Same Desk, New Name: Mergers & Acquisitions—What AEC Professionals Need to Know
October 21, 2026
2:30 PM EDT - 4:00 PM EDT
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Virtual Program
Registrants will receive the access link in the bottom section of their registration confirmation email, and a reminder email the morning of the virtual program.
Directions
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are happening across the AEC industry at a steady pace. For many staff—from principals and project managers to marketing and business development professionals—a merger or acquisition can feel disorienting. This session brings together people who have lived through it to share what actually happens, what to expect, and how to adapt.
This is not a session about deal-making or finance. It is a practical conversation about the real-world impact of M&A on AEC firms, teams, and individuals — and what you can do to stay effective and positioned for success when your firm goes through a transaction.
Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM from Stambaugh Ness will moderate a group of AEC panelists who will share their experiences.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will leave this session able to:
1. Understand what typically happens to firm culture, brand, and operations after a merger or acquisition
2. Know what questions to ask when leadership announces a transaction
3. Recognize the common challenges marketing and BD teams face during firm transitions
4. Learn how to protect and reposition client relationships during an ownership change
Who should Attend?
- Owners and principals of architecture, engineering, and general contracting firms
- Seller-doers and project managers navigating firm transitions
- Marketing and business development staff at AEC firms
- Anyone whose AEC firm has been acquired, merged, or is anticipating a transaction
Discussion Moderator
Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM, Managing Director, Strategic Growth Advisory – Stambaugh Ness
Scott is an AE industry veteran with 30 years of experience in strategy, marketing, and business development. As a former Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for a mid-sized engineering firm, Scott brings a unique perspective to his client work, delivering first-hand industry insight and knowledge.
Scott is a sought-after national speaker who has presented for numerous industry organizations, including ACEC, AIA, ASCE, NCSEA, PSMJ, ROG, SDA, SMPS, and USGBC. A prolific writer, Scott has authored 15 books and written numerous ebooks, white papers, and blogs, including his Marketropolis blog for Engineering News-Record. He is a past president of the SMPS Foundation, an AEC research-focused nonprofit organization, and has served on the national board of directors for the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS). In addition to being a Fellow of SMPS, Scott is also a Certified Professional Services Marketer.
Featured Panelists
Jessie Lernmark
Divisional Marketing Director, Buildings – Colliers Engineering & Design
Jessie Lernmark is a marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience leading marketing operations, brand strategy, market research, business development, and marketing transformation. Since joining Colliers Engineering & Design in 2018 (initially with Colliers Project Leaders as Marketing Director), she has played a key role in the company's marketing strategies, processes, and execution.
Currently involved in mergers and acquisitions within the Buildings division, she is actively helping to integrate multiple marketing teams, align processes and technology, unify brand strategy and governance, and build a collaborative, high-performing marketing organization. Having also experienced acquisitions from the perspective of an acquired company, Jessie brings a well-rounded understanding of the opportunities and challenges M&A presents for AEC marketing teams.
Prior to Colliers Engineering & Design, Jessie held director-level strategy and account leadership roles at marketing agencies in Seattle, partnering with global brands including Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, T-Mobile, Sony Ericsson, and Grupo Modelo, as well as high-growth startups. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from Trinity College Dublin. Her expertise spans customer insights, brand positioning, go-to-market strategy, and marketing integration and operations, with a passion for helping organizations evolve culture, strengthen brands, and accelerate growth through successful mergers and acquisitions.
Elizabeth Pierce
Principal, Chief Marketing Officer – Corgan
Elizabeth loves telling the stories of our work, showcasing solutions, and demonstrating to clients why we are the right people for the job. As Chief Marketing Officer at Corgan, Elizabeth leads the firm’s global marketing, communications, brand, and business development efforts. Since joining the firm in 2011, she has helped shape and elevate Corgan’s brand through strategic storytelling, client engagement, and initiatives that support the firm’s growth, culture, and reputation. Elizabeth also serves as a member of Corgan’s Management Committee, helping guide the firm’s strategic direction and future growth.
Elizabeth is passionate about the role design plays in shaping experiences and communities and is recognized for her ability to connect strategy, storytelling, and business development to strengthen client relationships and market position. Her ability to develop engaging, effective marketing solutions has helped build the brand we are today.
She is deeply committed to community service and leadership, serving as Past President of the CoreNet Global North Texas Chapter, former Board Chair and Board Member of the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, a Sustainer of the Junior League of Dallas, and co-founder and Board Member of White Rock Que. Elizabeth earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Arizona State University.
Director of Business Development – Eastern Region, Fremont-Wright, LLC.
Courtney is a marketing and business development leader with more than 20 years of experience in the professional services consulting industry. She currently leads business development and marketing strategy for Fremont Wright’s Eastern Region, supporting operating companies in Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland. Her expertise includes relationship building, market analysis, strategic pursuits, proposals, interview preparation, branding, communications, and corporate growth.
A Fellow of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Courtney is passionate about helping firms and professionals grow through meaningful connections, shared knowledge, and thoughtful strategy. She brings extensive experience across the architecture, engineering, and consulting industry, with particular insight into the healthcare, public-sector, higher education, corporate, and industrial markets.
Event Details: October 21, 2026 | 2:30 PM - 4 PM EST
The comfort of your home, office or mobile device.
Virtual Sponsor: 1 Available
Domains & Credit Hours
Domain 2: Marketing Planning
Domain 3: Client and Business Development
Domain 6: Information, Resource, and Organizational Management
1.5 SMPS CPSM CEUs / 1.5 AIA LEUs
Register by Tuesday, October 21st at Noon EST. Registrants will receive an access link in the bottom section of their registration confirmation email and via email the morning of the program.
- If registering after 12 PM on 10/21/2026 please email [email protected].
- Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to receive a refund.
- No shows are responsible for payment in full.
- Unauthorized sharing of the program's access link may result in higher registration costs.
Register Now
Tickets
$35.00 SMPS CT Member
$45.00 Non-Member
$0.00 Member Sponsor
$0.00 Non-Member Sponsor
$35.00 SMPS Other Chapter Member
