Garrett Austin
Posted by Communications2 on Oct. 21, 2026 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Name: Garrett Austin
Title: Marketing Specialist
Company: TankGirl Marketing
How long have you worked at your company?
Since December, 2024.
How long have you been an SMPS member?
I recently joined the Utah chapter. I’m looking forward to becoming more involved, building relationships, and finding opportunities to contribute to the chapter.
How would you describe your role/job?
I’m a strategic AEC marketing and proposal professional who helps turn complex client needs into organized, compelling, and polished deliverables. My work includes proposal development, business development, strategic planning, communications, writing and editing, quality control, and coordinating projects across multiple clients and teams. I often serve as the person who brings structure to the process, identifies gaps, and helps move the work across the finish line.
What are the rewards of your job?
The greatest reward is helping people communicate the value of what they do. Our clients are experts in their fields, but their expertise does not always translate easily into a proposal, presentation, brand, or marketing message. I enjoy helping them clarify their story, present it effectively, and compete with confidence. It’s especially rewarding to see a complicated project come together and know that my work helped both the client and the TankGirl team succeed.
What are your challenges?
AEC marketing often involves balancing many priorities, contributors, deadlines, and technical details at once. The challenge is maintaining accuracy and quality while still moving quickly. Every client also has a different voice, process, and definition of success, so I have to remain adaptable without losing sight of the strategy or the details.
What has been your most meaningful project?
Some of my most meaningful work has involved supporting clients through complex, high-stakes initiatives that combine research, strategy, messaging, proposals, and collateral development. I particularly value projects where I can organize scattered information, uncover what makes the client distinctive, and help turn that insight into a clear story and a complete set of tools they can continue using to grow.
How has SMPS membership helped you?
As I become more involved, I hope to continue learning from the community, building meaningful relationships, and developing into a stronger marketer and leader.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
Approach difficult situations from a new angle instead of allowing frustration to determine your response. Not everything will go according to plan, but you can learn, adjust, move forward, and still find ways to enjoy the process.
What’s the best career advice you’ve given?
Take ownership, ask questions, and care about the details, but never lose sight of the person on the other side of the work. The strongest deliverable is not simply polished; it solves the right problem and helps someone succeed.
What has contributed to your success?
Curiosity, persistence, organization, and a willingness to take responsibility have contributed greatly to my success. I genuinely enjoy learning how things work, identifying what is missing, and finding a practical path forward. I also care deeply about producing work that reflects well on my team and creates real value for our clients.
What's on your bucket list?
I’d love to play golf at some of the world’s iconic courses, but one thing in particular is definitely going to New Zealand to see “Hobbiton” where they filmed the Shire in Lord of the Rings.
What was your childhood dream?
To make movies.
Guilty pleasure:
Godzilla movies. I can talk about Godzilla for much longer than anyone originally intended.
Fun fact:
I’m the proud father of two wonderful children: Jack, 3, and Buffy, 1. When I’m not working or spending time with my family, you’ll usually find me golfing, working on my yard, or watching a movie.
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