James Shields has over 30 years of experience in contract management and negotiation for major defense contractors. He currently serves as Division Contracts Manager for Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, managing $80M annually across defense and commercial contracts. Previously, he held contracts management roles at ITT Aerospace Controls and Northrop Grumman, gaining experience across various contract types and programs. Shields has a proven track record of successful contract execution and negotiation, as well as developing high-performing teams.

1. JAMES SHIELDS
24631 St. Denis Ct. Santa Clarita, CA 91355 • 661.904.9956 • JamieShields@sbcglobal.net
Professional Experience
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, Valencia/City of Industry November 2013 to Present
Division Contracts Manager
Currently responsible for all contractual activity associated with two separate business units within Curtiss-Wright
Defense Solutions Sector. Responsible for managing and negotiating all contract terms and conditions, new
business opportunities, follow-on legacy contracts. One division is 100% defense contracts and is fully CAS
compliant. The other division is approximately 70% commercial, including both international and domestic
contracts, and 30% defense.
Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, and developing a direct staff of 5 employees. Responsible for managing
approximately $80M a year in sales, with multiple contract types including CPIF, CPFF, T&M, and fixed price
contracts. Other responsibilities included the execution of NDA’s, distribution agreements, license agreements,
cash flow, progress payments, milestone payments, bookings and respond to RFQ’s & RFP’s. Lead negotiator on
key business issues, major proposals, and Long Term Agreements. Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFAR,
CAS, import export compliance, and UTC.
Curtiss-Wright manages its contracts in a paperless system utilizing an advanced electronic filing system, manage
and track quotes in CRM application, and utilized a share point site for all contract related topics, documents, and
contract management tools.
Currently report indirectly to the each business unit Vice President/General Manager. Participate as a key member
of the executive team at each site providing strategic input in resolving business issues, develop capture strategies,
risk management and assessment, and provide business and contractual advise.
Recently received and “Award of Excellence” by the COO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation for successfully
negotiating a business agreement with Boeing for a correction of deficiency; which resulted in a cost avoidance of
several millions dollars to the company. Successfully executed a $5.5M CPIF contract change with Sikorsky Aircraft
on the CH-53 Program. This was a significant accomplishment due to the fact our commercial divisions was not
CAS compliant, and we had to assist Sikorski to get approval though the DCMA.
ITT Aerospace Controls, Valencia CA September 2009 to October 2013
Division Contracts Manager
Responsible for managing all contract activity for ITT Aerospace Controls, LLC. This includes review and
negotiation of all contract documents and proposals for government, commercial, and international customers.
Responsible for hiring, training, developing, and leading a direct staff of two managers and sixteen employees,
responsible for managing over $110M a year in sales. This includes responsibility for the contracts and customer
service organization for both production and aftermarket services.
Additional responsibility for forecast and analysis, preparing department budgets, price growth initiatives,
continuous process improvements, lean, and responsible for department policies and procedures.
Some of my accomplishments have included re-negotiating all company Long Term Agreements while exceeding
corporate price growth goals. Negotiated new and follow-on contracts with most of the aircraft manufacturers
(Boeing, Northup Grumman, Lockheed, Cessna, Gulf Stream, Bell); and most of the system level customers
(Parker, Eaton, Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Technofan).

2. Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems, Palmdale CA November 1989 to March 2004
Diviosion Business/Contracts Manager
Responsible for managing all business management activities and functional areas within a separate business unit
within Integrated Systems Sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation. Act as the focal point for communicating
and reporting of all business related issues with the customer and executive management.
Directly responsible for contracts, pricing, budget & control, and overhead rates and analysis functions. Provided
leadership, guidance, and development for a direct staff of 12 to 16 employees at any one time.
Extensive experience with all contract types including CPFF, CPIF, FFP, FPI, T&M and Award Fee Contracts.
Advanced knowledge and experience with US Government contracts, regulations and requirements. Experienced
working directly with the US Government and a strong working knowledge of FAR, DFAR, CAS, and ITAR.
Directly responsible for. Worked at various Northrop Grumman locations including Pico Rivera, Palmdale,
Chandler AZ, and Ranch Bernardo on programs such as the B-2, Global Hawk, and JSF programs.
Achievements
 Business Manager responsible for all business related activities in the negotiation, acquisition and
implementation of Hexcel Corporation’s Honey Comb Core Manufacturing Facility in Chandler AZ.
 Executive management review team in support of the Global Hawk Program, providing an independent
assessment and guidance to the Program and Division Leadership.
 Participated on a team in support of a multi-billion dollar tax audit performed by the IRS relating to the
B-2 EMD tax deferral resulting in a positive outcome for the company.
 Responsible for all contract activities and requirements for the delivery of the first B-2 Bomber to the
Government.
Lockheed Skunk Works, Burbank CA November 1985 to March 1989
Contracts Administrator/Subcontract Price-Cost Administrator
Participated in a management rotating program and spent my first three months working in the company labor
audit group performing labor audits throughout the company. Spent the next 2 years in contracts and pricing on
the F117A program, responsible for the preparation, development, and negotiation of contracts and proposals
directly with the Air Force. Spend my last two years in Price/Cost Analysis performing sub-contract price/cost
analysis, audit, and negotiations supporting the F-117A, SR-71, and U-2 Programs.
Professional Development/Education
1982 - 1985 B.S. Business Administration, California State University, Los Angeles
1978 - 1981 A.A. General Education, Valley Community College, Los Angeles
1993 - 1993 Certification of Completion, Defense Systems Acquisition Management, USC