As this month's official guest at Ovie Bar & Grill, Tom Petermann, PE, answered a few questions on how SMPS has helped his career and professional growth.

For questions regarding the lunch, contact: Lauren Mead, Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC at [email protected].

Where do you work and what’s your role? Eriksson Engineering Associates and Senior Project Manager/Director of Client Relationships

Why did you join SMPS Chicago? I originally joined SMPS to network within the A/E/C industry and to gain knowledge about marketing/business development.

How has SMPS been beneficial to you, your firm, and/or your career? SMPS has been very beneficial to me. In a nutshell, I believe the relationships and knowledge I have gained through the Chapter has directly influenced my career.

How can a new member of SMPS get the most out of their membership? Join a committee. It’s a great way to meet other industry professionals.

What was the most fun event you attended for SMPS? Every event! Although first place could go to the Arlington Race Track event.

What do you do to kick back and relax? Kicking back and relaxing with 3 children under the age of 6 is a foreign concept… (ha, ha). When the opportunity does arise having a beverage and listening to music, while sitting on our patio.

What is your favorite musical group/performer? I’m fairly eclectic. If I had to choose, I’d would place U2 at the top the list.

What is the most interesting place you’ve visited? Maui. Loved it.

Name the most famous person you’ve had a face to face encounter with (“brush with greatness”)? Frank Thomas, a.k.a “The Big Hurt”, former Chicago White Sox player, although Anna Kournikova was up there as well.

If you could spend 15 minutes with any living person, who would it be and why? Hope Petermann, my wife and best friend.

To see more SMPS Chicago photos from Becoming a Major Player in the Sports Areana at Petterino's by Bob Elmore click here.

Thank you again to Sponsors: Turner Construction, Thornton Tomasetti and HKS.

Deadline: September 25, 2015

The Conference Planning Committee invites you to submit a proposal for a breakout session for Build Business 2016, scheduled for August 10–12, 2016, in Philadelphia, PA.

Build Business 2016 will celebrate the power to IGNITE, INNOVATE and EXECUTE—through an integration of ideas to create SYNTHESIS. We’re looking for topics within these three tracks (Ignite, Innovate, and Execute) that give conference attendees the skills, knowledge, and motivation to build their business and advance their careers.  

• A focus on marketing, business development, leadership, or technology should be promoted.
• First-time presenters who can provide fresh, exciting new topics are encouraged to submit proposals.
• The committee is open to single speakers, panels, and client panels.
• The breakout session should be approximately 75 minutes in length.

Download the Call for Presentations for complete details on target audience, session tracks, speaker benefits, and the proposal submission process.

Proposals for Build Business must be completed in the abstract submission system (as outlined in the Call for Presentations document) by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 25, 2015.

Speakers will be notified of the status of their proposals in November 2015.

Questions? Contact Dan Reilly at [email protected] 800.292.7677, x223.

Have you heard a speaker you would recommend for Build Business? Please forward this message and encourage him or her to submit a session proposal. 

Wednesday, September 23, 2015
5:30pm 8:30pm

http://www.builtworlds.com/events/calendar/2015/9/24/smartworlds-future-energy

As part of our ongoing effort to promote a dialogue about smart and sustainable thinking, BuiltWorlds is excited to present part four in our SmartWorlds Initiative, Future Energy. With the increasing density and population of urban eco-systems, a key issue arises: the need for future cities to be powered by safe, reliable and non-polluting energy systems. 

Energy generation resources are now being enhanced by battery storage capabilities; thus, causing constituents within the energy value chain to rethink the projects they build and the technologies they use. The emergence of Distributed Energy Resources and micro-grids into our energy chain is changing the way power is managed, distributed and used. SmartWorlds: Future Energy is designed to help our community gain valuable insights and connections to meet the challenges and opportunities these fundamental changes represent

Join BuiltWorlds for a workshop on how PlanGrid is revolutionizing the engineering and construction industry.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015
8:00am 9:30am 08:00 09:30
BuiltWorlds:1130 W Monroe StChicago, IL, 60607

http://www.builtworlds.com/events/calendar/2015/9/16/workshop-plangrid

SMPS Chicago Annual Meeting Recap

Last week, members gathered to celebrate accomplishments and look towards the bright future of SMPS.  Most importantly, the board for this upcoming year was proudly announced. The SMPS Chicago Board of Directors for 2015-2016 is:

• Nikki Dvorak, DLR Group: President
• Pamela O’Deen-Pishler, Mortenson Construction: Past President/Advisor
• Thomas Petermann, P.E., Eriksson Engineering Associates: VP/President-Elect
• Ampy McIntyre, Eckenhoff Saunders Architects: Secretary
• Dawn Jones, Hitchcock Design Group: Treasurer
• Meghan Johnson, ARCADIS US: Programs Director
• Maura Buechner, W.E. O’Neil Construction Co.: Professional Development Director
• Jessica Hemauer, Rider LevettBucknall: Special Events Co-Director
• Becky O'Brien, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc.: Special Events Co-Director
• David Copeland, CTS, LEED-AP, Shen Milsom & Wilke: Membership Director
• Megan FitzPatrick, CPSM, H. W. Lochner, Inc.: Communications Co-Director
• Anne Kulick, CPSM, International Contractors, Inc.: Communications Co-Director
• Dawn Zancan, Klein & Hoffman: Sponsorship Director

To view photos of the Annual Meeting and see some of the new faces on our Board, please click here.  This past year included some of the largest membership numbers and the most well attended events in Chicago Chapter history.  Even with this amazing track record, the SMPS board is always open to considering new ideas from members. On the horizon are four large scale events for 2015-2016 including events for the Fall, Holidays, the Summer and Annual event.

Those SMPS members who have contributed above and beyond expectations were recognized for putting their Best Foot Forward.  The Grand Prize Best Foot Foward winner for 2014-2015 is Megan FitzPatrick, CPSM for all of her efforts on the communications committee and her valuable assistance for programming events.  The Chicago Chapter wouldn't be where it is today without valuable voluteers like Megan.  Please join us in congratulating her. Bob Elmore Photography was also recognized for contributions to our Photo Galleries by capturing all of our programming and events throughout the year so vividly. 

The August 27, 2015 New Member Lunch special guest was Matt Rebro, CPSM

To see more SMPS Chicago photos from the summer event at Untitled by Bob Elmore click here.

Thank you again to Sponsor: Sonoma Partners