Rachael Towle found her way into the world of proposals by happenstance while working at a geospatial firm. After two years, she was hired as a Geospatial Proposal Manager at Woolpert. Rachael became an Associate, a distinguished honor for high-performing employees of the private firm. She obtained her CF APMP certification within her first year at Woolpert and has chaired the APMP MidSouth Chapter since January 2024. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys college football, sports cars, and traveling to new destinations. She is a wife, a mom of an adult son and twin girls in high school. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology in 2019 and served as Membership, Vice-President, and President of a local non-profit for mothers of multiples. She looks forward to seeing MidSouth grow into a supportive, collaborative chapter covering six U.S. states.

Michael Zari is an engineer by degree and a seasoned proposal writer by desire. He has over 30 years of proposal development and writing experience. While the majority of experience has been in has been supporting Department of Defense (DoD) and Technical volumes for international customers, his attention to detail suits his activities in compliance verification and color-team reviews. Michael has been self employed since 2003, serving as the President of A2Z Innovations, Inc. and consulting internationally on engineering and proposal efforts. Since 2012, Michael has participated in over $53.3B of successful proposal bids covering the range of Phase I SBIRs to multiple-award IDIQs. Michael holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Physics (Stevens Institute of Technology) and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Rachel Gessel lives in the Memphis area and currently serves as the Treasurer for the APMP Mid-South Chapter. She has worked as a Proposal Writer at NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) since 2019. With a strong background in writing, editing, and document creation, Rachel has demonstrated her expertise in proposal management, earning a promotion to Senior Proposal Writer in 2023. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Brigham Young University, where she graduated magna cum laude. Outside of her professional life, she is an active member of the Germantown Symphony Orchestra and has a passion for music.

Libby McCurdy is a highly skilled Senior Proposal Manager based in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is passionate about supporting the full proposal life cycle, bringing structure, clarity, and strategic focus to each stage of development. Libby earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), graduated Cum Laude, and holds a Foundations-level certification from the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP).

Tarah Butler is a highly skilled creative professional with over a decade of experience in graphic design and proposal development. She currently serves as the Creative Manager of Proposal Development at HORNE, where she leads a dynamic team to deliver compelling and innovative proposals. Tarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Mississippi. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer (NCCPTCPT) and holds the CF APMP certification.

Kelli Axley is a dedicated marketing professional with a strong background in proposal coordination and business development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography, International Studies, and Spanish from the University of North Alabama. Kelli is currently based in Huntsville, Alabama, where she actively contributes to the success of Woolpert and the APMP MidSouth Chapter. Her expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), Adobe Photoshop, and Google Analytics has enabled her to create compelling and effective marketing content.

Caroline McLaughlin brings five years in the proposal industry, having moved from a Proposal Writer to Proposal Coordinator to Knowledge Manager to Senior Manager of Proposals and Knowledge. She is proud to work for Professional Contract Services, Inc. (PCSI) — a social enterprise and federal contractor dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through employment, advocacy, partnerships, and innovation. Caroline holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Florida. She is certified at the Foundations Level by the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) and is a Microsoft Office Specialist Expert.

Caleb Ross is a dedicated proposal professional with extensive experience in proposal management, business development, and project coordination. He currently serves as a Proposal Coordinator at Garver, where he develops high-quality proposals for the AEC industry. Caleb holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Business Administration, Management, and Operations from the University of Mississippi and a Certificate in Data Analytics from Cornell University. His commitment to excellence and leadership skills make him a valuable asset to the APMP MidSouth Chapter.

Caren lives in the Huntsville Alabama area and is a Proposal Coordinator and Technical Writer. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Auburn University, a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Duke University, and Graduate Certificate in Technical Communications from University of Alabama in Huntsville.  Although Caren is relatively new to the world of Proposal Management she has written and developed a variety technical documents and graphics in her different roles throughout her career. She is Shipley trained in Capturing New Business, Managing Strategic Proposals, and Powerful Proposal Writing.