At STEERBRIDGE, few voices speak with as much clarity, conviction, and earned insight as Charles Tapp II. A proven executive leader and the former Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Charles brings over two decades of federal leadership, military service, and transformational outcomes to his current role as a thought leader and brand advocate at STEERBRIDGE.
But Charles’s value goes beyond titles or tenure. He is a leader who believes in the power of purpose—whose voice resonates because it’s grounded in action and outcomes.
“What makes STEERBRIDGE special isn’t just what we do. It’s how we do it—with people, culture, and a focus on results that actually improve lives.”
Bold Vision, Grounded Values
Charles’s journey through the Air Force, federal service, and now the GovCon ecosystem has one consistent theme: mission-first leadership. He believes in aligning vision with execution and teams with trust. During his tenure at the VA, he managed a $190B benefits portfolio, doubled his team size while improving culture, and steer his office to becoming one of the highest-rated workplaces in the agency.
Now at STEERBRIDGE, Charles brings that same strategic clarity to bear on projects with real-world consequences—whether it’s helping shape next-generation claims processing, supporting Veteran-centric initiatives, or amplifying internal leadership with an eye toward scalable impact.
Thought Leadership in Action
When Charles speaks, people listen—not because of title, but because of truth. He draws from experience, but leads with humility. Whether mentoring colleagues or speaking to national audiences, his focus remains the same:
➡️ People-first innovation
➡️ Measurable, mission-driven results
➡️ Culture that empowers voices at every level
“Some of the quietest voices in the room have the best ideas. We just have to be wise enough to listen.”
STEERBRIDGE as a Platform for Change
What inspires Charles most about STEERBRIDGE is its refusal to follow convention. As he shared in a recent internal talk:
“We’re not chasing contracts. We’re chasing outcomes. That’s what makes STEERBRIDGE different.”
The company’s investments in AI, Veteran-centric technology, and human-centered delivery speak to a bold, values-based strategy that resonated deeply with him from day one. In his words, “When someone tells you what you’re doing is crazy, it probably means you’re on to something great.”
What's Ahead
Charles’s voice will continue to guide, challenge, and inspire—from boardrooms to briefing rooms, from internal teams to national partners. He remains focused on:
➡️ Scaling systems that prioritize Veterans and mission delivery
➡️ Supporting leadership across SteerBridge to execute with excellence
➡️ Advocating for the power of culture and purpose in federal transformation
“I joined STEERBRIDGE because the vision here is powerful—and possible. We’re going to shock the world with what we can achieve when mission meets momentum.”