SMPS Long Island | Board of Directors


Board of Directors

Left to Right : April Dellifranci; Sharon Dickinson, MBA; Elizabeth Kupcha; Andrew Weinberg, CPSM; Ellen Talley; Rebecca Lipscomb; Tracy Lobdell; Jodi Wladyka, CPSM


Executive Committee

		Ellen Talley President Ellen Talley has been active in SMPS since 2002. She has worked in the architectural and design industry for over 20 years. Currently, Ellen is a sales specialist with KI (Krueger International) covering Long Island while reporting to the New York City sales office. Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Tufts University and an Associates Degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Ellen has played a significant role in the launching of SMPS Long Island. In addition to her current role as President, Ellen has also held various board positions including director of membership, sponsorship and secretary. In her free time, Ellen can be found cycling on the Jones Beach bike path trying to keep up with her husband and two sons. On your left!



		Elizabeth Kupcha, CPSM President-Elect Liz has 15 years of experience as a marketer in the A/E/C industry. Her wide range of responsibilities have included but are not limited to proposal management, client relations, publicity campaigns, and event planning. Liz has been an active member of SMPS since 1997 and has been involved on committees for the New York and Central Florida chapters and served on the National Education and Marketing Communications Awards committees. Liz has participated as a panelist for various industry-related presentations. Her speaking engagements include an audioconference for Zweig White on networking, a panel discussion on media relations for the Fair Media Council, and a seminar on social media for SMPS-LI. She has written articles on social media for Building Long Island magazine and networking for the SMPS Marketer. Liz has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from C. W. Post and has taken MBA-level courses at Iona College.



		Andrew J. Weinberg, CPSM Immediate Past President Andrew is Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager at Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, in their New York City office. Langan is a premier land development engineering and environmental consulting firm with 14 offices in eight states and several international locations. In this capacity, he will be managing the marketing efforts for the New York City office, collaborating with principals and senior staff, while also coordinating with overall corporate marketing initiatives and goals, to further develop client relationships and project opportunities. Andrew will lead the New York City marketing staff in working together to continue to build on process efficiencies, and will promote professional and career development, and support Langan’s growing international business in the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean.Previously, Andrew was Regional Marketing Director for STV Incorporated, and Director of Marketing for The LiRo Group. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, and has been a professional marketer for over 19 years. Andrew joined SMPS in 1998, and his involvement has grown steadily ever since. First as committee member, then Vice Chair, and then joining the Board as Director of Communications for the New York Area Chapter for two years. A founding Board Member of the Long Island Chapter, Andrew has served as Director of Communications, Director of Programs, and Chapter President 2008-2009.



		April Dellifranci Treasurer \|Marketing Director April DelliFranci is the Marketing Director for Armao, Costa & Ricciardi, CPAs, a Garden City, NY based CPA and advisory firm. Established in 1995, the firm serves as trusted advisors to construction and construction related firms, labor unions, employee benefit plans, and closely held and family owned businesses, as well as their owners. April participates in all marketing aspects for the firm including coordinating events, writing proposals and other client communications, and media relations. Prior to joining Armao, Costa & Ricciardi, she was a Marketing Associate at Berdon LLP in Manhattan where she headed the firm’s alumni and media relations programs. In the early 2000’s, she was the Special Events Coordinator at a nonprofit agency focused on mental health issues in New Haven, CT. April earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Iona College. In her spare time she is an aspiring and budding chef.


Directors

		Rebecca Lipscomb Director of Communications Ms. Lipscomb has more than 20 years of administrative/office services experience in the field of engineering performing such duties as invoicing, proposal preparation, graphic design, purchasing and office management. She is the sole proprietor of a graphics design firm which she opened in 1998 which she now operates on a part-time basis. She has provided commercial graphic design and corporate imaging services to hotel restaurants, child care agencies, mortgage companies, real estate brokers and building contractors. She also has experience in such areas as community relations, fleet management, EEO/Affirmative Action, vocational counseling and human resources. She became an active member of SMPL Long Island in 2004 and is currently serving as Chairperson of the Communications Committee.



		Jodi Wladyka, CPSM Director of Membership Jodi is the Business Development and Marketing Manager for Emtec Consulting Engineers, an MEP engineering firm in Ronkonkoma, NY. She participates in all marketing activities including writing and design of proposals, creating promotional items, and brochure design. In addition, she participates in the firm’s business development by attending trade shows and symposiums to promote the firm, as well as getting involved with networking groups to keep up on the trends of the AEC industry. Before Emtec, Jodi started her career in publishing where she worked as a Production Editor in Manhattan. She then moved on to JRS Architect, P.C. where she stayed for six years preparing proposals, assisted in planning charity events, and performed database management. Jodi also worked briefly for The Trump Organization on their controversial “Trump on the Ocean” project. She is a graduate of New York Institute of Technology with Bachelor of Arts degree in English.



		Tracy Lobdell Director of Special Events Tracy Lobdell is a Marketing Coordinator for Lizardos Engineering Associates. P.C., a mechanical and electrical consulting engineering firm headquartered in Mineola. Tracy’s career has spanned 30 years of marketing and sales for firms in the contract furniture, telecommunications and data communications industries encompassing business development, event planning and the design and creation of proposals, marketing materials, brochures and presentations. Active in the Long Island Chapter of SMPS for 6 years, Tracy began her service on the Board in 2006 as Director of Public Relations. Tracy currently serves as the Director of Special Events overseeing the SMPS Golf Classic, our Annual SMPS Canstruction® Long Island competition, and the SMPS Holiday Party. Tracy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business/Marketing from C.W. Post College, Long Island University.


		Mary-Ellen Cocchi Director of Programming Mary-Ellen Cocchi is the Marketing Director for Lizardos Engineering Associates, P.C., a mechanical and electrical consulting engineering firm headquartered in Mineola. She has shaped and directed the firm's marketing efforts since joining Lizardos in 1988, thus creating a marketing department, where none had previously existed. Over the years, she has developed internal and external marketing communications including brochures, proposals, presentations, etc. She works closely with the principals coordinating marketing initiatives and developing programs and activities. She has been a member of SMPS since 1990, originally active with the New York City Chapter, where she was responsible for program registrations before the function was outsourced. Later she joined the Long Island Chapter and served on the Communications committee prior to joining the Program Committee. Mary-Ellen earned her Bachelor's in Business/Marketing Degree from Adelphi University, and began her career in advertising for the California based Sunset Magazine.

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