Gayle Morelan is an award-winning professional with more than 16 years of experience working and volunteering with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Her areas of expertise include government contracting, national program management, community outreach, and higher education.

Presently, Ms. Morelan serves as a Procurement Advisor for the San Diego, Orange, and Imperial APEX Accelerator, assisting small businesses in achieving their government contracting goals.

With advanced degrees and certifications, she has been recognized with prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions and dedication to serving the nation’s military community, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, granted by the President of the United States, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Excellence.

During her tenure with the DoD, Gayle’s roles included serving as a national program manager and analyst for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. While working with the U.S. Navy Reserve, she served as its Force Liaison for the congressionally mandated Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, supporting over 45,000 Service members and their families. Her responsibilities included program management, policy and strategy compliance oversight, contract management, training, and event program management.

Throughout her career, Ms. Morelan has successfully negotiated educational partnerships, contracts, and MOUs with organizations such as the San Diego Community College District, U.S. Department of Education, and DoD Troops to Teachers. Her ten years of experience in higher education have further strengthened her ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and drive positive outcomes.