The SMPS Fellows Program
The SMPS Seattle Chapter has six SMPS Fellows:
Karleen Belmont, FSMPS
Vicky Cooper, FSMPS, AIA — President, Cooper Architects
Kenda Salisbury, FSMPS, CPSM — Regional Business Development Director, Degenkolb Engineers
Ted Sive, FSMPS — Principal, Ted Sive Consulting
Bill Strong, FSMPS, CPSM — Owner, Bill Strong Consulting
Carla Thompson, FSMPS, CPSM
Each SMPS Fellow has a long history of active participation in SMPS Seattle while continuing to be active nationally in SMPS and various other A/E/C Industry organizations. They obviously love what they do!
What does it mean to be a Fellow?
The SMPS National Fellows Recognition Program and the Fellows themselves represent the highest level of experience and leadership in marketing within the design and building industry. Fellowship is similar to the Fellows programs in AIA, CECW or ASLA. Having the FSMPS after your name increases your credibility and secures high-level, higher-salaried positions within a firm.
The Fellows serve as a resource at the chapter, regional, and national levels—providing insight, ideas, programs, research and mentoring for the benefit of the members and the Society. In addition, the Fellows teach, write and speak on marketing and industry issues outside of SMPS in order to advance marketing professionals throughout the AEC industry.
What qualifications do Fellows have?
Nationally, the Fellows represent no more than 2% of the total SMPS membership—currently there are 125 Fellows of the more than 7,500 national members. They have been active in the Society for a minimum of 10 years of the last 15 consecutive years and have 10 years of experience as a marketer and/or business developer in the A/E/C industry. In addition, they have held a current CPSM certification designation for a minimum of five years. Members seeking Fellowship must meet these qualifications and complete a detailed application; next, they are screened and selected by a jury of Fellows appointed by the National Fellows Delegate of the SMPS Board of Directors. New Fellows are honored during Amplify A|E|C (formerly Build Business), the annual SMPS national conference. The Seattle Fellows are excited about helping others pursuing this path and will gladly review and help improve your submittal.
How do you become a Fellow?
There are six parts to the application at this time, each as important as the next:
- General information—about you, your education and work history and how your level of responsibility and involvement in firm leadership and strategy has increased throughout your career
- Contributions to the Profession—research, writing, presenting, training and other forms of sustained outreach to the AEC industry beyond SMPS (firm, peer or client organizations)
- Contributions to SMPS—local, regional and national Society offices, committees and program roles; publications, presentations and awards received
- Contributions as a Mentor—significant sustained contributions as a mentor to an individual in his or her professional development
- Candidate Statement—what Fellowship means to you and how you’ll continue to contribute as a Fellow
- Testimonial Letters—a letter of endorsement from the Chapter Board, a reference letter from the mentee and five testimonial letters from individuals, at least 4 of whom are SMPS members and two are SMPS Fellows
Exhibiting your ‘growth’ over the years in knowledge and leadership is important to the jury. Existing Fellows in each chapter are a great resource for applicants.
SMPS Seattle Catalyst Conversations
Catalyst Conversations, bringing relevancy and action to all things AEC marketing, is SMPS Seattle’s new panel-style program. It was borne out of the Seattle Fellows Forum, which over the course of 13 years held 50 forums—including 9 virtual Zoom gatherings during the pandemic. Through the Fellows forum, our dedicated Fellows shared knowledge with over 2,450 attendees, welcomed 49 inspiring special guests, collaborated on 4 joint forums with AIA Fellows, and enabled 14 members to attend the national conference through our Fellows Scholarship.
Today, the new Catalyst Conversations program brings a diversity of thought and relevancy to marketing, communications, and business development professionals—including but not limited to our own Fellows.
For more information about our next Catalyst Conversations event, visit our Future Meetings page.
Carla Thompson Fellows Amplify A|E|C Scholarship
Attending the Amplify A|E|C national conference contributed to the long-term success of our Chapter’s six Fellows: Karleen Belmont, Victoria Cooper, Kenda Salisbury, Ted Sive, Bill Strong, and Carla Thompson. Eager to share that experience, they worked with Seattle Chapter leaders to create this exclusive scholarship so that other SMPS Seattle members have access to the same opportunity. This generous scholarship of up to $3,200 covers the majority of the expenses to attend the conference.
For more information and to apply, visit our Scholarships page.
