DAS ARCHITECTURE - Key Persons
Since Adelaide was a kid, she loved to travel and enjoy various types of architecture from different cultures. After one year of studying architecture at the university, she would wonder how buildings stand up. Combining her curiosity with a passion for math and physics, Adelaide then determined to pursue a career in structural engineering.
"There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be." -John Lennon & Paul McCartney
As a kid, Alane's parents owned a general construction and electrical contracting business in Chicago. When she was at the age to start working, she answered phones at their business all the way through college. Thus, general office administration work came easy to her. She then paired it alongside her passion for creating music and helping people, and started a music therapy business. After 20 years in music and small-business ownership, it was time to step away and explore other ways to continue helping people using her business-minded skills, which brought her to K2M. "Nurture Relationships" is K2M's core value that speaks to her the most. She believes that our connections with others lead us to develop trust, which is essential to one's growth - not only as a person but as a co-worker and employee.
Outside of work, Alane enjoys connecting with family and friends, and spending time outdoors while walking, jogging, or bike riding. She also loves to discover new restaurants. From time to time she enjoys a quiet night alone with a book or a puzzle and, of course, some music!
It all started when Alberto's friends got him into electricity, he began just helping them finish jobs they had going on. After a while, he got his feet underneath him and he was proud of his work he had accomplished. Since then he has been pushing to learn as much as he can in the electrical industry.
For Alyssa, interior designing all began with her growing up, always helping her mom rearrange furniture, paint new rooms, and embrace creative possibilities.
"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something but I can't accept not trying" -Michael Jordan
Andy's father taught him about the installation of heating and cooling as a teenager. He Has been in the industry ever since.
Andy chose K2M because of the people he met through the interview process that "really had me excited to accept a position with K2M".
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill
Brian became interested in engineering while working on boats during the summer as a kid. After giving architecture a try, he switched to mechanical engineering and never looked back. Brian says, "I love K2M's Learn and Lead approach. I constantly want to improve myself and pass on that knowledge to others."
Job Titles:
- Talent Acquisition Manager
"Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise." - Kobe Bryant
Bruce landed in talent acquisition after asking one of his college professors about career options. The professor suggested he give recruiting a shot, so he started cold calling into companies to see who would give him a chance. Eventually, he got a shot, and he hasn't looked back since then. Bruce is passionate about his career because he gets to solve "people problems." He can help people find an opportunity they've been searching for and help a company find the talent they need to take their team to the next level.
Bruce had the chance to work with K2M as a consultant before coming on full-time, so he joined because he knows this is an organization filled with great people. He is excited to see what impact he can make as a full-fledged team member now. Nurture Relationships is the K2M core value that resonates with him the most. In talent acquisition, Bruce is often the first interaction a candidate and potential new employee has with K2M, so it's important to him to create a positive impression and build the foundation for a strong relationship from the beginning.
When Cassie was seven, her family moved into a community with starter homes that had the same ten house designs. Since then, she knew she'd be an architect, her initial thought would be for all homes to be unique. Then college happened and she ended up minoring in criminal justice, which got her into government focused architecture.
Cassie is excited for new opportunities. Learn & Lead speaks volume to her because in order to grow personally and as a company you must remain open minded, learn all that you can, and share with others.
Job Titles:
- Project Accounting Specialist
Cathy got started in her career by having a mentor take a chance on her. She ended up taking the opportunity very seriously and worked hard to excel. She feels that it is easy to meet each new day when you are fulfilled in your career. She is excited to be with a company that values collaboration and recognizes that we are better together. The core value that speaks to Cathy the most is "Be Good." She feels that ethics matter in every job we do at K2M.
When Cathy isn't at work, she enjoys spending time with family, which includes her pets! She loves teaching the dogs what the good life is all about, staying active with the hiking and biking trails in her area, and learning about the world through travel.
In 5th grade, Choli's school started an architectural drawing class. Her guidance counselor told her she didn't have an aptitude for it and she should stick to sciences where she was excelling. Choli decided then and there that she would be an Architect. She was laser focused from 11 years old on achieving that dream, including her desire to attend Carnegie Mellon. Choli is passionate about Architecture because of her ability to help people with the spaces, thus the society we create.
Choli is excited about the ability to work on a variety of project types. The core Value of Learn and Lead speaks to her the most. She has been a college professor in the past, and both of her parents are professors as well, she feels that as a profession we have a great responsibility to teach the next generation of architects. The '08-'09 recession brought a huge loss talent in the profession, therefore a hole in the training of younger architects. Choli loves helping people and mentoring is a role that gives her great joy.
Corey graduated from the University of Arkansas and wanted to remain in NWA. He's passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and being proud of the finished product of a job well done.
His favorite core value? "Be good. The attributes contained within are ones I consider core to my everyday life."
Corrie loved LEGOs as a child and has always been fascinated with construction and the built world. In fact, she once built an entire city in her mom's condo! Her interest in math made Civil Engineering a logical choice as she started her career. Corrie values working hard and having fun, which connects her to the K2M core value Go Forward. "It is so important to evolve and constantly improve, both as individuals and companies," she says. When she and her family aren't following their favorite teams as avid Cleveland sports fans, Corrie spends her free time painting, doing yoga, and watching true crime documentaries.
