Name: Darren Ratajski
Company: Zachry Construction Corporation
Role: Director, Design-Build/Alternative Delivery
What services does your company provide?
Years of Experience: 20 years
Where are you originally from?Atlanta, Georgia
Tell us something really interesting about you.
Politics has always been a hobby for me. At the young age of 18, I ran for governor and was handily defeated in the primary. Later, in my suburb of Atlanta, I successfully ran for city council and was the youngest councilmember ever elected.
Everyone at SMPS has a story about why they joined the organization. What’s yours?
What drew you to the A/E/C industry?
Where’s your favorite place to eat in San Antonio?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Do you have any pets?
What would be impossible for you to give up? It would be nearly impossible for me to give-up a good round of golf with good company, while smoking a premium cigar.
Describe your ideal vacation.My ideal vacation is a beach destination with good golf courses close-by.
Name: Patrick Haley
Company: BCS ProSoft
Role: Director of Marketing
Years of Experience: 6 years
Where are you originally from?I grew up in San Antonio on the North side. Went to school at Texas A&M then moved to Houston for a few years where I was a member of that local SMPS chapter before moving back to San Antonio in October.
I spent about year hitching around Latin America. I didn’t understand a word of Spanish before I left and came home fluent. Also, I like orange juice but not oranges.
What would be impossible for you to give up? Coconadas with chamoy
Describe your ideal vacation.Taking a 1-2 year sabbatical and traveling the world with my wife.
Nominees are being sought for the 2017 Leonardo Award!
What is the Leonardo Award?
Inspired by the Renaissance inventor, writer, printer and sculptor, the Leonardo Award recognizes an outstanding, current SMPS member who has demonstrated a career of excellence in marketing and business development creativity and innovation within the built environment. The winner will have demonstrated expertise within firms he/she has served and the industry as a whole.
This award is based upon a submittal and interview process. It is voted on by a jury selected from within the A/E/C industry
Who can submit?
SMPS members have the option to nominate a fellow SMPS member or to self-nominate.
Nominations will be submitted as one (1) digital (PDF).
What's the deadline to submit?
Nomination submittals are due by the end of business on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. The winner will be announced at the August awards luncheon.
Leonardo Award Nomination Packet Click below to view details regarding the Leonardo Award nomination criteria and application instructions.
Name: Claudia Montoya
Company: Alderson & Associates, Inc.
Role: Marketing Assistant
Years of A/E/C Experience: 2 years
Where are you originally from?Andrews, TX
I enjoy being active. I’m involved in social sports leagues year round. Currently, you’ll catch me playing volleyball on Monday nights.
Do you have any pets? No pets, yet.
What would be impossible for you to give up? It would be difficult for me to give up my phone. I use my phone for just about everything.
Describe your ideal vacation.My ideal vacation would be going on an outdoor adventure, like zip lining and hiking, then relaxing on a beach with a lot of good food.
PAY-IT-FORWARD GRANT ATTEND BUILD BUSINESS 2017!
Do you want to go to the SMPS National Conference, Build Business 2017 (July 12-14, 2017), but it’s just not in the budget this year? SMPS San Antonio has created the Pay-It-Forward grant to allow two of our members to attend this event. It doesn’t get any better than that!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 24, 2017 AT 5 P.M.
GRANT COVERS: Full registration for Wednesday through Saturday Round-trip airfare/transportation Three-Night Hotel Stay Total reimbursement not to exceed $2,400
ELIGIBILITY: Active member of the San Antonio Chapter of SMPS Minimum of one (1) year of membership in SMPS Current board members are not eligible.
To read more or learn how to apply, click here!
Questions: Please contact Shennandoah Goodson at sgoodson@525principle.com
Name: Selena Marquez Horn
Company: Joeris General Contractors
Role: Marketing Coordinator
We provide preconstruction & construction management services from design to closeout. Preconstruction services include estimating, scheduling, constructability reviews, value engineering, field investigation surveys, site logistics planning, safety planning, subcontractor bidding, and building information modeling (BIM) services. Construction services include full project coordination including quality assurance and safety, management of subcontractors, project close-out, and post-construction warranty.
