JOHNSON ARCHITECTURE - Key Persons


Brian S. Pittman

Job Titles:
  • Associate
Brian is a seasoned and versatile designer with a strong sense of scale, proportion and balance of materiality. His enthusiasm, amiability and freehand sketching skills allow for an intuitive and comfortable process with each client, irrespective of scope. Brian joined JAI in 2016. A 27-year career as a designer with a 20-year stint at McCarty Holsaple McCarty, Inc. and a three-year stint at Ross/Fowler, PC, in the middle allowed him to work on a wide range of projects, from award-winning private residences to multiple projects at UT's Neyland Stadium and almost everything in between. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 1994

Colleen Riordan

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Colleen serves her clients as the primary day-to-day point of contact for projects, coordinating between the engineering disciplines and the project representatives to ensure that design intentions and technical aspects of the design are met. She joined JAI in 2001 and serves as the project manager for health care projects. She has worked with two major health systems and on seven hospital campuses. Colleen's responsibilities include the coordination of practices of all types with the design and engineering disciplines to ensure that the users' intentions are met during completion of design and construction documents. She is well known for a collaborative approach to project management that is inclusive and detail-oriented, which results in a well-coordinated and solid end product for the owner. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 1995

Daryl Johnson

Job Titles:
  • President, Principal Architect, Director of Design
Daryl specializes in complex, challenging projects in which the process of reaching consensus or seeking public approval is intricate and demanding. His collaborative spirit and keen design sense allow his teams and clients broader ownership of key issues and of the ideas that will ensure the success of each project.

Debbie McCarter

Job Titles:
  • Associate
Debbie joined the JAI team in 2023. She assists project managers in all phases of architecture and has considerable experience in commercial, hospitality and residential projects. She is adept in several architectural software applications and is proficient in hand sketching and rendering. Debbie is a passionate and creative individual who values authentic client relationships and collaboration. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2020

Emily Haire

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager, Project Designer
Emily is passionate about finding creative, functional and economical ways to bring excellence in design to clients that also meets their individual needs. She is a project designer who finds joy in being significantly involved with all phases of a project's production from programming and planning to construction administration. Her experience since joining JAI in 2011 includes client management, design, 3D modeling and rendering, graphic presentation media, construction documentation and engineer coordination. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2008

Eric Bowen

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Principal Architect
Eric is focused on providing clients with high-quality design solutions with economical and efficient technical details and documents. Eric joined the firm in 1999 and is responsible for directing efforts in the programming, design, construction documents and construction administration phases of the firm's projects. In addition, his responsibilities include the coordination of design and engineering disciplines to ensure that the design intentions are met during completion of construction documents. He also works closely with members of the local design and construction community to ensure that the technical aspects of the design allow the project to remain within the client's budget and schedule through the utilization of the most current and cost-effective construction methods. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 1992 Master of Business Administration (MBA), Texas A&M University, 1996

Heather Overton

Job Titles:
  • Director of Administration
Heather oversees business and management operations and is responsible for coordinating all human resources and accounting functions. She joined JAI in 2009 as a business development assistant. Her familiarity with both the firm and its clients has proven an invaluable asset. Education Associate of Arts in social and behavioral sciences, Pellissippi State Community College Bachelor of Arts in psychology, University of Tennessee Community Involvement & Affiliations Heather is an active community volunteer, working with educational organizations and other nonprofits. Green Magnet Academy Parent Teacher Association, vice president Green Magnet Academy Leadership Team Pellissippi State Community College Board of Trustees Emeritus Knoxville Association of Women Executives (KAWE), former member United Way of Greater Knoxville Investment Committee, former member

Jeff Williamson

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Principal Architect
Jeff is responsible for overseeing all phases of the firm's projects. He provides hands on project management with personal communication and problem-solving skills. Jeff strives for a collaborative design process between clients and the design team for distinctive projects that meet the client's needs. He worked with JAI for seven years, spent four years with another architecture firm and returned in 2014. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2001

