SMPS Boston

SMPS Boston January Member Spotlights

This article originally appeared on SMPS Boston’s website.

by Paul Garabedian

SMPS Boston is committed to providing extreme value to our members. Our Member Spotlight Blog serves as a platform to welcome new members to SMPS Boston and highlight our established members within the A/E/C community. January’s Member Spotlights include: Judith Nitsch, (retired), founding principal for Nitsch Engineering, and Annie Langlois, senior marketing coordinator for Sasaki.

Member Information:
Name: Judith Nitsch, PE, LEED AP, FSMPS
Company: Nitsch Engineering
Title: Founding Principal (retired)
Years Involved in SMPS: 39 (!) and counting … I am now paying my SMPS dues at the retired member rate.
Committee: SMPS-Boston Program Committee (1990-92);  Fellows Delegate on the SMPS National Board of Directors (2008-10); SMPS National Business Development Institute (2005-10, Chair 2005-06)

What was your favorite SMPS event to date?

My favorite SMPS event was a program I organized in 2003 called “Whose State Building is it Anyway?” based on the TV comedy show “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” (the show where everything’s made up and the points don’t matter). I moderated a kick-*** awesome panel of representatives from DCAM, UMBA, and MSCBA to a packed audience.

What is your favorite part about being a marketer in the A/E/C industry?

I love the hunt for the next big client (“they should know us, and I know they’ll want to work with us!”) or the pursuit for the project. I have often said I had to be Nancy Drew in my job – figure out who’s doing what and when. Most people don’t expect an engineer to be so jazzed by BD, and I enjoy breaking stereotypes.

What do you work toward in your free time?

I am always learning. I took a Masters course last semester at the Boston Architectural College on the History of Architecture, and I am taking Italian this semester, in anticipation of a Fall trip to Bella Italia. I took voice lessons for two years but just stopped – I decided any audience and I are both better off playing piano for real singers.

Member Information:
Name: Annie Langlois
Company: Sasaki
Title: Senior Marketing Coordinator
Years Involved in SMPS: 4
Committee: Outreach Committee

What was your favorite SMPS event to date?

My first SMPS event was the prospective member cornhole tournament at Ned Devine’s, and just saying that brings a smile to my face. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, yet competitive – a very enticing mix that drew me into the group.

What is your favorite part about being a marketer in the A/E/C industry?

I love being able to take a complicated RFP, break it down into many parts, and produce a beautiful and thoughtful piece of storytelling that showcases why we have the best team and most relevant experience for a specific opportunity. To experience the translation from a winning proposal to the physical architecture or landscape is extremely gratifying and keeps me driven on each new pursuit.

What do you work toward in your free time?

Without the commute, I have been able to use that time to work towards being a more confident and competent chef. I am working towards cooking all recipes – even the ones that intimidate me – from the Half Baked Harvest cookbook. The sense of accomplishment and ability to create something new keeps the sometimes monotonous work from home days exciting!