Steve Koger, CPP APMP Fellow (Class of 2016)
Sr. Manager, Capture & Proposals
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Bio
As the Senior Manager of Capture and Proposals at Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR), Steve leads capture strategy and proposal planning workshops, the Proposal Development organization (Defense and Space), promotes the use of effective processes and best practices, and coordinates capture/proposal training and consulting support.
Steve has 40 years of experience in the Aerospace & Defense industry. Prior to joining AR, he provided proposal leadership on a DARPA proposal at an aerospace client through Shipley Associates as a Senior Consultant and, prior to that, was Manager of Proposal Operations for Parsons Corporation, BAE Systems, and at several Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) Southern California divisions/sites.
He started his career as an Engineer at (then) Northrop Corporation, where he worked on advanced technology development programs and Monte Carlo simulations to model B2 Bomber manufacturing factory and capacity requirements. Steve transitioned into Business Development as a subject matter expert/author, R&D proposal lead, and on to management and leading Proposal Operations. He has worked on major proposals for an unusually broad set of weapon systems and platforms, providing leadership and expert-level support, resulting in career-long wins totaling billions of dollars.
Steve's outside interests include travel and activities with his family, studying Germanic culture, coin collecting, and reading non-fiction books.
What does being an APMP Fellow mean to you?
The premier level of honor and recognition by APMP, my capture and proposal peers, and the opportunity to provide service and share my expertise to those new to, or progressing in, our profession.
What's your best memory from attending an APMP event?
Attending one of my first APMP Bid & Proposal conferences in the late 1990s in Colorado Springs at the Broadmoor. It's an exceedingly fancy hotel and resort with the Rocky Mountains as a background. APMP had an evening offsite event at an old western town, band, and all the western barbeque food you could eat. It was magical. I met some other young professionals, a few of which I am still friends with today, and see them at APMP's annual Bid & Proposal Conference nearly 25 years later.
What advice do you have for a proposal professional entering our field?
It takes a special type of person to tackle such a high-stress, deadline-driven profession as proposals...and even more so to enjoy it! Those who have the "right stuff" find working proposals to be rewarding. To stay mentally healthy and avoid repeated or terminal burnout, you need to counter the stress and long hours with hobbies, friends, and activities that provide fun and happiness.
Go to as many APMP events as you can, present or participate in a panel discussion, get certified to the highest level you can, and, most importantly, exchange knowledge and experience with your APMP colleagues. Relationships, continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and being the best you can at your chosen profession are the difference between being a proposal professional vs. being a person who just happens to work in proposals.
