Be Ready, Be Next: Kate Murray’s Journey from the Marine Corps to STEERBRIDGE

When Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kate Murray signed her weekly command updates as the Commanding Officer of 2d Maintenance Battalion, she always closed with the same phrase:

“Be Ready, Be Next.” 

For her Marines, those words were more than a motivational tagline. They were a reminder that readiness was about the current mission and the one to follow. After Kate retired, the Battalion officially adopted the phrase as its motto. She considers that legacy one of the greatest honors of her career.

That call to action has shaped every stage of her journey. Today, as a leader at STEERBRIDGE, Kate applies the same mindset to aviation and logistics programs that strengthen federal readiness. Her story reflects both her commitment to service and STEERBRIDGE’s values of integrity, innovation, and impact. 

A Marine’s Path to Leadership 

Kate spent 20 years in the Marine Corps as a ground supply officer. She culminated her service at Camp Lejeune as the Commanding Officer of 2d Maintenance Battalion, where she led 1,500 Marines across North and South Carolina.

Her command handled a wide range of responsibilities. Marines under her leadership repaired circuit cards, rebuilt tank engines, maintained artillery, and calibrated sensitive gear in support of the MEF. She also managed the intermediate supply chain for repairable parts, ensuring components were quickly repaired or replaced to keep equipment operational. The combat logistics companies supported maintenance at Beaufort as well as the Aerial Point of Embarkation at Cherry Point.

Innovation was central to her approach. Under her leadership, the Battalion deployed with the Marine Corps’ first expeditionary additive manufacturing capability. By experimenting with 3D printing in the field, her Marines developed new ways to supplement traditional supply chains. What began as a pilot effort has since become a critical capability for the Corps. The Battalion also employed design thinking to launch cross-functional teams to help supported units reach readiness objectives. These initiatives set in motion some of the personnel structure modernization efforts seen today.

For Kate, the experience reinforced a lasting lesson: readiness depends on resources and on the willingness to find creative solutions. 

Choosing SteerBridge 

When Kate left active duty, she wasn’t sure federal contracting was the right path. Having previously completed a master’s degree program with SteerBridge CEO Rob Schroder, Kate reconnected with Rob as a leader she trusted for his integrity and saw a company that aligned with her values.

“Once you start working at STEERBRIDGE, you realize it’s real. It’s not a facade,” she says.

At STEERBRIDGE, Kate leads aviation initiatives including the Artificial Intelligence Readiness Evaluation System (AIRES) project and F-35 sustainment programs. AIRES began as a deployment planning tool and has since expanded into maintenance validation and operational safety. She also contributes to contested logistics projects that explore how Marine Corps squadrons sustain themselves when supply lines are at risk.

These efforts allow Kate to apply her Marine Corps expertise to new challenges. The mission is clear: ensure that federal agencies and warfighters have what they need to succeed.

Innovation with Integrity 

Kate’s career demonstrates that innovation is not just about adopting new technology. It is about applying the right expertise where it matters most.

Her early work with additive manufacturing reflects the type of solutions STEERBRIDGE delivers today. The company combines domain knowledge with technical excellence, developing tools that range from artificial intelligence to data-driven aviation sustainment systems.

For Kate, integrity remains the foundation. She points to the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, which she sees fully present at STEERBRIDGE. “There is a loyalty people bring to this company,” she explains. “It isn’t about personal loyalty. It is loyalty to service and to contributing at the highest level to a mission that matters.” 

Mentorship and Developing Talent 

Mentorship is one of Kate’s strongest passions. At STEERBRIDGE, she mentors interns and early-career professionals while also supporting peers and colleagues.

Her guidance is straightforward:

➡️ Integrity and hard work build trust. Those qualities lead to greater responsibility.

➡️ Seek mentors actively. Don’t wait for guidance to come to you.

➡️ Value peer mentorship. Even a short conversation can shift your perspective.

Kate admits that as a young officer she did not fully leverage mentors well. Today, she encourages others not to miss the opportunity. “If you’re young, my advice is to be persistent as a mentee. Don’t let go once you find the right person. They will take your call.”

Her philosophy mirrors STEERBRIDGE’s investment in employee growth. Through certifications, training, and its Emerging Leaders Program, the company creates opportunities for employees to develop and lead. 

A Culture that Attracts and Inspires 

STEERBRIDGE has grown to more than 200 employees while securing contracts in aviation, construction and facilities management, and digital modernization. Despite its rapid growth, the company has remained focused on purpose.

“People are brought on for specific projects, and then they grow into leadership roles on new initiatives. Seeing talent evolve and lead new efforts has been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience,” Kate reflects.

She describes the culture as both magnetic and a flywheel. The company’s mission attracts top talent, and each new team member helps build momentum. For Kate, the most meaningful part has been seeing STEERBRIDGE’s mission — integrity, innovation, and impact — lived out daily. 

Service Beyond SteerBridge

Kate’s commitment to service extends into the community.

She serves on the Board of the Naval Academy Alumni Association (DC Chapter), where she helps organize an annual candidate event at the Navy Memorial for prospective midshipmen.

She also supports the commemoration of 50 years of women at the Naval Academy, honoring the passage of Public Law 94-106 and the trailblazers of the Class of 1980. For Kate, honoring that history is deeply personal. It is both a recognition of those who came before and a celebration of what lies ahead.

In addition, she is currently the President of the Wardroom Business Roundtable, mentoring entrepreneurs and sharing lessons from her own career. For Kate, mentorship is not a side activity but a continuation of her mission to serve. 

Be Ready, Be Next

Lieutenant Colonel Kate Murray’s story is one of service, transformation, and purpose. From commanding Marines to shaping sustainment solutions for the F-35 program, her path illustrates how STEERBRIDGE combines Veteran leadership with technical expertise to deliver results for federal clients.

Her personal mantra, “Be Ready, Be Next,” is more than a phrase. It is a challenge to prepare for the future, stay adaptable, and mentor those who will carry the mission forward.

At STEERBRIDGE, Kate has found the intersection of her values and the company’s mission. Here, she continues to serve. Not on the battlefield, but by ensuring that the next generation is ready for whatever comes next.