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See You at SRC!


SMPS Members are heading to the Southern Regional Conference in Austin from Jan. 31 - Feb. 2. The conference will be packed with educational sessions and networking opportunities. We can't wait to see yall there!

Join Us at Antone's on Wednesday Night!

The conference will start off with the social at Antone's Nightclub on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m. The event is included with conference registration, but tickets may also be purchased for those who aren't attending the full conference! 

Find us at the Open Asset Happy Hour on Thursday! 

After a full day of educational sessions, Open Asset will host a happy hour on Thursday, Feb. 1 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. before attendees head off to the Restaurant Roundup! The San Antonio chapter is planning to meet up at the happy hour for drinks and a quick group photo. Make sure you register ahead of time! 

Meet the Speakers From SMPS San Antonio!

The conference will have 20+ educational sessions and the San Antonio Chapter will definitely be making a mark at SRC with presentations from five of our members! 

  • PANEL: Mark My Words - How to Craft Your Leadership Journey From Doer to Manager | Thursday, 2/1 at 11 a.m. or Friday, 2/2 at 9:45 a.m.

    Presented by Maggie Seay, CPSM with Emerald Fox Marketing & Consulting, Joyce Watson, CPSM with Cleary Zimmermann Engineers, Erin Salinas with Colliers Engineering & Design, and Corryn Williams with Method Architecture

  • Art of Networking | Thursday, 2/1 at 9:45 a.m.

    Presented by Maggie Seay, CPSM with Emerald Fox Marketing & Consulting

  • (Hash)tag You're It | Thursday, 2/1 at 1:45 p.m.

    Presented by Joyce Watson, CPSM and Erin Hoy with Cleary Zimmermann Engineers

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Balancing the Holidays and Your Workload

As the holiday season kicks into full swing and we prepare to celebrate, the demands of our workloads do not take a hiatus. Busy as ever, we add more responsibilities – and the deadlines that come with them – to our plates. To-dos pile up on both sides of the work/life scale, throwing off the balance we are always challenged to maintain.

Like any other challenge we face, we can handle this! From leveraging time management and organizational skills to capitalizing on opportunities and resources for self-care, there are many ways we can take the reins on the holiday rush to keep our productivity high and our spirits up. The links contained in each section below include a range of expert advice and tools to help you get things done without damaging your holiday cheer.

Prioritize
When we prioritize everything, nothing is actually a priority. There are many ways to screen tasks to determine what requires your immediate attention and what can wait.

One of them is the Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent Important Matrix due to Dr. Stephen Covey’s popularization of this principle in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Dividing tasks into four quadrants, each with a different mix of urgency and importance, can help us understand which tasks truly need our time and effort and which ones are wasting time or creating the illusion of progress. This also helps us mind a particular danger zone, Quadrant 1, where everything is urgent and important – living in this quadrant leads to burnout.

Early this year, Forbes featured an article breaking down the system and extolling its benefits:

How to Get Stuff Done: The Eisenhower Matrix (a.k.a The Urgent Vs The Important)

Triage levels are another filter that can be used to screen tasks for priority. If quadrants don’t drive you, this traffic light color-coded system makes the signals for prioritization quick to process and easy to follow. Red tasks are your true emergencies – the things that cannot wait and require careful attention. Yellows are serious and need attention, but they are not full-stop urgent. This system also identifies things you cannot do and have to let go (black tasks). This can be disappointing, but acknowledging what we need to drop or when we need to say no (even when we would like to say yes) will help you avoid inadvertently overloading yourself. Also meant to help you stay cool and calm under pressure, the triage principle of prioritization is meant to keep your “busy” from becoming “crazy busy.”

ER Doctor Darria Long shared this system and how it can take you from “crazy” to “ready” mode:

Ted Talk: An ER Doctor on Triaging Your "Crazy Busy" Life

Optimize
Complementing our priorities, optimization sets us up for success. In approaching tasks for every quadrant and color code, we gain productivity and achieve better quality when we choose the best time and method to get them done. When we optimize our conditions for working toward our goals, we optimize our results. This requires several elements for us to do our best work: understanding our limitations (e.g., take your lunch), harnessing our most productive or creative hours in the day (try timeboxing, i.e., scheduling focused time on your calendar), breaking tasks down into smaller steps (start somewhere, anywhere, but start), and creating an environment conducive to focusing on the task at hand (maybe turn off notifications and put your phone face down).

