In 2010 when I started at Purdy-McGuire (PMI), I had been an HR director for a prominent general contractor in the Dallas area. The job at PMI was supposed to be a temporary thing while I waited out the 2008–2009 economic crisis. As receptionist, I remember receiving calls for the marketing department, to which I responded, “We don’t have a marketing department!” I quickly learned that we did have a marketing function, though there was no marketing department per se. There were, however, two ladies who worked closely with PMI leadership to prepare proposal letters and RFQ responses. It was all very foreign to me.
Looking back, I had no aspirations of working in marketing. I still had hopes of landing a position in Human Resources. Ultimately, I agreed to take on a role at PMI that included preparing proposal letters and RFQ responses. I was also gently volun-told to join SMPS. So, I did and immediately joined a committee.
My world began to change.
I started to understand that God had seasoned my natural people skills and my love for serving others with technical knowledge and ground-floor experience that evolved into a full-fledged career. (I’m so glad He’s a lot smarter than I am.) It was a life-changing transition. Plus, Purdy-McGuire gave me space to blossom and apply what I was learning through my involvement in SMPS.
Now here I am, 12 years later, facing another life-changing transition: retirement.
At the end of 2022, I will gracefully exit the 8-to-5 work world and transition into a different and exciting phase of my life. What a sweet ride it has been. But I look forward to giving my brain more creative space and am in love with the idea that I will have time to pursue my creative dreams.
I’ve only been an SMPS member for about a decade. During this time, I’ve gained immeasurable knowledge, experience, and confidence. I learned what it means to market professional services in the A/E/C industries and developed a passion for it. I will miss serving clients on behalf of Purdy-McGuire, a firm that has been like family for me from the very first day. And, oh! The friends I’ve made! So many people I’ve met during my journey have not just taught me, but truly touched me.
My mom would always say, “Don’t say goodbye, say ‘farewell’ or ‘so long’!” Goodbye feels so permanent. So, I say farewell to the many colleagues and friends who took the time to teach me, talk to me, listen to me, serve with me, like me, and even love me. My life is richer because of you.
No matter where life takes me next, I know that “I Will Always Be a Marketer.”
Article written by Ruth Hunter-Hill.
