Member Spotlight: Suzanne Taylor
Suzanne Taylor | Kuna Engineering
In our member spotlight, Suzanne Taylor takes time out of her busy day to chat with SMPS. Suzanne, who works for Kuna Engineering as their Director of Marketing and Communications, shares the rewards of her job and the benefits of being an SMPS member.
Q: How did you find your way to the AEC industry and your current firm?
A: I taught art, yearbook, photography, and drama for 11 years, first in Los Angeles and then in Delta Junction, AK. When Fort Greely was part of the Base Reduction and Closure (BRAC) program, the two school sites were consolidated, and about 20 teachers, including my husband and me, were let go. He had a fellowship in Washington, DC, that placed him on a congressman’s staff, while I found a job as manager of a small nonprofit called Kidsnet, which produced educational materials to accompany programming. It was a role I truly enjoyed. When we had to leave at the end of our year in DC, I realized how rare good communicators are when I needed to replace myself.
Upon returning to Alaska, where my husband had a job at Bartlett High, I found there were no teaching openings for someone with my skillset. My girlfriend, Teresa Brewer, who worked for ASCG, took my resume to her boss. They interviewed me, hired me as a contract technical writer and planner, and after a trial period, brought me on full time.
I’ve been with ASCG, then WHPacific, and finally Kuna Engineering (same company, different names) for 23 years. My role has grown to senior planner and director of marketing and communications.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: I love the deadlines that keep me on task and moving forward. I do much better with short deadlines than with tasks that can be easily put off and forgotten. I also enjoy working with people. I love the team I work with and have come to know the strengths and weaknesses of each team member, so I can help them get the projects they need.
Q: What has been your most meaningful project?
A: It’s hard to say what the most meaningful project has been, as there have been many that could qualify. However, I am currently working with the Native Village of Kivalina to facilitate their move to the safer Kisimgiugtuq Hill (K Hill) location, out of the reach of flooding and erosion. This is a move that has been under planning for nearly as long as I’ve been with the company, and seeing steps such as the causeway and school road being accomplished and being a part of their next steps is very exciting and meaningful to me and to the people of Kivalina, whom I’ve become friends with over the years.
Q: What are your challenges?
A: There are times when multiple proposals are due in the same week that I really wish I had a larger staff to fall back on. Some of my project managers are great at providing exactly what’s needed for a proposal, and others… not so much. But that’s just life.
Q: What was a pivotal point in your career?
A: At ASCG, the planning department always wrote its own proposals, and that continued for most of my time at WHPacific. When we transitioned to Kuna and downsized—separating from the Lower 48 parts of the company—we no longer had a shared services marketing department. I naturally shifted from writing proposals just for planning to writing them for the entire company and gradually took on all the responsibilities that come with marketing.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is about to enter the marketing or business development field?
A: If you enjoy words and working with people, go for it. It’s fun, never boring, and always keeps you on your toes. Just remember to be patient with your team—they’re still focused on current projects while you’re out there working to bring in the next ones.
Q: How do you spend your time outside of work?
A: My pastimes include reading, word puzzles (I do the daily ones from the New York Times and LinkedIn), walking, and spending time with my family. I have a book club with my daughter-in-law and her twin sister, which I really enjoy. I also love doing things with my grandchildren. My 10-year-old granddaughter is especially fun—she loves to read, has an amazing imagination, and boundless energy.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
A: My alarm goes off at 6:35 a.m. My stuffed animals try to pin me in bed for more snuggles—and I don’t fight too hard. A bit later, I get up, make a salad for lunch, and fill two thermoses with coffee to power me through the morning.
At work, I start by checking emails and combing through three different listservs for potential opportunities my team might want to pursue. There are usually in-person or Teams meetings throughout the day. In between, I focus on the next proposals coming due and make sure we have all the swag and collateral needed for upcoming conferences.
When I can, I go for a walk at lunch. Otherwise, I try to get some exercise in after work—Zumba, water aerobics, walking, or using the machines at the Alaska Club. My husband, who’s retired, will likely have dinner ready when I get home. We usually watch a little TV, then wind down with some reading in bed.
Q: Would you rather attend a sporting event, concert, or neither?
A: Definitely a concert. In recent years, my husband and I have seen Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Billy Joel, Sting, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, The Dooby Brothers, The Moody Blues, Styx, Jefferson Starship, and Jethro Tull. I’m an aging groupie to aging rock stars. LOL.
Q: Guilty pleasure: What can you not live without?
A: Cheese. If you haven’t tried Fromagio’s, you should.
