People in the News Archives - Ů /tag/people_in_the_news/ Design - Construction - Operations Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:59:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-SCN_favicon-32x32.png People in the News Archives - Ů /tag/people_in_the_news/ 32 32 Opsis Architecture Promotes Lauren Loosveldt to Principal /2026/07/20/opsis-architecture-promotes-lauren-loosveldt-to-principal/ Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:59:59 +0000 /?p=55375 Opsisannounces the promotion of Lauren Loosveldt AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA to Principal.

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]]> Portland-based architecture firm Opsis announced the promotion of Lauren Loosveldt AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA to Principal.

Loosveldt’s workspans higher educationandcivicworkfor public andprivate clients. An early adopter of alternative delivery methods, she has become a leader in Progressive Design-Build delivery. Her work is grounded in place and focused on creating meaningful benefits for students,clientsand communities.

Loosveldt’smilestone projects include the,and the CCC Natural Resources Center of Excellence.Additionalwork includes theproject, Central Washington University’s Multicultural Center and, which opens this summer.

WithinOpsis, she has been instrumental in creating opportunities for professional growth and a welcoming, inclusive workplace culture for all staff.Shehas also been an active advocate for sustainability initiatives and a driving force behind the evolution offirm’smentorship program.

“We’rethrilled to welcome Lauren to our principal group. Her ability to connect with clients and AEC partners has already made her an important contributor to the growth of our practice and the evolution of our studio,” sharedOpsisPrincipal Paul Kinleyin a statement. “She brings a supportive, collaborative approach to her work, and we are excited to see her continue shapingOpsis’sfuture.”

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]]> Tim Hemsath named Director of Sustainability at BVH Architecture /2026/07/07/tim-hemsath-named-director-of-sustainability-at-bvh-architecture/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:03:41 +0000 /?p=55212 BVH Architecture recently announced the promotion of Tim Hemsath to Director of Sustainability.

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]]> BVH Architecture recently announced the promotion of Tim Hemsath to Director of Sustainability. In this newly created, firm-wide leadership role, Hemsath will oversee sustainable design strategies, building performance, and environmental responsibility across BVH’s studios in Lincoln, Omaha, and Denver. This appointment makes BVH an elite Nebraska-based architectural firm to establish an executive-level position dedicated to sustainability.

Transitioning from his previous role as an Architect and Sustainable Design Leader, Hemsath brings expertise in high-performance design to the position. He will guide project teams from early concept through construction, deeply integrating energy performance, carbon reduction, material health, and wellness strategies into all project types. Furthermore, Hemsath will oversee the firm’s complex third-party certification efforts, bringing deep technical leadership to LEED, WELL, Fitwel, Passive House and Living Building Challenge pursuits.

A core focus of his new role will be advancing BVH’s commitment to major industry benchmarks, including the AIA 2030 commitment and the AIA Materials Pledge. By standardizing integration of the AIA framework for design excellence, internal performance modeling protocols and establishing firm-wide QA/QC standards for sustainable design, Hemsath will elevate BVH’s technical delivery and enhance design excellence.

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]]> Marina Carroll Named Principal, Practice Lead at Ayers Saint Gross /2026/07/03/marina-carroll-named-principal-practice-lead-at-ayers-saint-gross/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:14:01 +0000 /?p=55201 Award-winning design firmAyers Saint Grosshas namedMarina Carrollas Principal and Interdisciplinary Practice Lead.

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]]> Award-winning design firmAyers Saint Grosshas namedMarina Carrollas Principal and Interdisciplinary Practice Lead. Carroll brings more than 15 years of experience in architectural design, education-sectorstrategyand organizational advisory work. In this newly created role, she will advance the architectural practice’s leadership,strategyand performance.Carroll previously served as the National Leader of the Education Sector atArchitectus, one of Australia’s leading architecture practices, wheresheadvisedhigher education and K–12 institutions on strategic planning, campus transformation, emerging sectorpressuresand long-term investment priorities. Carroll is a fellow at theUrban Design Forum, a former committee member of theProperty Council of Australia, and a recognized thought leader in the higher education sector.

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]]> Wendy Davison Joins National School Safety and Security Services /2026/06/09/wendy-davison-joins-national-school-safety-and-security-services/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:08:32 +0000 /?p=55059 Wendy Davison, M.Ed., CPD, recently joined National School Safety and Security Services as a consultant.

