Kelly Teenor, CPSM
Since 2019
Active
SMPS Orange County member
AEC marketing professional
Kelly leads comprehensive proposal development and strategic positioning for Michael Baker International, one of the nation’s premier engineering and consulting firms with over 85 years of excellence. As Proposal Specialist based in Orange County, California, she drives proposal strategy, development, and coordination across Michael Baker’s multidisciplinary practice areas serving infrastructure, federal programs, integrated design and advisory, design-build services, and consulting and technology solutions for clients throughout Southern California and beyond.
Her expertise spans AEC strategic proposals with specialized knowledge in proposal management, strategic positioning, capture planning, technical writing, graphics coordination, win strategy development, and client communications across architecture, engineering, environmental services, planning, and construction management disciplines. Kelly brings comprehensive understanding of complex proposal development gained through 20 years of progressive experience supporting firms that deliver innovative engineering solutions for federal agencies, state and local governments, public utilities, and private sector clients.
With over two decades of professional experience in the AEC industry, Kelly has built a distinguished career characterized by strategic vision, exceptional mentorship, and unwavering commitment to both proposal excellence and professional community development. Her comprehensive knowledge of Michael Baker’s full-service capabilities—encompassing bridge design, transportation, water resources, aviation, federal programs, environmental consulting, architecture, and construction services—enables effective proposal leadership for a firm with nearly 4,900 employees across more than 90 offices nationwide serving clients globally.
Kelly demonstrates exceptional professional leadership through her CPSM and APR certifications, transformative service as SMPS Orange County Past President (2019-2020), and recognition as the chapter’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year. Her presidential leadership during unprecedented pandemic challenges required pivoting chapter programming to virtual formats while maintaining education and connection opportunities for members—demonstrating exceptional adaptability, strategic thinking, and commitment to member value during crisis conditions.
Prior to embarking on the SMPS chapter leadership path, Kelly gained volunteer leadership experience through service as President of the Orange County Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and as District Governor with Toastmasters International. This extensive cross-organizational leadership background—spanning SMPS, PRSA, and Toastmasters—reflects sustained commitment to professional community development and volunteer service across multiple disciplines including marketing, public relations, and professional speaking.
As an exceptional mentor recognized throughout SMPS Orange County, Kelly’s impact on emerging professionals is profound. Her mentorship of Alicia—documented in SMPS Orange County materials—demonstrates her philosophy of celebrating milestones and acknowledging progress. Kelly emphasizes that “celebrating accomplishments along the way creates motivation for what’s next”—wisdom she actively incorporates into her mentorship approach by formalizing victories through scenic drives, nice dinners, or movies rather than rushing from one project to the next without pausing.
Kelly’s greatest mentorship contribution, according to her mentee Alicia, has been “support and encouragement as I learn to navigate all the nuances of marketing for the AEC industry.” For professionals who are new to the diverse and complex AEC industry, working as one-person marketing teams, or operating remotely, Kelly provides reassurance that “you’re not alone” combined with one-of-a-kind experience and knowledge drawn from 20 years in the industry.
Her mentorship philosophy emphasizes that “the AEC marketing community is a special and unique niche within the marketing profession” requiring mutual support as members navigate their firm roles. Kelly notes that though she served in the mentor role, she “grew and benefitted from the experience,” affirming her belief in reciprocal learning. She expresses gratitude for formal and informal mentoring received during her career from her SMPS network, viewing mentorship programs as opportunities to “pay it forward.”
Kelly’s testimonial on the SMPS Orange County CPSM page emphasizes how certification provides “an opportunity to network with a special group of talented peers striving for excellence within ourselves, our firms, and the A/E/C community.” She notes that between work experience and active SMPS membership, “an integral part missing…was the CPSM,” asserting that “no matter what role you have in your firm, being a CPSM will take your career to the next level.”
Her leadership during the 2019-2020 presidential year was recognized in her introduction at SMPS events: “As the world shifted, pivoting and flexibility took center stage for SMPS-OC. The amazing 2019-2020 Board pulled together to retool so the Chapter could continue to provide education and connection opportunities for members.” This adaptability during COVID-19 pandemic onset demonstrated exceptional crisis leadership.
Beyond SMPS achievements, Kelly’s cross-disciplinary leadership includes presidency of PRSA Orange County Chapter and District Governor role with Toastmasters International—experiences that developed her strategic communications skills, public speaking capabilities, and volunteer leadership expertise that enhance her effectiveness in AEC marketing and proposal development roles.
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