A Minute with Deb Miller

SMPS: When did you join SMPS?
Deb: I joined SMPS in August of 2014.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Deb: I was born in Denver, Colorado. I lived there until I was 8. My father managed the Graybar Electric office in Denver. In 1964 he was transferred to Kansas City, where he managed the office. In 1969 he was transferred to Wichita to manage the Wichita office. I’ve been here ever since.

SMPS: Where did you go to college and what is your degree?
Deb: I attended Wichita State University and studied Industrial Engineering. I have both a B.S. and an M.S. in engineering.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Deb: I like to read, work in my garden and on house remodeling projects, and ride my bicycle. My favorite hobby is genealogy. I started looking for ancestors that came through Ellis Island, but I didn’t find any. What I did find was that some came over on Mayflower. I also found several ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War, this led me to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. They do a lot of service projects to support Veterans and their families, and promote the US Constitution.

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
Deb: I like a little bit of everything, but my favorites are songs from the 1960’s through the 1980’s.

SMPS: And your favorite meal?
Deb: My favorite meal is anything Italian from Defazios. And chocolate – that’s a meal, right?

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Deb: I love living in Wichita because it is a great place for families. The city is large enough to have all the things I need, and small enough to feel homey and friendly. You can get anywhere in about 30 minutes. I am a huge Wichita State University basketball and baseball fan.

SMPS: You say Wichita is a great place for families, can you tell us about yours?
Deb: I’ve been married for 34 years (to an engineer), and we have three grown children. They are all engineers that graduated from Kansas State. Our first grandchild is due this summer. I also have two dogs: a three year old Newfoundland that weighs 160 lb. and a two year old rescue Lab mix.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at K.E. Miller Engineering.
Deb: I am a project engineer at K.E. Miller Engineering, working on water, sanitary sewer, stormwater drainage and paving projects. I also do investigative engineering projects – such as water intrusion and drainage issues, storm damage and roof issues, and cause and origin investigations. I am the marketing POC, and attend Chamber of Commerce meetings.

SMPS: Where did you work before K.E. Miller Engineering?
Deb: I have worked at Wesley Medical Center (as a management engineer), Boeing Military Airplanes Company (as a weapons system analyst), corporate Pizza Hut (as the manager of Business Optimization), Koch Industries (as a pipeline leak detection engineer), and Spirit AeroSystems (as a design engineering manager).

A Minute with Taylor Bott

SMPS: When did you join SMPS?
Taylor: I joined about two months ago when I started working at WDM Architects.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Taylor: I am not a Wichita Native. I grew up in Denver, Colorado.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? Degree?
Taylor: Wichita State University, Bachelor Degree in Communication – Emphasis in Integrated Marketing Communications

SMPS: Hobbies?
Taylor: I love sipping local brews, listening to live music and spending time with good friends and family.

SMPS: Favorite kind of music?
Taylor: Country

SMPS: Favorite Meal?
Taylor: Chili and cornbread

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Taylor: The people are pretty great, there is a lot of opportunity to establish yourself and build a professional network, and best of all…NO TRAFFIC!

SMPS: Married, kids, pets?
Taylor: I am not married and have no children, but I do have a sassy fur child (kitty) named Izzy and an adopted dog named Shooter.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at WDM Architects.
Taylor: I started working as the Marketing Coordinator at WDM at the end of November. I put together proposals, write-ups and presentations. I also create all marketing material and manage the WDM website and social media accounts.

SMPS: Where did you work before WDM?
Taylor: I was a marketing intern at Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC).

A Minute with Jeff Lackey

SMPS Wichita: When did you join SMPS?
Jeff: I’ve been a member for about 4 years.

SMPS Wichita: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Jeff: I was born and raised in Wichita and decided to stay close to home after college.

SMPS Wichita: Where did you go to college? Degree?
Jeff: I went to Kansas State University and have a degree in civil engineering.

SMPS Wichita: Tell us about your hobbies.
Jeff: I love to golf and I follow all kinds of sports. I try to make it to as many K-State football games as I can. My wife and I love taking trips to the beach and “unplugging” from the daily grind. It’s probably a good thing I don’t live on the coast or I would officially be a beach bum.

