MHTN - Key Persons


Adam LaFortune

Job Titles:
  • Project Architect
Adam is committed to studying and applying the best practices of design and construction while pursuing unique and innovative architectural solutions. He is also concerned with the cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of architectural projects on communities. His approach to design and project management focuses on simplicity and authenticity.

Albert Severe

Job Titles:
  • Landscape Architect

Allison Le

Allison loves working on projects based on feedback. Successful projects are influenced by input from district personnel, school faculty, engaged parents, and the children that the facility will serve. As a Project Manager, Allison strives to deliver a wholistic project from design development to the conclusion of construction.

Amy Williams

Job Titles:
  • Associate Principal, Interior Design & Pre - Design
As Associate Principal, Interior Design & Pre-Design, Amy works to create spaces that not only function well and meets the client's needs but that fosters community and a sense of place. Working from the program to the final construction details, Amy ensures that the project comes together as whole to create an extraordinary environment.

Brian Parker

Brian has dedicated his career to designing spaces that support the engagement of students and teachers in the learning process. He is one of roughly 100 Accredited Learning Environment Planners in the United States - and one of two in the State of Utah. His design talent, expertise, and leadership style inspires innovative solutions as he leads the MHTN K-12 team in developing educational facilities.

Celia Timms

Job Titles:
  • Associate

Chad Nielsen

Job Titles:
  • CEO, Design Principal
Respected for his strong leadership qualities, Chad is committed to fostering communication and collaboration with colleagues and clients. As one of MHTN's design leaders, Chad brings an inspired approach, exceptional understanding of detailing and thoughtfully executed designs to each project he dedicates himself to.

Curtis Leetham

Job Titles:
  • Associate Principal, Healthcare Environments Project Manager
Curtis has over 15 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of healthcare, higher education, and religious buildings. His ability to coordinate efforts of design professionals, facility operators, and user groups ensures compliance with project programs and successfully achieves project goals. His focus on the development of strategies to optimize long term operations is concentrated on increased energy efficiency, patient and student experience, and flexibility for future program developments.

Daniel Rogers

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Project Manager; Associate, Energy Data Implementation Leader

Daryl Christiansen

Job Titles:
  • Interior Designer
Daryl has diverse experience in interior design including tenant improvement, religious, hospitality, k-12, retail, healthcare, and residential projects.

Ed Zaugg

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Sustainable Strategies
Ed Zaugg has extensive experience with highly technical work environments. He understands that changes made to a design or program at the earliest concept stages of design are the least costly to make. Ed helps investigate multiple design concepts at the earliest stages of the project to help maximize the functionality and aesthetics of the design for the available budget.

Elaine Stowell

Job Titles:
  • Interior Designer
With a depth of experience, Elaine brings an understanding that user-centered design, durable elements, and the latest in evidence-based research can go hand in hand. She encourages communication with all involvement levels. This collaboration creates a project that is aesthetically pleasing and comfortably maintained within budget.

Emily Seang

Job Titles:
  • Community Planner
As a Community Planner, Emily loves creating places which are dynamic, inclusive, resilient, and memorable. She brings a wide array of experiences in equity-focused planning, economic development, and state-wide active transportation planning. Emily coordinates with stakeholders and clients to conduct research, facilitate public engagement, and create supporting materials to inform the planning process.

Greg Beecher

Job Titles:
  • Associate
Associate: Building Envelope Technology; Project Manager

Haley Costomiris

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Hospitality Environments Leader Interior Designer

Heather Knighton

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Manager
  • Principal, Marketing
As Marketing Manager, Heather oversees marketing and business development for the firm. With over 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, she brings great depth of knowledge and understanding to the firm's marketing efforts. With an appreciation for thoughtfully designed buildings, and those that design them, Heather is dedicated to the long-term growth of MHTN.

James Knight

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
James works with the client to understand their programmatic needs, budget, and schedule. He leads the design team with the client through a collaborative process to refine design options and produce a complete set of construction documents. He then assists the client to obtain bids and a permit, and awards the construction contract, ensuring that the documents and contract are successfully fulfilled.

