JMU Federal Dukes Spotlight: David Grant— Potomac Ridge Consulting, LLC

Professional Bio

David is a Senior Executive with 35 years of experience in acquisition, program management, and leadership with eighteen years in the Senior Executive Service. He is an experienced leader of large complex multi-functional organizations, program management, planning, budgetary formulation, strategic planning and measurement of outcomes. David is seen as an experienced leader of organizations across multiple Departments as well as representing the Agency with OMB, the Administration, Capitol Hill and Industry.

JMU Major / Year Graduated

Political Science — 1983

Why did you choose JMU?

I fell in love with it the first time I walked on campus.

How did your degree from JMU lead you to where you are today?

Honestly, as a core major PolySci didn’t give me the “technical” knowledge that I used in my career. But it did give me something even more important. It taught me how to understand complex topics from various points of view. It taught me how to absorb information and the ability to distill the important points and use that information to accomplish a task. It taught me how to communicate effectively in writing as well as in person. My degree from JMU has been instrumental in my career.

What does working for the Federal Government community mean to you?

I worked for over 35 years in the Federal Government. I loved having the opportunity to have the responsibility to get projects done. Throughout my career I worked in concert with the private sector, and I was always appreciative of having a great deal of authority and responsibility compared to my private sector counterparts. I have learned so much by “doing” and it has been extraordinarily rewarding. I wouldn’t trade the experiences I’ve had to make a difference for our country.