Alumnus Brandon Lentz has embarked on a unique journey from Missouri State University to his current position as a contracting officer at the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA).
His story is a testament to the power of education and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
From the Air Force to Missouri State
Born and raised in Blue Eye, Missouri, Lentz’s journey began at the age of 18 when he joined the United States Air Force and trained in Texas.
His pursuit of knowledge and adventure took him to Ghedi Air Force Base in Italy, where he lived for two years, gaining a global perspective that would shape his future endeavors.
Later, as a medic in the Air Force Reserve, Lentz learned of the degree options for economics, logistics and supply chain management at MSU. Initially enrolling in the biomedicine course, MSU’s degree elective requirements led Lentz to take macroeconomics as an elective. This brought him to the College of Business where he found his place.
“Once at the Air Force, my Flight Commander and a new Lieutenant were talking about something regarding aerospace doctrine, and I asked a question. In response, they said ‘Brandon, it’s big picture stuff. You would never understand it.’ That just stuck with me. So, when I got to Missouri State, I decided to learn the big picture stuff,” Lentz said.
His curiosity about economics made him realize he wanted to study business. It was a way for Lentz to conceptualize the mechanics of the world. So, he chose to study supply chain, logistics and operations management.
He subsequently joined Delta Sigma Pi, a professional co-ed business fraternity. In 2017, he earned his bachelor’s degree in supply chain, logistics and operations management, with minors in economics and data analytics.
Road to NASA
After graduating, Lentz moved to Florida where he attended a networking event that would alter the course of his life. He connected with an individual involved in the Pathways Internship program at NASA.
Lentz seized the opportunity and applied to the program. He was accepted and in his late 20s, moved to Washington, D.C., and has remained with NASA ever since.
As a requirement for the internship, Lentz had to enroll in an academic program. He decided to enroll in MSU’s Master of Science in Project Management.
“The degree has been instrumental in my success in the procurement field. As a contracting officer at NASA, I’m partly responsible for understanding and monitoring the supply chains of vendors as well as managing budgets and schedules along with contract terms and conditions. Additionally, for many of the projects and contracts, I rely on my training in project management to facilitate the execution of the mission,” Lentz said.
Champion for sustainability
Climate change and sustainability are vital issues close to Lentz’s heart. He believes understanding how the government purchases items impacts sustainability efforts, and his role at NASA allows him to make a substantial contribution toward this goal.
He is particularly passionate about NASA’s climate science initiatives. This is why he joined the contracting (procurement and buying) department at NASA during the Pathways program.
“I knew I wanted to contribute my efforts to something bigger than myself and use my academic training to further the engineering and science I love,” Lentz said.
He is currently involved in an initiative at NASA known as the “NASA Acquisition Innovation Launchpad.” This project focuses on finding better, faster and more efficient ways to procure goods and services on behalf of the American people. Lentz attributes his success in this role to the skills he acquired during his time at MSU.
Greatest accomplishment
“While in the Air Force and NASA, I have had many exciting opportunities to play a small part in history,” Lentz said.
He plays a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis Mission, part of the “Moon to Mars” initiative. He was involved in developing contracts for autonomous roving and water ice extraction on the moon.
He coordinates contracting with renowned institutions, such as the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute and the National Academy of Science. One of his significant contributions has been setting up a contract for the decadal survey on climate change, reflecting his deep commitment to sustainability.
Words of advice
Lentz advises MSU Bears to dream big when it comes to exploring career opportunities. He believes Bears have a place anywhere they want to go, including NASA.
“NASA isn’t in some galaxy far far away. We have many different internship opportunities for students who are still in school, as well as recent graduates,” Lentz said.
“Many people think of areas like engineering and science, but we also offer opportunities in fields like finance, accounting, computer science, communications, human resources, logistics and procurement.”