SMPS Wichita: What is your favorite kind of music?
Jeff: I like just about every variety of music. If there is any artist I listen to more than others it would be Kenny Chesney.

SMPS Wichita: And your favorite meal?
Jeff: This is so tough. If I’m eating out, I love going for BBQ or going for some spicy buffalo wings. I grill constantly at home so anything off the grill is a winner as well.

SMPS Wichita: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Jeff: We have a lot of amenities here without a lot of big city headaches. It’s very easy to get around town. The live music scene is one of the most underrated aspects of this city. We have many really good bands around. There are also quite a few public golf courses in the area that are very reasonably priced.

SMPS Wichita: So you’re married. Any kids or pets?
Jeff: I am married to Michelle and have two kids, Seth (3) and Tate (19).

SMPS Wichita: Tell us a little about your position at TranSystems.
Jeff: I am involved in a variety of things on a daily basis. I have an operations responsibility that includes overall office management, project management and supervising personnel. I also have a sales responsibility which I really enjoy because it brings me together with some really great clients that we do business with. I have forged some really good friendships with clients we work with and I value those relationships and feel an added level of responsibility in making sure they are satisfied in the work we are doing for them.

SMPS Wichita: You’ve been with TranSystems for almost 15 years, but where did you work before there?
Jeff: I worked for Professional Engineering Consultants for about a year and a half after graduating college. I also interned at Sedgwick County Public Works during my time at K-State.

A Minute with Sarah Volkman

sarah-volkmanBet you don’t know Sarah like we do — yet!

SMPS: When did you join SMPS Wichita?
Sarah: Just last year, so I still consider myself a relative newbie.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Sarah: I am indeed! Though, if we’re being technical, I’m actually from Augusta (making me the ultimate east-sider).

SMPS: Where did you go to college and what is your degree in?
Sarah: Proud Jayhawk here. My degree is in English, which seems to surprise people. Those critical thinking and writing skills translated quite nicely into the marketing and business development world.

SMPS: Tell us about your hobbies.
Sarah: I’m an animal nut. I love to travel, and have a special fondness for road trips (especially when they lead me to mountains). Hiking, community building, yoga, reading, and being with my favorite people.

SMPS: Favorite kind of music?
Sarah: Indie, folk, alternative. And the crooners, of course.

SMPS: What about your favorite meal?
Sarah: Does the sangria at Central Standard count? If not, some other favorites are Saigon, Lotus Leaf, Ziggy’s, and Tanya’s.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Sarah: Wichitans are hungry and loyal and kindhearted. You can’t beat that. I love how rooted we are. I love our sense of community, our rich culture, our indefatigable entrepreneurial spirit. Working in the Douglas Design District is especially cool because there are new adventures everywhere you turn.

SMPS: Are you married? Any kids or pets?
Sarah: My husband, Kelly, and I have a son, Peyton, and three dogs, Lucky, Bleu, and Bison. (We also currently have two foster-cats, Titan and Mummy, who are available for adoption through Wichita Animal Action League.)

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at GLMV.
Sarah: I am passionate about relationships, so business development and culture-building are my strongest interests, hands down. And like many of my fellow SMPS members, I wear a lot of other hats too: strategic planning, proposal and marketing material development, website and social media management, traffic and coordination, PR and events.

SMPS: Where did you work before GLMV?
Sarah: I actually came from an advertising and PR agency, Sullivan Higdon & Sink. It was quite the change initially, but having that background has proven invaluable to me at GLMV. (Plus, I’m pretty skilled in the art of fun, and I’ve enjoyed sharing that with my fellow GLMVers.)

A Minute with Morgan Cabral

morgan-cabralMeet Morgan Cabral. When she’s not working hard managing employee relations at Manhaney Roofing, she’s covering their social media and marketing.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Morgan: I grew up in Sedgwick, Kansas — so pretty close to Wichita!

SMPS: Where did you go to college? Degree?
Morgan: Wichita State University. Human Resource Management.

