Ashburn, VA –November 21, 2024 – It is with mixed emotions that the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) announces that its Chief Executive Officer, Rick Harris, CP APMP, has decided to retire at the end of 2025, after 14 years at the helm.
The APMP that Rick will leave behind is a much stronger APMP than the one he inherited back in 2011, when he was the lone full-time staff member in an association of barely over 3,000 members.
Over his tenure, his talent for community building has helped our association grow to 14,600 members, expand into 79 countries, and certify over 24,000 professionals worldwide. Rick has also nurtured APMP’s expansion by assembling and leading a dedicated team of 14 full-time staff members and establishing the largest International Board in APMP’s history.
His leadership has spearheaded several initiatives that have set APMP on an incredible upward trajectory. Beyond increasing membership by over 370%, a few highlights from Rick’ time with APMP include:
- Accelerating the association’s international expansion with the addition of six new chapters outside the United States
- Strategically focusing his staff on growing the corporate membership program, resulting in an impressive increase from just 18 corporate members to over 450
- Playing a pivotal role in nearly tripling the attendance at APMP’s flagship event, BPC US, helping to make it the premier event in our profession
- Spearheaded the growth of APMP certification globally by adding six new certification programs during his tenure.
- Working with 13 APMP Boards and committees comprised of 200+ bid and proposal professionals.
In collaboration with those Board members and others in the field, Rick has been at the forefront of the movement to elevate the bid and proposal profession to global legitimacy and recognition. His work has not only advanced the experience of APMP’s members within the association but has also raised the profile and perception of the work they do within their companies and the profession.
Rick is well-known amongst the community for his ability to converse and connect deeply with those who meet him—his kindness, generosity and genuine interest in people have left an indelible mark on our community.
“Serving as the CEO of APMP has been a professional honor I will always cherish,” said Rick. “Together, with our Board and members, we have taken a huge step forward in maturing our profession and I can’t wait to see who APMP brings on as the new CEO in the future. I am truly honored to have been a part of APMP and I’ll work with our APMP HQ Board over the next year to assist with this important transition.”
Rick will continue to serve through 2025, while the international Board works to recruit his replacement. The Board will form a special committee in the coming weeks to oversee and direct the recruitment of a new CEO for our association, ensuring an open, fair and inclusive process is followed throughout.
David Gray, Chair of APMP, said: “Rick has been a fantastic CEO, leader and ambassador for both our association and our profession. He will be missed by thousands of members whose lives and careers have been enhanced by APMP under his tenure. I am sad that Rick will be leaving APMP next year, but I fully support his decision and his reasons for making it.
We have already begun to mobilise the process to identify potential candidates for his successor, ahead of shortlisting, selection and recruitment, and I look forward to working with the rest of the Board next year as we gear up for a new chapter of leadership at APMP.”
Upon his retirement, Rick will leave a rich legacy, characterized by vision, growth, and a deep commitment to APMP’s members.
We here at APMP HQ can’t thank him enough for his steadfast leadership over the past 13 years—his dynamic presence will be greatly missed among the Board, staff and membership.
Please join us in wishing him all the best for his well-deserved retirement. You can reach out to him directly at [email protected] or through LinkedIn.
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