When juggling our workloads, optimizing has a lot to do with our time and how we use it. Daniel Pink’s book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, dives into why leaning in to our chronotypes – our body’s natural disposition toward alertness and sleepiness, or our circadian rhythm – is essential to timing our day for peak performance. You can also watch his Talk at Google on the subject.

Energize
While juggling your workload can be mentally (and emotionally) exhausting, your body wears down too. Taking care of yourself physically – getting enough sleep, eating healthy (yes, it’s the holidays, but we can indulge in moderation), and exercising – is key to staying sharp and having the energy to take on the AEC world and the holiday frenzy at the same time. In addition to helping you feel better and more ready for whatever you are going to do next, exercise helps ease stress and clear your mind.

The New York Times suggests that any kind of movement helps:

Stressed During the Holidays? There’s an Exercise for That.

Harmonize
Just like time management and workload management, stress management takes practice. Everyone deals with stress differently – from mindfulness and leaning into discomfort to seeking support and embracing your imperfect moments.

These are a few podcasts exploring ways to reduce stress and restore harmony, during the holidays and beyond:

Brené Brown, Unlocking Us:
Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle

Rachel Hollis, 3% Chance:
3 Ways to Lower Your Stress + Improve Your Well-Being

Simon Sinek, A Bit of Optimism:
The Wisdom of Anxiety with Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary

If you are experiencing professional or personal issues and feel overwhelmed, talk to someone. Reach out to a trusted confidant or mentor. Or you can contact one of the many free support services available online for a wide variety of needs, such as 211 | United Way Worldwide. Also, check if your employer has an employee assistance program (EAP). These programs offer resources that often include free counseling sessions, stress management tools, and crisis support services for employees and their families.

With these resources at the ready, we can conquer our workloads and still have the energy and time to enjoy the holidays!

by Mary Hazlett, Tetra Tech

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A Letter From 2023-2024 SMPS President Crystal Del Bosque

While I am not one to talk about sports, the late Kobe Bryant’s famous Mamba Mentality is a mindset that transcends basketball and speaks to our vision for this 2023-2024 Board Year.

Over the years, our journey mirrors that of Kobe’s relentless pursuit of greatness. SMPS San Antonio has become more than a professional association; we're a closely-knit community of hardworking individuals. Our goals may vary, but our commitment to excellence unites us.

With that, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your collective passion, skills, and relentless pursuit of excellence that has brought us to where we are today. Let's give a round of applause to our dedicated committee volunteers, membership Ambassadors, and recent Board of Directors. You are our MVPs!

Just as Kobe embodied an insatiable work ethic, we, as SMSP members, bring our own brand of dedication, adaptability, and culture of continuously seeking improvement.

In the months ahead, you can expect a renewed focus on professional development, enriched networking, and a wealth of resources to elevate your knowledge and skills.

Our incoming Board of Directors are committed to fostering an environment that not only values but actively celebrates collaboration, teamwork, and the free exchange of ideas. We have a lineup of engaging events, in-person and virtual seminars, and thought-provoking discussions led by industry leaders and experts, all aimed at equipping you for excellence in your roles.

I invite you to lean into your Mamba Mentality mindset and engage with our vibrant community. Let's strive for greatness and learn from one another. Take time to connect with fellow members, join a committee, ask those burning questions, and continue to invest in your growth. Remember, our collective strength thrives on the diverse experiences and expertise that each of you bring to our SMPS Chapter.

It is truly an honor to serve as this year’s President. My door is always open. Please feel free to reach out with your ideas, suggestions, or questions.

Here’s to an exciting year ahead - cheers!

Crystal Rose Del Bosque
2023-2024 President
Society of Marketing Professional Services, San Antonio Chapter

“To sum up what mamba mentality is, it means to be able to constantly try to be the best version of yourself.” - Kobe Bryant

by Crystal Del Bosque, Alamo Architects

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A Letter From Outgoing SMPS President Kirk Kistner

In 2023, the SMPS San Antonio Chapter had an eventful year filled with insightful lunch programs and educational sessions. The 2022-2023 year included discussions about the future of downtown San Antonio, delving into exciting prospects and developments that will shape the city's landscape. We also delved into the San Antonio International Airport's capital improvement program, highlighting the efforts to enhance travel experiences.

