Wallace D. Sermons II is a trailblazer and visionary leader with a distinguished career in procurement and public service. Nominated by Governor Wes Moore on March 8, 2024, as the Chief Procurement Officer of the State of Maryland, Sermons made history as the first African American and youngest individual to hold the esteemed position in the state's history. As Maryland’s Chief Procurement Officer, Sermons oversees all procurement activities for the state, working closely with various agencies to develop equitable policies, streamline procurement processes, and ensure the best value is delivered to Maryland citizens.  

Prior to his nomination and Senate confirmation as Maryland’s Chief Procurement Officer, Sermons served as the Deputy Chief Procurement Officer for the Maryland Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to help reimagine business operations, reexamine policies and procedures, and provide a modern vision to the State’s procurement workforce.

Before joining the State in September 2023, Sermons served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Government Contracting for the United States Small Business Administration. During his tenure, he managed and executed several national Small Business Administration programs, overseeing more than $600 billion in prime contracting and more than $300 billion in subcontracting. Additionally, he was responsible for the Certificate of Competency, Size Determination, Nonmanufacturer Rule, and the Natural Resource Sale and Assistance programs, which resulted in billions more in contracts and transactions.

Sermons’ leadership extends beyond his roles in government agencies. As an enlisted Security Forces member of the United States Air Force, he demonstrated his commitment to service, enlisting shortly after September 11, 2001, and continuing his service in the United States Air Force Guard after completing his active-duty enlistment.

With experience as a Contracting Officer at both the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy, Sermons has a deep understanding of federal procurement processes. His previous roles as the Supervisory Small Business Specialist and Subcontracting Program Manager at the United States Department of Health and Human Services, as well as Acting Deputy Director for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization, further showcase his dedication to fostering small and disadvantaged business participation in government contracting. 

Sermons’ commitment to public service further extends to his involvement in various councils and committees, including appointments to the Maryland Procurement Improvement Council by the Maryland Senate President and Speaker of the House, as well as to the Gaithersburg Economic & Business Development Committee by the Mayor of the City of Gaithersburg.

A holder of a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Level III, Sermons combines his extensive practical experience with academic achievements, holding both a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor degree.

As Chief Procurement Officer, Sermons is poised to lead Maryland into a new era of procurement excellence, guided by his dedication to public service, transparency, equity, and efficiency in government contracting.