Q: How did you get your start with COLSA?
A: I got my bachelor’s degree from Athens State University in Acquisitions and Contract Management. I started at COLSA as an intern in the Purchasing department, after which I was hired full time. I then worked there for a year, moved to Pricing, and finally moved to Proposals, where I have now worked for around 7 years.
Q: What do you love most about your Proposal Analyst role and about COLSA?
A: As a Proposal Analyst, I am usually assessing RFPs, gathering data, writing proposal sections, and supporting end-to-end proposal planning activities. One thing I like about my role is the timeliness and working under a deadline. I really love the team that we have at COLSA; everyone is always so supportive, especially since we consistently reach out to different SMEs and gather information from them alongside their day jobs. Even our leadership is invested in the work we do and always willing to support our mission in Proposals. I also enjoy working within our internal team (the Proposal Team), everyone’s an overachiever in the sense that we are all willing to help each other and make sure we put together the best product and proposal that we can.
Q: What are some fun interests or hobbies that you enjoy outside of your workday?
A: I really enjoy flipping furniture; I do that on the side, and I love doing it. I’ll go to thrift stores or estate sales, or even just pick up stuff people put out on the curb and flip it for profit. I’ve been flipping furniture in general for a long time, but in the last year or two, I’ve put a lot more into it by not just making them just to sell but more beautifying the things and giving them life. It’s fun to find something, especially antique pieces, that you don’t necessarily want to change the integrity of but want to modernize or spruce up a bit. It’s interesting to keep the antique look but dust it off and give it a cleaner finish but not really change the piece itself.
I really like to read; I am a huge bookworm, and so far, I’ve read 72 books this year. So, if I’m not flipping furniture or working, I’m usually reading, playing with my dogs, going out on the boat with my boyfriend, or hanging out with my family.
Q: How do you give back to your community?
A: I have been involved in Association of COLSA Employees (ACE) for 6 years and have held several different board positions. I have been the Treasurer, Regional Coordinator, and now currently serve as President. I really love ACE, and while it takes a lot of hard work and time, I really enjoy how much we are able to do for employees and the different events we put on that people enjoy. Even when it’s difficult, it makes it a lot more worthwhile when people look forward to these events every year, not only as employees but also as an entire COLSA community.
Q: What is a lesson you’ve learned in your career that you still carry with you today?
A: One lesson I’ve learned is that clarity under pressure is everything. Working in an often fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, it’s easy to get swept up in the urgency. But I’ve learned that staying calm, prioritizing effectively, and communicating clearly (both with our internal team and external team) makes all the difference. It ensures we not only meet our deadlines but also submit a proposal that’s strategic, compliant, and compelling.
Grow with Us
As COLSA grows, we continuously seek qualified talent to join our Family of Professionals. Check out our Careers page to learn more about working for COLSA.
