April Smith, CPSM
SinceNA
Active
SMPS Idaho member
AEC marketing professional
April leads comprehensive marketing and business development strategy for GeoEngineers, heading the company’s nationwide marketing efforts in transportation and energy sectors. As Associate and Director of Marketing for an employee-owned engineering and earth science consulting firm founded in 1980 with over 400 technical experts across the United States, she works closely with technical partners to strategically position for competitive projects, create strong client relationships, write proposals, and develop creative marketing campaigns that celebrate the awesome work GeoEngineers accomplishes in communities where employees live, work, and play.
Her expertise spans geotechnical engineering, environmental services, pipeline design, and water resources marketing with deep specialization in business development, strategic communications, proposal management, and creative campaign development. April brings comprehensive knowledge of AEC marketing best practices gained through 19+ years of progressive experience—all at GeoEngineers—advancing from Marketing Assistant (2006) to Senior Marketing Specialist to her current executive leadership role. Her professional tagline captures her approach: “19+ years of A/E/C experience—all of which at GeoEngineers. Primarily focus on partnering with technical staff to secure national transportation, pipelines and construction design projects.”
Her educational foundation from Whitworth University in Communications with a Marketing minor provides distinctive capabilities in strategic messaging, relationship building, and creative problem-solving. April’s passion for helping others succeed—whether clients, colleagues, or community members—drives her approach to marketing as a discipline that fundamentally connects people and creates opportunities for collaborative achievement.
April demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through her CPSM certification and sustained active engagement as a founding member of SMPS Idaho—instrumental in launching the new chapter and earning recognition in the chapter’s first member spotlight for her hard work getting the organization off the ground. Her commitment to advancing professional services marketing excellence extends across multiple influential boards and committees including OneAEC, Women in Transportation Seminar (WTS) Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Chapter, Marketing Associates of Spokane (10 years of board service), American Public Works Association committees, and judging for Greater Spokane Incorporated’s Agora Awards.
April’s thought leadership philosophy centers on the belief that “when you help others succeed in accomplishing their goals, you will also succeed.” This servant leadership approach—taught by her mentor Jim Harakas, retired GeoEngineers senior principal—emphasizes anticipating colleague needs on pursuits, advocating for colleagues to clients, showing appreciation for help and hard work, and demonstrating care through responsive, dependable service. The most important advice Jim provided was “to always be responsive”—counsel that April exemplifies daily, recognizing that responsiveness tells colleagues and clients they are valued.
Her leadership at GeoEngineers has contributed to significant firm growth and industry recognition, including advancement from #38 to #31 on the North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) 2025 list of Top Trenchless Engineering Firms. April’s marketing expertise supports the firm’s comprehensive pipeline services including alternatives analysis, geotechnical exploration, environmental assessments, Direct Pipe® engineering, and regulatory compliance across federal, state, tribal, and local requirements.
April’s community leadership extends authentically into her personal life. As she’s “known throughout her neighborhood for her amazing 4th of July parade and party,” April organizes morning parades for neighborhood children and invites families over for fun, games, and even food trucks—demonstrating that her passion for connecting people and building relationships transcends professional boundaries. Her ability to entertain, bring people together, and create memorable experiences reflects the same relationship-building skills that make her effective in AEC marketing.
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