Nashville Area Indian Health Service 2011 Annual Report
Nashville Area Indian Health Service 2011 Annual Report
Nashville Area Indian Health Service 2011 Annual Report
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EXECUTIVE STAFF BIOS<br />
Ralph W. Ketcher Jr., member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, currently<br />
serves as the Director of the Division of Extramural Awards and Agreements. He<br />
is the Chief Contracting Officer for the <strong>Nashville</strong> <strong>Area</strong> with complete oversight<br />
for all <strong>Service</strong> Units and OEHE field sites in providing health related goods and<br />
services through the Federal Acquisition Procurement program and with level IV<br />
signature authority for <strong>Indian</strong> Self-Determination Education and Assistance Act<br />
(PL 93-638) Title I contracting. Ralph is the Lead Negotiator for all Title I PL 93-<br />
638 tribal contracts, negotiating 638 contracts to provide a comprehensive health<br />
delivery system to 29 federally recognized Tribes and three urban centers located<br />
within 14 southern and eastern United States.<br />
Ralph began his career with IHS in November 1988 as a supply clerk within the<br />
Property Management Division. He has 23 years of federal experience—21 of those<br />
years are specific to contracting. He currently holds a Procurement Certification<br />
as a Level IV Acquisition Manager, and a Certification of Appointment Unlimited<br />
Signatory Authority Warrant, which serves the Southeast Region of the IHS<br />
(<strong>Nashville</strong>, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). Ralph’s responsibilities as Chief<br />
Contracting Officer for the <strong>Nashville</strong> <strong>Area</strong> and the Southeast Region include<br />
administration and oversight of all major health programs that are characterized<br />
by large funding levels with commitment periods extending over a long period of<br />
time (five years).<br />
Ralph Ketcher<br />
Director, Division of Extramural<br />
Awards & Agreements<br />
Ralph serves in a number of different leadership roles including Public Law 93-<br />
638 Leadership team, Agency Lead for Government Purchase Card Program<br />
(National and Local levels), TRANSAM Project program team member serving<br />
as the Lead Contracting Officer, Acquisition Management Team member<br />
(Regional Contracting Officer) for the Southeast Region serving <strong>Area</strong> offices<br />
in Oklahoma and New Mexico. During his career he has received several IHS<br />
National Director’s Awards including two Natural Disaster Hurricane Response<br />
Team Awards, Audit Resolution Team Award, Outstanding and Continuous<br />
Customer <strong>Service</strong> and Expert Acquisition Advice and Support Award, UFMS<br />
Implementation Team Award, and U.S. Bank Government <strong>Service</strong> Outstanding<br />
Achievement Award for Innovation.<br />
Ralph is a husband and a father of two—both in college—and a brother to five<br />
siblings. His leisure activities include golfing, fishing, hunting, and spending time<br />
with family.<br />
96 www.ihs.gov/<strong>Nashville</strong> <strong>Nashville</strong> <strong>Area</strong> <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Service</strong>
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