Johnstown, PA February 24, 2025
Like any large organization, Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) has people working “Behind the Scenes,” whose contributions, while mostly out of sight, are vital to the organization’s success.
In this edition of Behind the Scenes, we spotlight Brooke Cheskiewicz, a contracts professional who has spent more than two decades ensuring CTC’s projects run smoothly—while continuously innovating to make processes more efficient. But what drives Brooke’s passion for contracts and procurement? And how does she unwind from the very challenging and demanding work?
Read on to learn more about Brooke and how her innovative ideas and teamwork are helping to shape the future of CTC.
You’ve been recognized for your forward-thinking approach. Can you share an innovative idea or process improvement you’ve implemented that has made a significant impact?
One process improvement I have implemented and continue to maintain is the creation of a centralized location for frequently used contract information and contract reference material in a Contracts OneNote. As the government contracting landscape is constantly evolving, we are inundated with information. New regulations, rules, policies, trainings, lessons learned and other data that are essential for the day-to-day responsibilities of a contracts officer are stored in this One Note for reference. The OneNote serves as a centralized repository that includes information pertinent to contracts and is meant to be a timesaver for contracts personnel, enhancing efficiency and ensuring that critical information is readily accessible.
What do you enjoy most about working at CTC, and how has the company supported your professional growth?
I enjoy the camaraderie among all the various organizations at CTC, which is essential for the successful execution of proposals and projects. Contracts works with just about everyone in the company, from quality to accounting to operations to security, and forming relationships is necessary for successful performance. I also enjoy the challenges presented working in the government contracting environment—every day is a learning experience. CTC has been supportive in my personal and professional growth. Over my 23 years here, CTC has allowed me to grow in various roles in the Contracts / Procurement Department. When I first joined CTC, I had an associate’s degree, but thanks to partnerships with local universities, I was able to earn both my bachelor's and master's degrees.
Contracts and procurement play a crucial role in ensuring CTC meets its mission. How do you see your work directly contributing to the success of our organization?
I contribute to the success of CTC by supporting projects from capture to closeout. From the moment I learn of an opportunity, I actively support the team in any necessary capacity. I ensure that we deliver the best value to our clients while maintaining compliance with all relevant regulations. Additionally, I make it a priority to attend industry webinars to stay informed about important government contracting topics and potential new regulations that could impact CTC's projects.
Collaboration is key at CTC. Can you share a time when teamwork led to a creative solution or a streamlined process?
A recent example of effective teamwork at CTC involved contract administrators working with divisions to identify contract vehicles. One of my FY25 goals is to develop a process to assist in finding new contract vehicles, which is important to the growth of CTC. In collaboration with business development, proposal operations, and division heads, a plan was developed to support this initiative. For the past few months, we have been meeting monthly to identify contract vehicles by division. During each meeting our approach evolves, and we apply lessons learned from one division to another. This collaboration across multiple disciplines is instrumental in identifying contract vehicles, which are essential for supporting clients who have work to offer us.
Another collaboration example was to educate operations on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for awarding contracts using other than full and open competition. This involved collaboration among a division head, contracts, and proposal operations to research the FAR and determine how CTC can take advantage of the FAR clauses, while providing real-time examples of Justification and Approvals.
CTC continues to evolve—what is one initiative or direction the company is taking that you’re most excited about?
One initiative at CTC that I am particularly excited about is the digital engineering project. Currently, we have a vast amount of data dispersed throughout the company, and it can be challenging to locate the data. I have had several meetings with the digital engineering team to provide suggestions on tools and resources that contracts use that can be integrated into their initiative. This project has the potential to streamline project management by centralizing data and making it more accessible and enhancing efficiency and collaboration across the company.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while managing the demands of your role?
Maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging, especially since proposals can be demanding and are often released at the same time. Additionally, contractual issues frequently require prompt attention. However, I appreciate the flexible work environment at CTC, which significantly helps me manage the demands of my contracts and proposals while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Outside of work, what activities or hobbies help you recharge and stay motivated?
I like to travel, attend community events, and concerts. In the winter I like to take long weekend getaways to warmer weather. During the summer, I enjoy biking and being outside. I’ve recently decided to take tennis lessons, which has been challenging but enjoyable.
What excites you most about the future of procurement and contracts at CTC, and how do you see innovation shaping its direction?
The adoption of digital tools will facilitate better collaboration and communication across the company, making it easier to manage complex contracts and ensure compliance. Also, the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence can streamline contract/subcontract management and automate routine tasks. This will allow us to focus more on value-added activities to provide greater value to our clients, reduce risks, and stay ahead of industry trends