The chapter actively engaged with the community by addressing important transit initiatives, such as the Via Metropolitan Transit, focusing on its impact on the city's accessibility and growth. Exploring the Southside of San Antonio, we explored the dynamic Vida Development and the ongoing progress at Texas A&M San Antonio, showcasing the region's evolving educational and residential landscapes.

A key highlight was our collaboration with the City of New Braunfels Economic Development, fostering a deeper understanding of economic growth and opportunities beyond San Antonio's borders. The partnership with the San Antonio Sports Foundation shed light on San Antonio’s vibrant sports scene, while discussions about Hemisphere Park development offered insights into the city's urban planning endeavors.

Our educational programs were equally impactful, featuring prominent figures like Diana Brown who explored the art of storytelling, enhancing members' communication skills. InDesign training sessions empowered members with design tools, while social media training equipped them to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.

SMPS San Antonio focused on membership value, making sure we provided ample opportunities to network with both members and non-members at multiple outreach mixers including our joint Engineers week mixer, our Fiesta mixer, and membership mixer. Providing value added sponsorship opportunities was also a main focus of our year, providing strategic sponsors opportunity for luncheon programs, annual sponsorships, and educational events.

Strategically, our annual goals encompassed expanding membership reach to the Rio Grande Valley, enhancing our social media presence, and embracing video content for wider engagement. Establishing a leadership ladder for our board of directors aimed to ensure the continuity and long-term success of the organization.

Later this month our chapter will publish the 2022 – 2023 Annual Recap that will showcase a year of enriching discussions, educational advancement, and strategic goals that collectively contribute to the growth and prosperity of the organization and its members. 

by Kirk Kistner, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

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Sally Smith, MBA, CPSM Recognized as a 2023 SMPS Fellow: A Trailblazer in Marketing and Business Development

We are delighted to announce that Sally Smith, MBA, CPSM, Director of Marketing/Business Development at Marmon Mok Architecture, has been recognized as a 2023 SMPS Fellow. This honor will be presented to Sally and fifteen other remarkable individuals during the upcoming national SMPS conference, Amplify A/E/C, in Austin on August 10th. As a member of the 2023 Class of Fellows, Sally joins a distinguished group of 132 Fellows who exemplify the highest level of experience and leadership in marketing and business development within the A/E/C industries.

A Catalyst for Success 

For the past 19 years, Sally has made an indelible impact on Marmon Mok's culture, growth, and brand image. Her strategic prowess and ability to foster collaboration have been instrumental in forming winning project teams for high-profile public projects. Sally’s dedication to Marmon Mok’s success has contributed to the firm’s growth, recognition for professional and community leadership, and a portfolio of legacy projects across market sectors.

Sally brings a wealth of experience to the table, with a career spanning 30 years in professional services marketing in Austin, Los Angeles, and San Antonio. Throughout her journey, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, listening to client needs and leaving a lasting impression on her clients, teaming partners, and peers.

Contributions to SMPS and Industry Organizations 

Sally's dedication to SMPS and the industry at large is evident in her active involvement and contributions. She is not only a torch-bearing member of SMPS but has also served as the Past President of the SMPS San Antonio Chapter, where she has made significant contributions to the growth and success of the chapter. Sally's passion for marketing innovation and achievement was recognized when she received the coveted Leonardo Award, an accolade that celebrates outstanding marketing professionals. Sally has contributed to SMPS in the mentor-protégé program, as a contributor to The Marketer, as a CPSM exam question writer, as a juror multiple years for the national SMPS Marketing Communication Awards, and as a downtown tour organizer for the 2014 national SMPS convention when it was here in San Antonio. Sally currently serves on the Board of Directors of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Mentorship and Thought Leadership

As a newly recognized SMPS Fellow, Sally will continue as a mentor and valuable resource at the chapter, regional, and Society levels. Fellows like Sally offer their expertise, ideas, programs, and mentorship to the SMPS community, fostering professional growth and advancement. With her extensive experience and leadership skills, Sally is well-equipped to guide aspiring marketing and business development professionals as well as technical professionals.

Sally’s recognition as a 2023 SMPS Fellow is a testament to her exceptional achievements and contributions to marketing and business development in the A/E/C industry. Her dedication to team success, commitment to industry relationships, and invaluable contributions to SMPS have earned her this esteemed honor. 

