1. Julie Shepard, CPSM
POSITION:
Corporate Director of Marketing,
Psomas
YEARS IN A/E/C INDUSTRY:
32 years
YEARS IN SMPS:
31 years
How did you decide to have a career in the
A/E/C industry?
My first entry into the industry was through the
computer department, where I worked part time
at a civil engineering firm while going to school.
When I graduated with a degree in geology,
the economy was in the tank so jobs were
scarce.The marketing director had a full-time
coordinator position available, so I jumped
at it, not realizing it would be my career!
How would you describe your role/job?
I’m the firm’s biggest advocate—both internally
and externally. I’m a promoter, educator, and
champion of the firm. I’m an evangelist about our
terrific people, their dedication, and their talents.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I don’t really have just one favorite part. I love the
variety of assignments.There are always new
challenges, new projects, and new people to
work with.
What have been the challenges and rewards
of your career?
I’m on my fifth boss at Psomas—now that’s
a challenge! Actually it falls more into the
“reward” category. Each boss has been very
different so it’s like getting a new job each time.
But, nothing is more rewarding than winning key
projects. As marketing director, I’m involved in
all aspects of marketing and communications.
For me, there’s nothing like putting your heart
and soul into a pursuit (with your team), then
winning. Now that’s a high!
What has been your most meaningful
project?
More than 10 years ago, I started a program at
Psomas to solicit feedback from our clients—
Client Service Reviews (CSRs)—through mail-in
forms. Now we talk to more than 100 clients
each year about our performance. By hearing
directly from our clients, we stay focused and
keep it real—real for our staff and our marketing
managers, who perform most of the CSRs.
How has membership in SMPS helped you
to advance your firm and your career?
You don’t realize how much you learn and absorb
from SMPS and its members until you interact
with marketing people in our industry who
haven’t been involved in SMPS, or haven’t taken
advantage of all of the learning opportunities.
Then you really appreciate it!You learn about
best practices, trends, other firms’ challenges
and solutions, and the personal challenges of
other marketing staff.
Last year I attended SMPS University. What a
great investment! It was like a mini MBA course.
And again, I had the opportunity to interact with
others in the industry, hear how they operate,
and learn about their challenges and successes.
What has contributed to your success?
Passion to win!
Passion to want the best for the firm
Speaking up and throwing my ideas out to
whatever senior leadership is available to me
Listening to whatever senior leadership is
available to me
Staying current with the latest trends—
SMPS is your best friend on this front
What advice would you give to someone who
is about to enter the marketing or business
development field?
You must connect with the technical staff and
form good relationships.You have to be deemed
a vital team member—someone who will help
them to be successful. And of course,
dive head first into SMPS!
What is the best advice you’ve received
regarding your career or working in the
A/E/C industry?
Find “comrades in arms.”You need peers whom
you can talk with, get advice from, and offer
encouragement. I have a couple of cohorts that
I meet for drinks on a regular basis when one of
us “needs” to have a meeting. Priceless. n
SMPS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
MARKETER JUNE 2015 33
Julie Shepard, CPSM
MARKETER JUNE 2015 33