SMPS: Hobbies?
Morgan: Taking pictures and traveling.

SMPS: What’s your favorite kind of music?
Morgan: Christian.

SMPS: And your favorite meal?
Morgan: Pasta.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Morgan: I like the size of Wichita — it’s not too big and not too small.

SMPS: Are you married, any kids or pets?
Morgan: Married with no children yet, only a fish for now. 

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Mahaney Roofing Comany.
Morgan: I am the Human Resources and Payroll Manager, so my primary duties involve employee relations. Aside from that, I recently started taking on different Marketing aspects including marketing materials, promotional items, and social media.

SMPS: Where did you work before Mahaney?
Morgan: Pixius Communications.

A Minute with Michael Frimel

michael-frimelSelf-proclaimed conservative extrovert, Michael Frimel is extremely passionate about what he does. The new Director of Business Developmen for WDM Architects is obsessed with current politics and enjoys a wide variety of friends.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Michael: I grew up in a VERY small town in southern Illinois and then spent 30 years in Tulsa, Oklahoma prior to moving to Wichita in 2012.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? Degree?
Michael: I attended the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Human Relations.

SMPS: What do you consider your hobbies?
Michael: I love golf and yard work.

SMPS: Favorite kind of music?
Michael: Anything but Rapp.

SMPS: And a favorite meal?
Michael: Anything but Sushi.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Michael: The people.

SMPS: Are you married? Any children or pets?
Michael: I am married with one son, Will who is 17, our golden/collie mix, Angel, and my WIFE’S cat, Tate!

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at WDM Architects.
Michael: I am the Director of Business Development.

SMPS: Where did you work before WDM?
Michael: I spent over 30 years in hospitality and education.

A Minute with Dana Taylor

After 20 years in Architecture and Design industry, Dana Taylor has final found a position that encompasses her passions for architecture, business and building relationships. Meet the new Business Development Manager of SJCF Architecture.

Dana Taylor

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native?
Dana: Yes, I started out in Wichita as a kid and we moved to Butler County while I was still in elementary school. I graduated from Circle High School but because my dad had always had his own business in Wichita, I’ve always had a strong connection with Wichita and the community here.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? Degree?
Dana: K-State. Interior Architecture.

SMPS: Hobbies?
Dana: Watching my kids grow up while attending their school and sporting events, spending quality time with my friends and family and if there’s any time left, watching a good K-State football game is always great too.

SMPS: What’s your favorite kind of music?
Dana: Country / Christian

SMPS: And your favorite meal?
Dana: …anytime someone cooks for me is usually my favorite food! Though, if I had to narrow it down, it would be my fiancés grilled steak with seasoned and grilled yellow squash or my dad’s smoked BBQ ribs & brisket with my mom’s sweet potatoes and corn casserole.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Dana: I love living in Wichita because of the size and I’m close to family. Wichita isn’t too big that you never run into a familiar face. Yet, it’s not too small that you’re always running into the same familiar faces. There’s a lot of great talent and opportunities here, and I’m continually discovering new and different things that I have yet to experience around here.

SMPS: Are you married, any kids or pets?
Dana: I’m engaged and I have 2 daughters, ages 17 and 13. We have 1 dog and 1 geriatric cat…

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at SJCF Architecture.
Dana: Business Development Manager – I’m new to SJCF as of April of this year and it’s been a great fit for me! My new position has allowed me to combine my passions for architecture, business and building relationships all into one. My role entails managing new business opportunities, developing client & employee relations and overseeing the marketing and corporate identity of the firm.

SMPS: Where did you work before SJCF?
Dana: I’ve been in the Architecture and Design industry for almost 20 years. Before SJCF I had various roles including: Design Consultant / Interior Architect / Marketing Coordinator. I’ve worked at PBA Architects, Howard and Helmer Architects and have also been an independent business owner.