As Sally joins the distinguished group of SMPS Fellows, we look forward to witnessing her continued impact and leadership in the years to come. Congratulations, Sally, on this well-deserved recognition!

Visit the SMPS Headquarters website to learn more about the Fellows Program.

by Allen Hoye, Marmon Mok Architecture 

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Erin Salinas of Colliers Engineering & Design Named 2023 SMPS Leonardo Award Winner

Last month SMPS members gathered for the Annual Evening of Excellence Gala and awarded Erin Salinas, Senior Marketing Manager at Colliers Engineering & Design with the 2023 SMPS Leonardo Award. Inspired by the Renaissance inventor, writer, painter, and sculptor, Leonardo Davinci, the award recognizes individuals who embody his creativity, innovation, and insight in their approach to marketing and business development. As a recipient of this award, Salinas joins an elite group of professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in their respective fields.

Mrs. Salinas, who has been with KFW Engineers & Surveying for eight years, has played a vital role in the firm's growth and success. Her passion for relationship-centric marketing and business development has helped establish the firm as an industry leader in the Texas region and a symbol of excellence in the architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) community. In March of 2021, KFW Engineers & Surveying joined Colliers Engineering & Design, leading to Mrs. Salinas’s transition from the role of Marketing & Business Development Director to Senior Marketing Manager, Texas.

George Weron, Texas Regional Manager of Colliers Engineering & Design, commends Mrs. Salinas for her exceptional leadership and innovative marketing strategies that have solidified their position as an industry leader. “…she has been instrumental in spearheading the rebranding of KFW Engineers & Surveying to Colliers Engineering & Design. Her dedication and strategic approach to the Brand Awareness campaign for Texas in 2023 are unparallel. With a proven track record of capturing market space, I have no doubt that Erin will continue to exceed expectations and drive remarkable success just as she has done for the past eight years.”

Mrs. Salinas expressed her gratitude for the recognition, saying, “It is a true honor to receive this award, especially looking back at all the past winners who I have looked up to for over a decade. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues at Colliers Engineering & Design. I am proud to work for a company that values creativity, innovation, and excellence in everything we do. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team."

SMPS San Antonio seeks Leonardo Award nominations every year and asks nominees to prepare packages consisting of a nomination letter, resume, and experience to be reviewed and voted on by a committee made up of representatives of past SMPS San Antonio Leonardo Award recipients.

Nominees should meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum ten years of marketing and/or business development experience, including five years specific to the A/E/C industry.
  • Applicant must be a past or current member of SMPS or work in a firm that supports SMPS with a current member.
  • Will have made a great impact on their respective organizations and the profession.

 

Visit SMPS San Antonio’s website to learn more about the submission process.

 

Past Recipients

2022       Chris Carruth, Metropolitan Contracting

2019       Maryanne Guido, Guido Construction

                Angela Cardwell, Joeris General Contractors

2018       Katherine McGuyre, Facility Programming and Consulting

2017       Louis Rowe, Jacobs

2016       Sally Smith, Marmon Mok

2014       Eva Ramirez, RVK

2013       Nancy Parker, Pape-Dawson Engineers

                Melodye Tomsu, Joeris General Contractors

2012       Maggie Seay, Emerald Fox Marketing

2011       Rebecca Mansfield, Cadence McShane Construction Co.

2009       Joe Irizarry, Raba Kistner

2008       Kirk Kistner, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

 

by Aby Romero, Colliers Engineering & Design and Jeanette Scarsdale, DBR Engineering

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May 2023 Bond Election Results and Impacts on the Greater San Antonio Area

Bond elections were held throughout the state of Texas, on Saturday May 6, 2023, which should prove to be an incredible boost for the A/E/C industry. What was a record for amount of potential dollars being voted on, there was a total of $26.6 billion dollars of municipal and educational bonds up for vote, of which over 87% was successful totaling more than $23.23 billion passing. This is an amount never seen before during a single bond cycle.

The opportunities for our SMPS San Antonio members will be abundant over the next 12-24 months, with more than $2.05 billion passing in our region. Successful bonds include:

City of New Braunfels - $140 million

Alamo Heights ISD - $371 million

Comal ISD - $588 million

Edgewood ISD - $39 million

La Vernia ISD – $109 million

Medina Valley ISD – $376 million

San Marcos ISD - $166 million

Seguin ISD - $7.5 million

Southwest ISD $250 million

While the amount of bonds that were successful in our area accounts for only 10% of the total bond programs throughout the state, this still includes a significant amount of work to come into an already busy market. With this new work coming into the market, and including the previous bond work that has not entered into the market as of yet, our area has more than $5 billion in potential bond work that will impact our market over the next 24 months.