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]]> Wendy Davison, M.Ed., CPD, recently joined National School Safety and Security Services as a consultant. Davisonis an experienced school administrator, school safety consultant, and international presenter specializing in behavioral threat assessment, emergency preparedness, crisis response, reunification, and behavior-based school safety systems. Wendy serves as a consultant to National School Safety and Security Services.

Withnearly threedecades of experience in education,Davison’s background includes college and university conduct and threat assessment, middle/high school administration, and student services leadership. She is the owner of Rocky Mountain Consulting, where she works with schools and districts throughout the United States and the United Kingdom on emergency operations planning, threat assessment, crisis communications, reunification, and prevention-focused school safety initiatives.

Davisonalso serves as Associate Director of the National Center for Prevention of Community Violence (NCPCV), supporting initiatives focused on behavior-based school safety, prevention, school climate, and violence prevention strategies.

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]]> Rafael Murillo Joins Denver Office of NBBJ /2026/06/05/rafael-murillo-joins-denver-office-of-nbbj/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:08:53 +0000 /?p=55045 Rafael Murillo,AICP, WELL AP,recently joinedthe Denver office ofNBBJ as a Senior Campus Designer/Planner.

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]]> Rafael Murillo,AICP, WELL AP,recently joinedthe Denver office ofNBBJ as a Senior Campus Designer/Planner.Previously, he was a Senior Planner and Associate with SmithGroup, focused on highereducation, prior to which he worked with SAR+ Architects, where he focused on mixed-use and urban environments. Earlier in his career, Murillo worked with the Seattle office of NBBJ as anExperienceDesigner.He has completed projects forKansas State University,Colorado State University, the University of Texas,Idaho State University, and the University of California system. Hereceived his master’s degree in urban planning and landscape architecture from the University of Washington.

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]]> Emory University Elevates Christopher L. Augostini to President /2026/05/29/emory-university-elevates-christopher-l-augostini-to-president/ Fri, 29 May 2026 15:03:27 +0000 /?p=55017 The Emory University Board of Trustees announced this week that Christopher L. Augostini, the university’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been elected by unanimous vote to serve as Emory’s 22nd president.

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]]> The Emory University Board of Trustees announced this week that Christopher L. Augostini, the university’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been elected by unanimous vote to serve as Emory’s 22nd president. He will assume his duties on Sept. 1.

“On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, I want to express our enthusiasm and excitement about the appointment of Chris Augostini as president,” said Robert C. Goddard III, Chair of the Emory University Board of Trustees, in a statement. “Our search generated a significant number of highly qualified candidates, but Chris’s exceptional leadership skills, distinguished record of achievement as executive vice president and COO, along with his deep understanding of Emory’s culture and community, made it clear he is the right leader for Emory,”

Over the past nine years, Augostini has collaborated extensively with the Board of Trustees, the Emory Healthcare Board of Directors, and the university’s executive, academic,administrativeand healthcare leaders to help enable Emory’s long-term growth and competitiveness. In his current roles, he oversees all enterprise functions for Emory, which is one of Georgia’s largest and most complex organizations and one of the nation’s top 25 universities.

“I’m extraordinarily honored and thrilled to be named Emory’s next president,” Augostini said in a statement. “As I look across the higher educationlandscape,Ibelieve Emoryis positioned better than any other university to meet our current challenges and opportunities.I look forward to beginning this new chapter in partnership with faculty, the board, students, staff, and the entire Emory community.”

Prior to joining Emory, Augostini served for 17 years asSeniorVicePresident andChiefOperatingOfficer at Georgetown University. Earlier in his career, he held senior government positions with the city and state of New York. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy analysis from the State University of New York at Albany.

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]]> Joel Williams on Leading QKA’s New Colorado Office and Taking on a New K-12 Market /2026/05/26/joel-williams-on-leading-qkas-new-colorado-office-and-taking-on-a-new-k-12-market/ Tue, 26 May 2026 15:35:17 +0000 /?p=55005 Led by Studio Director Joel Williams, AIA, LEED AP, ALEP, the team also includes Project Designers Joseph Puyot and Spencer Robinson.

