Joyce McDowell
Small Business Specialist at Kennedy Space Center
Tell us a little about your background.
I live in Florida and I’m a true Floridian. I have two children and soon to be eight grandchildren. I started my career at NASA as an intern in my junior year in high school in 1979. After 42 years with NASA, I have seen many missions and programs come and go. I have enjoyed every bit of my career with NASA, from the administrative pool, purchasing agent, contract specialist, contracting officer and now small business specialist. It has been a fun and exciting ride.
What made you want to become a small business specialist?
Part of my career included working in the Central Industry Assistance Office (CIAO) in the 1990s. In 2015, the prior small business specialist was ill and I was detailed back to CIAO to help. Soon thereafter, the prior SBS decided to retire and the job became available. I applied and was offered the position.
What is your favorite part of being a small business specialist?
My favorite part of being a small business specialist is working with the OSBP team.