What if marketing in construction wasn’t just about making things look good, but about shaping strategy, driving profitability, and helping a company grow for the next decade?

In this episode of Foundation Issues, host Dara Patel sits down with Matthew Stephenson, Director of Marketing at Cummings Electrical and current President of SMPS North Texas. Known for his servant leadership style and ability to build powerhouse teams, Stephenson shares how he stumbled into construction marketing during the 2008 recession and turned it into a career defined by strategy, impact, and growth.

From learning under mentors who emphasized results to reframing marketing as a true business partner, Stephenson’s journey reveals how leadership, persistence, and the right guidance can transform a career—and a company.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Matthew discovered his passion for pursuits and contract-winning strategy.
• Why choosing the right boss can accelerate growth more than salary or prestige.
• How he redefined marketing at Cummings Electrical as a driver of profitability, talent, and business growth.
• The unique challenges of construction marketing, including long sales cycles and hard-to-measure outcomes.
• How servant leadership empowers teams while holding high standards.
• Why industry shifts like AI and the decline of office projects are reshaping opportunities in construction.
• How Lean initiatives and SMPS involvement shaped smarter decisions and award-winning recognition.

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-stephenson-msmr

• linkedin.com/in/dharapatel001
• outerrealmvr.com

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow construction professional, marketer, or leader, and don’t forget to leave us a review. New episodes drop weekly!