Years of A/E/C Experience: 4 years
Where are you originally from?San Antonio – born & raised.
This April, my mom and I will be dancing for the first time in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade with San Antonio community dance troupe, Urban-15. I love challenging myself to try new things and my experience with Urban-15, thus far, has been one of my favorites.
I was hesitant to join, but I thought it deserved an honest go before I made up my mind. You know what they say about assumptions…
The AEC industry is in the business of creating tangible history. I was drawn to the inevitable verisimilitude of the messaging. I saw the tropes of our industry – the physical work, the strong structures, the industrious people, a completed project’s lasting impression – and I knew I would never be at a loss for content inspiration.
Kimura for tonkotsu ramen with chasu. They also have amazing charred edamame.
Consume content (digital, audio, and print) - Reddit, YouTube, podcasts, Netflix, HBO, history books, NY Times, The New Yorker, Twitter, Spotify, etc. I also enjoy practicing yoga, dancing, and spending time outdoors with my husband and pups. I’m rarely bored.
Do you have any pets? Yes, two pups and one gatito. – Pelé, Karbach, and Yelena.
What would be impossible for you to give up? My lust for learning.
Describe your ideal vacation.
Karaoke in the morning, spa + yoga in the afternoon, dance party at night – anywhere in the world.
Hello Everyone!
It is my pleasure to announce the Call for Nominations for the 2017-2018 SMPS San Antonio Chapter Board of Directors. This Call for Nominations is an opportunity to nominate our chapter’s future leaders—self-nominations are allowable and encouraged. We cannot carry out our versatile programs and organizational activities without the tireless efforts of our Board of Directors and committee members.
Current Board members returning to the 2017-2018 Board include:
1. Nick Holscher, PE (Kimley Horn) - Current President; will become Immediate Past President 2. Shennandoah Goodson (525 Principle) - Current President-Elect; will succeed as President
If you would like to be more involved with our Chapter, but feel you are not ready to serve on the Board of Directors, please consider joining one of our committees! Opportunities to join one the SMPS committees will be available once the 2017-18 Board of Directors is selected.
With warmest regards,
Shennandoah Goodson, MSODL President-Elect, SMPS San Antonio San Antonio Chapter Nominations and Elections Committee
Informational PacketClick below to view details on eligibility requirements, descriptions of open board positions and more!
Informational Packet
Board of Directors Nomination FormClick below to download the nomination form for the Board of Directors. Nominations for the 2017-2018 Board of Directors should be submitted by email to Shennandoah Goodson no later than Monday, May 12, 2017. If you have any questions, contact Shennandoah via email or by phone at (210) 519-7599.
Name: Connie Phillips
Company: STRUCTURA
Role: Regional Marketing Manager
What services does your company provide?Commercial General Contracting/Project Management
Years of A/E/C Experience: 6 months
Where are you originally from?New York
Tell us something really interesting about you. I have traveled all over Europe and was in Rome with the Chamber of Commerce when Pope Francis began his papacy in 2013. Camera Crews everywhere but we were lucky enough to see the white smoke billowing out of the chimney perched on the roof of the Sistine Chapel.
Everyone at SMPS has a story about why they joined the organization. What’s yours? Was a Commercial Property Manager previous to my decision to change careers and accept my business development position which opened up a whole new world for me. Very excited to be a member of this fantastic organization.
What drew you to the A/E/C industry? Felt the need for a career change and that Structura was perfect for me to work with Architects, Engineers and Business Development colleagues.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in San Antonio?Milano’s Italian Grill in Stone Oak
What do you like to do in your free time? Entertain friends & Family. Love wineries, county market days, volunteering at CARE pet adoption events.
Do you have any pets? Yes I’m an animal foster parent for the CARE foundation. Currently have 2 cats and 2 dogs that I have adopted.
What would be impossible for you to give up? Italian Food & Wine
Describe your ideal vacation. Have been all over the world on mini vacations but would love to spend a month in each - Greece, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Austrailia and Hawaii.
Name: Eduardo Pulido
Company: Fugro USA Land, Inc.
