A native of Homestead, Fla., Ralph R. Barnes is part of a contingent of contract specialists from the Expeditionary Contracting Command assigned to support the U.S. Central Command.
Barnes is stationed with the Regional Contracting Center - Fenty at the Fenty Forward Operating Base in Jalalabed eastern Afghanistan. Here, the warranted contracting officer writes contracts and manages programs to support military forces executing Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
Barnes also serves as the field ordering officer, contracting officer's representative and the commander's emergency relief program manager for RCC-Fenty as well as the contracting officer for all armed security guard contracts and prime power contracts in the office.
In this capacity, he collaborates with customers to develop requirements for more than 1,900 guards in four provinces in some of the most highly contested areas. A job he doesn't take lightly, Barnes ensures the military has all the services and supplies needed to effectively engage the insurgent forces.
The Floridian is Level III Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act and Level I Program Management certified and is an Army Acquisition Corps member. In addition, Barnes has a master's degree in business administration from Regis University.
When not supporting the military in Afghanistan, Barnes enjoys riding motorcycles, flying airplanes and spending time with his wife of 14 years, Maria, and their four children, Anthony (13), Joseph (9), Jonathan (5) and Marielena (six months) as well as their dog, Amy.
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