Marci Johnsen in the PaCER spotlight

Marci Johnsen, a member of the Defense Logistics Agency’s Weapons Support Pathways to Career Excellence program in Columbus, is set to graduate this month as a post-award contract specialist, capping a two-year journey that began in August 2024.

Johnsen said her path to federal service was shaped by family ties to DLA and a desire to build a career after years spent focused on raising her children and community service. “I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in Japanese a few months before our first son was born,” she said, adding, “I know first-hand that the PaCE program is a fantastic opportunity.” When a PaCE opening aligned with her part-time work as an office administrator, she said, “A little over two years ago, while gaining experience as a part time office administrator, a position in the PaCE program opened, the timing was perfect and I jumped at the chance to apply.”

The cohort-based PaCE program pairs classroom training with on-the-job experience. For Johnsen, the people and mentorship have been standout features. “I love working with such a diverse and intelligent group of people,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to have fantastic leaders who have not only given me the space to learn and grow but have actively empowered me to take on new challenges and expand my capabilities.”

As she transitions into a post-award contracting role, Johnsen said her focus is on clearing obstacles that can slow the flow of parts and materials to the military. “Most importantly, I build strong relationships with our vendors,” she said. “This allows me to improve vendor performance, help small businesses navigate DLA policies and collaborate with all partners to overcome obstacles in delivering essential parts to the warfighter.”

Johnsen sees value in expanding her exposure to the supply chain firsthand. “I would welcome more opportunities to travel to depots and vendor sites,” she said. “Seeing the physical supply chain and meeting our partners in person would provide invaluable context that would deepen my understanding of the end-to-end process and help me be an even more effective partner in supporting the warfighter.”

The pace of the mission remains a daily test. “The biggest challenge is managing a demanding workload where the number of problems to solve often outweighs the hours in the day,” Johnsen said. She leans on prioritization and a steady demeanor, and keeps a visible reminder of that approach at her desk. “In February, my branch chief gave me a plaque titled ‘Human Sunshine,’ which serves as a great reminder to take a deep breath, be a light for my team and tenaciously work through each challenge.”

She describes the ideal post-award specialist as someone who thrives on untangling complex issues and rallying partners. “A great post-award administrator is essentially a professional problem-solver,” she said, noting that relationships, persistence and curiosity are essential. “A good sense of humor is also essential, as it helps you stay resilient and collaborative when facing tough obstacles.”

Johnsen also credits DLA’s mentorship opportunities with helping her build confidence beyond the contracting desk. After joining Toastmasters and volunteering to emcee a director’s call, she marked a personal milestone in public speaking. “After delivering my ice breaker speech at Toastmasters, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing I had successfully connected with the audience and achieved my goals for that moment.”

As she graduates from PaCE, Johnsen says she plans to carry forward the mentorship she received and the vendor relationships she’s forged, with an eye on one measure of success: parts delivered and readiness sustained.