Federal Procurement Council

Jay Heath

Director, Legislative Affairs and Acquisition Policy, Northrop Grumman Corporation

Jay Heath is Director, Legislative Affairs and Acquisition Policy for the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC). He reports to the Vice President of Legislative Affairs and represents NGC’s interests before the Congress, the Executive Branch, and trade associations on matters related to Acquisition and Regulatory policy.

Prior to joining NGC, Jay worked as a counsel in the Washington, DC office of McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP. At the firm, Jay assisted clients on compliance with the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, export controls, security clearances, small business programs and investigations. Jay also represented clients before the Congress and Executive Branch agencies and assisted with procurement advocacy/business development efforts.

Prior to working at the law firm, Jay served as a counsel on the Republican staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). Jay’s portfolio consisted of the Military Intelligence Program, the Department of Defense portions of the National Intelligence Program and all non-waived Special Access Programs. Prior to the SASC, Jay served as a counsel on the Republican staff of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Amy Benson

Vice President, Government Affairs, SAIC

Amy Childers Benson has over twenty years of public policy experience with expertise in government services contracting, regulatory and legislative affairs. Ms. Benson currently serves as Vice President, Government Affairs, for Science Applications International Corporation, SAIC. She is the primary coordinator for SAIC’s congressional policy activities with special emphasis on issues related to US federal acquisition policy.

Ms. Benson manages the SAIC Acquisition Policy Council and is active in mulitple industry associations. Previous positions with SAIC include serving as the Director of the corporation’s Government Contract Support Center (GCSC) with responsibility for both the company’s GWAC-IDIQ Center and Small Business Development and Utilization Office (SBDUO); developing and running the company's political compliance program and growing and administering the corporate Political Action Committee among other special projects.

Prior to joining SAIC, Ms. Benson served as the Special Projects Director for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ms. Benson has a B.A. in Economics from The College of William and Mary and a M.P.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 

Kim Lowry

Director, Civil Programs Civil & Regulatory Affairs, Lockheed Martin

Kim Lowry is Director for Civil Programs with Civil and Regulatory Affairs at Lockheed Martin Corporation’s Government Operations Office located in Arlington, Virginia.  In this capacity, Kim is responsible for working with customers outside of the Department of Defense, NASA and NOAA.

Kim’s career in the Federal Government spans over 29 years working national security, defense, law enforcement and international issues.  Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Kim served as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Congressional Affairs.  During her tenure, she led five teams responsible for strategic communications, appropriations, and operations related to border security, intelligence, and trade to promote a better understanding of CBP’s complex policies, programs and operations.

She previously served as the Director of Communications for the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, where she led congressional, public and intergovernmental affairs activities and engagement for the Agency.  Prior to joining the Office of Justice Programs, Kim was Director of Congressional Affairs for United States Southern Command, where she served as the Senior Advisor to the Commander on all congressional matters.

Ms. Lowry served in various positions within the U.S. Marshals Service working on budget, appropriations, and performance measures, and was subsequently appointed the Chief of Congressional Affairs.

During her career, Kim also performed assignments within Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control; Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President; Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys - Attorney General's Advisory Committee; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Kim holds a B.S. degree in Mass Communications Advertising from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She has completed executive leadership programs through the Foreign Service Institute, American Key Executive Program, Northeastern University, the Federal Executive Institute, and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

While at the Department of Defense, Kim was awarded the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as well as the Department of Defense Joint Meritorious Unit Award.  She also received a Department of Justice Special Act Award for leading outreach and communications activities related to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

Kim is married and has five children and one grandson.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and running