Fred Black
President, BLAX Professional Program Management, LLC

Black managed domestic and foreign contracts for more than 40 years as a project manager before retiring to consulting and teaching. He is experienced as a prime contractor and subcontractor, from both the buyer and the seller perspectives in several industries. His international management experience includes contracts in Taiwan, Germany and India. He consults to major corporations and teaches at UW, City University and ESC - Lille; the oldest business school in France.

Ken Grover, M.B.A., J.D.
Attorney-at-Law, Private Practice

Grover has more than 20 years experience in contract services. Formerly with Puget Sound Energy, and government entities.

Brian Corker Free
Attorney, Hillis, Clark, Martin & Peterson

Free is an attorney with the firm Hillis, Clark, Martin & Peterson in Seattle where his practice focuses on general commercial litigation and land use and real estate disputes. Previously, Mr. Free worked for the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A. 1999) and the University of Washington School of Law (J.D. 2004).

Dave Hickman, J.D.
Senior Attorney, Defense Contracts Management Command

Hickman has 20 years experience advising government contracting officers. He has litigated procurement cases before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. In the private sector, he has negotiated collective bargaining agreements and has a private mediation practice.

Ron Sabado, C.P.A., C.M.A.
Branch Manager, Defense Contract Audit Agency (retired)

Sabado supervised a staff of 55 auditors, examining defense contractors in the Northwest and Alaska.

Penny Vermie
Corporate Administrative Contracting Officer, Defense Contracts Management Command

Vermie represents various governmental agencies (DOD, DOE, EPA). She has more than 25 years experience in contract management, resolving claims and assessing business cost systems. She is also a certified mediator, providing structured negotiation in contract and personnel disputes.

Instructors are subject to change.