Keith Ernst served as the acting director of the Defense Contract Management Agency from January 2006 until May 2008. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Ernst began his government service as an officer and pilot in the Marine Corps. 

 

Following military service, he worked in private industry for eight years in technical sales and management positions.  He began his civilian government career at DCASMA Twin Cities in 1983.  Following initial assignment as an industrial engineer, he subsequently held positions as a general engineer, systems engineering and program support branch chief and technical assistance and assessment team supervisor. 

 

In 1997, Ernst joined DCMA Seattle as the technical assistance group chief and in 1999 was promoted to the position as deputy commander of DCMA San Francisco.  From 2001 to 2002, Ernst held the position of director of contract operations directorate for DCMA West. In this position he was responsible for operations oversight and support of 28 contract management offices located throughout the western half of the United States.

Ernst then served as the director of DCMA East (DCMAE), managing more than 203,439 contracts valued at $394.9 billion. DCMAE included 5,600 personnel and 23 major field command offices working with approximately 12,000 contractors. DCMAE had primary contract management responsibility for aeronautical systems and naval sea systems customers.

 

In October 2005, Ernst was assigned to the office of deputy director for DoD before becoming acting director of DCMA. He retired effective April 30, 2008.