Stephanie Ray
Posted by Communications2 on Aug. 25, 2021 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Stephanie Ray | Past President
Stephanie Ray, Director of Marketing for Sunrise Engineering, is one of SMPS Utah's past Presidents. Her membership has served us well in both the past and present.
How long have you worked at your company?
I’ve been working with Sunrise Engineering for 3.5 years as the company’s corporate Director of Marketing. I’ve been in the industry since 1997, so nearly 25 years!
How would you describe your role/job?
As the Director, I manage a team of marketing coordinators and graphic artists. I also oversee high-level marketing projects such as our recent CRM conversion, website conversions, etc.
We have 20 offices across 5 states, so while I don’t personally deliver proposals, I help ensure quality standards and deadlines are being met and manage resources to support major new business pursuits.
What are the rewards of your job?
My company is very good to their employees and is incredibly respectful of the importance of marketing and of the value of my team. Because of this, I have been allowed to really change the company’s marketing infrastructure since joining Sunrise, and that feels wonderful at this point in my career.
As the group leader, I really value the opportunity the role gives me to mentor and invest in junior staff. Helping people navigate their careers in this unique industry is something I truly enjoy.
What are the most notable challenges working in this industry?
Well, first and foremost, it’s a very small community, here. It can be very hard to change jobs in this industry, as companies are very careful to not burn bridges. It is not very often that someone leaves the good spots in this industry, so it can be hard to move up and increase your responsibility. The crafting of your current role can sometimes be the only way to achieve your career goals. That’s not impossible but depending on the culture of the company you are with; it can be difficult.
The other big challenge I have seen in my various career stops has been in trying to convince Principals of the importance of looking at the larger marketing picture and the underlying value of marketing. Our industry is still behind many others in really “getting” it.
What has been your most meaningful project?
At EDA Architects, where I worked from 2012–2014, I had the opportunity to work on the proposals for the programming, pre-design, and full design services contracts for the Crocker Science Building at the University of Utah. This felt special, as we successfully captured each phase, which ultimately led to a beautiful new piece of architecture on the campus. This also coincided with the conclusion of my time at EDA, and I was able to use the opportunity to train my replacement and onboard her well for her new role.
How long have you been an SMPS member?
I joined SMPS about 10 years ago, at the recommendation of Keri Hammond, FSMPS, CPSM. Keri was my firm’s business development consultant at the time, and I’m so glad she recruited me to join SMPS. I feel like I have found such an invaluable source for continued training and growth as a result.
What is your role on the Board?
Past President
What led you to serve on the Board?
I first started helping with the Communications Committee’s newsletter production. From that time volunteering, I was then asked to be on the board.
I have especially enjoyed the opportunities I have had to work on the Chapter’s Communications efforts in that time.
How has SMPS membership helped you?
I have learned so much through SMPS. I have learned everything I know that helps in this industry through real time education at my jobs and through SMPS.
To be honest, I wouldn’t know how to do what I do without SMPS.
What’s on your bucket list?
To go back to Europe with friends. I went in college, but that was such a different time and budget.
The biggest thing though, is … retiring someday! I am excited about the plans my partner and I have for retirement, so I know it will be great. Is that technically a bucket list item?
What was a childhood dream of yours?
When I was a little kid, everything that I thought I wanted was oh so wrong. When I ended up in this career, it felt like such a good fit for me, so I am glad that I missed the mark of those crazy kid dreams.
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without?
My need for television. I am so guilty of the Netflix binge!
As you leave the Board, what excites you most?
I love that our Chapter is bringing in some new leaders and fresh perspectives to help lead us in these post-pandemic years. I’m so excited about all the new Board members and their valuable, different perspectives on the industry. I’m excited to see the reinvention that can come post-pandemic, and it feels good to know that our Chapter is in such good hands.
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