New Member Spotlight: Linda Simpson, MPA, CPSM

Linda Simpson, MPA, CPSM
White Construction

Where do you work and what’s your position? Brief Description of company.
Executive Assistant at White Construction. Assist the Owner/CEO and the Vice President of Pre-Construction in a variety of functions including marketing and business development.

White Construction Company, Austin, TX is an award-winning commercial contractor with over forty-one years of construction expertise in a wide variety of industries. Projects of note include Austin’s new Federal Courthouse, Dell Computer Headquarters, National Instruments and Whole Foods Markets.

Where is your hometown? Where did you go to school?
Abilene, TX

McMurry University, Abilene, TX – Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Oklahoma – Master of Public Administration

What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
Travel, reading, cycling, movies, and most importantly time with my family now that I am back “home” in Austin! I also spend a lot of my free time thinking about my work…which I love.

What prompted you to join SMPS Austin?
I joined SMPS several years ago when I was Marketing and Business Development Director for an Architectural firm. I joined to take advantage of professional development and networking opportunities… which have been great. I gained my CPSM certification early this year.

New Member Spotlight: Nicole Gilbert

Where do you work and what’s your position? Brief Description of company.
I work at Page Southerland Page, LLP as a Marketing Assistant.

With roots extending back to a two-person partnership formed in 1898 in Austin, Texas, today PageSoutherlandPage is a major architecture and engineering firm with 425 employees. We have projects located throughout the United States, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. PSP is recognized for its design of facilities to support healthcare, science and technology development and manufacturing, as well as its public, education, corporate and urban housing design capabilities.

Where is your hometown? Where did you go to school?
I was born and raised in Austin, Texas and went to Austin High School - a true Austinite! In 2007, I earned my BA in Journalism at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.

What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
In my spare time I am usually with my husband or friends and you can see me going to a concert, the dog park, the movies, the lake, the greenbelt, working out, yoga, or working on our house.

What promped you to join SMPS Austin?
I began working in the A/E/C business a little over three years ago in Houston, Texas and I was working for a marketing consultant group. We just moved to Austin about 6 months ago and that’s when I started working at PSP as a marketing assistant. I don’t’ know that many people in this field in Austin, so I knew that joining SMPS would help me get to know others. Also, it’s a great opportunity for networking and the educational resources are endless.

New Member Spotlight: John C. Jankowski, RCDD

John C. Jankowski, RCDD
JanCom Technologies, Inc.

Where do you work and what’s your position?
JanCom Technologies, Inc., President & CEO

Brief Description of company.
JanCom Technologies, Inc. is a professional Engineering and Design firm specializing in IT Infrastructure, Building Security, Audiovisual Systems & Infrastructure, and Critical Power Systems. Founded in 1997, JanCom’s ability to understand and implement end user requirements while also serving the unique needs of the AEC industry is unequaled.

At JanCom, we speak the technical language of the end user and the language of the design team; often providing a translation that allows the design team to better meet the multiple technology systems needs of the project owner.

Our team of engineers, designers and consultants are experienced in planning, executing and completing complex technology infrastructure projects. Our engineering based approach integrates traditional low voltage specialty systems into a coordinated plan. Through this process, we assess clients’ voice, data and audio/visual needs; coordinate the appropriate requirements; and document for construction the Owner’s desired end result.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, JanCom provides services for clients and facilities across the nation and around the world. As a professional engineering firm, JanCom is fully staffed with engineers licensed to provide services by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers.

Where is your hometown?
Detroit, MI

Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Texas A&M University – College Station, TX

What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
Cycling, motorcycle road

racing, hiking, and restoring/building hot rods

What do you enjoy about SMPS Austin? 
Learning how to better present my company and win more business!

New Member Spotlight: John Dunn

John Dunn
Joeris General Contractors, Ltd

Where do you work and what’s your position? Brief Description of company.
Joeris General Contractors, Ltd. – Austin
I am a Project Executive, working on business development in the Austin area which will also encompass pre-construction services and marketing for commercial construction projects.

Where is your hometown? Where did you go to school?
I grew up in Greeley, Colorado but have lived in Cedar Park, Texas since 1984. I graduated from Colorado State University.

