The team behind
the strategy.
Former federal program officers, PhDs, and lifelong grants professionals who know exactly what agencies look for.
Kristin Cooper is a funding strategist and government affairs expert with over 30 years of experience helping organizations compete for and win federal, state, and foundation funding. She founded Grant Management Associates in 2009 with a clear mission: bring strategic intelligence to the grant funding process — not just good writing, but the analytical rigor to know which opportunities are worth pursuing and the methodology to win them.
Under Kristin's leadership, GMA has secured over $2.5 billion in funding for clients. She developed GMA's proprietary Key Considerations Analysis (KCA) methodology, which evaluates competitive positioning, organizational fit, and scoring criteria before a single word of a proposal is written. This "Go/No-Go" approach is why GMA's clients don't waste resources on lost causes — and why they win at an extraordinary rate when they do pursue.
Before founding GMA, Kristin served as a Full Professor at California State University, Chico's College of Engineering, where she directed grant-funded programs across five colleges. She was the founding director of CSU Chico's Environmental Resource Program and the Concrete Management Program. Kristin also served as a registered federal lobbyist, where she was instrumental in securing a $100 million line item in the Department of Energy budget.
Today, Kristin leads GMA's evolution into a funding intelligence platform — integrating AI-powered grant matching with decades of human strategic judgment. She oversees a team that spans defence, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and workforce development — the sectors where federal dollars are flowing and where GMA's clients are winning.
By the Numbers
- $2.5 Billion in funding secured for clients
- 500+ client organizations served
- 30+ years of funding strategy experience
- Pioneered the AI Grant Matching Engine for systematic opportunity identification
Kristin's Certifications & Professional Credentials
- Certified Sustainable Development Practitioner | Association of Energy Engineers
- Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
- Master Certificate in Concrete Fundamentals | Hanley Wood, World of Concrete
- Green Building and Sustainable Design Certificate Program | UC Davis; Land Use and Natural Resources, and Business and Technology coordinated with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Sustainability Performance Metrics | Natural Logic, Short Course Certification on the selection and use sustainability performance metrics and incentives.
- Special Certification in Environmental Justice | (Train the Trainer), United States Environmental Protection Agency
Mark Sue is an experienced finance and strategic operations professional with over 20 years of experience supporting startups and growth-stage companies through financial planning, capital strategy, operational planning, and sustainable growth. With a background spanning engineering, finance, and investment banking, Mark brings a strong combination of analytical expertise, financial acumen, and strategic business insight to his work.
At Grant Management Associates, Mark supports financial and operational strategy, helping translate organizational goals into actionable plans while strengthening decision-making, performance management, and long-term growth. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with founders, executive teams, and institutional investors, supporting companies across multiple stages of growth, including Series A, B, and C ventures. His experience includes capital raising, investor positioning, financial systems, budgeting, performance metrics, and equity and debt financing.
Mark’s approach combines CFO-level financial expertise with a practical focus on scalable systems, data-driven decision-making, and effective capital allocation. He helps organizations build the financial and operational foundations needed to navigate growth, fundraising, and long-term strategic objectives.
Ed Ober is the Chief Operating Officer of GMA where he brings over 20 years of experience in leadership, grant writing, strategic operations, systems development, project / program management, as well as team and organizational leadership. A seasoned professional in the funding landscape, Ed oversees the operational execution GMA client engagement, ensuring that proposals are developed with precision, competitiveness, and mission alignment. Ed leads grant teams for GMA and has overseen the process resulting in more than $500M in grant awards for GMA clients in the last 12 years. Ed’s experience in funding spans diverse sectors including energy, transportation, housing, infrastructure, agriculture, water, healthcare, HVAC, disaster mitigation and recovery and more. This experience encompasses grants, loans, tax credits, incentives, bonds, philanthropy and other funding mechanisms.
In addition to his work with GMA, Ed is also on the Board of Directors of the Active Inference Institute, where he is leading the development of the institute’s 10-year strategic plan and the development and build-out of entire new services. The Active Inference Institute is a nonprofit advancing the science of how biological and artificial systems learn and make decisions through a framework called active inference, drawn from theoretical neuroscience.
In addition, Ed is a forward-thinking entrepreneur developing a transformative framework for participatory governance – a multifaceted initiative that includes a book, podcast, and direct democracy platform designed to redefine civic engagement for the digital age. Ed holds a degree in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach. His blend of analytical rigor and visionary thinking makes him a driving force behind GMA’s continued success in securing critical funding for clients nationwide.
Brad Zerbe has over thirty years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, lending, and business consulting. He is the former political director for the nation’s largest PAC, and finance director for the chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. He is a former registered federal, state, and state procurement lobbyist. He has worked for three of the nation’s five largest financial institutions in securities and banking compliance.
Brad has graded grants in national competitions and served as Chairman and CEO of nonprofit organizations and won over $400 million in grants. In college, he competed in debate, finishing second in the nation, and won his school’s highest scholarship for leadership.
