Paula Folkes has taken up the post of General Manager of NATO's Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). She succeeds Stacy Cummings, who is leaving the position after five years during which the organisation's annual business volume has grown from 3.2 billion euros to over 11 billion euros.
Folkes took up her post on 1 September, NSPA writes in a press release. She most recently held a position as Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for defence and maritime procurement within the Canadian federal government.
Previously, Folkes has served as, among other roles, Director General of Defence Procurement at the Canadian Embassy in the United States, where she was responsible for a team handling Canadian acquisitions through the US Foreign Military Sales programme. She has also worked on the project to replace Canada's CF-18 fighter aircraft.
In a separate press release regarding Cummings' departure, NSPA states that during her tenure the organisation also reached framework agreements with industry worth a combined ceiling value of 70 billion euros. Among the larger procurements during this period is a contract for up to 1,000 Patriot GEM-T missiles worth more than four billion euros.
"I am honoured to take over as General Manager of NSPA at a pivotal moment, where the organisation plays an increasingly important role in helping allies achieve effective defence and deterrence," says Paula Folkes in NSPA's press release.