Cali Centurión | Marketing Manager, CRSA
Posted by Communications2 on May. 4, 2021 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
How long have you worked at your company?
I’ve worked for CRSA Architects for just over three years.
I now have a total of 20 years of experience in the industry; 18 of that in marketing for CRSA, MGB+A, and Bodell Construction.
How would you describe your role/job?
Well, luckily at CRSA, we have a team of four in our marketing department. I research and present information on various topics, coordinate events and campaigns, contribute to proposal strategy and content, plan and post social media, update the firm website, etc.
What are the rewards of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is highlighting individuals and their accomplishments through awards, internal marketing, or social media. For me, the ROI on spotlighting people runs much deeper than anything you can put numbers to.
What are your challenges?
Internal marketing can be challenging, including helping others understand what marketers do and the value we bring. I support more openness about our own accomplishments and the sincere, joyful congratulating of peers, which educates others on our value as individuals, teams, firms, and marketing colleagues.
What has been your most meaningful project?
The “Park City Job” I pursued while at MGB+A was arguably the most professionally rewarding project because all of my ideas were accepted. I suggested a creative proposal format tailored to the pursuit and a presentation software new to our firm. Having been given that freedom and trust internally and being acknowledged as creative by the client was satisfying. We won that particular pursuit, which turned into warm invitations to propose and several years’ worth of work with that client.
An interesting sidenote to this story is that we were in a car accident en route to the interview and we still made it on time and won. How much more intense and exciting does it get than that!
How long have you been an SMPS member?
I have consistently been a member of our Chapter since 2013. I’m proud to say, I was introduced to SMPS by my now fellow Board Member Keri Hammond.
What is your role in SMPS?
Treasurer
What led you to serve on the Board?
A principal at MGB+A was more than supportive of the idea that I join the Board to further my SMPS network. Serving on the board and on committees has led to new opportunities for both the firms I’ve represented and myself and has given me priceless new perspectives on marketing in our industry.
How has SMPS membership helped you?
How has it not helped me?
It’s been invaluable to learning the specifics of marketing in the A/E/C industry from a variety of perspectives. I also really appreciate how SMPS educates those not in marketing roles about what we do now and what we could accomplish with more freedom, trust, or even just a little more buy-in.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
Be seen. From networking outside of your firm to networking inside your firm, let other people know who you are, what you do, what you’ve accomplished, and what you look forward to accomplishing. It’s important for your long-term career.
What’s on your bucket list?
A trip to Europe. Aside from that, I’m proud to say I’ve been tackling many of my bucket list things—playing the violin, traveling internationally, owning a yellow VW Beetle, having a horse and living the cowgirl dream, and learning to cook. Whew! Checking things off all the time!
What was your childhood dream?
Well, one was to be Jackie Joyner-Kersee and win medals in track and field . . . Apparently, it’s time to let that one go.
The other was to own a horse. I “earned” an Arabian through 4H at the age of 12 when my family moved back to Utah from California. I cried I was so happy!
Guilty pleasure: what can you not live without?
Expensive stationery and fountain pens. If money is no object, that will always be the first thing in my shopping cart!
Any other tidbits about your life you might be willing to share?
Well, some people find it fun to learn that we mostly speak Spanish in our house, between my husband and I, at least. Castilian to be more exact. I also enjoy cheating while playing card games, baking homemade cinnamon rolls, and being sous chef to my husband, who is an excellent cook.
I am also lucky enough to have three kiddos and a stepdaughter, and we live just East of Hill Air Force Base.
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