Member Minute with Jordan Page

JordanSMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up? What do you like about living in Wichita?
Jordan: I am a true Wichitan, born and raised. I was also a very typical Wichitan when it came to wanting to leave Wichita. I moved to Kansas City after getting married in 2012 so that my husband, Samuel, could earn his doctorate in Physical Therapy. After his graduation in 2015, we moved back to Wichita to be closer to family. Moving away was a true gift because I was able to see Wichita from a different perspective. Wichita has got it going on. From the restaurants, to the museums, and the impressive brewery scene, Wichita is a great place to live, travel to, work, and enjoy. We also just moved into a loft downtown so we are even closer to all of the awesome events!

SMPS: Where did you go to college? What is your degree in?
Jordan: I earned my Communication degree in 2012 with an emphasis in Journalism and a minor in English from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Jordan: I enjoy a good book, a great beer, and hot yoga. If you tell me you love Harry Potter we are instant friends. I also volunteer with the local animal rescue group, Wichita Animal Action League, to help find forever homes for animals in the community. In addition to SMPS, I am also a part of YPW and will soon be a part of its Access Wichita Action Team.

SMPS: Are you married? Do you have any kids or pets?
Jordan: My husband and I have one furbaby, Penelope. She is a yorkipoo and the love of my life!

SMPS: Tell us a little about your new position at SJCF Architecture. Where did you work before SJCF?
Jordan: As the Marketing Coordinator at SJCF Architecture, my main focus is strategic business and marketing goals in order to promote the firm and cultivate new business and client relationships. I create print and digital marketing materials including managing the social media, work with professional staff on presentations and business interviews, and assist in planning internal events to encourage a fun work culture! My background includes experience as a marketing professional at the Museum of World Treasures in Old Town Wichita and the Kansas City Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, KS. SJCF Architecture plays a large part in the development of downtown Wichita, and Wichita as a whole, and that is what excites me about this opportunity! I am looking forward to growing Wichita and showing everyone how special it really is.

Member Minute with David Edleston

EdlestonDavid Edleston of Simpson Construction Services will surely charm you with the first catch of his English accent. Here’s a little more about our newest member:

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
David: I grew up in Scarborough a small seaside town in England, moved to Sheffield where I attended University and decided to stay and start a family. I lived there until two and a half years ago when I moved to Wichita. My wife is a Wichita native and after having children we moved to be closer to her family.

SMPS: What is your degree in?
David: I studied Construction Management at Sheffield Hallam University.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
David: I enjoy being out in the garden. My father was a landscape architect and I would work for his landscaping business during the Summer while I was in school. Since moving to Kansas I’ve had mixed success experimenting with plants in this climate. My family and I make frequent visits to Botanica; while Simpson was building the Chinese Garden I would take any excuse to go down and check on progress. I also like reading, running and have just recently bought a fishing pole and intend to get some good use out of it.

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
David: I like most kinds of music. I’m still getting used to country, but enjoy the insights it gives me into local culture. I listen to classical while I’m at work and a wide variety outside of work.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
David: I like the people, practically everyone I’ve met has been very friendly and welcoming. It is really easy to get about here. I spent a lot of time sat in traffic back home, so it’s great having such a quick commute. There are a lot of good places to go out to eat, and fun things to do with family.

SMPS: We’re going to get a little personal now. Are you married? Any kids or pets?
David: I have been married for nine years, and have a five year old son and three year old daughter.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Simpson.
David: I work in the Pre-Construction department at Simpson, focusing on feasibility studies, budgets & design review – I’ll work with owners on project delivery systems and exploring ways to make an initial scheme a reality.

SMPS: Where did you work before Simpson?
David: I worked for a national contractor in the UK that dealt largely with institutional clients building schools, prisons and leisure centers. Although terminology and preferred construction methods vary, the biggest difference between the UK and Wichita is that an overwhelming majority of commercial projects in the UK are design build, and the commercial AEC industry is geared to cater for that. As the market matures in Kansas I can see DB becoming more popular with owners but on the whole a lot more education needs to be done so that they can fully take advantage of it.

Member Minute with Ross Link

Ross Link

Ross Link, Buckley Roofing Company’s new Service Manager, is no stranger to the world of AEC. Ross’s father, Dan J. Link, owns Landmark Architects and Engineers in Hutchinson; so he’s been around the commercial building industry since he was young. Here’s a little more about Ross you might not know:

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Ross: I grew up in Hutchinson and went to college at Fort Hays State University

SMPS: What is your degree in?
Ross: I have an Associates in Business and Finance.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Ross: My hobbies include golfing, fishing, hunting, landscaping, and projects around the house. I enjoy spending time at the pool or lake with family and friends. I also travel and love all-inclusive beach destinations.