Role: CMET Manager
What services does your company provide?Fugro Land provides with Geotechnical Ground Investigation, Geological and Geophysical Surveys, Geoconsulting, GIS and Data Management and Land Asset Integrity. San Antonio office provides with Geotechnical and CMET services.
Years of Experience: 5 years
Where are you originally from?Mexico, but been living more than half of my life in America.
Tell us something really interesting about you.Participated as engineer on a marine geotechnical investigation in the Gulf of Mexico having a world record water depth of 9,589 ft (2015). The project consisted of in situ testing and soil sampling using ROV technology.
Everyone at SMPS has a story about why they joined the organization. What’s yours?Throughout my professional development I encountered many challenges and being able to grow in the marketing field will help me become a more valuable asset, therefore joining the SMPS will improve and polish my marketing strategies.
What drew you to the A/E/C industry?I have always been fascinated how ancient civilization built cities without the help of technology. Being able to be part of this important role to provide all necessary needs to maintain a civilization safe and sheltered.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in San Antonio?Chart House Restaurant. It is a combination of the Alaskan king crab dish, a rich hot chocolate lava cake while rotating 360 degrees enjoying the sunset along the horizon.
What do you like to do in your free time?Travel. Every time there are long weekends off I get on a plane and travel overseas. I enjoy playing soccer, attending to live sports events, wine tasting and reading.
Do you have any pets?No.
What would be impossible for you to give up?My health. The fact of not being able to stay physically active, to not make rational decisions and to not contribute to human kind will be very hard to give up.
Describe your ideal vacation.A trip through the Milky Way Galaxy, travelling to the speed of light to prove the special theory of relativity, admire the billions of stars and supermassive black holes with a final stop in Jupiter.
Name: Richard Medina
Company: Bain Medina Bain
Role: Marketing & Media Coordinator
What services does your company provide?Civil Engineering and Surveying.
Years of Experience: 5
Where are you originally from?Born and raised in San Antonio, TX
Tell us something really interesting about you.Most people know that I have my own media company but what most don’t know is that I am involved in the film community. I helped film 2 movies created by local film director Cedric Thomas Smith, “Unimaginable” and “She Waits”. I have directed a short film “Fostered” and helped create “El Borracho” directed by Juan Carlos Montalvo. This coming year we have a handful of features and short films that will be filmed as well as one that I will be writing and directing.
Everyone at SMPS has a story about why they joined the organization. What’s yours?LOL! It’s really not a crazy story other than one day my Boss told me “I signed you up for SMPS and you will be going”.
What drew you to the A/E/C industry?I graduated high school and Bain Medina Bain needed surveyors at the time so I worked for this company on and off for years. Eventually I made my way back and was able to start working on the marketing side of the company.
Where’s your favorite place to eat in San Antonio?I absolutely love sushi. There was a small sushi restaurant called Samurai Sushi that I would go to but the owner closed down and had a huge opportunity in California. So now I have to find a new place. So I’m still on the hunt and open to suggestions for this question!!
What do you like to do in your free time?Cooking and movies!! I love cooking. There is nothing I can’t cook! But the best would be a steak marinated for a day, cooked to medium rare with asparagus and a nice salad and watching movies, foreign and domestic!
Do you have any pets?Oh do I! At one point I had 4 dogs. 2 passed away and yet I found another dog. It’s a love-hate relationship with that one. My dogs are trained. Properly trained. An example, I can put food in bowls and they will not move from their bed until I tell them to go eat. But that one dog that I found…. She pushes the boundaries… but she does have a face only a mother can love and well I’m her mother.
What would be impossible for you to give up?I’ve been told “control”. I tend to see how things might play out in my head and so to avoid such mishaps I tend to control the situation. I’m 95% right all of the time…
Describe your ideal vacation.My ideal vacation would be to first pack up all camping gear and dogs and take off to find a good camping spot. Set up camp and grab the chairs and sit in the water. Get back to camp and start a fire and cook some good food. Sitting by the fire with some great beverages and repeat for the next couple of days!.
© 2015 SMPS San Antonio All Rights ReservedSMPS San Antonio I P.O. Box 17945, San Antonio, TX 78217
.png)
