Lori Smith is the visionary founder and CEO of Acu-Elligent LLC, a business coaching and management consulting firm dedicated to helping companies successfully navigate the complexities of federal contracting. With over 41 years of invaluable experience in federal service, Lori leverages her expertise to empower organizations and individuals seeking government contracts.
A Seasoned Expert in Federal Acquisitions Lori's journey in the federal sector has been marked by a deep understanding of the intricate regulations, pricing, and billing requirements associated with doing business with the government. Her recent retirement from the federal government has allowed her to transition into a role where she can share her wealth of knowledge and insights with others. As a former contracting expert and fiscal overseer, Lori has directed a full range of contract administration actions, overseeing an impressive $128 billion portfolio. Her ability to recognize and proffer brilliant solutions to the challenges faced by government contractors has earned her a stellar reputation in the industry.
A Catalyst for Success
At Acu-Elligent, Lori not only leads a dedicated team of seasoned business strategists, mentors, professional trainers, and thought leaders, but she also plays a pivotal role as a mentor and thought leader herself. With a combined experience of over 77 years in the fast-paced government contracting environment, they have orchestrated results for agencies, policymakers, contractors, end-users, suppliers, and subcontractors. Lori's expertise extends beyond contract management. She is a skilled facilitator, leading the cutting-edge Management Concepts Career Gateway: Acquisition Cohort – an experiential training solution designed to accelerate the proficiency of federal acquisition and contracting professionals new to the field.
A Multifaceted Leader and Author
Lori';s leadership abilities are complemented by her strong entrepreneurial background
and adeptness in organizational development, visioning, strategic planning, evaluation, monitoring, and trusted advisory support. She is not just a leader, but a system thinker, capable of raising expectations while interfacing effectively with personnel at all levels. In addition to her consulting and training endeavors, Lori is a best-selling author, having penned "WINNING BUSINESS PROPOSAL STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS: How to Give Your Business the Winning Edge, Writing to Win More Customers, Clients, And Contracts." Her book encapsulates her creative thinking, brilliant intuition, and insight, equipping readers with sound principles and well-validated techniques to achieve amazing results.
Education and Accolades
A thirst has marked Lori';s educational journey for knowledge. She holds a BS degree in Resource Management from Troy University, a Master of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma, and an MA in Business from the University of Phoenix.
Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral studies, further expanding her horizons. Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and Army Outstanding Performance Cash Award, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force
Commendation Medal (6), and Air Force Achievement Medal. With her unwavering commitment to excellence, Lori Smith continues to inspire and empower businesses to forge successful partnerships with the federal government, leaving an indelible mark on the industry she has dedicated her life to.