Kathryn Kester

Kathryn Kester serves as a key procurement lead within the Kessel Run organization of the Department of the Air Force, driving the acquisition of mission-critical software and digital systems that support air and space operations. She plays a central role in advancing the agency’s DevSecOps transformation by facilitating rapid, agile contracts for cloud-native applications, secure software development pipelines, and enterprise digital platforms such as the Aerospace Readiness Enterprise System (ARES). Her portfolio emphasizes high-tempo, iterative acquisitions aligned with modern software delivery practices, often leveraging Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and flexible contracting vehicles to accelerate capability fielding in support of combat readiness. Kester maintains a strong working relationship with The Boeing Company, a primary contractor delivering integrated software solutions for command and control systems. Her procurement approach fosters strategic partnerships with both large defense primes and innovative small businesses, balancing institutional capacity with agile, next-generation capabilities. She actively collaborates with vendors experienced in secure cloud architectures, CI/CD automation, and mission-critical software integration, promoting a vendor ecosystem that supports continuous delivery and cyber-resilient platforms. Her contracting patterns reflect a deliberate emphasis on small business participation, with nearly two-thirds of awards structured as set-asides—equally divided between 8(a) competed and total small business set-asides. Women-owned small businesses also receive targeted consideration, demonstrating a robust commitment to socioeconomic diversity in the digital acquisition pipeline. This pattern supports the agency’s goal of cultivating a resilient, innovative supplier base capable of scaling rapidly in dynamic operational environments. Despite the presence of NAICS codes related to food service and spectator sports, these likely reflect misclassifications or administrative anomalies; Kester’s actual technical focus lies in computer systems design and facilities management services for defense software infrastructure. Her expertise centers on procuring secure, scalable digital platforms, cloud-based computing services, and integrated software development environments critical to modern air and space operations.