reading, crafting, and party planning.
Patrick Conrad
Patrick M. Conrad is a Contracting Officer for the Propulsion Acquisition Division (LPA) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. He manages contracting for over $8B in acquisition and product support, including next-generation propulsion systems. Previously, Mr. Conrad served as a Contracting Officer for the KC-46 Pegasus Program and a Contracting Specialist for ISR/SOF Sensors. His contracting experience spans research & development, prototyping, production, sustainment, Foreign Military Sales, and commercial acquisition. Before his Air Force career, he spent 12 years in financial management as a Wealth Management Trust Advisor. He holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Ryan Cunard
Ryan V. Cunard is a Contracting Officer and Acquisition Liaison with over 12 years of federal acquisition and procurement experience, specializing in Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. As a Team Lead at the Army FUZE Contracting Activity, he designed innovative contracting strategies, championed Commercial Solutions Opening procedures for SBIR/STTR execution, and authored enterprise-level templates to standardize awards, which streamlined processes and reduced procurement timelines. He holds a B.S. in Accounting, is DAWIA Level III certified in Contracting, and credentialed in Research and Development contracting.
Stephen Johnson
Stephen Johnson is an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) and Administrative Grants/Agreements Officer (AGO/AAO) with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). He manages a portfolio of Other Transactions (OTs), cooperative agreements, and contracts, including large consortium-based OTs. Johnson provides expertise in contract and agreement management, contractor oversight, compliance, and mission-focused acquisition solutions. He has contributed to DCMA’s Other Transaction Working Group (OTWG) and actively participates in the OT community to advocate for best practices in defense acquisition.
Lacey Lockard
Lacey N. Lockard is a Contracting Officer at the Defense Health Agency (DHA) since October 2023, where she spearheads digital modernization through innovative acquisition and streamlined procurement. She restructured the Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions (EIDS) program and led Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for the PEO Commercial Solution Offering (CSO), supporting critical healthcare IT solutions. Previously, Ms. Lockard was a Contract Specialist at the Army Contracting Command (May 2022-Oct 2023), ensuring timely awards and continuity of operations. From February 2021 to April 2022, she was a warranted Contracting Officer (KO) with the Army Contracting Command, mentoring new hires. She holds an MBA from Saint Leo University and is pursuing her Agreement Officer warrant, having also received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Nichelle Morris
Nichelle Morris is a Contract Specialist with over eight years of experience in federal acquisition and contracting. She is currently a Team Lead at Naval Systems Management Activity (NSMA), where she mentors junior staff on contract execution and compliance for R&D contracts. Her career includes time at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). Ms. Morris holds a BS in Marketing and International Business from Iowa State University and an MA in Global Leadership from Hawaii Pacific University. She is also Level III certified in Contracting.
Kelsie O'Connell
Kelsie O’Connell is a Supervisory Contracting Officer with the Naval Systems Management Activity (NSMA), where she manages high-value contracts for the Navy and Marine Corps. She has overseen over $800 million in contracts, focusing on efficiency and collaboration. Kelsie is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and DAWIA certified, and received the Civilian Service Achievement Medal in 2023. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from North Carolina State University.
Dyanne Van Der Kamp
Dyanne began her federal contracting career at the end of May 2009 through the NAVFAC Professional Development Center (PDC), where she cultivated deep expertise in contracting. She earned her initial $10 million warrant in 2018, with authority for Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs), and currently holds a $30 million warrant with expanded authority to approve architect-engineering, construction, information technology (IT), and ESPC contracts. As the Supervisory Contracting supporting NAVFAC’s Information Technology Center (NITC) and Chief Information Officer (CIO), Dyanne leads the award and oversight of commercial contracts to procure software-as-a-service and IT supplies for the agency, to include the Marine Corps.
Chelsie Voss
Chelsie Voss is an accomplished, unlimited warranted Contracting Officer at AFWERX, specializing in agile acquisition methods. She has successfully awarded numerous contracts, securing timely funding for R&D projects. Chelsie is also a leader and mentor, developing training and creating process-improvement tools. She has proactively identified unutilized funds and closed out contracts, optimizing resources. Chelsie holds an MBA and is DAWIA Level II certified.
Jennifer Weyand
Jennifer Weyand is a contract specialist Program Executive Officer (PEO) at Defense Healthcare Management Systems (DHMS) at Defense Health Agency (DHA). She began her career in August 2017 at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and has eight years of experience. She holds a degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University (2007). Her achievements include creating PowerApps tools for contract specialists, awarding a $92M+ audit services multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreement, and awarding a $234M+ follow-on contract for Contractor Logistics Support for the C-12 aircraft.