Jacobs leader Sarah Fowlkes spotlights federal growth in defense and infrastructure

Sarah Fowlkes, a federal business development and client relationship leader at Jacobs, is being highlighted for her work supporting U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force programs and for her leadership in the SAME San Antonio Post. Her path from field biology to federal capture strategy shows how technical experience and industry engagement can translate into growth in mission-critical government work.

Why it matters: - Sarah Fowlkes works on federal programs tied to defense and infrastructure, where client relationships, capture strategy, and proposal execution can shape multimillion-dollar opportunities. - Her career path shows how technical, marketing, and business development experience can combine into leadership roles in government contracting. - Her involvement in the Society of American Military Engineers also connects industry, government, small businesses, and STEM outreach.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Sarah Fowlkes on October 7, 2026. - Sarah Fowlkes is a client account manager for Jacobs’ U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force portfolio. - She manages strategic client relationships and supports the pursuit and delivery of mission-critical federal programs. - She has more than 10 years of experience across architecture, engineering, construction, environmental consulting, and defense. - She serves as president of the SAME San Antonio Post.

The details: - Sarah Fowlkes’ work includes federal contracting, business development, capture support, proposal strategy, and stakeholder engagement. - Her focus includes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers districts and the U.S. Air Force. - She began her career with a Bachelor of Science in Biology (Pre-Med) from St. Edward’s University. - After graduation, Sarah Fowlkes worked as a pharmacy technician before returning to AmaTerra Environmental, where she had previously interned. - She started at AmaTerra as a field biologist, conducting environmental surveys and field investigations. - Over 7.5 years, she moved into marketing, proposal management, and business development. - Sarah Fowlkes led strategic pursuits, developed proposals, and strengthened client relationships at AmaTerra before the company’s acquisition. - She later joined Jacobs and expanded her work into federal military accounts and defense and infrastructure initiatives. - Her SAME leadership follows earlier service as secretary and small business chair for the San Antonio Post. - Through SAME, she has supported professional development, networking, collaboration among agencies and industry partners, and STEM outreach. - Sarah Fowlkes also mentors young professionals and encourages them to take opportunities outside their comfort zones. - She credits her family for supporting her career, including her parents, daughter, and husband.

Between the lines: - Sarah Fowlkes’ story reflects a common federal-market pattern: technical credibility can become a foundation for business development leadership. - Her emphasis on communication, honesty, and transparency suggests a relationship-driven approach that fits long-cycle government sales and program delivery. - Her comments about confidence and resilience point to the personal discipline often needed to move across functions and advance in a competitive industry. - Her leadership in SAME positions her not just as a corporate representative, but as an active participant in the broader defense-engineering ecosystem.

What's next: - Sarah Fowlkes is positioned to keep growing Jacobs’ presence across Army and Air Force accounts as federal priorities and budgets shift. - Her continued SAME leadership and mentoring work are likely to keep expanding her visibility in the industry. - The article points to an ongoing focus on adapting to changing government missions while building long-term partnerships.

The bottom line: - Sarah Fowlkes’ career shows how technical experience, persistence, and industry leadership can translate into influence in federal defense and infrastructure markets. - Learn more about Sarah Fowlkes