Lt Col James Vandross, United States Air Force, is the new commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency Wichita. He took control of the Agency during a change of command and retirement ceremony held, Tues., July 12 at the Wichita Country Club.

Vandross comes to Wichita from an assignment at the Pentagon. He’s worked in various assignments at the Pentagon since June 2012, except for a six month assignment in Jordan. Vandross is in his 18th year of military service.

An assignment in Wichita is a special treat for his wife Andrea, a Wichita native. She’s excited to be back home near her mother Regina McCarty and sister Pamela K. Warrior. Andrea Fisher Vandross is a 1990 Heights High School graduate and grew up in Tabernacle Bible Church.

The Vandross have three children: Danielle, 13; Amanda, 10; and James III, “Trey,” 8.

The Defense Contract Management Agency is the Department of Defense component which works directly with defense suppliers to help ensure that the DoD, Federal, and allied government supplies and services are delivered on time, at projected cost, and meet all performance requirements. DCMA directly contributes to the military readiness of the U.S.A and its allies. DCMA Wichita encompasses contractor locations in Kansas and Missouri and includes support for the C-12 aircraft, the CH-52K helicopter, and the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System program. DCMA Wichita administers contracts valued at over $9 billion annually. His office will be in the Lux in downtown Wichita.