Resume of Carl W. Dickson

703-898-4932 

Carl W. Dickson

4007 Ingersol Dr.  Silver Spring, MD 20902  Cel: 703-898-4932 

Executive Summary

I help companies win their proposals. I am both experienced and qualified, with skills that cover the full range of proposal activity. I have spent my entire career in proposal development, working my way up from production to proposal management, and have worked on several dozen proposals.

I have supported proposals for all kinds of information technology (software development, networking, systems integration, lifecycle support, web hosting/development, knowledge management, messaging systems, records management, imaging systems, multi-media, legacy-systems, call centers, help desks, training, performance support systems, and so on). I have also supported proposals for aerospace/defense systems, operations management, research and development, environmental engineering, regulatory compliance, and more.

I have submitted proposals to every Cabinet-level Department and most major agencies in the Federal Government, as well as to several states, a few municipalities, and a couple of countries. I have worked with over 100 companies, either directly or as teaming partners.

My technical specialty is information technology, but the depth of my experience enables me to write to just about anything. My facilitation and coaching skills, along with my technical background enable me to ask intelligent questions and interview those who know the customer and technical environment. My real expertise is in ensuring compliance, addressing the evaluation criteria, and effective, persuasive presentation.

  • 16 years experience, primarily in proposal management and business development
  • Former two-term President of the National Capital Area Chapter of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals
  • Developer of large-scale proposal collaboration and reuse tools

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  • Strong proposal process, training, coaching, and writing skills
  • Experience with a wide range of customers and technical environments
  • Able to interact directly with clients and business partners

Employment History

Independent Consultant, May 2001 – Current

Developed CapturePlanning.com, a web-based resource for business and proposal development training. Provided proposal writing and support including proposal start-up guidance, process coaching, win themes, positioning, and red team participation.

Business Development Alliance Manager

EYT, Inc. (formerly Ernst & Young Technologies), March 2000 – May 2001

Started as a business development consultant tasked with writing a business plan for the creation of an Application Service Provider offering. Converted to regular employee status several months later. Responsible for developing processes and procedures for bringing new offerings to market. Identified the need to outsource the fulfillment of certain offerings and built a strategic relationship with Interliant to achieve it. Became a Business Development Alliance Manager responsible for maintaining this relationship.

Vice President of Electronic Commerce Services

OPTYM Professional Services, Inc., February 1997 – February 2000

One of four business partners in a proposal consulting firm with annual revenues of $2 million. Served on the Board of Directors. Developed a business line providing proposal technology, such as knowledge management, web-based collaboration, and document re-use platforms. Also responsible for internal IT infrastructure. Planned, designed, built, and deployed a web-based proposal document management platform.

Independent Consultant, August 1996 – February 1997

Created the first major web site supporting the Government Contractor industry (Government Solutions). Provided proposal writing and support. Created and hosted websites for the Association of Proposal Management Professionals and Assistech, Inc. Developed a web-crawling application for discovering Federal Government business opportunities.

Proposal Manager

The Orkand Corporation, April 1995 – August 1996

Responsible for creating a centralized proposal development function. Built proposal infrastructures, document re-use systems, and managed production staff. Provided proposal planning, process management, writing, and development for over a dozen Federal solicitations valued up to $250 Million. Worked with all levels of the company, from CEO down.

Created a web site for the Industry Advisory Council. Maintained web pages for the National Institutes of Health Office of Information Technology. Wrote LAN documentation for the U.S. Army Chief of Staff for Information Management (ACSIM). Wrote a user manual for the Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney.

Proposal Manager

WORDPRO, Inc., November 1993 – April 1995

Became the firm’s first dedicated proposal manager. Established proposal processes and procedures. Planned and wrote all of the firms Federal proposals. Helped develop new business providing Internet related services. Worked with all levels of the organization, from CEO down.

Provided curriculum development to the U.S. General Accounting Office and National Academy of Sciences. Provided project management for computer services provided to Gannett, Inc., and helped write a user manual for a Lotus Notes groupware application intended for use by all Cabinet Secretaries.

Proposal Production Manager

Dynamac Corporation, September 1992 – July 1993

Managed the proposal production group for an environmental engineering firm. Proposals included 245/255 submissions. Converted operations from DOS WordPerfect and Apple Macintosh systems to Windows-based desktop publishing. Implemented search and retrieval systems. Worked with all levels of the organization, from CEO down.

Proposal Production Specialist

Automated Sciences Group, Inc., February 1989 – September 1992

Introduced electronic publishing to a recently graduated 8(a) systems integrator. Produced finished output for over two dozen proposals. Created the company’s first fully integrated proposal production system and databases. Performed layout design and graphics illustration. Editor for the corporate newsletter. Produced a multimedia hypertext exhibit for the Library of Congress. Worked with all levels of the organization, from CEO down.

Abacus and Bytes, Inc., August 1986 – 1988

Purchased inventory for a retail computer store. Marketed computer training. Provided point of contact sales, consulting, and technical support. Installed new computer systems and repaired defective equipment.

Education:B.S. in Information Systems Management,

Maryland University, University College

Associations:Former two-term ex-president of the National Capital Area chapter of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP).