KNOXVILLE, TN — Robert Cargile has joined the University of Tennessee’s National Defense Business Institute (NDBI) as deputy director, contracts management. Cargile joins the institute from UT Knoxville’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, where he was the research services coordinator. Prior to that, he was assistant director of UT Knoxville’s Office of Research.

Cargile has extensive contracts and grants management experience, a comprehensive finance and accounting background, and strong budget development experience. 

He will be responsible for responding to NDBI business opportunities, managing the institute's government and commercial contracts, and developing contract processes to streamline the organization's contracting and accounting procedures.

Cargile will work with UT’s Office of Research Sponsored Programs, ensuring complete compliance with its contract and business policies and regulations. He also will interact with senior government and industry executives and managers.

The NDBI is the first university-based institute focused on helping the Department of Defense, other government agencies, and the defense industry analyze; find innovative, practical solutions; and improve results of their acquisition and business management programs.

NDBI combines academic and research expertise through partnerships with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Business Administration; the University of Tennessee Center for Executive Education; the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy; and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.