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Jonathan Sawrie doesn’t speak often. But when he does, procurement systems listen.
He once turned a summer job washing trucks into a 40-year federal career. The trucks are still clean. The contracts? Worth millions.
He’s been known to close out a fiscal year, hike a mountain and tune a piano, all before lunch.
He is… the most interesting man in federal service.
“I don’t always manage millions in federal contracts. But when I do, I make it look easy.”
After 40 years and 40 hobbies later, Jonathan Sawrie is retiring from federal service.
Sawrie spent decades helping shape the future of federal contracting. Over the years, he became known for managing millions in contracts while driving efficiency and innovation in every project.
But when he’s not overseeing multimillion-dollar contracts, you might find him riding motorcycles through the Ozarks, conquering mountain trails, playing his piano, or tending to bees. Yes, you read that right. Bees.
What started as a humble summer gig washing vehicles at the Toad Suck Ferry Project Office for $3.35 an hour quickly turned into a career that reads like an epic. From intern to Chief of Contracting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District, Sawrie’s journey is marked by passion, adventure and an unyielding drive to excel.
He lives by the philosophy that life is as much about the journey as it is the destination.
Humble Beginnings
Sawrie’s journey from intern to Chief of Contracting is anything but ordinary. Over the course of his four-decade career, he witnessed everything from the dawn of clunky office computers to the evolution of federal procurement. Through it all, he led with a calm, steady hand, always just a bit ahead of the curve.
“I thought it was just a job to get me through college, to pay for books and gas.” Sawrie admits. “That’s all it was going to be.”
What started as a temporary gig quickly turned into a lifelong passion for public service. As an intern, Sawrie was already deeply involved in the work. He wasn’t just washing trucks, he was typing up mowing specs on a typewriter, processing utility bills and getting a firsthand look at the intricacies of federal contracting.
He wasn’t simply pushing paper; he was laying the foundation for a career in the field before he even realized it.
Making an Impact from the Ground Up
After college, Sawrie became a full-time administrative assistant, then a purchasing agent and eventually transitioned into the Contracting Division in 2009 where he managed a wide range of projects.
From maintaining inland navigation systems to supporting military readiness and responding to natural disasters, his work ensured taxpayer dollars were spent wisely, and the district met its missions.
“Jonathan excels at everything he does, thanks to his intelligence and real-world experience,” said Aaron McGee, MKARNS operations project manager, who has worked alongside Sawrie since the beginning of his career. “He understands the needs of the field employees because he started out as one of us.”
Sawrie’s work has always been about seeing projects through from start to finish. On weekends, he takes pride in spotting contractors working at Little Rock District lakes, knowing he played a part in making it happen.
A self-professed introvert, Sawrie is quiet, but his legacy echoes through every contract and collaboration across the district.
Adapting to Change with Grace
Sawrie didn’t just witness change over four decades, he embraced and led others through it. One of the biggest shifts was the transition from paper to digital procurement systems.
“Back when I first started, we didn’t have computers,” Sawrie recalls. “Everything was done on typewriters and contractors had to physically come pick up thick solicitation packets.”
While going digital posed challenges, it ultimately streamlined processes.
“There was definitely a learning curve,” Sawrie admits. “But in the end, it made things faster, cleaner and more efficient.”
Raising the Bar: Achieving Excellence
Among Sawrie’s proudest accomplishments is helping to elevate the district’s Procurement Management Review ratings, a rigorous process that evaluates the quality and compliance of contract files across the organization.
Sawrie explained that while their contract files weren’t bad, they lacked that final bit of polish needed to hit a perfect score. Determined to improve, he and his team provided feedback that helped higher-level authorities refine the evaluation criteria.
Through collaboration, persistence and a shared commitment to excellence, the team transformed both their process and their results.
“When PMRs first started, I was a contract specialist, and our files were rated red. We were still working with paper files then,” he recalled. “For a long time, we just couldn’t quite crack that green rating.”
But once Sawrie stepped into the role of branch chief, things began to shift. He and the other branch chiefs made improving those scores a priority. The result? A complete turnaround.
“We went from red to green, and we’ve maintained that green rating ever since,” he said. “It took time and teamwork, but it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Leadership Philosophy
Sawrie’s leadership philosophy centers on empowering his team.
“It’s tempting to jump in and just do things myself, but I’ve learned that the best leaders give their teams the space to grow and learn,” he said. “That’s how you build something that lasts.”
With an open-door policy and a focus on mentorship, Sawrie believes that taking care of your team ensures the mission will follow. His greatest mentor, Terry James, taught him the value of putting people first while still getting the job done.
Advice for the Next Generation
With the Federal Acquisition Regulation overhaul about to kick off, Sawrie sees exciting opportunities for new professionals in government contracting.
“We’re on the cutting edge right now,” he said. “This is the first full rewrite of the FAR ever. Until now, it’s only been incremental updates.”
While it may be a challenge for long-time professionals to relearn decades of practices, Sawrie views this as a perfect opportunity for newcomers. “For someone like me, it would be a lot to re-learn. But for new professionals, it’s the ideal time to get in.”
Sawrie advises newcomers to the field to embrace flexibility, make decisive choices and have the courage to stand by tough decisions even when they face protest.
“You’ll have to make tough calls,” he emphasized. “Sometimes, a contractor might bid $2 million more, but you believe they’ll do a better job. If you choose them, you better be ready to defend that decision.”
Plans After Retirement
True to form, slowing down isn’t on the agenda. Sawrie thrives on structure and continuous learning.
While he’ll devote more time to his hobbies, he’s equally determined about staying engaged and giving back.
“The happiest retirees I’ve seen are the ones who find ways to help serve others,” he said. “And that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
Final Thoughts
“Leave it better than I found it,” is the guiding principle that has shaped Sawrie’s entire career, a philosophy reflected in both his leadership and his dedication to improving government contracting.
“I’m always ready to help,” he said, “but I also know when it’s time to step aside and let the next generation take the reins.”
For Sawrie, success isn’t just about closing contracts; it’s about refining the processes behind them and empowering the people who make it happen.
“Taking care of your team, that’s everything,” he emphasized.
As Sawrie steps into retirement, he leaves behind a contracting division that’s not just stronger, but more resilient. One that reflects his commitment to excellence and his rare ability to balance professionalism with a zest for life.
Sawrie’s legacy isn’t defined by contracts or numbers, but by the lives he’s shaped, the culture he’s built, and the lasting impact he’s made, making him the most interesting man…. in federal service.
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2025 16:03 |
| Story ID: | 551139 |
| Location: | LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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