The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin has presented its 2020 Chair’s Award to Susan Vasey Leith, PG, CPSM, Ayres marketing director, in recognition of her leadership and reinvigoration of the organization’s Public Relations Committee, which Leith led from 2017 to 2019.

That committee led the redesign of the organization’s website, launched a blog program, executed social media posts, and produced fact sheets informing legislators about the value of ACEC Wisconsin and its member engineering firms. Leith and the committee spearheaded a rebranding initiative that showcased the ways professional engineers impact our daily lives.

“Sue Leith, along with other members of the PR Committee, took the black and white ideas of the engineers and added the creative touches to strategize and determine a plan to move the organization forward,” said Kim Lobdell, PE, ACEC Wisconsin chair for 2019-20.

Leith continues serving on the Public Relations Committee and was also a member of the ACEC Wisconsin branding charrette and the strategic plan task force.

Reflecting on the award, Leith said, “I see a great team of professionals that I was blessed to work with … a group of brilliantly talented folks from other ACEC Wisconsin member firms and key ACEC Wisconsin staff who provided guidance, supported our ideas, and worked hard to implement our recommendations.”

Leith, who has been with Ayres for 30 years, is a registered professional geologist in Wisconsin and is a certified professional services marketer. She holds a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Globe University, a Bachelor of Science in geology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and an associate’s degree in marketing from Chippewa Valley Technical College.