For our member spotlight, Jon Jaeger, FSMPS, CPSM, sat down for a virtual chat with us to share what it means to be an SMPS Fellow. Jon is marketing and business development director at 19six Architects.
What does it mean to you to become an SMPS Fellow? It hasn’t truly sunk in yet since the May announcement of this year’s SMPS Fellows. But humbling is probably the first word that comes to mind. For someone who built this career far from a major, metropolitan chapter hub and often seeks out resources from the periphery, this moment feels a bit full-circle-ish. It is an affirmation, indeed. SMPS has long been a professional lifeline. And, now I have the platform to help shape that same lifeline for others who are forging a similar, sometimes unconventional, path. It’s not simply a recognition of longevity in this unique field. This confirms a shared belief that marketing and business development are essential, strategic drivers of success in the A/E/C industry, especially for professionals working beyond the immediate reach of an SMPS chapter or community.
How do you see this designation changing or elevating your professional role? The FSMPS designation reinforces the “why” behind what I’ve been doing for decades: championing learning and human connection in the A/E/C marketing and business development world, which is often focused purely on design or technical abilities. As a Fellow, I now feel an even deeper responsibility to advocate for the value of my “fellow” marketers inside firms, especially for those who are the only voice at the table, or one of the few in their remote geographical area. This designation raises my professional voice, yes. But it also requires me to use it wisely, to support other marketers, and to help open doors for potential colleagues that might otherwise feel out of reach.
What would you like to accomplish as an SMPS Fellow as it relates to the Society or A/E/C industry? Extending the reach of SMPS to professionals who do the work but lack the proximity or resources to engage with an SMPS chapter regularly is important to me. That right there describes much of my SMPS personal journey. But, through the potential concept of micro-groups or satellite-style network connections, I believe we can empower marketers in non-metropolitan areas to connect more meaningfully with one another and, ultimately, SMPS. Additionally, the greater SMPS organization needs to continue reframing our profession (outside of SMPS) on a national level as vital to firm leadership. We aren’t just supporting design, engineering, or construction; we’re driving vision, revenue, communication, and, often, culture. I want SMPS to help make that visible and apparent to this emerging generation of principals and partners.
How would you like to be a resource to SMPS members? I’ve never seen myself as an authority figure. A mentor in recent years, yes! But I’ve always tried to be a consistent voice and a willing collaborator. I’ve enjoyed the one-on-one interactions while helping a colleague find their footing in their new role, organizing informal meetups in my hometown (far from an SMPS chapter), or discussing the ups and downs of our industry in general. I show up, listen intently, and share what I know. I want my SMPS peeps, especially those who might feel a little disconnected, to know they have someone who has been there, who understands, and who is invested in seeing them thrive.
Any final thoughts? SMPS is where I found the vocabulary for what I do every day. It took a scattered set of instincts early in my career (before the internet was around as an instant resource), focusing on strategy, storytelling, and relationship-building. SMPS then helped me turn those early traits into a career. Becoming a Fellow doesn’t feel like a finishing goal for me. This FSMPS designation illustrates a commitment to continuing to give back (or better yet, pay it forward), especially to those who lack a traditional chapter structure around them. The future of SMPS isn’t just in large cities or legacy A/E/C firms. I believe some of it is in the voices we haven’t quite heard yet. I hope to listen more and, to borrow the word from the SMPS conference, “amplify” these voices to create more opportunities for them to be heard.
