Duane Barlow
Frederick,MD
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Grants Management Executive with over 15 years of leadership experience overseeing large-scale, multimillion-dollar grant programs within the U.S. federal government. Proven expertise in regulatory compliance, risk assessment, financial oversight, team leadership, and strategic planning. Known for transforming grant operations, accelerating processing timelines, and building data-driven solutions that improve accountability and efficiency. Recognized contributor to federal training committees and national policy reforms.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (Branch Chief)
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
12.2020 - Current
- Lead a high-performing team of 7 grants professionals managing the full grant lifecycle for HHS/OASH programs.
- Designed and implemented a branch-wide risk assessment methodology that shifted focus from data collection to analytics.
- Reduced closeout backlog and action processing time significantly through team coaching and performance management.
- Oversaw SharePoint design for grants team operations, improving internal collaboration and transparency.
- Drafted key policy and staffing plans reviewed at the Director level.
- Represented OASH on the HHS-wide Grants Training Development Committee.
Grants Management Specialist (Subject Matter Expert)
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production & Conservation Business Center
10.2018 - 12.2020
- Served as audit liaison, leading responses to high-level audit recommendations that shaped national policy.
- Created strategic plans for procedural reforms and training content for USDA’s grants workforce.
- Represented the FPAC Business Center on USDA’s Training Development Committee.
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (Branch Chief)
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
01.2018 - 09.2018
- Led two supervisory teams (total 28 staff) delivering 4,000+ grant actions annually, achieving a 96% completion rate.
- Built internal SOPs, virtual training programs, and competition policies for internal and external partners.
- Managed recruitment and onboarding of 9 new specialists, resolving long-standing staffing gaps.
- Identified opportunities for continuous improvement within the grants management process, implementing changes as necessary.
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist
USDA, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
10.2016 - 12.2017
- Reestablished leadership in a role vacant for 3 years and transitioned all duties from acting leadership.
- Designed a customer service strategy and manual updates; managed ezFedGrants implementation.
- Provided policy leadership and operational support to agency CFO and Financial Management Division.
- Provided expert guidance on fiscal management of grants to program staff, improving overall efficiency and effectiveness of funded projects.
- Served as main point of contact for internal team members regarding grant-related questions or concerns.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on federal regulations related to grants management, ensuring full compliance across all activities.
- Interpreted complex award documents to provide guidance on allowable costs and spending restrictions.
Contract Specialist / Grants Officer
U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
10.2008 - 10.2016
- Managed over 700 grants/contract awards totaling $75M for international and domestic R&D programs.
- Held Unlimited Grants Officer Warrant; provided training and peer review on international grant execution.
- Supported global offices (SOARD, EOARD) and advised senior leaders on international regulatory issues.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D) - Education Policy and Social Change
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA12.2025
Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S) - Paralegal Studies (Legal Research & Practice)
The George Washington University
Washington, DC12.2020
Skills
- Grants & Program Management
- Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation
- Budget Oversight & Financial Analysis
- Policy Development & Audit Response
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Staff Leadership & Talent Development
- Stakeholder Engagement (Internal & External)
- Data Governance & Reporting
- Technical Assistance & Systems Implementation
- EzFedGrants
- SharePoint
- GrantSolutions
- Microsoft 365
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Data Analysis Tools
- Zoom/MS Teams
Awards
Team Award – FY2022 NOFO Cycle with Office on Women’s Health (HHS), Developed audit response adopted into USDA-wide policy directive, Reduced OASH closeout backlog to agency-best levels, Unlimited Grants Officer Warrant (AFOSR) – Highest Delegation of Grants Authority
Timeline
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (Branch Chief)
Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
12.2020 - Current
Grants Management Specialist (Subject Matter Expert)
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production & Conservation Business Center
10.2018 - 12.2020
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (Branch Chief)
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
01.2018 - 09.2018
Supervisory Grants Management Specialist
USDA, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
10.2016 - 12.2017
Contract Specialist / Grants Officer
U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
10.2008 - 10.2016
Doctor of Education (Ed.D) - Education Policy and Social Change
University of Pittsburgh
Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S) - Paralegal Studies (Legal Research & Practice)
The George Washington University
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