Maria Loitz, CPSM
Since 1995
Active
SMPS Connecticut member
AEC marketing professional
Maria brings 30+ years of comprehensive experience directing marketing and communications efforts for leading consulting engineering firms, currently serving as Vice President of Business Development at Salas O’Brien, a position she has held since the 2021 merger with BVH Integrated Services. Her expertise encompasses strategic planning, business development, corporate communications, and brand identity for multidisciplinary engineering firms serving the Northeast region.
With an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Bryant University, Maria has built an accomplished career managing multiple projects with critical deadlines while consistently meeting both short-term and long-term organizational goals. Her specialization includes strategic marketing planning for consulting engineering services, proposal development and coordination, client relationship management, and cross-departmental team leadership.
Throughout her career spanning firms including BVH Integrated Services and PinnacleOne, Maria has demonstrated proven leadership in building marketing strategies that support business growth, enhance client engagement, and position engineering firms for competitive success. Her results-oriented approach combines strategic thinking with practical execution, making her a trusted advisor to firm leadership and technical professionals throughout Connecticut and the Northeast corridor.
Maria demonstrates exceptional professional leadership as an SMPS Fellow (FSMPS), inducted in 2016 in recognition of her sustained contributions to advancing professional services marketing in the AEC industries. In 2020, she received the prestigious James Bancroft Lifetime Achievement Award from SMPS Connecticut, the chapter’s highest honor recognizing seasoned marketing and business development professionals who have made endless contributions to the profession and served as mentors and chapter advisors.
Since joining SMPS in 1995, Maria has served the organization for three decades in leadership roles including committee chairperson, board member, regional conference chairperson, and chapter president. Her deep commitment to mentorship led her to co-chair the SMPS Mentorship Cohort Committee, guiding emerging professionals nationwide through career development. She regularly speaks at SMPS programs, including Fireside Chat presentations sharing her experiences, successes, and obstacles throughout her 30-year career journey.
Maria’s thought leadership extends beyond SMPS through her published work co-authoring “Addressing the AEC/O Workforce Shortage: How to Attract and Retain Women in Today’s Talent Pool” (2018), examining gender equity challenges and solutions within the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. This contribution to the Construction Institute’s publication demonstrates her commitment to addressing systemic industry challenges through research and advocacy.
Recognized as an industry leader throughout Connecticut, Maria has tirelessly promoted careers in architecture, construction, and engineering to high school students. For over 20 years, she has held leadership roles in the ACE Mentor Program of Connecticut, serving as President from 2004 to 2024, introducing hundreds of students to AEC career opportunities through hands-on mentorship. Her community service extends to the City of New Britain Building Commission (since 2018), Connecticut Breast Health Initiative board, and CJR board service.
Her professional recognition includes the Hartford Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award (2010) honoring outstanding young professionals excelling through leadership roles, and the Construction Institute’s Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to advancing Connecticut’s construction industry.
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