Kenneth W. McGowan Director of Young Adult Mentoring
Ken has dedicated his life to the growth and development of youth and adults as shown by volunteer, military, and civilian endeavors over the past decades.
A Contracts cost/price analyst for the past 45 years. Three years with Naval Sea Systems Command, 37 years with Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), and Five years with a commercial manufacturing firm as a Cost Accountant. He is Certified Level III in Contracting with the Department of Defense, a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps, and a member of the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association.
Currently assigned to the DCMA Cost and Pricing Center – Western Hub. His specialty is Forward Pricing Rates. A Team Leader on many Overhead Should Cost Reviews, and Cost Estimating Relationship (CER) Reviews. Ken is an Instructor for DCMA’s Cost Monitoring Course. A Subject Matter Expert to Region and Headquarters Senior Leadership on Cost/Price Analysis Cost Monitoring, and Contract Pricing. He is also a Subject Matter Expert to Contract Administrators, Contracting Officers, and Cost/Price Analyst on Contract Pricing, Cost Accounting Standards, and Negotiations. Prior assignments include Performance Improvement Officer, Management Support Office Chief, Pricing Supervisor, and District/Region Staff.
Ken is retired as a U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel after 29 years in the Army National Guard. Last assignment was Director of Contracting at Camp Roberts, California.
A Thirty year member of the Boy Scouts of America including positions as Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman, District Training Chairman, District Advancement Chairman, Commissioner, and Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow. He is a recipient of the District Award of Merit, and Orange County Council Silver Beaver. Ken was the Director of an Advanced Adult Leadership Course based on the principles of Ken Blanchard, author of One Minute Manager, and Stephen R. Covey, author of Principle-Centered Leadership. Lessons include Listening to Learn, Living the Values, Values Vision and Mission, Stages of Team Development, Communication, Project Planning, Team Leadership Model, Leading Change, Valuing People & Leveraging Diversity, Problem Solving & Decision Making, Conflict Management, Coaching and Mentoring, and Leading to Make a Difference.
Ken has lead multiple charity fundraising campaigns increasing participation by 105% and contributions by 300%.
Ken is also the Past Chairman of Huntington Beach High School Site Fund Council leading parents, teachers, students, and school administrators in effective use of California state funds allocated to HBHS under California Education Code 52850.
Ken enjoys skiing and golfing and has been married to his wife Louise for 46 years, father to one son, Jason and calls Huntington Beach, California his family home.
Ken also serves on the Board of the Rainmaker Effect, Inc. as its Treasurer.