What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
Enjoy family time, traveling, wine and riding my motorcycle around the hill country.

What prompted you to join SMPS Austin
I’ve been a member for some time at my past company and wanted an organization that networks and grows the membership attendance with meaningful subjects.

New Member Spotlight: Debby McCarty

Debby McCarty
Jose I Guerra, Inc.

Where do you work and what’s your position? Brief Description of company.
Jose I Guerra, Inc., Director of Business Development and Marketing

Established in 1973, Jose I. Guerra, Inc., is a full-service, multi-discipline consulting engineering firm, located in Austin, Texas. We provide a comprehensive range of high quality civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services to both private and public sector clients throughout the state of Texas.

Where is your hometown? Where did you go to school?
Palo Alto California is my hometown. I have been in the Austin area since August 2011 and attended FIDM in San Francisco.

What do you like to do in your free time? Hobbies?
Golfing, baking, ccreating Shutterfly photo albums, home décor, gardening

What promped you to join SMPS Austin?
One of my goals in my new position with Guerra is create an effective and strategic marketing plan that will support and assist with our revenue growth plan. In order to do that I need to increase my knowledge in marketing trends as well as continue my education in the marketing field.

SMPS Networking Happy Hour

Please join SMPS Austin for our May happy hour at Blackfinn Ameripub @ The Domain. This happy hour immediately follows the Half-Day Workshop featuring Rich Friedman’s “Succeeding in the New Economy: Creating a High Performing Marketing & Business Development Organization” presentation. Even if you cannot attend the workshop, please join us as we connect with fellow members of the A/E/C community. We look forward to seeing you there.

Note: The event is cash bar.

When: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Where: Blackfinn Ameripub @ The Domain
Pearl Room
11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, Texas 78758

Event Registration Fees:
Member: Complimentary
Non-Member: Complimentary

RSVP Monday, May 13, 2013

SMPS Workshop - Succeeding in the New Economy: Creating a High-Performing Marketing & BD Organization

One of the biggest challenges professional services firms face is creating a marketing and business development (BD) culture and attendant structure that positions the firm for future growth and prosperity—one that maximizes the potential of its staff and minimizes low-ROI activities and investments. This workshop will explore several key related topics, including:

• The various types of BD cultures that exist in professional service firms.
• The business case for organizing marketing and BD along client sectors, what makes a successful client sector leader, and pitfalls to avoid.
• The Seller-Doer culture: maximizing its efficacy and best practices.
• Full-time sales people: hiring, their role, how to maximize collaboration
• Elevate marketing: migrating from transactional to strategic thought leadership.

At this workshop, you will:

• Learn to determine the effectiveness of your firm’s marketing/BD structure and culture.
• Build the business case for organizing marketing and BD along client sectors.
• Identify requisite skills and responsibilities for a Client Sector Leader.
• Learn 5 pitfalls to avoid in the marketing/BD planning process.
• Identify strategies for effectively utilizing full-time sales professionals.
• Discover how to position your firm more effectively and maximize ROI.

Speaker: Rich Friedman - President, Friedman & Partners

Rich Friedman is President of Friedman & Partners (www.friedmanpartners.com), a marketing and management consulting firm serving the U.S. and Canadian A/E/C and environmental consulting industries. Rich has worked in and consulted to these industries for 20 years— first as an environmental consultant and business developer for Stone & Webster Engineering, and later as a Partner for ZweigWhite. Rich has worked with firms of all different sizes, including numerous ENR 500 organizations.

THE DISCOUNTED PRICE ENDS AFTER MONDAY, MAY 6!!

PLEASE NOTE AGENDA - 1:30 - 2:00 Registration and check in; 2:00 - 5:00 Program

A happy hour will follow, 5:30-7:30, location TBD.

When: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: Norris Conference Center - Live Oak Room
2525 West Anderson Lane, Suite 365, Austin, Texas 78757
Attire: Business Attire
Event Registration Fee:
Member:  $99.00 for a limited time ( $129.00 original price)
Non-Member:  $149.00 for a limited time ( $179.00 original price)

RSVP Monday, May 13, 2013