Dan Purschwitz, CPSM
Since 2016
Active
SMPS Fort Worth member
AEC marketing professional
Dan leads public relations and communications strategy for Freese and Nichols, a 130-year-old engineering and architecture firm recognized as the first A/E firm to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award—and one of only 13 organizations nationwide to earn this distinction twice (2010, 2024). As PR/Communications Manager, he and his team tell the stories of hundreds of engineers, planners, and architects working to improve communities throughout Texas and 11 other states.
His expertise spans comprehensive communications for water resources, wastewater, transportation, environmental services, community planning, and architecture projects serving municipal and industrial clients. Dan brings a unique perspective to engineering communications, self-describing as someone who “isn’t an engineer, but speaks engineer.” This distinctive ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling narratives stems from 12+ years of professional journalism experience as a reporter and editor before transitioning to AEC industry marketing.
With his journalism background, Dan uses the same storytelling skills he honed in newsrooms—just with a different audience and better hours—to communicate the impact of infrastructure projects on communities across the Southwest. His approach focuses on making engineering accessible to non-technical audiences while maintaining the precision and accuracy that technical professionals expect. This bridge-building capability supports Freese and Nichols’ growth from its Fort Worth roots to a 1,200-employee firm operating across 12 states, addressing critical needs in water, wastewater, transportation, environmental services, and community planning.
Dan demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through his CPSM certification achievement and extensive service to SMPS Fort Worth, where he has held multiple board positions including Treasurer (2017-2018) and Board of Directors member. His SMPS involvement spans nine years of sustained engagement with the AEC marketing community, reflecting deep commitment to professional development and advancing the marketing profession.
Currently serving as Programs Committee Chair for SMPS Southern Regional Conference (SRC) 2025, Dan plays a pivotal role in shaping educational programming for one of SMPS’s largest regional conferences. His leadership extends to teaching other AEC marketers how to build cultures of LinkedIn engagement within their firms. As a sought-after speaker and trainer, Dan co-presents sessions on practical strategies for AEC marketers to train technical staff, harness individual networks, and meet sales and recruiting objectives. His presentation “Creating a Culture of LinkedIn Engagement” provides actionable guidance on building buy-in among technical staff, equipping them to generate content, and leveraging the collective reach of employee networks.
Dan’s transition from journalism to AEC communications represents a distinctive career path that brings fresh perspective to engineering marketing. His 12+ years in newsrooms developed skills in deadline management, clear writing for diverse audiences, investigative research, and visual storytelling—all capabilities that directly translate to communicating complex infrastructure projects. This journalism foundation enables him to identify newsworthy angles in technical projects and craft narratives that resonate with media, stakeholders, and community members.
As a member of Threaded Marketing Group’s expert network, Dan contributes thought leadership on PR and communications strategy for architecture, engineering, and construction firms. His practical expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and storytelling supports the broader AEC marketing community’s professional development.
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