Michael T. Buell (Instructors)

Michael T. Buell has been a strategic marketing and client development professional in the A/E/C industry over the last 25+ years. He has worked with construction, architecture and engineering firms from regional to national in market size. Throughout his tenure, Michael has continued to build strong relationships with clients, colleagues and peers alike from coast to coast. Whether for his firm at any given time or for the thousands of marketing and technical staff he has lead training sessions for, Michael’s number one goal has always been to help others build stronger and more abundant client relationships.

Michael broke into the A/E/C industry in 1992 with a small general construction firm in Cincinnati, Ohio. While leading all marketing and sales efforts, he also took great pride in learning the industry and more specifically, learning how to read a set of construction documents. In addition to construction services, this company also became a commercial development firm in which Michael was responsible for securing tenants and negotiating contracts for multi-unit commercial facilities. During this tenure, Michael helped the firm quintuple in annual project volume.

In 1998, Michael looked to join the design side to gain a different perspective. Working with regional, national and global architecture and engineering firms has brought great depth of experience, knowledge and understanding of how architects and engineers can be most successful. Because of Michael’s efforts, each of these firms gained much improved branding presence, successful experience in new vertical markets and a better understanding of what clients really care about.

Presently, Michael is leading the client development and corporate marketing efforts for a highly respected full service design-build mechanical construction firm. To enhance his position in the design-build market, Michael is also the reigning President of DBIA Utah leading its statewide efforts. As well, Michael sits on the Board of Directors for the Utah chapter of the ACE Mentor Program of America.

Michael is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah teaching communication, leadership, networking and
presentation skills subjects to graduate architecture students.

Throughout Michael’s career, he has taken hold of numerous leadership opportunities with SMPS. Co-founding the Northeast Ohio chapter; chairing the hugely successful inaugural Heartland Regional Conference; and co-creating and being a lead instructor for their Business Development Institute are the accomplishments of which Michael is most proud. These efforts are the primary reasons why Michael enjoys such a healthy national reputation and network today. With his stage presence developed from an extensive theater performance background along with his industry expertise, Michael speaks at SMPS chapter and conference events and other industry and corporate programs on a regular basis to
rave reviews on many strategic planning, business development, presentation skills and leadership topics.

Michael’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising Management, along with
specializations in Marketing and History, from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. In addition to his professional career and the speaking engagements he regularly leads throughout North America, Michael has also enjoyed performing with community theaters, lecturing at his parish, coaching youth football, client golf, hiking in the mountains and the company of great friends. Above all, however, he cherishes his time with his wife Patty and children Chase, 15 and Katie, 14.