The only bonds that failed to pass in our area include the Bandera ISD bond program, the Devine ISD bond program and the Comal ISD $10 million proposition B for stadium upgrades. But it was still a great election cycle for the greater San Antonio area with a 95% successful passing rate.  

by Kirk Kistner, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

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Lessons Learned from the 2023 SMPS Southern Regional Conference (SRC)

A/E/C Marketers from seven SMPS Chapters across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana made their way to The Big Easy, New Orleans, LA this past January for the annual SMPS Southern Regional Conference. Now in it’s 21st year, the SRC provided it’s more than 300 attendees an opportunity to choose from over 15 marketing and business development education sessions specific to the A/E/C industry and spend three days immersed in learning about design, content creation, digital marketing, BD prospecting, and more. SMPS San Antonio had more than 25 members in attendance representing the chapter and sharing a glimpse of the insights that were presented at the conference. Please enjoy!

How to Use Storytelling to Share your Company’s Vibe with Barbara Shuck, FSMPS, CPSM

Contributed by Miana Soto, Rogers-O’Brien Construction

  1. When storytelling, use an effective framework by sharing the problem, solution, and results.
  2. We are not the hero of the story, the client is.
  3. Try to avoid ‘we’ or ‘I’ verbiage when speaking to the client – our narrative should focus on them.

 

Tempo in Motion! Unleash your Digital Guerrilla Marketing: Unconventional Ideas and Inspiration with Kristin Kautz, CPSM

Contributed by Aby Romero, KFW Engineers + Surveying

  1. Tech is moving faster than our government can keep up
  2. Companies can leverage AI tools to aid in copy writing, SEO writing, website heat mapping, image optimization, metadata, presentations, and lead generations. 
  3. Don’t be afraid to play with tech and stack the hacks

 

Finding Your Brand’s Vibe with Perryn Olson, CPSM, CCMP

Contributed by Jeanette Scarsdale, DBR Engineering

  1. Define your brand and differentiators by asking, is this true? Is this relevant? Is this measurable? Does the audience care?
  2. Signs your positioning may be off include client turnover, employee turnover, struggling to recruit younger employees, vague debriefs where you’re qualified but something is lacking, and clients devaluing your work.
  3. Ask tough questions to better define your brand and re-position. You may ask what clients are trying to avoid, what messages your marketing materials convey to clients, or what you wish you were doing differently.

 

The 2024 Southern Regional Conference will make its way back to the Lone Star State next year in Austin, TX.  Keep an eye out to hear more about the upcoming speakers, education sessions, and when you can register to attend!  

by Jeanette Scarsdale, DBR Engineering

 

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Getting Your Marketing Team Organized for the Year: Tips for RFQ Pursuits, Social Media, and Content Organization – 2 FREE Templates

The end of the year can be a hectic time for those of us in marketing and business development. From attending holiday parties and family gatherings to preparing for end-of-year reviews and strategic planning, it can be challenging to focus on your work (let's not forget about the proposal that's sure to land on your desk in mid-December). If you're struggling to stay focused during this busy time of year, here are a few tips that may help.

RFQ/RFP Pursuit Strategy

A well-defined RFQ pursuit strategy can help you win more business and ensure your marketing team is aligned with your business development and project teams. Here are a few tips for developing a successful RFQ pursuit strategy:

Know your target audience: Understand the industries, companies, and decision-makers you're trying to reach.

Define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What sets you apart from your competitors? Use this information to develop messaging that resonates with your target audience.

Create a pursuit team: Assemble a cross-functional team of experts from sales, marketing, and technical departments to work on RFQ responses. Ensure everyone understands their role in the pursuit and communicate key dates for the submittal.

Tip: Send calendar invites to the team with reminders for key milestones (content deadline, 50% draft, 95% draft review, due date, etc.) to keep everyone in the loop on status and expectations

Develop a template: Create a template for RFQ responses that includes key information such as company background, experience, and capabilities. You can tailor this boilerplate information for each qualifications package; however, a standard template will give you a good starting base so you can put more effort into the storytelling and content of your proposal.

