BOCA RATON, Fla. – Congratulations to Business Development Specialist Kelly Stout on her election as President of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) South Florida Chapter.
Since joining the organization in 2023, Stout has demonstrated a strong commitment to building connections, fostering collaboration, and promoting leadership within the A/E/C marketing and business development community. Stout previously served as secretary of the SMPS chapter where she gained an understanding of operations, governance, and member needs.
That experience, she said, prepared her to lead with vision and practicality.
“Being elected President of SMPS South Florida is both humbling and energizing,” Stout said. “I never expected to step into this role, but it truly speaks to the power of connection and the welcoming culture of SMPS. To me, it’s proof that when you show up, invest in people, and commit to service, you can make an impact.”
As president, she is committed to strengthening the chapter and emphasizing the significance of marketing and business development in the A/E/C industry. Her key goals include expanding professional development opportunities, encouraging stronger collaboration between marketing and technical professionals, and creating a chapter culture where members feel inspired, supported, and empowered to contribute.
Stout brings a strong business development foundation to her new role. At DRMP, she works closely with technical professionals and clients, an experience that has helped develop her leadership style.
“At DRMP, I’ve had the privilege of working directly with technical experts and clients, which has reinforced how critical relationships and trust are in our industry,” she said. “Business development requires balancing strategy with empathy, understanding both the needs of our clients and the value our teams can deliver. That perspective guides how I approach leadership with an emphasis on listening, connecting, and aligning people with purpose.”
Stout also sees a broader opportunity for SMPS to influence how marketing and business development professionals are perceived within A/E/C firms.
“SMPS can help change the narrative by equipping members with the knowledge, confidence, and professional network to demonstrate their value as strategic partners,” she said. “I see tremendous opportunity for SMPS to be the platform that empowers marketing and business development professionals to step into leadership within their firms.”
Stout is especially excited about launching the chapter’s ‘Dear Future Me’ goal-setting initiative, which encourages members and board of directors to write letters to themselves outlining their personal, professional, financial, and spiritual goals for the next 16 months. The letters will be returned at the end of the term to show growth, accountability, and personal progress.
“This project reflects the heart of what SMPS stands for – investing in ourselves while lifting each other up,” she said. “Everything SMPS accomplishes is possible because of members who volunteer and give their time, talents, and energy to support the chapter.”
About DRMP
DRMP is a multi-discipline firm serving clients in the public, private and industrial sectors in the development of infrastructure and has been in business since 1977. DRMP currently employs 700 professionals in 23 office locations spread strategically across our service area. Today, DRMP is ranked among Engineering News-Record’s “Top 500 Design Firms” in the United States. For more information, please visit www.drmp.com.
