Meet the Hanford Small Business Council
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 the project Small Business Program Manager at Bechtel’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. I have been in my current position at Bechtel for four years. In my role, I interface frequently with Small Business representatives interested in working with Bechtel. I am always available to provide these businesses guidance on the federal procurement process or to connect them with bidding opportunities that fall under their scope; and Bridging Partnerships is my favorite way to do so! This will be my fourth time supporting the symposium as a member of the Hanford Small Business council, and since receiving my Supplier Diversity Champion certification this past year, I am looking forward to bringing that experience to the event. I have a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Whitman College and began supporting the Hanford project in 2019.
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 23 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.
Talia Ochoa, PNNL Small Business Program Manager
I’m the Small Business Program Manager at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), operated by Battelle Memorial Institute for the U.S. Department of Energy. With nine years of experience in government contracting—primarily focused on software procurement—I’ve developed a strong foundation in federal acquisition and small business engagement. In my current role, I work closely with businesses of all sizes to help meet and exceed the small business goals outlined in our prime contract. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people, learning about their missions, and finding ways to support their success within the federal contracting space. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Portland State University and am passionate about creating inclusive opportunities for small businesses to thrive.
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.
Chris Fairchild, HMIS Small Business Program Manager
As a Procurement Specialist and Small Business Program Manager for Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), I bring over 20 years of experience working at Hanford in operations support, procurement, and project management. My role involves creating and carrying out strategies that strengthen the Department of Energy’s ongoing support for small businesses within our purchasing activities. I work closely with both fellow procurement experts and small business owners to ensure compliance with technical and quality standards, while also encouraging growth and teamwork. I am committed to helping small businesses succeed by making sure they have the tools and opportunities they need to compete and excel. My goal is to keep building strong partnerships with small businesses and develop lasting relationships that benefit Hanford and our valued small business community.
Sarah Brooks, H2C Small Business Program Manager
I am the Small Business Program Manager at Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C), where I lead efforts to achieve DOE Small Business Subcontracting Goals and expand opportunities for small business participation in support of mission-critical federal programs. With over 20 years of experience in acquisition management, procurement, and contract administration across both government and commercial sectors, my background includes serving as Packaging Procurement Manager at Lamb Weston, Director of Purchasing and Materials Management at Columbia Basin College, and Contract Specialist supporting organizations such as Fluor Federal Services, Bechtel National, and The Boeing Company. I am a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP), and I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington.
Tara Coleman, Hanford Field Office Contracting Officer
I serve as a Contracting Officer and the Small Business Program Manager (SBPM) for the Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Field Office. As a Contracting Officer, I have managed multi-million-dollar contracts with small and large businesses, taking appropriate steps to ensure compliance with applicable requirements and improve existing processes. As the DOE Hanford SBPM, I guide small businesses and large businesses subcontracting with small businesses in their contracting, reporting, and mentoring endeavors. I bring over 12 years of professional experience to these roles, which I use to support DOE Hanford, the Hanford Small Business Council, and other businesses and organizations in their efforts to grow their business and support the Hanford mission.
Maria Alleman, APEX Accelerator Advisor
I have been with the Tri-City Regional Chamber as the APEX Accelerator, supporting small businesses in navigating federal, state, and local government contracting for three years. I provide a variety of support to small and large businesses such as guidance on registration, market research, capability development, and responding to solicitations, helping businesses position themselves for procurement opportunities. With over 20 years of professional experience, including a background in the hospitality industry, I bring expertise in relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships to support small business growth in the government marketplace.