As part of the 2026 Small Business Training Week activities, senior leaders from the Department of War Office of Ind
Celebrating Cynthia Carrier: More Than 30 Years of Service to Government Contracting
Thu, 09/10/2026 - 7:49am
After more than 30 years of dedicated service in procurement and government contracting, Cynthia “Cindy” Carrier retired from the Louisiana APEX Accelerator effective September 1, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service to Louisiana businesses and the government contracting community.
Cindy brought extensive procurement experience to LA APEX, including prior service with General Dynamics, where she worked in subcontracting and was responsible for major procurement activities involving tooling, test equipment, facilities, proposal preparation, cost and price analysis, and contract negotiations.
After joining what was then the Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (LA PTAC), Cindy progressed through the organization as a Procurement Specialist, Procurement Consultant, Senior Procurement Consultant, Associate Director, and ultimately Program Manager. Throughout that journey, she became a trusted resource for Louisiana businesses navigating the complexities of federal, state, and local government contracting.
Her impact can be measured not only in years of service, but in businesses assisted, counselors mentored, training provided, and contracts awarded. During her LA APEX career, Cindy conducted thousands of one-on-one counseling sessions and hundreds of training events while contributing to billions of dollars in government contract awards received by Louisiana businesses.
Her accomplishments earned recognition well beyond the program. Cindy was named the 2018 Louisiana Small Business Advocate of the Year, earned the General Dynamics Space Systems Outstanding Contribution to Small Business Program award, achieved the APTAC Certified Procurement Professional designation, and was recognized as a Fellow of the National Contract Management Association. She served the national procurement assistance community, including representing Louisiana and neighboring states as the NAPEX Region 8 Director.
Perhaps Cindy’s greatest contribution, however, is the foundation she helped build for the future of LA APEX Accelerator. She consistently emphasized program integrity, compliance with federal and state requirements, quality counseling, and a genuine commitment to helping Louisiana businesses become stronger and more competitive in the government marketplace.
As LA PTAC transitioned to the Louisiana APEX Accelerator and the program’s mission expanded to support an increasingly important national defense industrial base and resilient domestic supply chain, Cindy helped guide the program through that evolution while maintaining its longstanding commitment to Louisiana businesses.
The LA APEX Accelerator team extends its sincere appreciation to Cynthia “Cindy” Carrier for her leadership, knowledge, mentorship, and many years of dedicated service.
Her retirement marks the conclusion of an extraordinary professional chapter, but the impact of her work will continue through the businesses she assisted, the professionals she mentored, and the LA APEX Accelerator program she helped shape.