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
Ross: Country and Red dirt.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Ross: I like that Wichita is a solid, safe community offering many entertainment venues and dining options.

SMPS: We’re going to get a little personal now. Are you married? Any kids or pets?
Ross: I’m not married, no munchkins or dogs. Yep, that’s right, I can head away for a four day lake weekend without having to explain to anyone or put a dog in doggie daycare.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Buckley.
Ross: I come to Buckley Roofing Company with over 10 years of construction experience and a degree in business and finance, which together have given me a unique and optimistic drive for the industry. This is in suit with Buckley, a great company founded on hard work, exceptional quality and honesty which is evident in the decades of great business partners. In my role as Service Manager, I’ve been tasked with the implementation of new software for our service technicians, foreman and project managers that allow customers to view their roofs, inspections, and roof history through a customer portal.

SMPS: Very Cool. Where did you work before Buckley?
Ross: I was a Territory Sales manager for Beacon Roofing Supply for six years. Prior to that, I worked at American Family Insurance for seven years, one year as a District Manager Assistant. I then went into Agency for three years, before I accepted a promotion and relocated to St. Louis where I was a corporate trainer for them all over the US.

Member Minute with Tyler Powers

Tyler Powers SMPS HeadshotTyler Powers, Marketing Coordinator at Zernco, Inc. is one of the many fresh faces of SMPS Wichita. We couldn’t me more excited to have him on board!

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Tyler: I was born in Wichita and grew up in Augusta, Kansas.

SMPS: Where did you go to college and what is your degree?
Tyler: I attended the University of Kansas where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business with an emphasis in Marketing.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Tyler: I enjoy everything sports. I’m a loyal follower of Kansas Basketball, Kansas City Royals Baseball, and Wichita State Basketball and Baseball. I try to watch or attend as many games as possible. I also enjoy playing golf.

SMPS: When you’re not watching (or playing) sports, what is your favorite TV series?
Tyler: I am a huge fan of The Walking Dead, and new episodes are always appointment television. Some of my past favorite TV series include: Breaking Bad, Dexter, and Sons of Anarchy.

SMPS: You grew up in the area, but what do you like now about Wichita?
Tyler: In general, I feel that Wichita possesses a quality work ethic and a sense of pride. There is an entrepreneurial spirit present and a multitude of available resources that offer individuals and companies the opportunity to achieve success no matter the industry. There are also many different amenities throughout the metro area that appeal to almost every lifestyle.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Zernco, Inc.
Tyler: I have been the Marketing Coordinator at Zernco, Inc. for almost a year now. We are a commercial general contractor and specialty construction firm based in Wichita, but our projects are located throughout the United States due to the successful relationships that we maintain with many nationally recognized brands. Marketing at Zernco provides me with the opportunity to be creative and produce compelling content on a daily basis. I enjoy developing and implementing new ways for Zernco to market and communicate both internally and externally.

SMPS: Where did you work before Zernco?
Tyler: I began working for Zernco, Inc. after my graduation from the University of Kansas. I could not have asked for a better experience to start my professional career.

Member Minute with Jon Goering

So Jon Goering is anything but new to the AEC Industry, and many may know him already. The question is, how well? Here’s your chance to learn more about the Director of Marketing + Training Organizer + Leader of all things Graphic, Print and Web Related at Knipp Equipment Inc.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Jon: I am not a native Wichitan, although my wife and I have lived here for 10 years. I was born and raised in Inman, KS. It’s a small village northwest of Wichita about an hour (between Hutchinson and McPherson). It’s mascot is the Teuton, which is a Germanic warrior. It’s the only high school mascot of its kind in the U.S.

SMPS: Where did you go to college? Degree?
Jon: I went to Tabor College in Hillsboro. I majored in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism. I wanted to be a radio DJ upon graduation, but Tabor didn’t offer a radio degree, so I opted for Communications / Journalism. I was a DJ for a while, but it didn’t pay very well, so I moved on to journalism and then marketing.

SMPS: What are your hobbies? 
Jon: I’m a Civil War reenactor (history nerd). I also enjoy anything outdoors (running, hiking, camping, fishing), reading, cooking, craft beer, wine and music. In another life, my wife and I played music all over the Midwest in a band. It was fun.

