DoN CM: Configuration Management Planning

Ms. Crystal Thomas serves as the Enterprise Configuration Management (CM) Technical Warrant Holder for Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) where she has responsibility for establishing enterprise CM policy, process, and guidance. With over twenty years of experience, diversified in industry and defense information technology, telecommunications, project management and configuration management. She has a Bachelor of Science in Management with a focused curriculum on supply chain from George Mason University and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland, University College.  She has an industry certification as a CM Subject Matter Expert (SME) and holds DAWIA Level II certification in Information Technology Practitioner.

As a government civilian with almost 15 years’ experience, Mr. Best is a Logistics Management Specialist in the Naval Systems Engineering and Logistics Directorate (SEA 05) of the Naval Sea Systems Command. He manages all NAVSEA Logistics Policy, Specifications and Standards and serves as the Senior Functional Area Manager for Life Cycle Logistics Human Capital. In September 2023, he achieved designation as Configuration Management Subject Matter Expert (SME) from the CM Process Improvement Center. He is an active participant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Sustainment and Product Support campaigning for commonality and standardization for the implementation of CM principles. He is honored and grateful to serve as the chairperson for the Department of Navy CM Community of Practice team consisting of Navy SYSCOM SME’s responsible for the development and presentation of this content for the DAU hosted CM webinar series.