January 2025

LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Graphic Designer
Focus: Marketing
School(s) you graduated from: Columbia College Chicago

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
This past year, I traveled internationally for the first time. I SUP’ed in Switzerland, made my own perfume in Paris, kayaked (and drank a whole bottle of wine) in Cinque Terre, walked/marveled all over Rome, and made gazpacho in Barcelona. I met wonderful people and had the time of my life. I left with empty pockets and a full heart! I can’t wait to go back.

What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest? 
Ghosts. Or anything paranormal. I am obsessed with ghost hunting shows and reading/watching anything about the paranormal. I grew up in a small town that had a supposedly very haunted abandoned mental hospital out in the country and it always fascinated me. Give Manteno State Hospital a Google sometime!

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, professionally, so far?
If you’re familiar with LJC’s BandWith project, then you’ve seen my work! I designed the logo/brand identity for BandWith during my senior year of college and I am so proud of that work. It has been awesome being able to see the project progress from where I was first introduced to it. Thanks to that project, I got my first professional role here at LJC!

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
I got a work permit at 15 because there was a Page position open at my public library. I worked my way up from being a Page to a Youth Services Assistant throughout high school then to a Marketing Assistant until I left during my freshman year of college. That was my first graphic design experience, designing flyers for programs and signage for displays. I am very passionate about the mission of libraries and have considered going back to school to get a master’s degree in Library Science. Libraries are so important! 

LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Senior Associate/Architect, Studio 1 Co-Leader
Focus: Architecture/Interiors
School(s) you graduated from: BSAS UW Milwaukee, MA Illinois Institute of Technology
Professional affiliations: AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C, National Chair NOMA Project Pipeline, VP of Membership/Secretary AIA Chicago Board of Directors, Director ACE Chicago Executive Board of Directors

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
I recently spent 2 weeks in Ireland to attend a friend’s wedding but also to explore the southern part of the country. I don’t think I’ve met nicer people, had more fun driving (on the opposite side of the road with almost no room), and the most excitement exploring maybe the most beautiful country in my life. It was also the first time we were able to take our son overseas and it’s an experience he constantly talks about! If you want to travel to Ireland, check out Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula. Incredible place!

What’s the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it?
Dragon Ball Z. I loved it growing up, and I love it as an adult! Great anime, great story, awesome characters and overall, just a fun time.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, professionally, so far? 
Being awarded AIA National Young Architect of the Year in 2024 is maybe the biggest accomplishment of my career to this point. It was a culmination of everything I have been doing up to this point with mentorship and involvement in AIA, NOMA, ACE, etc but also reaffirming my efforts towards getting licensed and the amount of work went into that process. It was something I never intended on applying for or working towards, but I am humbled to have been selected with so many stellar young architects across the country.

Name three songs that best describe you/are your favorites and briefly explain why! 
If my Spotify Wrapped is any indication, I love me a diss track! I think I listened to Kendrick Lamar’s Euphoria, Not Like Us and all of GNX more than just about any other song/music. The only other song to come close is Pusha, “The Story of Adidon”…10/10 indescribably rude in the best way. I don’t know what it says about me, but I love it!

LJC Office Location: St. Louis, MO
Title/Role: Controller
Focus: Accounting
School(s) you graduated from: Southeast Missouri State
Professional affiliation: CPA

What’s your most niche, non-work-related interest? 
Coaching and watching my kids play sports. I was very active and athletic as a kid, so I love to enjoy it from the parent lens now. I coach softball for 6th grade girls and preschool girls and am assistant coach for 6th grade girls’ volleyball and basketball. I find myself most often on the sidelines of a soccer field which is almost my favorite because it is the one sport I DO NOT coach. 

What’s the last TV show you binged and enjoyed? What was so good about it? 
Love is Blind on Netflix. I am a reality TV junkie. I love mindless TV that doesn’t require 100% of my focus.

What does a perfect weekend look like to you? 
Margaritas and Mexican food on Friday nights. A Saturday full of sports games to attend and a Sunday Funday hanging out at the river with my family (when it’s warm!)

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far?
Mom to 3 girls: Melissa (stepdaughter) 22, Kennedy 12, Reagan 5

LJC Office: Kansas City
Title/Role: Senior Associate / Interior Designer
Focus: Interiors
School(s) you graduated from: Kansas State University
Professional affiliations: IIDA, WELL AP

What’s the most fun you’ve had on a trip or vacation? 
A semester abroad in Italy, it completely changed my perspective on life. 

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why?
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara. This book exemplifies the lasting impact of going above and beyond. It’s a philosophy of human connection, showing generosity, and making people feel genuinely cared for. A worthy endeavor for us all, whether in business or personal interactions.

What was your first job, and what is most memorable about it?
My first job was at an ice cream shop. As you can imagine, most people are in a good mood in the throws of an ice cream outing, so it was a pretty low stakes environment.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
Since second grade, I’d always wanted to be an architect. We moved a lot, and I would always draw floor plans in hopes that one day my dad really make my dreams come true. Unfortunately, he never conceded to a floor to ceiling aquarium and couch in my closet. 

LJC Office Location: Chicago
Title/Role: Architect/Senior Associate
Focus: Architecture
School(s) you graduated from: BA Business Communications, Calvin College and Master of Arch, Louisiana State University
Professional affiliations: AIA

What is something about you that you think would surprise your co-workers?
I accidentally stabbed my eye with a knife in high school. I had to have surgery, had stitches in my eyeball and afterward the doctor said it was a complete miracle I did not lose my eye. To this day, I maintain 20/20 vision. 😊

If you could travel to any time/place, what would it be and why?
I would travel 60 years into the future to reconnect with my now-adult children and explore the state of design and the built environment. I could then bring back the lessons learned to help pivot design today—or perhaps find that future design has already addressed our challenges.

What’s a book you’d recommend to just about anyone? Why? 
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. The premise is about creating healthy rhythms to eliminate hurry. The book looks at the practices of silence & solitude, sabbath, simplicity and slowing down based on the life of Jesus, as a way of removing noise & distraction to live intentionally.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life, NOT professionally, so far? 
I ran (more like shuffled) the Chicago Marathon last fall. I finished the race, but I am more proud of the discipline learned through the long training process. I am grateful for the sacrifice of my wife to step up with our 4 kids to create time and space for me to train. It was my first (and probably only 😊) marathon, but I am grateful for the experience.