Mr. Jerome Maultsby, assistant director of the Office of Small Business Programs in support of the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, was presented the 2018 (FY2017) Secretary of the Army Award for Small Business Utilization, June 1, at a ceremony at the Pentagon Auditorium.

Presented annually, this award acknowledges exceptional achievements and outstanding support of the Army's small business programs. Each Army command, Army service component and direct reporting unit is expected to diligently seek and provide nominees for this most prestigious award. Nominations are accepted each year, evaluated by the Army OSBP awards board, then submitted to the Secretary of the Army awards board for consideration.

A huge deal in the Army small business community, Maultsby expressed his gratitude, "humbled and honored" to receive such an honor. "It was certainly never my intent to seek out recognition."

Maultsby advised and assisted Historically Black Colleges and Universities – specifically the Meharry Medical College research lab - in seeking Army contracts, connecting Meharry with the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research to address Meharry research capabilities. He also helped the USAMRAA achieve record achievement in the award of prime contracts to small businesses in 2017 – 45.14% to be exact, besting the high of 45.03% set in FY04.

However, Maultsby made very clear that the achievements were most certainly those of a team effort.

"While this particular Secretary of the Army award highlighted both qualitative and quantitative achievements of an individual, to a larger extent, the award represents both strategic and successful efforts of the entire U.S. Army and U.S. Army Medical Command TEAM," said Maultsby. "I was one of many individuals who helped to orchestrate the initial meeting engagement, which provided both the USAMRMC and Meharry an opportunity to become better acquainted with each other's missions and core capabilities. It was indeed a collaborative effort."

Maultsby was appointed as the associate director of the OSBP, USAMRMC and Fort Detrick, in September 2002. A former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Maultsby retired in 2001 after 20 years of active-duty service, realigning his focus to that of education. The New Jersey native considers himself a "lifelong learner" and "proud product of Newark, New Jersey;" receiving both his primary and secondary education from Newark public schools, as well as his post-secondary education from Rutgers University. Maultsby also has a master's degree from Webster University and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Education.

"It seems like only yesterday when during circa 2002 I was appointed as the associate director of the OSBP," Maultsby reminisced. "Like many of my retired military colleagues, I was prepared to learn and contribute to the overall small business mission to the best of my ability while working towards team-related goals and initiatives."

In this position, he serves as an assistant to the commanding general; forging strategic business alliances and providing maximum opportunities for various small businesses to compete for procurements. In doing so, the Army enhanced small business participation in 2017 Army procurements by awarding over 27% of prime contract dollars to small business firms.

"Over the years, I have witnessed increased collaboration by both internal and external stakeholders, along with the continued need to seek better efficiencies," continued Maultsby, "which translated into favorable outcomes for the DOD enterprise."

Small businesses are a vital part of the economy and industrial base, and help to strengthen the security of this Nation. The Department of the Army has a consistent history of being the leading component responsible for the Department of Defense achieving its overall small business program goals. Army small business advocates continue to work harder than ever, even as resources continue to be cut, to ensure that the Army's commitment to small business utilization remains Army Strong.

"In retrospect, each U.S. Army assignment helped me to better become acquainted with organizational dynamics while being more mindful of contributions from the entire team," said Maultsby. "Many of the life experiences and lessons learned prior, during and after my active-duty military career continue to be helpful in fulfilling the multifaceted role of assistant director, OSBP."