SMPS: So tell us your favorite genre of music? 
Jon: I enjoy a variety of music, especially live. I grew up loving 50s & 60s music. Big fan of Doo-Wop. I also enjoy folk, Americana, traditional, bluegrass, rock, punk, some Top 40. And I’ve grown to enjoy attending Wichita Symphony Orchestra concerts.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Jon: My wife and I live in Riverside and consider it Wichita’s best neighborhood. It’s like a small town within the city. Someone once called it a cross between Mayberry and Lawrence, which I think is fitting. We love the parks, river, running paths, and museums. And we enjoy our proximity to downtown. There’s an energy there.

SMPS: What about your family, are you married? Any kids or pets?
Jon: My wife, Betsey, teaches science at Wichita South High School. No kids. Two cats.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your position at Knipp Equipment. 
Jon: I lead the marketing and training divisions at Knipp. I enjoy the variety of work I do, and I work with a team of wonderful people.

SMPS: How long have you been with Knipp? 
Jon: Since 1999.

Member Minute with Hannah Scott

Hannah ScottHere’s a short and sweet introduction to SMPS Wichita’s newest member, Hannah Scott, Marketing Coordinator at Building Controls and Services, Inc.

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native?
Hannah: Yes.

SMPS: Where did you go to college and what is your degree?
Hannah: I attended Wichita State University and graduated with a degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications,

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Hannah: Playing the harp and baking.

SMPS: And your favorite kind of music?
Hannah: Red dirt country.

SMPS: Hannah, have you met our President Lindsay Young? I think you two will get along great! She’s a big red dirt fan as well. But we digress, what do you like about living in Wichita?
Hannah: I like Wichita because it has that small town feel with the amenities of a big city.

SMPS: What about your family, are you married? Any kids or pets?
Hannah: I am married to Tanner Scott; no kids but we do have two dogs: a Lab and Australian Shepard.

SMPS: Where did you work before Building Controls and Services, Inc?
Hannah: Before BCS I worked for Brothers & Company, an advertising company based out of Tulsa, OK.

SMPS: Now tell us a little about your new position at BCS.
Hannah: BCS is an incredible company that is growing daily and I am excited to be part of it!

Member Minute with Lauren Clary

Lauren ClaryLauren Clary is the new Marketing Associate at Professional Engineering Consultants. She took a few moments away from her new role to tell us about herself. Here’s what we learned:

SMPS: Are you a Wichita native? If not, where did you grow up?
Lauren: I went to Goddard High School, and have lived on the west side of Wichita for the majority of my life. I also lived in McPherson County for 5 years where my husband found a job before I graduated college. We just moved back to the area last year. We live west of Goddard on 8 acres. Love living in the country!

SMPS: Where did you go to college and what is your degree?
Lauren: I attended Butler Community College, where I was the editor of the newspaper and majored in Journalism/Agriculture, and Wichita State University, where I majored in Communications with an emphasis in Print Journalism.

SMPS: What are your hobbies?
Lauren: In my spare time, my number one priority is family. I am a big fan of Wichita State Basketball; we have season tickets. Last year we went to Omaha and watched the Shockers beat KU! It was awesome! I enjoy hunting with my husband (mainly turkey and pheasant) and I have horses.

SMPS: What is your favorite kind of music?
Lauren: Country, but I listen to everything.

SMPS: What do you like about living in Wichita?
Lauren: My family is here.

SMPS: Tell us about your family and home-life.
Lauren: I have been married to Ryan for almost 5 years. He works for OneOk in Cheney.
No kids, but we have 3 nieces and 4 nephews, that are completely adorable, not that I’m bias or anything! We also have two dogs, Lizzy and Lily, and two horses, Merada and April.

SMPS: Tell us a little about your new position at PEC.
Lauren: I’m focusing on PEC’s website and social media, along with helping to put together proposals. Honestly, I’m still learning what I’ll be doing to contribute to the marketing efforts at PEC. It’s been an exciting time to get involved during our 50th anniversary!

SMPS: What about your work before PEC?
Lauren: I worked at the Dillon Stores Division in Hutchinson as an Associate Communications/Media Relations Specialist. My role was to support the nearly 12,000 associates in Dillons’ 85 stores, by communicating employee benefits and training programs to improve customer satisfaction. I managed the internal website and social media network. I also assisted Dillons’ spokesperson with media efforts.