Nancy Usrey, CPSM
Since 2000
Active
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AEC marketing professional
Nancy leads design-build strategic pursuit strategy for transportation infrastructure projects nationally, guiding multidisciplinary teams to successful positioning and wins on projects ranging from under $100 million to over $1 billion. She coaches design-build pursuit teams through strategic win plan development, relationship facilitation between design and contractor partners, and premium service delivery that drives competitive advantage on complex transportation megaprojects including highways, bridges, transit systems, and multimodal facilities.
Through Partners Usrey, her independent consultancy founded in 1992, Nancy provides strategic planning, marketing planning, communications planning, proposal strategy coaching, federal procurement expertise, and professional development training to architecture, engineering, and construction firms nationwide. Her dual roles allow her to maintain both deep expertise in large-scale design-build pursuit strategy and comprehensive professional services marketing consulting across diverse AEC markets.
With over 40 years in AEC marketing, Nancy specializes in federal procurement strategy, SF330 preparation, proposal and interview strategy development, design-build pursuit positioning, and strategic business development planning. She serves clients across transportation, infrastructure, public facilities, and institutional markets with particular depth in federal agency work and complex procurement environments.
Nancy’s exceptional contributions to advancing AEC marketing earned her recognition as a Fellow of SMPS, joining an elite group of professionals who have demonstrated sustained excellence and transformative impact on the profession. Her Fellow designation recognizes decades of thought leadership, industry education, and service at chapter, regional, and national levels.
Nancy served as SMPS National President (2017-2018), leading nearly 7,000 members across 57 chapters while implementing the Society’s vision of “Business Transformed Through Marketing Leadership.” Her three-year Board of Directors term (2016-2019) included service as President-Elect, President, and Past President, guiding the organization’s strategic direction, professional development initiatives, and industry advancement efforts during a critical period of transformation. Her presidential leadership strengthened SMPS’s position as the authoritative voice for professional services marketing while championing initiatives that elevated the marketing function within AEC firms nationwide.
Nancy’s thought leadership extends far beyond SMPS governance. She is the author of the industry-defining Insider’s Guide to SF254/255 Preparation (later updated for SF330), a comprehensive 200+ page guidebook published by ZweigWhite that became their best-selling book of all time. This authoritative resource transformed how AEC firms approach federal procurement, providing detailed strategies for navigating government marketing processes. Her expertise in federal marketing has made her a sought-after speaker, trainer, and consultant for firms nationwide seeking to break into or expand their government contracting work.
As advisor to SMPS Marketer Magazine’s Editorial Committee, Nancy helps shape the industry’s premier professional publication, ensuring content meets the evolving needs of AEC marketing professionals. She serves as MCA (Marketing Communications Awards) juror for multiple SMPS chapters, establishing standards for marketing excellence while evaluating innovative work from firms across the country. Her speaking engagements include presentations at SMPS chapters nationwide, Design-Build Institute of America conferences, and professional development workshops focused on federal procurement strategy, proposal development, and strategic business development.
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