LOOKING BACK.

DRIVING FORWARD.

I really enjoy seeing the buildings around Sioux Falls that have the Spitznagel history behind them. I feel a sense of pride because I value the legacy we have built in our region since 1930. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to renovate some Spitznagel designs. One project was very close to my heart, the renovations at Christ the King School which we designed in 2022. It was originally built in 1955, and my daughters attend school there today.

As a new team member, one of the things that drew me to TSP was (and is) the continuing commitment to integrity. TSP does what it says and says what it does. This characteristic is not as common as it should be in the construction industry.

When a company like TSP has been around for nearly a century and continues to thrive, it speaks volumes about the people working at TSP. From the top down, all levels of employees have played a part in the company’s success over the years. Leadership empowers employees to grow and continues to look for ways to help TSP adapt with the times, such as adopting flexible working hours for team members and becoming a 100% ESOP. Team members continue to do “good work” and develop their skill sets within a constantly changing profession. Everybody works together for individual and company-wide success, and that success allows TSP to grow and continue its legacy.

Over my 26 years with TSP, I’ve come to truly appreciate the value TSP places on its people and their families. While I believe this has always been a core part of TSP’s culture, it has grown even more meaningful to me over time. Of course, there are always challenges when balancing flexibility with getting the work done, but in the long run, this approach makes both the company and its people stronger. The freedom to prioritize what matters most has been invaluable. I am always proud to share with my family and friends how valued I feel as a TSP team member and how fortunate I am to be part of such a supportive and caring work family.

I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a company that has been in business for 95 years. I always wanted a job with that kind of stability and longevity. But beyond that, all the history TSP has in this area is important also. Seeing the buildings that TSP has designed and built that are cornerstones for the cities and towns they are in and the history they will be part of is very special to me. The 30 plus years I have worked at TSP makes me appreciate the role I have played in the legacy that TSP has and continues to create.

When I joined TSP in January 1969, I began to hear some of the stories surrounding our founder, Harold Spitznagel. Everyone always referred to him as “Spitz.” He traveled a lot both in the U.S. and overseas and there were lots of stories about him bringing back gifts for many clients who he had established a relationship with. He also enjoyed having fun and a good practical joke.

The first major story I heard about was when he traveled overseas one year, and the office teammates back home decided to convert the exterior of the office on 26^th Street and Summit Avenue into a gas station. The exterior was draped with gas station type banners and there were gas pumps and tire racks in the parking lot. It even had “Skelly” gas station signs. The makeover was so real people in the neighborhood were calling city hall to complain about a gas station being allowed in the residential neighborhood.

A practical joke I was a part of occurred in 1970 when Spitz was again traveling. We found an old-fashioned water closet that had a stool with a storage tank mounted high on the wall for flushing the stool. We installed it in his office on an open wall (complete except for the water and waste connection) and put a sign above it with the name “Goat’s Pooper.” Spitz had affectionately gotten the name “The Old Goat” in his later years. Bill Bentzinger, one of Spitz’s architectural partners, installed it in a new house he built after the firm moved to its current location in 1972. I had the pleasure of using the fully functional water closet. I learned from these stories and the other fun things that were a part of the firm in its early years how important it is to have fun and build relations internally as well as externally.

Working at TSP brings a unique sense of pride related to our history in the midwest. Many of our clients, especially education and health care systems, have been working with TSP for years and developed strong relationships with current and past team members. Even with new clients, it is somewhat unusual to start a project without someone sharing their past knowledge of TSP from another role or organization. As a 95-year-old company, we have a responsibility to protect that reputation by doing good work, taking care of our clients, and taking care of our people – and that is one of the things I love about working at TSP.

I’ve had the privilege of working on a number of projects at my undergrad alma mater, Augustana University. From renovating the recital hall where I had piano recitals every year since 3^rd grade to helping reimagine the campus with a comprehensive masterplan, it has been a joy to relive so many memories and imagine shaping future memories. What is amazing to me, however, is the impact that TSP has made on that campus. Not only is nearly every building between 1940 and 2020 designed or somehow tied to Spitznagel and TSP, Spitznagel has helped shape other aspects of that campus, including the art program, having sponsored the creation of a special “medal” and award for outstanding art students called the Harold Spitznagel Medal for Achievement in Art. Recently, when the supply of originally cast medals was running low, TSP quickly stepped in to fund the creation of new medals (and updating the cast from Augustana College to Augustana University). There are so many good stories as well about the relationship that Spitz had with Eide and Dalrymple, who ran the art department at that time, and that legacy continued on with other TSP architects, engineers, and other art faculty – where today I have the privilege of helping fill that role.

I learned very quickly, when I started with TSP in 1997, that this firm is about legacy – where we came from drives where we are going. Reputation, demand for doing the right thing, professionalism, honesty, integrity, and just plain taking care of those around you, family – both at home and at work, and your community is ‘what it means to be part of TSP.’ I felt like I belonged here and wanted to do my part in making today better than yesterday. The values that Spitz started the firm with are the same values that continue to drive our work today. TSP is not just a place to work, TSP is a career that is about helping your community prosper, strengthening your neighbors, and growing yourself.

It’s inspiring to be connected to decades of innovation, dedication, and resilience. TSP’s history provides a strong foundation of proven practices, deep-rooted values, and a sense of stability that fosters trust and pride among our team members.

It’s also exciting to see how TSP, with its long-standing legacy, continues to evolve and adapt to the present day. There’s a unique balance between honoring traditions—like the Children’s Christmas Party and celebrating employee birthdays — and driving innovation to stay relevant, such as holding our first-ever All-Staff Annual Meeting or becoming 100% employee-owned through our ESOP.

This blend creates an environment where team members can learn from the past while contributing to the future. It’s a privilege to be part of a firm that doesn’t just reflect on its history but actively builds on it, empowering every individual to grow and leave their own mark.

Working for a 95-year-old firm like TSP has been an extraordinary experience, offering me a unique chance to delve into its rich history. Exploring the stories of the early office environment—like purchasing the first typewriter, copy machine, or the company’s first car (a 1959 Oldsmobile)—feels like stepping into an old TV show. The tales of shenanigans from those early days could inspire a hit comedy series!

Yet, the real magic is in the incredible portfolio of work completed over nearly a century across South Dakota and the region. If you’ve ever stepped into a small-town church in SD, IA, or MN, there’s a good chance TSP had a hand in it. Then there’s the legacy at institutions like Augustana University and South Dakota State University—not to mention the story of winning a project over Frank Lloyd Wright, which makes you wonder if the legendary Spitz himself was a real person.

Talking with team members like Ron Mielke, who was around when Spitz still came to the office, adds an even deeper connection to this incredible history. Seeing how the firm’s values and culture have stood the test of time and continue to drive its purpose today is truly inspiring. And, one of the joys of this role is driving around with my family, pointing out TSP’s legacy and current projects—it’s become a running joke at home, but I can’t help it!

When I say everyone at TSP embodies “we before me,” I mean it. From walking through the office to working on projects, I’m always greeted with positivity and willingness to help. There’s a sense of comradery in everything TSP does, and it’s clear that every member of TSP takes pride in their work and their ability to work through any problem that comes their way.

Being part of a 95-year-old firm means that we have collectively experienced lots of “lessons learned” on previous projects and we can apply those lessons to our clients’ projects today. Knowing that I am proudly representing TSP everywhere I go encourages me to act in ways that honor the work and legacy of the amazing people who have successfully laid the groundwork for our firm’s success.