Jeff Juip

Job Titles:
  • Associate Principal, Commercial Environments

Jim Dresslar

Job Titles:
  • QA / QC Specialist & Senior Specification Writer

Joel Burkhart

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Joel is involved in the architectural design process from beginning to end. Along with aiding in the overall development and management of documentation from schematic design to construction documents, he also assists in the review of project and team budgets, project scope and other construction administration information or responsibilities. Through effectively coordinating with all of those involved in the design process, he ensures quality and well-coordinated architectural plans.

Jonathan Dazley

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
Jonathan has broad experience with a variety of project types and comprehensive knowledge of building technologies. He serves as a project manager on numerous projects in higher education, K-12, commercial and healthcare. He brings strong leadership skills, a highly technical background, and personal commitment to meeting a client's goals and design schedule.

Joseph Milillo

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
"Walking through a finished building knowing where every beam, column, electrical box and air conditioner is located is very satisfying. Seeing a smile on the owner's face is priceless." With over 25 years of experience, Joe has extensive experience in higher education, municipal, and transportation project. These include multiple projects that have pursued sustainability initiatives such as Net-Zero and LEED Certification. The key to his successful project management and ensuring project goals are met, is his commitment to developing genuine long-lasting relationships with the client and project team members.

Judd Peterson

Job Titles:
  • Controller
As the controller, Judd oversees the financial activities of MHTN. He provides management with performance reports, analysis and projections for making decisions that are critical to the current and future success of the firm.

Justin Bowman

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Technical Excellence Leader Project Architect
Justin has worked on many project types ranging from multifamily to health care and brings a broad range of experience and talents to his projects. He takes pride in finding individualized solutions for each design opportunity he is presented with and has worked throughout his career to acquire extensive knowledge and expertise in health care facility design. He is passionate about improving the care environment experience for patient and provider. Justin is detail-oriented and works diligently to bring a high level of quality and scrutiny to each project.

Kristine Larsen

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Associate: Contracts Implementation Specialist
Being in the legal field since 2003, Kristine has experience and knowledge in civil, contract, and business law in both the private and government sector. She enjoys collaborating with co-workers, clients, and consultants, and strives to develop a strong working relationship between them. She finds it gratifying to share her knowledge and help educate team members regarding an issue or question relating to my position. Kristine's work for MHTN has given her an opportunity to be part of something truly amazing and to work with talented group of people.

Lauren Leydsman

Job Titles:
  • Community Planner
Working with the Planning + Urban Design and Landscape Design teams, Lauren collaboratively assists in concept generation, illustration, and drafting for projects ranging from master plans, transportation plans, and parks planning. No matter the project, she enjoys the creative process of taking undeveloped or complex concepts and turning them into focused and intuitive graphics and visualizations.

Lindsey Dresser

Job Titles:
  • Senior Interior Designer
Lindsey has unparalleled expertise in a wide range of commercial and residential design projects. She is skilled in construction documentation, project management, business development, and client relations. Her responsibilities include overseeing both local and international projects from conception to completion. Lindsey takes pride in designing a space that will not only be beautiful but stands the test of time and has a meaningful impact on people's lives, helping accomplish the clients wants and needs.

Madeline Petersen

Job Titles:
  • Director of Systems Operations
As Director of Systems Operations and integral part of the Quality Control Team, Madeline creates systematic workflows and solutions that improve the efficiency of our teams, quality of construction documents, and technological processes for the firm. Specializing in BIM, she manages the internal training program, troubleshooting, and overseeing/improving template and resource files. Madeline is the Wellness Committee Chair, supporting efforts to align office operations and policies to be more sustainable, equitable, and wellness oriented.

Mark Peterson - COO, VP

Job Titles:
  • COO
  • Vice President

Marlee Redford

Job Titles:
  • Associate
As an interior designer, Marlee strives to create beautiful, comfortable and functional spaces by attentive listening and effective communication with the client. She is involved in every step of the design process from the programming ideas to the finished documents.

Matthew Hieb

Job Titles:
  • Director of Temple Development, Project Architect
With a diverse background in architecture, design and visualization, Matthew provides a unique skill-set for architectural design services, and the tools necessary to illustrate any design in a comprehensible format. This includes fluency in state-of-the-art platforms for design, visualization and documentation. Matthew is a leader in collaborative partnerships. With experience on several domestic and international projects, he has a deep knowledge base for interfacing with clients and consultants in a variety of regions and cultures.