Jeremiah Corbett

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Jeremiah joined JAI in May 2018. His technical expertise includes Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Revit computer modeling. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2018 Study Abroad Affiliate, Cracow University of Technology, 2017

Jimmy Ryan

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager, Project Designer
Jimmy is driven by collaborative processes that unite context with a sense of place, offering design solutions that meet client objectives while also enhancing surrounding environments. With nine years of experience prior to joining JAI in 2015, Jimmy has held a central role in the design of various projects in type and scale throughout his career, including master planning, commercial, religious, entertainment, hospitality and custom residential. Jimmy also has expanded his passion for the history, development and redevelopment of urban cores through his leadership of adaptive reuse projects in Knoxville and the region. Paired with his civic involvement, Jimmy developed a keen understanding of how zoning, form-based code and public/private partnership can enable the revitalization of urban neighborhoods. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2011 Finnish Summer Architecture Institute, Aalto University School of Science and Technology, 2009

Joseph "Joey" Staats

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Principal Architect

Josh Biden

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Josh has a comprehensive knowledge of several documentation platforms, including Revit and CAD. He is adept at code compliance to effectively produce design documents, construction documents, detail specifications and schedules, as well as preliminary design and hand sketches.

Kelley Ogilvie Hicks

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Kelley brings a warm and personal approach to each project. Her involvement with projects becomes special, as she strongly supports the revitalization of the community. She purposely chose to live in a revitalized neighborhood and strives to improve the quality of life for all around her. Kelley joined JAI in 2015 and has worked on numerous governmental projects throughout her career, both new construction and renovations. Kelley works closely with the Principal-In-Charge to coordinate between the owner and the production team. She is hands-on and provides proactive communication, direct involvement and the problem-solving skills necessary for consistent project completion and work environment. Education Bachelor of Architecture, Texas Tech University, 2002 Master of Architecture, Texas Tech University, 2004

Kevin Brown

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Kevin brings a thorough knowledge of construction to every project, providing clients and contractors with comprehensive documentation of design and assistance in construction. His extensive experience as a project architect includes work in all project phases. Since joining JAI in 2012, he has handled commercial, residential, educational, religious and institutional projects - both new construction and renovations. Kevin has comprehensive knowledge of CAD packages and code compliance to effectively produce design documents, construction documents, detail specifications and schedules. Education Community Involvement & Affiliations

Knox Heritage

Job Titles:
  • Board of Directors, Member

Linda Mollica

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist
Linda joined the firm in 2003 and is an expert in keeping everyone and everything organized. She is the initial point of contact for clients, whether by phone or in person, and has been called the JAI quarterback. Roxy, Linda's beloved Pekingese, is a frequent JAI visitor. Education Community Involvement & Affiliations

Michael Schmidt

Job Titles:
  • Associate
Michael joined the JAI team in 2020. He diligently assists project managers in all phases of architecture. He is willing to learn, a team player, quick-witted, focused and enthusiastic. Michael has worked on several commercial and residential projects and was a student intern for JAI, starting in 2018. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2020 Study abroad, Cracow University of Technology (CUT), 2019

Rick Friel

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Principal Architect
Rick fosters and protects the client's vision by coordinating with the design and engineering disciplines to ensure that the design intentions are met during each phase of the project. Rick joined the firm in 2000 and specializes in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) research, compliance and renovations. In addition, his responsibilities include the coordination of design and engineering disciplines to ensure that the design intentions are met during completion of construction documents. He works closely with members of the local design and construction community to ensure that the technical aspects of the design allow the project to remain within the client's budget and schedule by using the most current and cost-effective construction methods. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 1992 Associate degree in architecture technology, Fairmont State University, 1988

Ryan Orr

Job Titles:
  • Intern Architect
Ryan joined the JAI team in 2021. He assists project managers in design development, detail specifications, scheduling, construction documents and renderings for commercial, residential and health care projects. Education Bachelor of Architecture, University of Tennessee, 2020 Community Involvement & Affiliations