Rosenberg ready to roll up her sleeves for group: Deborah Rosenberg, director of business development, Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.

Deborah Rosenberg understands that "business is all about relationships." The newly-elected president of the New York Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services [SMPS], Rosenberg has built her career in marketing by forging strong relationships, not only with clients, but also with peers.

"Creating good relationships is especially important for the design, engineering, and construction industries," said Rosenberg. "It's also the reason why professional associations that serve them, like SMPS, play such a critical role for me and my colleagues."

In fact, her firm's business--and the work that she does for them--is based on the cultivation and maintenance of relationships through a broad professional network. "That's one of the most rewarding aspects of my job," said Rosenberg, who for five years has served as director of business development for the Rockland County office of Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. The 1,000-person, multi-disciplinary engineering and construction services firm has 14 offices throughout the East Coast; Rosenberg focuses specifically on New York, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island.

Just as she reaches out on a daily basis to potential clients, in her position as SMPS-NY president, Rosenberg is unifying--and also extending--the scope and reach of SMPS.

"This is my mission, and I think it's also the strongest contribution that I can make to the organization in the coming year."

SMPS first started as an organization to promote the exchange of information among marketers in professional services firms.

Today, it's recognized as the premier source of education and building business in the A/E/C industry. Still, Rosenberg feels that the organization can do much more to raise its profile, especially in New York. Many of the committees are proactively seeking to co-sponsor and plan events with related organizations in New York that are of interest to multiple professional groups.

Since becoming involved with SMPS. Rosenberg has been advancing the New York Chapter one step--and one committee--at a time, by working with each committee individually to identify their resources and set goals. "For two years, I was involved on the special events and programs committee, so I understand what they do," explained Rosenberg. "On the other hand," she added, "it's more of a challenge to learn about some of the other committees which are less familiar to me, such as communications and membership."

Getting directly involved with each of the Chapter's committees is not new to Rosenberg. Between 2003 to 2005, when she served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer, she worked with all of the committees to streamline spending, generate increased revenues from sponsorship, and explore additional opportunities for philanthropy. In fact, Rosenberg adapted a methodology that she first perfected in the business world, where she was responsible for creating, then launching, national sales and marketing programs.

Rosenberg is keen to share the knowledge and skills that she's gained as an active member of SMPS and someone who has worn many hats in the Chapter. Before she served on the board, as a member of the programs committee, Rosenberg organized the first-ever SMPS event focused on design and construction of biotechnology and incubation facilities in the New York metropolitan area.

"I'd like to share my past experiences with my colleagues in SMPS, especially the newer, younger members. When I first joined SMPS, board members were extremely generous with their time and assistance. I hope to follow the same tradition and, in that way, continue the good work that SMPS is doing for its membership."

And because she has always prioritized relationship-building in her own career, Rosenberg would like to find new ways of connecting members with each other and the community at large.

She would also like SMPS expand its services in advocacy and education. As an advocacy group, she explained, "we can help to provide our membership with the tools and knowledge to teach owners and principals of A/E/C firms about the importance of marketing."

She also wants to continue to promote education. "We have so many resources in New York, and the large membership makes it possible to hold classes that support the diversity of professionals who are involved in SMPS."