Building a stronger future starts with looking beyond today’s challenges. Marlou Rodriguez’s commitment to innovation, leadership and continuous improvement reflects Simpson Strong-Tie’s dedication to company Principle 1, Relentless Customer Focus; Principle 2, Long-Range View; Principle 4, Be the Leader; and Principle 6, Enable Growth. By empowering his team and ensuring that Simpson products continue earning the trust of engineers, Marlou is helping build a safer, stronger future for the industry.
As we enter the new school year, we caught up with some of our 2026 Simpson Strong-Tie Student Scholarship recipients to learn about their experiences during the Strong-Tie Undergraduate Fellowship field trip.
True leadership begins with recognizing the value that every individual brings to the table. Michelle Kam-Biron's commitment to mentoring students, supporting women in engineering and fostering professional growth reflects Simpson Strong-Tie’s dedication to Principle 5, Everybody Matters; Principle 4, Be the Leader; and Principle 2, Long-Range View. Through her efforts to expand opportunities and empower future engineers, Michelle is helping build a stronger, more inclusive profession for generations to come.
Katie Hickey, a graduating senior from Carondelet High School in Concord, CA, and a future student at San Diego State University, participated in an all-female Engineering for Social Good class. Their ambitious endeavor involved designing and constructing a personalized rest station for nearby farmworkers, relying exclusively on their own abilities and available resources. Despite their limited background, the students demonstrated unwavering determination and successfully delivered an outstanding product that will have a profound impact on the local community.