As a former attorney and entrepreneur, Laurie brings a practical, business-minded, and meticulous approach to grant writing, research and strategy. She has experience with federal, state, and private foundation grants and her work has contributed to more than $150 million in awards for GMA clients. Before moving to Glen Ellen and beginning her consulting work, Laurie spent a decade in Hong Kong, where she founded and sold a craft beer distribution company that was repeatedly recognized as a pioneer in Asia’s craft beer industry and named “Best Beer Importer in Hong Kong.” She also led the expansion of a U.S.-based cannabinoid company into Asia. After returning to the U.S., Laurie and her husband started an agave farm with plans to produce California spirits. She has served on the boards of the California Agave Council and the Kenwood Education Foundation and has significant experience as a nonprofit board leader.
Arthine, the Principal Consultant at WaterFunder, LLC, is a dedicated finance and strategic partnerships consultant specializing in project funding and financing solutions for water infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Her global management experience spans the public, private, government, academic, startup, and nonprofit sectors. She has crafted and implemented growth and expansion strategies for development banks, foreign direct investment agencies, water utilities, capital markets, and Silicon Valley tech giants. Arthine is an Environmental Justice advisor for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Community Advisory Committee. Arthine is an Army veteran, a Board Advisor for the Freshwater Trust, and a Board Member of the Pacific Institute. She was a Fuse Executive Fellow and an Aspen Climate Policy Fellow, and holds a BA in Economics from UC Davis and an MBA from IMD in Switzerland.
Sarthak Tandon is an experienced operations and executive support professional serving as Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the CEO. He partners closely with the CEO on strategic priorities, executive coordination, operational planning, and cross-functional initiatives, helping translate organizational goals into structured and actionable execution.
At Grant Management Associates, Sarthak supports client-facing processes, internal workflows, team collaboration, and executive-level priorities, ensuring effective communication and alignment across stakeholders. His experience in process-driven environments, combined with a strong focus on organization, proactive problem-solving, and detail-oriented execution, enables him to serve as a trusted partner to leadership and contribute to the efficient and strategic functioning of the organization.
Our Specialist Teams.
Our multidisciplinary specialist teams bring together deep industry knowledge, technical expertise, and grant and funding experience to help clients navigate complex opportunities.
Government Guarantee Loan Team
Our financing specialists help organizations prepare for government-backed lending and complex capital opportunities, bringing expertise in infrastructure finance, financial readiness, business planning, and debt strategy.
Arthine is the founder of Waterfunder and Co-Chair of the Finance Committee for AWWA. Her experience spans private investment, fintech, utilities, and public-sector strategy, including senior leadership roles at Yahoo and other technology companies.
Ryan specializes in loan gap analysis and developing funding-ready packages for government lending programs. He also supports clients with feasibility studies and business plans for complex infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and transportation projects.
Brad brings extensive experience in banking, debt securities, and loan compliance. His background includes leadership roles in investment banking and commercial finance, as well as founding a municipal and federal debt securities firm.
Jim is a technical writer and finance specialist with more than 25 years of experience in the energy, utility, and environmental services industries. His engineering and MBA background supports the preparation of complex financial and technical loan applications.
Transportation Team
Our transportation specialists support transit, mobility, EV, and infrastructure projects with expertise in funding strategy, grant development, program management, financial analysis, and project planning.
GMA's COO, Ed brings extensive experience leading complex transportation grant applications and has secured more than $700 million in grant awards over the past decade. His expertise includes program management, grant writing, benefit-cost analysis, budgets, GHG calculations, and operational workflow design.
Broadband & Telecommunications Team
Our broadband team combines telecommunications, GIS, financial, and strategic expertise to support broadband deployment and infrastructure projects from opportunity identification through application development.
Mark brings 34 years of telecommunications and technology consulting experience, with expertise in broadband deployment, mapping, and community engagement. He has led major broadband initiatives and winning applications supporting infrastructure projects across the country.
Hayley specializes in GIS, infrastructure mapping, broadband gap analysis, and rural planning. Her technical and project management expertise helps clients address the complex data and planning requirements of broadband funding programs.
Brad brings decades of experience in broadband policy, grant development, education technology, and strategic planning. His background includes leading statewide broadband initiatives, mapping programs, and E-Rate education technology efforts.
James combines more than 25 years of industry experience with expertise in technical writing and financial analysis. He supports broadband proposals by translating complex technical and financial information into strong, competitive applications.
Laurie brings experience in broadband strategy, grant development, public policy, and stakeholder engagement. She supports local governments and ISPs with strategic planning, regulatory considerations, and program development.
Education Grant Team
Our education specialists bring experience across higher education, K–12, research institutions, and workforce development, supporting competitive funding opportunities from research grants to community-based initiatives.
Kristin is GMA's CEO and Founder and a former professor in the School of Engineering at CSU Chico. With more than 30 years of experience in grants and program management, she brings deep expertise in university research, federal funding, contracts, and project management.
