0.54: Baskar Sundaram – Hi! You are listening to Scribble Talk, a podcast for bid and proposal professionals. My name is Baskar Sundaram and with my co-host, Ashley Kayes, we will be sitting down with our industry veterans to share their stories, discuss their career, and learn how to make an impact in the industry.

01.25: Baskar Sundaram – Today’s Guest is Jeff Cohen. Jeff is the Senior Director of Proposal Management for Peraton, a provider of advanced cyber solutions to both Federal and State Governments. In his role he leads a team of 30 proposal managers and coordinators and approximately 10 contractors. He is the resource manager for all proposal managers, coordinators and orals coaches. His team manages bids ranging from tens of millions to billions. Prior to this position he was the Vice President of Proposals for WBB (Whitney, Bradley and Brown) which was acquired by Serco in 2021. Jeff is APMP Practitioner certified and has approximately 15 years of proposal experience. He lives in northern Virginia and is associated with the National Capital Area chapter where he has been active in the mentor-protégé program. Prior to that, Jeff was career Air Force having served for 26 years and attaining the rank of Colonel. His hobbies include the beach, his 4 dogs, reading and word games

02.49: Baskar Sundaram – Let’s go back to the very beginning, Jeff. Where were you born and let’s talk about your high school and education.

04.42: Baskar Sundaram – So, you had a dream of joining Air Force. You liked planes and you spent 26 years. You know, not many people actually had the privilege of flying planes and doing Air Force. How was t, Jeff, when you had the dream and when you actually joined the Air Force?

05.59: Baskar Sundaram – 26 years in Air Force. What fond memories do you have?

07.52: Baskar Sundaram – Just talk us through. As listeners, we hardly know how the Air Force works, Jeff. How does the Air Force works, Jeff? There’s an air craft, there’s a pilot. Then, what happens?

09.23: Baskar Sundaram – There’s so many skills that you learned being part of the Air Force, Jeff. What did the Air Force taught you?

12.04: Baskar Sundaram – So, 26 years in Air Force. You set your grounding there. You spent most of your adult life there. When did you actually came out? Why did you come out? And how was it coming out to the real world and positioning a new career out of it?

12.42: Baskar Sundaram – How did you pick up Proposal Management as your career? Did it just happen, or how did you end up in this career?

16.18: Baskar Sundaram – Talk us through. Over the years you must have done a lot of bids in this 15+ years. Any memorable bids coming to your mind, Jeff?

17.06: Baskar Sundaram – Talk us through about Peraton. What do they do and your team? And how is it building the team and managing the team?

21.40: Baskar Sundaram – So, at what point in your proposal career did yu come across APMP as an industry body?

23.17: Baskar Sundaram – Joining 2016 APMP Conference to now being part of NCA Chapter Mentor Prodigy Programme. Talk us through about the NCA Chapter and your contributions and the wider team, Jeff. 

24.02: Baskar Sundaram – That’s brilliant. We talked about early life, career, Air Force, we moved into Proposals. Then we talked about APMP. Now let’s move on little more to get to kno you more personally. Tell us three things not any people know about you. 

25.37: Baskar Sundaram – Jeff, what are your hobbies and interests?

26.22: Baskar Sundaram – Nice. Okay, let’s officially enter the Rapid Random Questions Round or in honour of Howard Nutt, we call it the Nutter’s Round. Are you ready? 

35.20: Baskar Sundaram – So who are the people who have been the most influential people in your life and career?

38.50: Baskar Sundaram – Jeff. what’s the one personal trat you like about yourself?

39.46: Baskar Sundaram – Who haven’t you seen or talked to in a long time and hope that they are doing okay?

40.20: Baskar Sundaram – Do you remember the time you last write a letter? And who did you write it to? 

40.34: Baskar Sundaram – If you are panning to write a letter, say tonight, who will you write it to?

4.55: Baskar Sundaram – What’s the one common myth about the proposal profession that you would like to debunk?

42.25: Baskar Sundaram – Jeff, what advice will you give fellow brilliant professionals who are looking to pursue a carrier similar to yours?

43.10: Baskar Sundaram – Jeff, is there any part of your life or career or is there anything else you would like to tell to the listeners before we close the episode?

44.50: Baskar Sundaram – That’s brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing. It’s been an absolute privilege to have you in Scribble Talk. Wish you, your family, your dogs, your colleagues at Peraton and everybody around you a good health and happiness. Continue to inspire us as you always do, Jeff. Until I see you next year, look after your self. Stay healthy, stay happy and I’ll speak to you very soon.

Scribble Talk Outro Music.