A Minute with Stacy Ward Lattin

New to the AEC industry from the world of Non-profit, Stacy Ward Lattin joins Zernco, Inc. with fresh ideas and a passion for Wichita.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Stacy: Yes, I went to Valley Center schools.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? What is your degree in?
Stacy: I have my Master’s Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Stacy: I enjoy spending time with friends and family, yoga and volunteering. My husband and I own a small business, so I don’t have a lot of time for extra hobbies. 🙂

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
Stacy: Alternative, my favorite band is Muse. I really like the 107.3 channel in the ICT.

SMPS: What is your favorite meal?
Stacy: My mom’s salisbury steak and mashed potatoes.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Stacy: The potential – I love seeing young people excited about the future of Wichita.

SMPS: So are you married? Any kids or pets?
Stacy: I am married with one dog, Frank.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Zernco, Inc.
Stacy: Recruitment, marketing, event planning, process and training development.

SMPS: Where did you work before Zernco?
Stacy: Before Zernco I worked in non-profit.

Member Minute with Kyle Blasdel

Kyle Blasdel of Conco Construction might not be all business, all the time, but he keeps it short and sweet in this month’s SMPS Member Minute.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Kyle: Born and raised in Wichita.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? What is your degree in?
Kyle: Kansas State University. Architectural Engineering.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Kyle: Hunting, Fishing and Sports.

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
Kyle: Country / Christian

SMPS: What is your favorite meal?
Kyle: Anything with bacon.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Kyle: Family and the close knit community feel.

SMPS: So are you married? Any kids or pets?
Kyle: Married, with four kids and a yellow lab named Dakota.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Conco Construction.
Kyle: I’m a Project Manager at Conco, which entails estimating and running construction projects ranging from $500 to $20M.

SMPS: Where did you work before Conco?
Kyle: Integrated Consulting Engineers

 

 

Member Minute with Tricia Wilson

Tricia with Icon StructuresEntrepreneurial bloodlines lead Tricia Wilson of Icon Structures to take an unexpected path in life.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Tricia: I grew up in the Wichita area near Valley Center. After high school, I lived in Manhattan, Lawrence, Overland Park and eventually returned back home to the Wichita area. We currently reside in Andover.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? What is your degree in?
Tricia: I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State University in Life Sciences (biology and chemistry). I originally planned a career in the health professions, but learned later that God had another plan for me.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Tricia: My hobbies include playing on a ladies tennis team, watching my kids’ sporting events and reading. I also love to be outdoors. Our family spends as much time as possible boating and relaxing at Table Rock Lake.

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
Tricia: Country, Christian and Pop

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Tricia: Definitely the people. You can’t beat the helpful and friendly people of Wichita. I love the spirit of entrepreneurism and the fact that you can get across town in under 30 minutes.

SMPS: So are you married? Any kids or pets?
Tricia: I am married to my middle school sweetheart, Brandon Wilson. We have two sons, Banks (14) and Blake (11). We also have two furry children (King Charles Cavalier Spaniels) that serve as greeters at the Icon Structures office.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Icon Structures.
Tricia: My husband Brandon and I both grew up in families that owned small businesses. Brandon worked in his dad’s residential construction business and then started at KSU in the Architecture program, eventually switching and graduating with a degree in Construction Science and Management. Ironically, when we married, we had an agreement that we would not own our own business due to the long hours it required. Over time though, we realized the entrepreneurial blood lines could no longer be suppressed. In 2005 we started Icon Structures, a general contracting firm for commercial and residential construction. It was a humble beginning, with the two of us working out of a single basement office. Brandon ran the construction operations and I ran the financial side of the business. Eleven years later, the company has experienced significant growth and now employs 25. As our operations have expanded, so have the roles we play in the company. Brandon still leads the construction operations side of the business while I focus on the marketing, human resources, financial and risk management facets of the business. What I enjoy most is the variety of my role – there is a constant push to broaden my skills in each of these areas. I am looking forward to enhancing my marketing skills through participation in SMPS.

SMPS: Where did you work before Icon Structures?
Tricia: Prior to starting Icon Structures, I worked for the Wichita Chamber of Commerce running their Business Services division. I also worked for the Kansas Small Business Development Center at WSU as a consultant to business owners and people planning to start a business.