Melissa Fryer

Job Titles:
  • Associate
  • Landscape Architect
Melissa's work is focused on the design, management, and construction administration of MHTN's landscape architecture projects. She has extensive experience as an urban planner, with a focus in urban design, streetscape, and transit design. Her skills have been utilized for public outreach and engagement, as well the creation of high quality and engaging planning documents.

Michael Capito

Job Titles:
  • Project Coordinator
Michael's expertise in the detailing and coordination of construction documents is the foundation of his strong construction administration. He has successfully managed a variety of complex projects, including K-12 schools, and sophisticated medical facilities.

Naarah Kristensen

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager

Peggy McDonough - President

Job Titles:
  • President
  • President, Design Principal
As President of MHTN Architects, Peggy has earned the reputation as a genuine leader of creative minds. For over 30+ years, she has brought particular understanding to higher education, commercial, and civic projects where flexible strategies and desire to increase collaborative interaction is directly and positively influenced by design considerations.

Randall Knight

Job Titles:
  • Principal
  • Project Manager
Randy specializes in the planning and design of Student Life facilities on campuses nationwide. For him, architecture is fundamentally about belonging and respect, with the peculiarities of people and place central to the process. Dedicated to clients, he brings an excellent listening ear; the experience throughout design is just as important as the outcome. His ability to visualize at many scales, from the most intricate detail to the macro relationships that drive communities, leads to immersive and inclusive environments.

Robert Pinon

Job Titles:
  • Vice President, Commercial
Excelling in project management, Robert's attention to detail and ability to maintain a client's vision with the design and construction teams ensures a complete set of documents developed for a quality construction experience. Passionate about active design, he has successfully led multiple teams for commercial, airport, and convention center projects.

Ryan Berry

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Technology Environments
Ryan draws on his 17 years of experience in design and construction to collaborate with his clients to develop their initial spark of a concept. He uses a nurturing process to propel a project through development and design until his client's spark is realized.

Ryan Wallace

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Director of Urban Design

Sandra Call

Job Titles:
  • Interior Designer

Sean Catherall

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager
With over 30 years of experience, Sean perceives his Project Manager role as supporting each member of the team in doing his or her best work by asking thought-provoking questions and fostering an environment of unity. He contributes a sense of perspective that helps teams face their challenges with poise and confidence.

Sierra Johansen-Garcia

Job Titles:
  • Human Resources Administrator
As the Human Resources Administrator, Sierra is responsible for personnel administration and employee relations guidance and support. This extends to recruitment and on-boarding, performance management, file maintenance, policy navigation, and benefit and leave administration. She contributes to the overall well-being of the individuals and teams at the firm.

Tales Brito

Job Titles:
  • Associate, Professional Development Leader Project Architect
  • Associate, Professional Development Project Architect
With over 5 years of experience in a variety of sectors ranging from religious to municipal projects, Tales is an architect that explores design solutions in an intuitive and conscientious manner. He relies on both analog and digital techniques to convey ideas and produce architectural drawings. Tales has an innate passion for exploration and enjoys searching for innovative design and construction methods.

Tammy Munson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Interior Designer
Tammy believes that being involved from the early phases of design through construction generates a more cohesive result. She is attentive to the needs of the client and uses her talents to design exciting spaces.

Todd Freebairn

Job Titles:
  • Project Coordinator
As a technical designer, Todd works closely with the design team to help implement the vision of our client and is involved in many aspects that contribute to the success of a project. With many years of experience as a project coordinator, he begins early in the design phase to build a thorough set of construction documents and works in partnership with the contractor during construction administration phase. He performs a vital role in the long-term success as the project comes to completion.

Veronica Sanchez

Job Titles:
  • Interior Designer

Vince Olcott

Job Titles:
  • Director of Landscape Architecture
Vince's extensive landscape design experience has given him an understanding of the issues important to both the owners and to the patrons who use the facility. As a leader in sustainable sites, his knowledge of drought-tolerant plants and drip irrigation are employed to ensure low-water use and minimal maintenance.