The New Mexico Chapter of The Society for Marketing Professional Services was founded in 1986.  Founding members were Michael Gallegos - President, Joe Craig - Vice President/President Elect and Bob Turner, AIA.  Early members also included Bob Campbell, AIA, Susan Bender Benjamin, Elizabeth Jeppesen and Darrell Calsbeek, who served as Treasurer for more than five years.

One of the chapter’s largest seminars was held with marketing legend Gerry Jones as guest speaker. Mr. Jones was one of the founding members of SMPS National and is a renowned author and speaker.

The original meetings were held at La Posada de Albuquerque in historic downtown Albuquerque.  The meeting locations have since varied from the Sheraton Uptown and the Radisson on Carlisle to the prestigious Petroleum Club.

President Michael Gallegos and President-Elect Joe Craig taught a senior/graduate level class on Marketing Professional Services at the University of New Mexico’s School of Architecture.  Both donated the $1,500 they earned to SMPS NM to establish the chapter’s bank account. “Students” at the class included current SMPS member Chris Rasmussen, AIA of Greer Stafford/SJCF Inc., Cindy Terry, AIA, of Westwork Architects and Randal McKnown of McKnown Bellanger and Associates (MBA).

The New Mexico Chapter was the fastest growing chapter in the nation in the late 1980’s. Joe Craig succeeded Mr. Gallegos as president in 1988-1989, and the following presidents succeeded him.

            Bob Campbell, AIA

            Susan Bender Benjamin

            Elizabeth Jeppesen

            Claudio Vigil, AIA

            Norm Gabel (two consecutive terms)

            Shelley Freedman

            Amy Gonzales

            Joe Craig

            Janet Wolfe 

            Dawn Tibbetts
            Forrest Courtney
            Joseph Archuleta (current past president) 
            Paul-Baptiste Baca (current president)

Founding members Joe Craig and Bob Turner were among the first group to be designated as Certified Professional Services Marketers (CPSM) by SMPS.  They were quickly followed by Dawn Tibbetts and Janet Wolfe.

SMPS NM continues to fulfill its mission of providing marketing education and training and of raising the professional standards of the marketing community within the architectural, engineering and construction industry.