Skelton Honored for Decades of Navy Procurement and Contracting Support
Husch Blackwell Partner Ike Skelton received the title of Honorary Admiral from the U.S. Navy Supply Corps during an awards breakfast held on July 6 at the Army and Navy Club of Washington, D.C. The Navy Supply Corps handles supply, logistics, combat support, readiness, contracting and fiscal issues for the United States Navy.
The award was presented to Skelton by the Chief of the Navy Supply Corps Rear Admiral Michael J. Lyden. The group honored Skelton for his longtime support of their supply operations during his service in Congress. Skelton sponsored numerous procurement conferences with the Navy and supported Navy programs to help small businesses win federal contracts when he was the Chairman of the Procurement Subcommittee of the House Small Business Committee. Later, when he became Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Skelton supported two extensive military procurement reform bills that beefed up the professional procurement force, improved the rules for awarding and monitoring federal defense contracts, and provided new opportunities for businesses to participate in contracting opportunities.
Also attending the breakfast were five other Supply Corps Admirals including: Rear Admiral Sean F. Crean, Head of the Navy Small Business Programs and Senior Procurement Officer for the Navy; Rear Admiral Kathleen M. Dussault, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; Rear Admiral Robert J. Gilbeau, Commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency; Rear Admiral Ron J. MacLauren, Director of the Joint Contingency Acquisition Support Office; and Rear Admiral Dan McKinnon (Ret.) former Chief of the Navy Supply Corps.
Prior to joining Husch Blackwell as a Partner in March, Skelton served 17 terms as a U.S. Representative from Missouri's 4th District. Skelton concentrates his practice in the areas of Government Contracts, advising clients on a variety of legal and public policy issues, especially matters relating to national defense, small business and international trade.