Follow up: After submitting an RFQ response, follow up with the decision-makers to reinforce your interest in the opportunity. Also, schedule a follow-up internally with the team to do a post-mortem review of the pursuit.

Sometimes keeping all the proposal deadlines organized can be a challenge. Check out this template for an easy-to-use RFQ Calendar to share with your teams.

Social Media Strategy

Social media is a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with customers, but it can also be time-consuming. By developing a clear strategy, you can ensure your team uses social media effectively. Here are a few tips:

Know your audience: Identify which social media platforms your target audience is using and focus your efforts there.

Set goals: Define what you want to achieve through social media, such as increased brand awareness, lead generation, or customer engagement. Let this lead the kinds of content you create.

Develop a content calendar: Plan out your social media content in advance, including a mix of promotional and informative content. Here’s a simple social media content planning calendar template to keep all of your ideas organized.

A well-defined content strategy is critical for attracting and engaging with your target audience. Content is key for keeping your marketing channels fresh, informative, and engaging. Use a mix of content types, including blog posts, infographics, videos, and photography.

Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner, and encourage your team to interact with customers on social media.

Measure your results: Use analytics tools to track your social media performance and make changes as needed. Share these results with your teams.

By focusing on these areas, you can ensure your marketing team is organized and set up for success in the coming year. A clear RFQ pursuit strategy, social media, and content strategy can maximize your marketing efforts and help you achieve your goals as a team.

by Corryn Williams, Method Architecture

 

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Inaugural Projects of the Year and People's Choice Awards

What better way to look back on the year than by celebrating our highlighted projects? We’ve curated the best of this year’s project submissions from our newsletter (January 2022 – September 2022) and selected the top five for our inaugural Projects of the Year Awards. We also put all submissions up for a vote to crown our People’s Choice winner!

Without further ado, here are 2022’s recipients of the Projects of the Year and People’s Choice Awards.

Projects of the Year

The first YETI Flagship store opened its doors in 2017, and this year Dunaway completed improvements to bolster interest in this downtown Austin location. Alongside Lake|Flato Architecture, they revitalized a 1930’s original build with improvements that embody the Yeti brand and culture. The windows are designed to telescope open, the rooftop boasts a mechanical mezzanine, and a structural steel floor serves as a destination for the showroom. 

DBR provided MEP engineering and technology design services for this 64,000-square-foot project scope. The school is now able to expand its education opportunities with a 6,000-square-foot barn hosting a livestock program and a new gym to host wrestling and cheerleading programs. We’re always pleased to see projects that contribute to student success and overall health and well-being.

In a unique partnership between Harlingen CISD and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRG), D. Wilson Contracting Co. created a campus that serves a double function: by day, a high school campus, and by night, a home for university courses through UTRG. This flexible space inspires innovation and includes specialty classrooms for engineering, computer science, and an Aspiring Teacher Academy.

For this expansion project, Lopez Salas Architects designed a new dance rehearsal hall, drama center, band rehearsal hall, offices and storage, orchestra hall, and library. A whimsical elevator connects the center to the front lobby of the high school. The improvements also included security measures and sound engineering, contributing to the holistic support of performing arts for this NEISD bond project.

Overland was selected for this $190 million landmark project aiming to celebrate shared heritage and culture across the Texas/Mexico border. Located in Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas (the state that borders the Rio Grande on the Mexican side of the river), the 6.3-milelong park is designed to revitalize the culture, economy, and the river ecosystem. The mission statement includes the phrase “Two nations, one community” as a means of inspiring other park systems like this across other borders.

People’s Choice Award

The CDS Muery team championed the local electric system of the island by providing 12 miles of a 138kV transmission line. The program for the island and port strengthens the local electric system, allowing the community to better withstand the adverse Gulf Coast weather. CDS Muery was responsible for all surveying and SUE, including hydrographic surveying, soft-digging in over 200 locations, and construction staking for 240 transmission towers.

Reflecting and recognizing the exceptional projects of our members is part of our joy this holiday season. Congratulations to each of our winners!

Have a project you’re proud to showcase? Contact our Communications Director, Sam Ferris, at [email protected] to submit your project to our monthly newsletter. Submissions are published on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

by Michelle Rohrbough, KFW Engineers + Surveying

 

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