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]]> By Lindsey Coulter

The architecture firm —withofficesin Santa Rosa, Calif.,and Oakland,Calif. —recently advancedit’s2030 vision byestablishingan office in Castle Rock, Colo.Thenearly 80-personfirm now has three employees in Coloradosupportingprojects across the company andas theylook to build a strategic pipeline of opportunities inthe region.Led by Studio Director JoelWilliams,AIA,LEED AP, ALEP,the team also includesProjectDesigners Joseph Puyot and Spencer Robinson.

Williams joinedQKA in 2020andhas more than 18 years of experience in education design, fromsmall classroom renovations to large-scale campus master planning projects. With a leadershipstyle rooted in collaboration andcommunication,he will build on his established client andpartner relationships to grow QKA’s presence in the Rocky Mountains.

“Thisexpansion is a natural extension of our community-minded work inCalifornia andoffers greatopportunities to build our talent pipeline in ahighly desirableregion to live and work,” Williams said.

Williams, who will also share his insights at the Ů (SCN)Design & Construction Symposiumin August, spoke recently with SCN to explain why Colorado is a compelling market for K-12 design, and how architecture can help schools do more with limited resources.

SCN:Colorado has seen significant growth and voter support for school bonds. How do you see those market conditions shaping the next generation of school design in the state?

Williams:Colorado voters approvednearly$6 billionin new school bond funding in the 2024 election cycle, withadditionalmeasuresanticipatedon the 2026 ballot. That sustained community investment reflects the same convictionwe’veseen across the Bay Area: that well-designed schools are worth funding, and that communities willbackthat commitment at the ballot box.

The policy landscape is similarly aligned. Evolving energy codes in both states are driving demand for schools that prioritize efficiency, renewable generation, and reduced fossil fuel reliance. Sustainability strategies that were once aspirational—daylighting, natural ventilation, solar generation, stormwater management—are now baseline expectations in both markets. The frontier of the conversation has moved upstream, from operational energy use to the embodied carbon inherent in the materials and processesrequiredto build and renovate in the first place.

The key distinction between the two markets is demographic. California enrollment islargely stableor slightly declining, while Colorado’s population growth is driving enrollment increases and expanding housing development across the region. That translates into demand for both new campuses and significant modernization of existing ones.

SCN:Many districts are balancing enrollment growth, aging infrastructure, and budget pressure. How can architecture help schools do more with limited resources?

Williams:There is no universal answer to the gap between funding andneedthat every public school district faces. Sometimes a creative renovation is the right investment; sometimes demolition and replacement of an aging facility is the better long-term decision. What matters is that the solution fits the place.

In every case, the goal is the same: buildings that meet today’s needs whileremainingadaptable, and that incorporate systems district facilities staff canactually operateand maintain effectively. Architecture helps schools do more with limited resources whenit’srigorous about long-term cost of ownership, not just first cost—and whenit’shonest about which investments will still be paying dividends in 20 or 30 years.

SCN:Colorado districts vary widely—from fast-growing suburban systems to rural communities. How should education design adapt tovery differentlocal needs rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions?

Williams:Every project starts with active listening. Before we reach for a solution, we work to understand what a particular district, campus, and community actuallyneed. We have decades of experience in school design, but we focus more on bringing thatexpertiseto creatively respond to a client’s goals than on telling them what they should think. The best designs respond to the constraints that make a school community and site unique—not necessarily those with the largest footprint or the biggest budgets. Across a state as varied as Colorado, that postureisn’toptional;it’sthe only approach that works.

SCN:You bringnearly20years of education design experience. What are the biggest shiftsyou’veseen in learning environments over that time, and how will those lessons influence your Colorado work?

Williams:The biggest shiftshaven’tbeen in classroom layout or building configuration;they’vecome from the systems, technology, and construction methods that make schools workover time. As I mentioned previously, this isapparentin the shift in prioritiesregardingsustainability strategies. As certain strategies become the baseline, we can move tofocusingmore on concerns like embodied carbon.

That whole-lifecycle thinking, developed through years of California work, is a direct asset as Colorado districts make long-term infrastructure decisions. Our Colorado presenceisn’tdesigned to function as a stand-alone regional office; the vision is a distributed studio model—one firm,operatingacross multiple geographies, carrying the same design standards, technical rigor, and culture that have defined QKA for four decades. For Colorado districts, that means access not just to a local team, but to the full depth of QKA’s institutional knowledge, built project by project, district by district, over 40 years.

