Media Contact:
Cecilia Arango, CPSM
(t) 912-721-4199
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOCIETY FOR MARKETING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – ATLANTA (SMPS-ATL) ANNOUNCES 2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Atlanta, GA, September 5, 2023— The Society for Marketing Professional Services – Atlanta (SMPS-ATL) Chapter is pleased to announce its 2023-2024 Board of Directors.
President Megan Kopacko has over 10 years of experience and is a Senior Marketing Coordinator at SSOE, an international engineering and architecture firm. She is a passionate marketer focusing on operational and communication marketing for diverse markets across the nation. Prior to serving as President, Megan served as Treasurer and President-Elect. She also serves in the Chapter's DEI Committee. In her spare time, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, experiencing Atlanta’s restaurant scene, and traveling.
President-Elect Angel Jones, CPSM is the Marketing and Business Development Director for SLS Consulting, LLC, a national fire protection engineering and life safety code consulting firm. She creates opportunities, builds new relationships, and grows brand awareness to help position SLS for success. After 10+ years in the AEC industry, Angel has learned that relationships drive business and that becoming less reactionary and more strategic is key. Angel became a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) through the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) in March of 2019. She uses this knowledge to critically review marketing and business development efforts to determine if they not only align with, but also help to further the firm’s strategic plan. In addition to her extensive AEC industry experience, Angel is a licensed real estate agent with almost 15 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate. Angel holds a BA in Communications from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA with a minor in Theatre and a true passion for performing arts. She lives with her husband on a beautiful little family farm in Powder Springs, GA.
Immediate Past President Michele Redmond Holcombe has over 20 years of experience in marketing and sales and is the Marketing Lead for Foundation Technologies, Inc. Her strengths include marketing planning and organization, event preparation and execution, attracting and retaining customers and building key relationships. Michele received her BBA in Marketing from the University of Georgia where she nurtured her love for all things sports by cheering on the Back-to-Back National Champion ‘Dawgs.
Secretary Cecilia Arango, CPSM is Marketing Manager for Thomas & Hutton with 22 years of experience overseeing the firm’s overall marketing operations, communications, and community relations. A member of SMPS ATL since 2006, she is a Certified Professional Services Marketer and serves on various professional and community boards, including Leadership Southeast Georgia, Georgia Economic Developers Association, Savannah Sports Council, and Park Place Outreach. Cecilia is a graduate of Leadership Georgia (20/21), Leadership Southeast Georgia (2018), and Leadership Savannah (2016). Named a Georgia Trend 40 Under 40, she is an avid runner on a quest to run a marathon in each state and is the founder of running book club, Read, Run & Rant. Cecilia resides in Savannah with her husband and two kids.
Treasurer Callie Worthy graduated from the University of Georgia 2019 with a degree in Marketing, and a focus in Digital Marketing. As Catamount Constructors’ Senior Marketing Coordinator, Callie’s strengths include proposal management, social media, video editing, and event planning. In addition to her role as SMPS Treasurer, she serves on the Membership Committee. Outside of work, Callie enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, reading, playing with her pups, and cheering on the Dawgs!
Treasurer-Elect Rachel Geary is a Marketing Manager at Juneau Construction Company, one of the fastest-growing construction firms in the Southeast. Rachel has been a member of the Atlanta chapter of SMPS since 2018 and is an active part of the Membership Committee. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Georgia.
Director-at-Large (Chapter Development) Eric Keens, CPSM is a Certified Professional Services Marketer with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, coaching, communications, client and team development, and research for professional design services and engineering firms. A member of SMPS Atlanta since 2008, he has served on the Board for over a decade and was named the SMPS Atlanta Marketer of the Year award for exemplary service in 2018. He won the 2023 Pacesetter Award for his achievements as a consummate A/E/C Marketer/Business Developer. Eric is also the Proposal Manager for Burns & McDonnell’s Southeast Region. His passion for professional development includes formal and informal mentoring, and he applies his passion as SMPS Atlanta's Director for Chapter Development. In his spare time, he cooks and enjoys recreating recipes, camping with friends, traveling, and spoiling his Dalmatian mix.
Co-Director-at-Large (Communications) Stephany Achorn works as Marketing Team Leader at HNTB Corporation, an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. She has over 12 years of marketing experience in multiple industries, including economic development, facilities management, and A/E/C. Stephany has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (focus in Marketing) from Kennesaw State University. She has an active member of the Atlanta Chapter of SMPS since 2019.
