Build+Revitalize

We wrap up our series on the value of a Co-Op experience for students pursuing engineering careers with a conversation about the transition from Co-Op to a professional engineer. Alex Fischer, an Assistant Project Manager at The Christman Company, and Alex Frazier, PE, a civil engineer with Hurley & Stewart, are both former SME Co-Ops and tell us how their Co-Op experience has helped them excel in their careers.

In part two of our three-part series on the value of a Co-Op experience for students pursuing engineering careers, Aaron talks with Case Vanderheide and Danielle Rand. Both Case and Dani were Co-Ops at SME in 2021, and are back for the summer of 2022 as interns to pick up where they left off. Each of them has had unique Co-Op experiences and share how what they have is critical to their future careers.

Our three-part series on the value of a Co-Op experience for students pursuing engineering careers starts with Dr. Steven Sachs and Tyler Kimmel from the University of Pittsburgh. Steve is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Academic Coordinator in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Tyler is an Engineering and Professional Development Consultant. Tyler and Steven work together to help Co-Op students navigate the professional development portion of their college experience by advising students on everything from scheduling classes, to developing resumes, and making connections with potential employers. Both Tyler and Steven are massive advocates for students pursuing a Co-Op experience as they truly understand the value that a Co-Op experience can bring to a student's overall education.

In part two of our Leaving a Legacy episode with SME CEO Mark Kramer and guest host Randy Wilburn, we hear how Mark led the company through the financial meltdowns of 2008 and 2009,  and finally, to the 2010s, when the company started growing beyond the confines of Michigan, and picking up steam, not wanting to sit on the sidelines, Mark continued to develop himself professionally during this period, to keep up with the company's overall growth. 

Welcome to the Build+Revitalize podcast series Leaving a Legacy.  Throughout the series, we will explore SME's past, present, and future. Through interviews with our CEO, veteran staff, and even some up and comers, we will share how our rich history has built a foundation that will carry SME through many more generations of success.We begin with a two part episode, featuring SME CEO Mark Kramer. From his vantage point as the son of Ken Kramer, one of the founders of the company, Mark discussed everything from his summer jobs at the company while a teenager to how he rose from project engineer to ultimately take over for his dad, in the early 2000s.  We are excited to be joined throughout this series by guest host Randy Wilburn, an AEC industry legacy in his own right. Randy is best known for his podcasts Encourage, Build Grow, that helps design professionals become better leaders, and I Am Northwest Arkansas, which covers Business, Culture, Entrepreneurship, and Life in Benton and Washington County, Arkansas.

Our series on gender inclusion in the AEC industry wraps up with a conversation on how  companies can implement inclusion initiatives in their own firms. Ali is joined by Tamara Chism, a project manager and SME's construction materials testing group; Sara Bals, a project manager in SME's Environmental Services Group, and Tiffany Vorhies, the group leader of SME's Steel, Coatings, and Non-destructive Testing Group. They are all founding members of SME's Women's Resource Network, and share details on how they brought this vision to life!

In this episode, Ali keeps the conversation on gender inclusion in the AEC industry going with Mark Kramer,  SME's CEO. He has been a leader in our industry for 30 years, and is active in GBA and Harvard Business School. Mark was a key player in bringing about SME's internal inclusion initiative, the Women's Resource Network. He shares his perspective on what led SME to decide now was the time to start a women's group. 

We begin our series on gender inclusion in the AEC industry with resident expert on inclusion, Lauline Mitchell.  She shares some great insight into why gender inclusion is important in the AEC industry.  With more than 20 years of experience as a client development and project manager, she has served locally, regionally and nationally on the National Association for women in construction board, most recently as the 2020-2021 national vice president.  

We will wrap up our series on the warehousing and logistics market with with a conversation on financing. We have touched on available incentives in previous episodes, and Bret Stuntz, a senior consultant in SME's environmental services group is here to help us understand these options a bit better. With 20 years of environmental consulting and real estate finance experience, Bret has created and delivered innovative gap-financing, brownfield, and other environmental solutions to clients on hundreds of projects.Ali also talks to Chris Cook, the director of Capital Access for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He will pick up where Bret leaves off, and tell us about programs that are available to help Michigan based companies seeking commercial lending for development projects.

In this episode, Ali talks to Jason Salazar, Vice President of estimating with Oliver Hatcher Construction, about what it takes to actually build these large facilities. When single buildings approach a million square feet, there are numerous construction challenges to consider.

Wondering just how these large distributors choose the right community for their next project? Kevin Hegg joins the podcast to help us understand just that. Kevin is a vice president of Ashley Capital, a real estate development company that specializes in renovating distressed properties into state-of-the art facilities that add value to the market. He has more than 25 years of experience in this industry.

To kick off our series on the recent boom in the warehousing and logistics market, Ali talks to Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, the Executive Vice President of Economic Development and Investment Services for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation on the impact logistics warehousing facilities have on the community.

The Build+Revitalize podcast is a direct reflection of SME's passion and commitment to solving problems and building better communities around us. We are proud to be your go-to source for insights on challenges and emerging trends in the AEC industry.In each episode, we will be joined by our partners and friends for conversations about the issues facing the AEC industry today. Together we will tackle topics ranging from hot markets to employee engagement and emerging technologies, while also sharing success stories and lessons learned. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you stream, and follow @SMEUSA on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter so you don't miss an episode!