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]]> Rob Orvis Joins Wells as Chief Technology Officer /2026/05/23/rob-orvis-joins-wells-as-chief-technology-officer/ Sat, 23 May 2026 19:31:34 +0000 /?p=54999 Wells, a leader in prefabricated building solutions, announced the appointment of Rob Orvis as Chief Technology Officer.

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]]> Wells, a leader in prefabricated building solutions, announced the appointment of Rob Orvis as Chief Technology Officer.In this role, Orvis will lead Wells’ core technology organization, guiding enterprise systems, cybersecurity, and digital strategy to support daily operations and future expansion.Based in the Maple Grove, Minnesota office, Orvis will collaborate closely with teams acrossWells’national footprint.

“I was drawn to Wells because of itsgrowthmomentum, industry leadership, and the quality and breadth of solutions delivered to clients,” said Orvis. “The culture and interactions throughout the interview process were a tipping point. I walked away from every conversation believing this was a team where collaboration, trust, and enjoyment in the work truly mattered.”

Orvis joins Wells with more than eight years of experience in the building-services industry, following earlier leadership roles in large-scale distribution environments. He brings a strong background in industry processes, prioritizing how technology supports execution,performanceand scalable outcomes.A graduateof Bethel University, Orvis holdsdegreesinbusiness andmarketing. His career also includes unique supply-chain leadership experience, offering firsthand insight into how high-performing organizationsoperateand scale effectively.

“Rob brings a strong track record of technology leadership within complex organizations, along with the practical experience needed to help scale our business for the future,” said Ryan Stroschein, Chief Corporate Officer at Wells. “As Wells continues to grow, we are investing in innovation to strengthen our operational capabilities. Rob’s leadership is instrumental in advancing our technology strategy.”

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]]> Susan Ballabina, Ph.D., Named Preside of Texas A&M University /2026/05/11/susan-ballabina-ph-d-named-preside-of-texas-am-university/ Tue, 12 May 2026 01:17:04 +0000 /?p=54968 The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System last week votedunanimously to appoint Susan Ballabina, Ph.D.,as 28th president of Texas A&M University.

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]]> Susan Ballabina, Ph.D. | Photo Credit: Abbey Toronjo/Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications

The Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System last week votedunanimously to appoint Susan Ballabina, Ph.D.,as 28th president of Texas A&M University.Ballabina assumedher new role on May 11, building onmore than three decades of service to Texas A&M and the State of Texas.

Ballabinapreviouslyservedas Executive Vice Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, where she helped lead systemwide operations, advance strategic initiatives and support the work of the A&M System’s universities and agencies across Texas.

Throughout her career,Ballabinahas held senior leadership roles spanning the university and the A&M System, including Chief of Staff to the president, Senior Vice President for Academic and Strategic Collaborations, and Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer for Texas A&M AgriLife. Her work has included strengthening statewide programs, building partnerships, supporting research and educational initiatives, and coordinating large-scale efforts such as the Healthy South Texas initiative and the disaster recovery following Hurricane Harvey.

“Texas A&M has a strong foundation, a clear mission, and passionate faculty, staff, students, and former students who care deeply about its future,”Ballabinasaidin a statement.“I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by the regents and Chancellor Hegar, and I look forward to working alongside the Aggie community to build on that strength and move the university forward.”

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]]> The Boldt Company Elevates Jason Hale /2026/05/08/the-boldt-company-elevates-jason-hale/ Fri, 08 May 2026 16:38:55 +0000 /?p=54955 The Boldt Company recently announced the promotion of Jason Hale to Design Group Manager.

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]]> The Boldt Company recently announced the promotion of Jason Hale to Design Group Manager. In this new role, Hale is accountable for overall operations of the Architecture and Engineering team, including profit and loss performance, business plan development and setting a clear vision to drive sustained success. Previously, Hale served as Director of Architecture and Design for the group. In his new role, he focuses on business development and management of strong relationships with both internal and external customers while overseeing business operations, design services and team members. Hale has been with The Boldt Company since 2024 and previously served as the Director of Architecture and Design. He holds a Bachelor of Science in architectural studies from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

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