Hello SMPS Chicago,

What a year it has been. For the last 12 months, chapter volunteers have worked diligently to create a virtual experience for our members and industry professionals that would enrich, uphold engagement and access to information. At the Annual Meeting I sung their praise as they have done an exceptional job. Kudos to our chapter volunteers!

I now pass the baton to the amazing Jenna Teitenberg - Senior Sales and Marketing Specialist at Gilbane. Jenna has contributed numerous hours to SMPS for more than five years, directing the membership committee, sitting on the Board of Directors, and getting a new board in place. Her contributions to our chapter have moved us forward, and as President, she is fired up and ready to go! Jenna is focused on developing a strategic plan that supports the goals we plan to achieve, along with member recruitment and retention, and resources and programs.

With Jenna’s leadership and positive attitude, this year will be a memorable one!

It has been an honor to serve as the President of the SMPS Chicago Chapter. As Immediate Past President, I plan to focus my efforts on sponsorship and in creating an environment that welcomes all people from all walks of life and allows access to opportunities in the AEC industry. Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you hopefully in person this upcoming year.

Warm Regards,
Clarice Lyons-Davidson, CPSM
President, SMPS Chicago 2020/2021

Virtual Event Focus through December – At the present time, SMPS Chicago plans to hold most events virtual through December 2021.

Members were surveyed in August 2021. A similar survey is currently planned for December.

Excellence in Marketing Awards Winners

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

President Clarice Lyons-Davidson, CPSM, kicked off this year’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday afternoon with the 2021-2022 theme Stronger Together. That’s fitting because we are stronger together, and we look forward to celebrating that during the 2021-22 year.

In Remembrance

We had a moment of silence for SMPS Chicago member Alicia Wasmiller, who died earlier this year. Our deepest condolences to Alicia’s family and friends.

Bylaws Update

The SMPS Chicago updated Bylaws were approved by those present.

Excellence in Marketing Awards (EMAs)

Talk about outstanding achievement in marketing communications! The winners of this year’s EMAs are:

Be on the lookout for more information about the winners and their entries. We are grateful for all the firms who took the time to submit nominations.

SMPS Chicago has a new CPSM

Anna Derocher is our newest Certified Professional Services Marketer. Anna is the Marketing Manager at Fehr Graham. She took advantage of SMPS Dallas’ CPSM virtual study group and support from SMPS Chicago, family, and her firm to prepare herself for the exam. Way to go, Anna!

Looking Back

We were definitely Zooming to New Heights in the last year. We met virtually, and we gave back with philanthropic support to several organizations, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Appreciations

Thank you to Clarice Lyons-Davidson, who concluded her term as SMPS Chicago President. We bid farewell to Thomas Fennell IV, Lorna Luebbers, and Jessica Hemauer, CPSM, who faithfully served on our board for many years.

New President and Board Members

We welcomed Jenna Teitenberg as our new president. She laid out three areas of focus for the coming year. They are Strategic Plan, Recruitment and Retention, and Resources and Programs.

Virtual Event Focus through December

At the present time, SMPS Chicago plans to hold most events virtual through December 2021.

Volunteer Opportunities

Get involved in the Chicago Chapter. Reach out to Membership ([email protected]) to learn how you can help.

Networking

Attendees were given opportunity to network in small groups via Zoom before the meeting officially concluded.

On behalf of your current Board of Directors and the Nominations and Elections Committee, I am pleased to announce our incoming and returning Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 program year:

• President – Jenna Teitenberg, Gilbane Building Company
• Responsibilities: The president is the principal officer of the chapter exercising general oversight of its affairs and officers.
• President-Elect – Alli Rutledge, Thornton Tomasetti
• Responsibilities: The president-elect stands ready to fill in for the president in their absence while assisting the president in overseeing the board and services as an additional resource for all positions and committees.
• Immediate Past-President – Clarice Lyons Davidson, CPSM, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
• Responsibilities: The past president remains on the board in an advisory capacity, providing continued support for the new board of directors. In addition, the past president will assume the responsibilities of the Sponsorship Director for the 2021-2022 program year. The sponsorship committee manages and supports the generation of corporate sponsorships to help fund SMPS Chicago operations and activities.
• Secretary – Stefany Adholekar, Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd.
• Responsibilities: The secretary serves as the recorded for the chapter and ensures minutes are taken, recorded and distributed at all board/executive committee meetings. In addition, the secretary ensures all chapter documents are maintained and tracked for permanent record.
• Treasurer – Dawn Jones, InSite Real Estate
• Responsibilities: The treasurer is primarily responsible for accurate and timely keeping and reporting of financial activities for the chapter.
• Director of Programs – Ramsi N. Taylor, Virtual Energy Solutions
• Responsibilities: The director of programs plans and executes all activities related to the monthly programs and professional development. These events enhance our members skill sets, incorporate the six Domains of Practice, and contribute to bringing value to their respective firms.
• Director of Special Events – Noula Frigelis, David Mason + Associates
• Responsibilities: The special events committee manages the organization of the chapter’s valuable events geared towards increasing networking opportunities, new membership and education benefits to the organization.
• Director of Communications – Megan E. FitzPatrick, CPSM, H.W. Lochner, Inc.
• Responsibilities: The communications committee builds awareness and strategically positions SMPS Chicago externally. This committee manages all official communications chapter communications with the board of directors, members and the A/E/C industry.
• Director of Membership – Shreena Saheba, Project Management Advisors
• Responsibilities: The membership committee maintains and aims to increase chapter membership by enabling members to engage with others and participates in fostering the future of the chapter.

SMPS Chicago is fortunate to have these members and leaders prepared to serve. The new board members will be welcomed into service at the Annual Meeting and the entire Board of Directors will officially begin in September.

Thank you,

Jenna Teitenberg, Gilbane Building Company

SMPS Chicago President-Elect/Nominations and Elections Committee Chair

SMPS is partnering with UNCF to establish the scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The fund will provide up to $1,500 in financial support, mentorship opportunities, and SMPS student memberships, per scholarship recipient, to help bridge the representation gap in the A/E/C industries. The fund was made available by an SMPS founder and member #1, Andy Zinsmeyer, and his family.

Learn more or submit application.

Super Early Bird registration is open for the April 27-29, 2022 conference in Milwaukee. Register by August 31 to save the most. Stay tuned for more information on a virtual HRC Preview event happening in September 2021! Hear from some of the HRC speaker line-up and network with others before the in-person conference in 2022.