(Past) President's Message
Posted by Communications2 on Sep. 16, 2024 / President's Message / Subscribe 0
The TPMS of SMPS
Written by Matt Rich | SMPS Utah Past President (2023–2024)
The air’s getting a little crispy. Yellow school buses clog the neighborhood commute, birds limber up their wings for southern flight and a neon-carrot-(yes, that’s an actual Crayola shade) colored warning light illuminates on your car dashboard. What is this light, how long has it been on and what in the world does it mean? The symbol looks like a cross between an electronic power button, a witch’s cauldron, and an eyeless cartoon mustachioed dude. At first you tell yourself, “Self, you don’t know what that light is so you can probably ignore it.” But it keeps coming on so inevitably you ask yourself, “Can I ignore this information light like I am the other three lit up on my dash right now and continue driving for the next six months, or is my car going to explode in a fireball at the next light.”
Reluctantly, you get out the owner's manual and find that this little amber icon is your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light. Then you remember that your mom told you that when temperatures get colder, the air inside your tires contracts. This lowers the tire pressure and triggers the sensor to alert you that your tires might need a little more air. That’s definitely a seasonal sign of fall. But let’s get back to that in a minute.
Another sign of fall is the changing of the SMPS Utah Board. With my time as chapter president at an end, I’m feeling all the emotions. It’s a mix of gratitude, pride, excitement, and admittedly, maybe a little relief. But most of all, I feel gratitude for the chance to make so many new connections over the last year and the incredible lessons of service I learned from our board members.
This has been an incredible board that helped elevate almost every aspect of our chapter with their hard work, creativity, innovation, and willingness to serve. Many are staying on, and some are shifting to different positions, but if you get an opportunity, please let the board know how much you appreciate all they’ve done.
Linda Hansen, Ensign Engineering and Land Surveying | Past President (leaving the board)
LV Hayes, Contech Engineered Solutions | Secretary (leaving the board)
Stephanie Ray, Sunrise Engineering | Communications Director (leaving the board)
RoLynne Hendricks, Spectrum Engineers | President (last year, President Elect)
Eric Larson, CRS Engineers | President-Elect (last year, Membership Director)
Julee Attig, VCBO Architecture | Secretary (last year, Programs Chair)
Kylee Cabe, Hughes General Contractors | Education Director (continuing, two-year term)
Kellie Goddard, Hansen, Allen & Luce | Treasurer (continuing, two-year term)
Keri Hammond, MARKETLINK | Special Committee Chair (continuing, two-year term)
Sarah Kapp, Environmental Research Group | Sponsorship Director (continuing, two-year term)
Andi Wilson, Hunt Electric | Special Events Director (continuing, two-year term)
And new to the board this year:
Mary B. DeMann, VBFA | Membership Director
Jane Healy, MARKETLINK | Communications Director
Karla Rogers, Cameron Construction | Programs Director
This is truly a group of incredible people who have served our chapter by giving their time and talents. They are all AMAZING and it has been one of the highlights of my career to have served with them and to call them my friends.
Speaking of service, let’s get back to that warning light. That little light is a great reminder to pay attention to something that’s pretty important: the tires that connect us to the road. I’m hoping that after reading this, it can also be a reminder to get the most out of your SMPS membership by paying attention to the Time, People, Management, and Service (TPMS) of SMPS membership.
Time: “You get out what you put in.” That’s basically the unofficial motto of SMPS. You could just pay your dues and call it a day, but where’s the fun in that? The real magic happens when you put in the time. But putting in the time is more than just checking boxes—it’s about fully engaging with what this chapter has to offer. The members who get the most value are the ones who say “yes” to the lunches, the workshops, and yes, even the socials (especially the socials). And don’t just come expecting to be spoon-fed information. Plan to arrive early and stay late to network and meet the speakers. That’s where the real value is.
People: You didn’t join SMPS to sit alone at your desk and read marketing articles all day (although, thanks for reading this one). You joined to connect, right? As a people-powered organization, the members who really thrive here are the ones who make it a point to get to know their fellow members. It’s not just about swapping business cards or LinkedIn requests, but about having real conversations. Ask questions, share advice, and for goodness’ sake, don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself and laugh with others. It can be awkward and uncomfortable and even scary to step out of our comfort zones, but focus on the people. You’ll quickly realize that you’re surrounded by an incredible network of professionals who want to see you succeed.
Manage: Of course, it’s one thing to meet people; it’s another to actually manage the relationships. SMPS is like the ultimate long-game networking strategy. Relationships don’t just magically appear—they need nurturing. Stay in touch with the people you meet, follow up on that interesting project they mentioned, and don’t be shy about offering help. The members who manage their relationships well find themselves in the middle of opportunities they never saw coming.
Service: And last but certainly not least, serve the organization. Whether you’re volunteering to help run an event, joining a committee, or stepping up into leadership, serving in SMPS is like a secret VIP pass to the next level. You’ll not only develop new skills, but you’ll also forge deeper connections than you ever thought possible.
As I hand over the virtual gavel, I encourage you all to pay attention to the TPMS of SMPS and keep putting in the time, focusing on the people, managing those relationships, and serving in any way you can. I promise, you’ll get so much more than you ever expected—including, if you’re lucky, some really great friends.
With gratitude,
Matt Rich, R&O Construction
(Past) President, SMPS Utah
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