Meet the Hanford Small Business Council
Stephanie Melling, DOE Small Business Program Manager/Contract Manager
I began my federal career with the Department of Energy Richland Operations Office in July 2014. I am currently a contracting/grants officer and one of the small business program managers for the Hanford Procurement Division. My work includes performing and/or participating in all phases of the acquisition process for both contracts and financial assistance. Prior to joining DOE, I worked as a general support services contractor to the DOE Richland Operations office from August 2010 to July 2014. I also worked in many roles but the last one was as a subcontract administrator for one of the prime contractors on the Hanford site from August 1999 to August of 2010. I was raised in Burbank, Washington and graduated from Columbia High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Columbia Basin College.
Jody O’Connor, IHA Small Business Program Manager/External Affairs Coordinator
I serve as the External Affairs Coordinator and Small Business Administrator with Inomedic Health Applications, Inc. (IHA). IHA is the Occupational Medical Provider for over 10,000 Hanford workers in Richland, WA. In my External Affairs position, I manage relationships with key constituents both internally and externally through planned, strategic interactions and communications. As the Small Business Administrator, I provide guidance to small businesses regarding preparation for government contracting, small business certifications, and I monitor small business subcontracting goals, reporting, and tracking to help ensure that IHA meets or exceeds the Federal subcontracting goals. I have nearly 10 years’ experience in contract administration and oversight, and hold both a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Psychology and a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing Sciences, Audiology.
Kylie Rollosson, WTP-BNI Small Business Program Manager
I am a Procurement & Subcontracts Compliance Specialist and the project Small Business Program Manager at Bechtel’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. In my role, I interface frequently with Small Business representatives and help connect them to opportunities that fall under their scope. I have a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Whitman College and began supporting the Hanford project in 2019. I have been in my current position at Bechtel for three years and have been the Small Business Program Manager for two.
Shannon Malisani, Navarro-ATL Procurement Manager & Small Business Program Manager
I am the Procurement Manager for Navarro-ATL at the Hanford Site. Prior to that, I served as a Services Contracts Manager at Central Plateau Cleanup Company; Procurement Director for Tetra Tech CES; and Contract Specialist for PNNL and Fluor Hanford. I am a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) with over 20 years of experience in solicitation, award, and administration of subcontracts and purchase orders (POs) in support of international and domestic projects, both federally and commercially funded. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Washington State University.
Mark Young-McMurchie, Hanford Field Office Small Business Program Manager
I am a federal contract specialist and small business program manager for the Hanford Field Office. Together with PNNL, I represent DOE on the Hanford Small Business Council. Comprised of prime contract small business program managers and contacts, the council champions small business efforts to ensure the Hanford Site will meet and exceed all federal subcontracting goals. This is my second year supporting the council and the Bridging Partnerships Symposium. I grew up in the Tri-Cities and returned in 2010 to support the Hanford Mission as a general support services contractor to the DOE Richland Operations Office. Later, for the Office of Hanford Acquisitions, I worked on early planning stages of new prime contracts and then as a cost-lead and direct point of contact for two prime contract source evaluation boards. My federal experience started as a senior analyst for GAO on congressionally mandated audit reports of the DOE Office of River Protection before I joined the Hanford Field Office as a contract specialist. I have bachelor’s degrees in English and economics from Eastern Washington University and a Master of Arts in Education from Azusa Pacific University and Master of Science in Education from City University of New York.
Lloyd Foster, CPCCo Small Business Field Liaison/ Procurement
I am the Small Business Field Liaison at CPCCo. Drawing on my experience as a Munitions Systems Specialist in the Air Force, where I cultivated precision, collaboration, and attention to detail, I've successfully transitioned into a career focused on fostering relationships with small businesses. Since 2024, I have been dedicated to helping small businesses, including veteran and service-disabled-owned companies, helping to secure over $2 million in contracts for essential projects at Hanford. Having owned a small business myself for four years, I understand the unique challenges these companies face when competing with larger corporations. Additionally, with 30 years of experience in the construction industry, I bring extensive knowledge in commercial and civil construction, from start to finish. As a Small Business Field Liaison, I am committed to connecting with small businesses, material suppliers, and construction service providers, ensuring we work together to achieve our shared goal of water cleanup and environmental restoration.
Makaylah Nelson-Ferritto, H2C Small Business Program Manager
As the Small Business Program Manager at Hanford Tank Waste Operations and Closure (H2C), I specialize in connecting small businesses with procurement opportunities that align with their capabilities. With over two and a half years of experience on the procurement team, I began my career as an intern at the Hanford Site, which provided me with a solid foundation in the industry. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Washington State University and an MBA from WGU, equipping me with the knowledge and skills to effectively support small businesses in navigating the procurement landscape.
Talia Ochoa, PNNL Small Business Program Manager
I am the Small Business Program Manager at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, operated by Battelle Memorial Institute for the US Department of Energy. I have about eight years of government contracting experience, with a focus on procuring software. In my current role, I interface frequently with business representatives of various size and scopes in an effort to meet and exceed the small business goals in our current contract. I love meeting new people and learning about their passions! I hold a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Portland State University.
Chris Fairchild, HMIS Small Business Program Manager
As a Procurement Specialist and dedicated Small Business Program Manager for Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), I draw on over 20 years of experience at Hanford in operations support, procurement, and project administration. I am responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance the Department of Energy’s commitment to small business participation in our procurement processes. I work closely with procurement specialists and small business owners to ensure compliance with technical and quality standards, while also promoting opportunities for growth and collaboration. I am passionate about creating a supportive environment for small businesses, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in a competitive landscape. My goal is to continue fostering robust partnerships with small businesses, building meaningful relationships that drive innovation and success for both Hanford and our valued small business partners.