Elizabeth is an experienced grant professional specializing in NSF and research university proposals. A Grant Professional Certified (GPC) practitioner, she has completed more than 600 grants throughout her career.
Sonia is a nationally recognized expert in SBIR/STTR programs, commercialization strategy, and non-dilutive funding. She has more than 30 years of experience helping innovative companies and university-based technologies move toward commercialization.
Hunter brings more than a decade of experience in grant writing and proposal development. His work spans higher education, K–12 education, agriculture, natural resources, health, and community development.
Dori brings 30 years of experience in higher education as a college dean and instructor. She has also led institutional grant programs and brings extensive experience in education-focused grant development.
Brad specializes in K–12 grants and education technology. His experience includes statewide E-Rate programs, IT and broadband planning, and strategic communications within government and higher education.
CDFI & Community Development Finance Team
Our specialists support organizations pursuing CDFI and CDE certification, New Markets Tax Credits, and other community development financing opportunities.
Philip has more than 20 years of experience in CDFI and CDE certification, application development, and community development finance. His expertise includes NMTC, Opportunity Zones, CDFI funding programs, and affordable housing and lending.
Gary is President of the Community Development Associates of America and has worked in community development since 1998. He is an expert in NMTC and CDFI compliance and has helped develop strategic partnerships supporting successful community development projects.
Brad supports CDFI certification and grant applications with a background spanning banking, debt securities, government finance, and compliance. He brings decades of grant-writing and financial experience to complex community development opportunities.
Grant Award Winners Bridge Financing Team
Our bridge financing specialists help grant recipients navigate cash-flow challenges associated with reimbursement-based awards and matching fund requirements.
Arthine brings extensive experience in finance, investment strategy, technology, and public-sector consulting. She leads GMA's bridge debt financing efforts and supports clients preparing funding packages for complex capital needs.
Grant Research Team
Our dedicated research specialists identify funding opportunities, monitor emerging programs, and help clients evaluate competitiveness and develop a strategic approach before pursuing an application.
Laurie is an experienced grant writer and researcher who monitors newly released and emerging funding opportunities. Her background as a business attorney and entrepreneur brings an additional strategic perspective to grant research and opportunity assessment.
Dori brings extensive experience in grant research and opportunity monitoring, supported by a 30-year career in higher education. She has completed numerous grant research projects and helps clients identify opportunities aligned with their goals.
Hunter combines grant writing and research expertise with experience across education, agriculture, natural resources, health, and community development. He supports clients with targeted research and strategic opportunity identification.
USDA Grant Team
Our USDA specialists combine firsthand knowledge of agriculture, rural communities, food systems, and renewable energy with extensive grant development experience.
Elizabeth is an experienced grant professional and GPC practitioner with more than 600 grants completed throughout her career. Her background in research and grant strategy supports clients pursuing complex USDA and rural development opportunities.
Danielle is an experienced grant writer and strategist. A practicing cattle rancher with deep roots in California agriculture, she brings firsthand knowledge of rural and agricultural communities to her work.
Alicia is an experienced grants consultant with a background in emergency healthcare and food systems. She brings particular expertise in USDA programs, including renewable energy and infrastructure funding opportunities.
NSF & SBIR/STTR Team
Our innovation funding specialists support researchers, universities, and companies pursuing highly competitive federal research, technology, and commercialization opportunities.
Kristin brings extensive experience in university research and federal grant programs, including seven years evaluating NSF grant applications. Her background as a professor, PMP, and grants strategist supports complex research and innovation initiatives.
Elizabeth is a GPC-certified grant professional with extensive experience preparing NSF applications for research institutions. She brings a strong combination of research proposal development and long-term grants expertise.
Sonia is a nationally recognized specialist in SBIR/STTR, commercialization, and non-dilutive funding. She has helped more than 50 companies and university-based technologies advance innovative ideas toward the marketplace.
Defense & National Security Team
Our defense specialists bring military, intelligence, manufacturing, and federal funding experience to organizations navigating defense and national security opportunities.
General Moore brings senior-level leadership experience across defense strategy and operations. His career includes leading a $17 billion DoD portfolio, managing more than 340,000 personnel, and serving as a strategic planner for the Secretary of Defense.
Michael is an expert in DoD grant administration and defense manufacturing. His experience includes developing major defense and manufacturing grant programs and consulting on federal manufacturing initiatives.
Brandon is a decorated Intelligence Officer and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate with experience managing major defense assets and contracts. He specializes in helping emerging technologies transition into federal programs and defense applications.
Charles is a veteran aviator, certified PMP, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt with experience managing multimillion-dollar flight and cyber projects. He helps dual-use companies navigate defense funding and scale within federal markets.
Sonia brings more than 30 years of experience securing DoD and federal funding for innovative companies. Her expertise includes SBIR/STTR, commercialization strategy, Technical and Business Assistance, and non-dilutive funding.
Join our growing team.
We are always looking for exceptional grant professionals and strategists.