DART News Release

Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons

September 23, 2002

Three decades of contract experience

Kenneth Mercer promoted to VP of DART Procurement

DART has named Kenneth W. Mercer vice president of its Procurement Department, overseeing the awarding and management of DART construction, services and commodity contracts. Mercer has been with DART since 1997, most recently as assistant vice president, Operational Contracts.

Mercer brings substantial government contracting and procurement experience to the position. His procurement career began in 1969 as a buyer for the U.S. Air Force. He retired from the USAF in 1989 as a warranted contracting officer. Subsequently, he worked as a contracts manager with Merrick Industries before joining DART as a claims manager.

With responsibility for four divisions -- Contracting Cost/Pricing and Policy, Purchasing Administration and Support, Commodities and Services, and Project Contracts and Miscellaneous Construction -- Mercer not only oversees the contract awarding process, but must ensure that all contracts and purchases are conducted and administered in accordance with DART's procurement regulations and in an economic and effective manner, in compliance with all applicable statutes.

Mercer is a member of the National Contract Management Association and has received several awards from the USAF and DART for outstanding performance. Mercer has a BS degree from the University of Alabama.

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