We all wonder what exactly the client hears at an interview vs. what they want to know. When they walk in, what do they expect? How do they prepare individually -- and how do they prepare as an interview team? What do they really like about project interviews, and what would they change? What are some memorable interviews – both good and not so good?

Our panelists Reed Holliman, Director, Project Management at CBRE; Dick Strassburg, Partner at Tegra Group; and Lorelee Wederstrom, Director of Facilities and Capital Planning, Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota will share their perspectives from their side of the table.

Networking 11:15-11:45
Lunch         11:30-12:00
Program     12:00

Who Should Attend:
Firm Principals
Marketing Director
Marketing Manager
Marketing Staff
Business Development Director
Business Development Staff

Learning Objectives:

1. Determine what clients are really looking for during an interview
2. Discover ways to differentiate your firm, build credibility, and stand out from the rest
3. Understand how your efforts to create a connection with your audience and leave a lasting impression are received

SMPS Domains of Practice (for CPSM)
3 - Client and Business Development
4 - SOQs | Proposals

About the Panel

Lorelee Wederstrom has spent the past 30 years of her career doing strategic facility planning, capital planning and facilities management in both health care and higher education industries. As Director of Facilities and Capital Planning for the University of Minnesota’s Academic Health Center since 1997, Lorelee Wederstrom has responsibility for the overall planning and development of facilities used in the teaching, research, service/outreach and administrative programs of the AHC - currently some 2.5 million square feet in 59 buildings on three campuses. Lorelee has a Master's Degree in Management and Administration (Organizational Development) from Metropolitan State University and an undergraduate degree from University of Minnesota, Morris. 

Reed Holiman is Director of Project Management with CBRE Minneapolis, where he brings 25 years of commercial real estate experience. As the area leader, Reed is responsible for a variety of projects, serving as a key liaison between building owners, tenants, consultants, and brokers. His expertise includes corporate build-to-suit and headquarters facilities, data center/mission critical, light manufacturing, and government occupied facilities. Over the course of his career, Reed has successfully delivered over 2.5 million square feet of commercial real estate valued in excess of $1 billion. Reed has a Masters in Finance from George Washington University, and Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University. 

Dick Strassburg is a Partner and co-founder of The TEGRA Group, a Minneapolis based real estate and project advisory consulting firm. Dick focuses on owner representation/project management services for owners during the design and construction phases of expansion, new construction, and renovation projects. Past projects include the Walker Art Center, Target Field, Children’s Hospital and American Swedish Institute. Dick is a registered architect, and holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from North Dakota State University.

 About the Moderator

Jackie Peacha is Creative Director at RSP Architects where she provides strategic and creative direction for new business efforts and prepares teams for big interviews. Jackie’s career experience includes over 15 years working in the advertising industry as both a PR specialist and advertising account manager. She dove into architecture nearly ten years ago and joined RSP in 2009. She is currently a board member for Hearts & Hammers and also provides strategic marketing counsel to Banyan Foundation.