Training the next generation of marketing professionals for the built environment
After decades of experience in AEC marketing, we’re eager to share our knowledge
AECO was built with a clear purpose: to deliver a specialized marketing training program tailored to the AEC industry. Our program bridges the gap between what students learn in school and the practical skills firms need from new hires. Employers often struggle to find qualified candidates, while recent graduates face challenges in securing their first job due to a lack of industry experience. Similarly, small businesses, which frequently cannot afford dedicated marketing staff, encounter significant difficulties in developing and maintaining effective marketing strategies. AECO addresses these gaps by equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s competitive landscape.
Our Team
Our professional journeys began as marketing coordinators, and we have since advanced into leadership roles that span marketing and operations. We've extended our marketing and business support to a broad spectrum of professionals and firms, from local 5-person practices to nationally recognized entities and even multi-disciplinary global firms with memberships exceeding 50,000.
Our diverse backgrounds encompass expertise in strategic planning, pursuit strategy, business development, market research, messaging, coaching, mentoring, and graphic design. Collectively, we have amassed experience across various sectors, including healthcare, commercial, cultural, education, hospitality, mission-critical, sports, transportation, government, science, and technology. Additionally, we possess comprehensive knowledge of services spanning architecture, engineering, consultancy, preconstruction, construction, and sustainability.
Tiany Galaskas
Founder
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Tiany founded AECO in 2019 after 30 years in the AEC industry, where she led operations, marketing, and business development efforts.. Having previously worked as a partner in a global consultant that later merged with AECOM, Tiany possesses comprehensive knowledge in areas such as project controls, project, program, and construction management, as well as design and engineering services. Throughout her career, she has served as a client manager and spearheaded client management programs for diverse industries and project types on a global scale.
(310) 803-4347
tgalaskas@aeco-usa.com
Kacey Clagett
Strategy
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Kacey partners with Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) companies and nonprofit organizations nationwide to help them improve their vision and overall effectiveness. With extensive experience in engaging directly with owners and stakeholders, conducting market research, and managing internal teams, she excels at coordinating and facilitating working groups, shaping vision, and problem-solving. Her strategic planning initiatives provide realistic steps and fostering teamwork to help her clients achieve their goals. In addition to her work with private entities, Kacey is actively involved in real estate development, land use, and higher education campus planning projects.
Leslie Henslee
Course & Website Design
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Leslie is an artist, graphic designer, collateral maker, and website weaver with over 20 years of experience marketing AEC firms. He helps firms build and communicate their identities and ideas in multiple media with an emphasis on clarity, accessibility and engagement. Having produced hundreds of proposals and qualification packages, he has met the 10,000-hour rule for proposal expertise and regularly works with firms to make them proposal-ready. Leslie started designing websites using HTML tables back before even Dreamweaver existed. He now designs mainly in Squarespace, working closely with clients to translate their portfolios into sites of interest.
Ali Littman
Digital & Content Marketing
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As a creative storyteller and content marketer with 12+ years of experience, Ali has a passion for amplifying brand narratives. She aims to use the best marketing, writing, and communications practices to ensure target audiences quickly find a business and become customers. In her role as Head of Content at Hourly.io, she developed and executed the company’s content strategy from the ground up. Ali is proud to have grown organic traffic from 0 to 2.4 million unique yearly visitors and gained over 22K No. 1 positions on Google, a testament to her expertise and dedication.
AECO’s mission is to empower every stakeholder with the tools and knowledge to succeed and drive growth within the AEC industry.
AECO is driven by a commitment to creating positive impacts and delivering meaningful benefits to our stakeholders through every decision. Our stakeholders include small businesses, recent graduates and individuals, and employers.
For small business owners, we address the challenges of developing and maintaining effective marketing strategies, providing practical solutions to help them thrive in a competitive market.
For recent graduates and and transitioning professionals, we bridge the gap between education and industry by offering hands-on, practical training that equips them with essential marketing skills. This empowers people to navigate their careers confidently and make an immediate impact in their roles.
For employers, our program streamlines the onboarding process for new industry entrants. It enhances the skills of existing employees and technical staff, enabling them to take on more significant roles in advancing the firm’s marketing initiatives.
AECO is proudly minority and woman-owned and driven
* Certified LSBE, DBE, MBE, WBE with City and County of Los Angeles
* Certified SB, California Department of General Services
Special Thanks
This was a community effort, and we thank the following members. Your invaluable support and dedication made this endeavor possible.
Nick Butcher
Co-founder of Cassette System (Modular Homes)
Ricardo Parra
Architecture Photography
Deborah Richmond, AIA
Principal, Bell Design Group
Jason Toomgam
Head of Business Development, MAD Architects
Keith Collins
West Region Business Development Leader for Sports Architecture
HNTB
April Willoughby
The Boldt Company
Lisa Thomson
AEC Marketing & Communications Consultant