January 29, 2016

Today is a bit of sad day for all of Epstein. Our longstanding industrial business development diva, Andrea Velasquez, is beginning her retirement. Meaning Andrea will no longer be a full-time Chicago-based member of the Epstein family, but instead, she's transitioning into a part-time, Nashville-based, business development/tradeshow specialist.

Andrea has been with Epstein since 1989 and during her 26 year career with us she's held a variety of roles. She began her Epstein tenure as the leader of our in-house training group, then became head of our marketing team and, finally, our lead business development person concentrating on the industrial marketplace - with occasional forays into the public/educational sectors.

It goes without saying that Andrea's BD efforts in the industrial marketplace have cemented Epstein's position as one of the leading AEC firms in the food, manufacturing and process market sectors. What has made Andrea so successful is not that she's a gifted salesperson, which she most definitely is, but most importantly, she's a person with an infinite well of compassion and goodwill. She truly cares about everyone involved in a project she is chasing, closing and/or checking-in on. From the members of our design and construction teams to her client contact, Andrea approaches each of her opportunities will the same philosophy how can I help everyone achieve their collective goals. Meaning she finds time to help mentor Epstein's younger staff in client interactions and she also becomes a trusted internal advocate for our client ensuring that vision/ideals/objectives of that client are fully realized.

Andrea this goes without saying you will be missed. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done for us (as a company and as individuals) over the past 26 years. We know you'll enjoy being closer to your beloved family, especially your grandchildren, in Nashville and we hope you spoil those kids rotten as all grandmothers should!

Lastly this isn't farewell, it's just goodbye for now.

All of our love,

From your Epstein family.