Co-Director-at-Large (Communications) Sarah Batchelor works as a Senior Marketing Specialist for HNTB Corporation, an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm. She has 13 years of marketing experience across various industries, including economic development, higher education, and A/E/C. Sarah has a BA in Economics & Organizational Management from Agnes Scott College, and a Master’s in Business Administration from East Carolina University. Since joining SMPS Atlanta in 2017, Sarah has been an active member of both the chapter and the Communications Committee. In her leisure time, Sarah enjoys traveling, exploring local Atlanta events, and improving her new pickleball skills.
Director-at-Large (Membership) Molly Patel is the Marketing Coordinator at Eberly & Associates, Inc. Born and raised in Atlanta, Molly lives just outside of the City with her husband and two animals. She joined her firm and the AEC industry shortly after college and just recently celebrated seven years with Eberly & Associates, Inc. In her free time, Molly enjoys traveling and exploring new places, but most of all spending time with her family and friends.
Director-at-Large (Professional Development) Julie Trowbridge, CPSM has more than 30 years of experience in the A/E/C industry and is a Certified Professional Services Marketer. An active SMPS member since 2007, she has served on committees supporting the Atlanta chapter and the Southeastern Regional Conference (SERC). She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor’s degree in History from DePauw University. As an Account Strategist at Jacobs, she is focused on business development and growth activities for the Georgia transportation market. When not at work, she enjoys cooking, yoga, and traveling the world.
Director-at-Large (Programs) Mary Jo Butcher is the Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for PES Structural Engineers, Inc. where she is responsible for overseeing various marketing and communication efforts, including proposals, marketing collateral, website management, event coordination, client activities, graphics, and social media content. In addition to her 17 years of experience in the industry, she has been an active member of SMPS Atlanta since 2012 and has served on multiple committees. She has also held the position of Director-at-Large of Sponsorship and Communications and has been a part of the Southeastern Regional Conference Planning Committee (SERC) since 2018, serving as the 2024 Social & Engagement Co-Chair. Mary Jo has also served as the Past President of SMPS Atlanta, showcasing her leadership skills and dedication to the organization. Born and raised in Atlanta, she graduated from Georgia State University with a BS in Political Science and a Minor in Sociology. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family & friends, traveling, whipping up new recipes in the kitchen, and cheering on those Georgia Bulldogs!
Director-at-Large (Sponsorship) April Noa currently holds the position of Mid-South Area Marketing Manager at Brown and Caldwell. In this role, she plays a crucial part in driving strategic marketing initiatives within the region. With a career spanning over two decades in the A/E/C industry, April's expertise primarily lies in bolstering marketing endeavors for the engineering consulting firms. A dedicated member of SMPS Atlanta for more than 15 years, April's involvement extends to over seven years of service to the membership committee, contributing significantly to the planning of several Year End Finales. Furthermore, she has served as Co-Chair of the Programs Committee for the Southeast Regional Conference. Beyond her professional pursuits, April holds the position of Secretary for the City of Peachtree Corners Redevelopment Authority. During her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children, as well as cultivating her board and brush crafting skills.
Coastal Committee Chair Louise Nelson Roux is Marketing Manager for JE Dunn Construction’s Coastal team comprised of the Savannah and Charleston offices. Louise graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology. She has 19 years of marketing experience with 11 in the A/E/C industry. Louise lives in Savannah with her husband, William, and two dogs, Ace and Tiny Bernice. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, boating, cooking and jogging with her dogs. 
Chapter Administrator Joan Borchardt is the Owner of Moxie Meeting Planning, LLC, an independent firm that delivers customized meeting planning and association management services. Joan has more than 20 years of experience planning corporate meetings and national conferences. Highly organized and an exceptional multi-tasker, Joan oversees her Moxie client events from initial planning to flawless execution. She collaborates with a diverse range of non-profit professional associations and has served as a seamless extension of the award-winning SMPS Atlanta Chapter for the past 14 years. A graduate from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, she earned her Master’s degree from Emory University. In her spare time, Joan enjoys traveling, hiking, and spoiling her three cute rescue dogs.
For more information on SMPS Atlanta or its newly elected Board of Directors, visit www.smpsatl.org.
About SMPS Atlanta
The Atlanta Chapter of SMPS is comprised of collaborative and forward-thinking professionals. SMPS ATL provides opportunities to connect with peers and achieve growth through networking, professional development, and involvement in the architect/engineering/construction industry throughout the state of Georgia. SMPS is the only organization dedicated to creating business opportunities in the A/E/C industry. SMPS was created in 1973 by a small group of professional services firm leaders who recognized the need to sharpen skills, pool resources, and work together to create business opportunities. Today, SMPS has a membership of 7,000+ marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada. For information, visit www.smpsatl.org or www.smps.org.
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