AI promised AEC marketing teams more speed. What it delivered was a mirror. Katie Cash sits down with Rachelle Ray, Head of AEC Marketing Innovation at OpenAsset, about what has genuinely changed in proposal production since AI entered the workflow, and what has simply been exposed rather than fixed. Rachelle brings a rare dual perspective, having led marketing and proposals inside an architecture firm before moving to the vendor side, and she is direct about where AI creates real value and w...

AEC marketing is shifting from a reactive, proposal-driven function into a strategic discipline that drives demand. Justin Davidson of JE Dunn has helped lead that change from the inside. Katie Cash talks with Justin about how that shift played out inside one of the country's largest builders, where JE Dunn built a dedicated vertical market model for its fast-growing industrial and manufacturing practice. He shares why a strong digital footprint now wins work from clients who find the firm on...

If your firm is still waiting for the RFP to show up before getting serious about winning the work, you are already behind. Katie Cash chats with Noel Brady, Co-Founder and COO of ProjectMark, the CRM built specifically for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. They talk about what it actually takes to build a firm that grows with intention. Noel challenges the deeply ingrained belief that winning work is about personal relationships alone and makes the case that sus...

The old AEC marketing playbook is no longer enough, and as the AEC truth teller, Judy Sparks is here to say what the industry has been too polite to admit out loud… the way you’ve always done it is quietly costing you work. Judy Sparks, Founder and CEO of Smartegies and Amazon bestselling author of "The Modern AEC Marketer," joins Katie Cash for a candid milestone conversation. This is episode 100, and they are celebrating with some long-overdue industry truths. The way you...

Podcasting may be the most underutilized business development tool in the AEC industry right now. Tom Schwab, CEO and Founder of Interview Valet, is joining Katie Cash to explain why they believe podcast marketing deserves a real seat at the table in every AEC firm’s growth strategy. Podcasting goes far beyond content creation; it’s a strategic driver for relationships, reputation, and revenue. From podcast guesting to launching your own show, Katie and Tom discuss how architects, engineers, ...

Good leadership in architecture has never been just about knowing how to design a building. Tory Winn, Principal and Co-Managing Director of Gensler's Atlanta office, has thought a lot about what it actually takes to lead well in this industry, and it comes down to people. How you build a team, how you show up for clients, how you bring someone along who's just starting out. In a conversation with Katie Cash, she talked about why Gensler still believes in getting people in the same room, what...

Great engineering firms do not scale on talent alone. They scale on repeatable systems and a culture of accountability. Suzie Engel, PE, President and Owner of Motz Engineering, shares how she transformed her firm by building a process-driven culture that improves communication, protects quality, and creates better client experiences. By implementing structured systems, data tracking, and clear accountability across teams, Motz Engineering delivers consistent results while empowering engineer...

Brand is no longer a support function in AEC. It is a strategic lever that shapes perception, culture, recruitment, and long-term growth. Katie Cash sits down with Emily Cannon, Vice President of Brand Strategy at Brasfield & Gorrie, to discuss what it really means to elevate the brand to the executive table. From aligning regional leadership to activating entertainment as a marketing currency, Emily shares how intentional collaboration between marketing and the C-suite is reshaping the f...

What does it take to lead a 70-year engineering firm into its next chapter of growth without losing the culture that built it? Katie Cash sits down with Carrie Stokes, President and CEO of Barge Design Solutions, and Erika Booker, Chief Marketing Officer of Barge Design Solutions, to unpack how leadership vision, marketing alignment, and data-driven strategy fuel sustainable growth in today’s competitive AEC market. From intentional CEO transition planning to integrating communications and sa...

What does it really take to get a major urban infrastructure project funded, approved, and built? Jack Cebe, President & CEO of The Stitch at the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, shares how his team is working to transform three-quarters of a mile of interstate highway into a 17-acre urban park with the potential to generate $9 billion in economic value. The Stitch is designed to reconnect downtown Atlanta, unlock development opportunities, and create a new community asset above the...