Chris Blair
@chrisblair
Strategic proposal and grants leader with 20+ years crafting winning, compliant responses.
United StatesWhat I'm looking for
I am a strategic proposal leader with over 20 years of professional writing experience and more than a decade focused on business development, RFP strategy, and federal/state government procurement. I bring deep domain expertise in pharmacy, healthcare, behavioral health, workforce development, and public infrastructure, and I consistently produce clear, compelling, and compliant proposal content for high-stakes, multi-million-dollar opportunities.
I have led proposal functions end-to-end—building response libraries, establishing standardized processes, managing cross-functional teams, mentoring staff, and serving as a primary knowledge resource. In senior roles I implemented proposal databases and baseline language, performed in-depth budget and compliance reviews, and coordinated executives, SMEs, and operational teams to align strategy and messaging.
As a freelance writer and grants specialist, I collaborate with nonprofits, municipalities, MCOs, and private firms on RFPs and grants, delivering timely drafts, managing grant lifecycles, and improving documentation and record-keeping systems. I am deadline-driven, detail-oriented, and focused on scalable content development that positions organizations to win.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Freelance Writer & Grants Specialist
SAS-GPS
Dec 2024 - Present (10 months)
Develops proposal and grant content for private companies and a municipality, manages grant reporting/compliance, and builds proposal libraries and policies for clients including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small businesses.
Freelance Grant Writer
Ashley|Rountree and Associates
May 2023 - Present (2 years 5 months)
Contracts with nonprofits to research funding opportunities, draft compliant grant proposals, and manage deliverable schedules to meet fundraising goals for multiple clients.
Medicaid & Behavioral Health Proposal Writer
Weber Associates
Feb 2023 - Present (2 years 8 months)
Produces RFP responses for statewide Medicaid programs and behavioral health operations by interviewing SMEs, meeting draft deadlines, and ensuring brand-aligned, compliant submissions.
BSLed proposal function across multiple lines of business, built proposal databases and baseline language for a newly acquired pharmacy division, and managed multi-million-dollar, federally funded workforce and health service proposals.
BSDeveloped strategies and content for Equus Workforce Solutions responses to federally funded workforce programs (WIOA, TANF, SNAP, Job Corps) and coordinated cross-functional proposal teams.
BSAnalyzed RFPs/RFIs to collect required documents, created templates and graphics, performed compliance and budget reviews, and coordinated approvals for nationwide proposal submissions.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
SUSpalding University
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing
Completed an MFA in Creative Writing with a thesis manuscript of poetry and delivered a thesis lecture titled "Mathematics of Poetry."
UIUniversity of Southern Indiana
Bachelor of Arts, English - Creative Writing
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, graduating in June 2007.
Availability
Location
United StatesAuthorized to work in
Job categories
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