Jennifer L. Desautel
Ms. Jennifer L. Desautel assumed the position of Director, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in October 2024. Ms. Desautel is responsible for the operations of the entire Agency, which operates under the direction, authority and control of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). DCAA is one of the largest government audit organizations consisting of a headquarters staff, three Regional Offices, a Field Detachment and four Corporate Audit Directorates (CAD) with field audit branch, resident, and liaison offices in more than 230 locations throughout the United States and overseas. DCAA is composed of a staff of approximately 4,000 personnel, 88-percent of whom are professional auditors. The Director has decision-making authority on Agency policy, resources and operations and manages an annual operating budget of approximately $650 million.
Ms. Desautel has over 27 years of extensive experience in areas such as accounting, auditing, and management in the Air Force Audit Agency, DCAA and the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller). Her career accomplishments include strengthening coalitions with internal and external partners to accomplish priorities. She focuses on transforming processes and improving knowledge management with a customer and stakeholder focus.
Prior to joining DCAA, Ms. Desautel held roles of increasing responsibilities in various audit positions with the Air Force Audit Agency (AFAA). She began her federal government career as a Co-operative education student in 1997. In 2007, she was promoted to Team Chief and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, where she led an Expeditionary Audit Team at multiple locations identifying over $40 million in savings. In 2011, she joined DCAA starting as an investigator and progressing through the ranks advancing to Deputy Director of the Boeing CAD. In December 2018, she was appointed to the Senior Executive Service as the Corporate Audit Director, Boeing; in April 2021 she was reassigned as the Director, Field Detachment; and in March 2022 she was reassigned as the Assistant Director, Policy and Quality. In 2023, she was detailed to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) for one year where she was responsible for the DoD’s complex and diverse portfolio of investment funded Research and Development, Testing, and Evaluation and weapon system procurement programs. Her portfolio included ship building, tactical aircraft, missile defense, critical munitions, Ukraine supplemental funding, microelectronics, and the Deputy Secretary of Defense Replicator Initiative.
Ms. Desautel holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Wright State University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from Georgia College and State University. She is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Development Program; Air Command and Staff College; and Air War College. Her certifications include Certified Public Accountant in the State of Ohio; Certified Internal Auditor; Certified Defense Financial Manager; and Level III - DoD Financial Management Certification. In 2016, Ms. Desautel was recognized and awarded the DCAA Meritorious Civilian Service Award, along with other numerous awards and recognition of excellent performance throughout her distinguished career with the DoD.