Dan has always enjoyed math, science, and the challenge of solving problems, which made engineering the perfect fit for him. As a nature lover, sustainability is something that is very important to Dan. He realized that the architecture and engineering industry is a great opportunity to combine both of his passions. He is excited to make the world a better place through his work. The K2M core value that speaks to him the most is "Learn & Lead." He feels that engaging with others to provide a collaborative environment is critical for innovative design.
When Dan isn't at work, he enjoys hiking, running, traveling, scuba/snorkeling, skiing, crossword puzzles, and spending time with his family.
As a kid, and even now as an adult, David has enjoyed taking things apart to see how they work. He has been in the electrical field for over 16 years, and would consider it to be a hobby, not just a career. One of the core values that intrigues him at K2M is "Go Forward." To him, that means creating change through constant improvement with innovation. David joined K2M to expand his horizons. He has worked in the field observing and learning not only electrical, his specialization, but other trades as well. His curiosity leads him to the design that goes into construction.
David never settled for typical jobs. When he became legally ready to hit the workforce, he worked at a semitruck wash and later worked at a Ford dealership detailing cars. After high school, David got into the residential/commercial electrical trade. He is passionate about everything he does. It helps him sleep at night knowing that safety is his top priority on every project.
Architecture found Deepti through her childhood passion for art-sketching and painting buildings and cityscapes. Initially nudged towards engineering by her parents, she stumbled upon architecture during her research. It struck her as the perfect blend of engineering and art-a win-win situation. It wasn't until she started interning at an architectural firm after school that she truly understood her passion for shaping the built environment and its profound impact on the people who experience it. This realization fueled her dedication to architecture ever since.
"Nurture Relationships" is the core value that resonates most with Deepti. She firmly believes that relationships are the foundation of growth, success, and all the good things in life. When we nurture and take care of the relationships around us, everything else falls into place. This value aligns perfectly with her personal and professional philosophy, and she's excited to contribute to and grow within a company that prioritizes this.
Devon graduated from Kent State University with his Masters of Architecture. Since graduation, he has worked toward achieving his licensure while working in the field of specialized multi-tenant build-outs, restaurants, and custom-design homes. With the help and knowledge base as a former finish carpenter, he strives to make the designing of every space an experience.
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be what you've always been." -Josh McDowell
Architectural design and documentation have been Donna's professional focus for 30 years, but away from the office she enjoys biking, golf, woodworking, and hiking, including part of the Inca Trail in Peru. "I arrived at the Sun Gate overlooking Machu Picchu just before dusk. Priceless."
Donna is a longtime weekly volunteer with Wheeler Mission and has participated in the Memory Walk for Alzheimer's. The K2M core value that resonates with Donna the most is "Be Good."
Job Titles:
- Design Technology Specialist II
"Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston S. Churchill
Doyle started his career at a tech school and, soon after, landed his first job drafting on the board to gain experience. He was excited to further his career by learning the new technology his field had to offer. He enjoys drafting in 3D and being able to coordinate and collaborate with the team he is working alongside of. It brings him great pride when he is riding down the road and passes one of the projects he has worked on, knowing he had a part in the design of the building! Doyle is excited about the variety of projects he works on at K2M!
In his spare time, Doyle likes to spend time with his family and being outdoors. He is thrilled to be a part of the K2M team!
"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra." -Jimmy Johnson
Growing up, Eddie always loved to be outdoors and can still remember building a wooden fort in the empty lot next to his house. He remembers always having a fascination with construction projects and driving through the city of Miami in awe of the buildings and highways. Throughout his schooling, mathematics was his favorite subject and civil engineering seemed almost like a natural progression for his future. Eddie graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, and he couldn't be more excited to begin his career in a field that was so interesting to him as a kid. K2M's core value of "Be Good" speaks to him the most as it is something he believes everyone should live by, regardless of profession.
In his downtime, Eddie enjoys spending time with his dog Stella and taking her to parks and beaches. He also enjoy playing basketball and tennis. His personal hobby is fly-fishing, and he loves finding new flats to fish around Marathon.
Emily has always loved helping others and feels she is in the best role to do so. She aligns with all of K2M's values but the one that speaks to Emily the most is the be good value. Simply put, she believes the world needs more good in it. Emily was raised to contribute to the world in a positive way and she absolutely feels she is doing this within her role at K2M Design.
For Emily, the K2M core value to Learn & Lead is "a great example of how people can ‘lift as they climb,' making everyone around them better by sharing their knowledge and growing stronger as an individual, but also as a team." Emily got excited about architecture after taking a Revit class in high school. "I think it is amazing that we can create spaces or experiences to be shared by so many people," she says. When not designing K2M projects, Emily stays active with her rescue dog Penny and her love of the outdoors. An avid camper, she's optimistic about her big goal "to get to 30 national parks by the time I am 30, and I have visited 18 so far!"
As a child, Emma spent hours on the computer each night modeling homes on the video game, The Sims. She would also sit and draw out her dream home: what it would look like; how many rooms it would have; and, most importantly, how many swimming pools she could fit in the backyard. Emma later enrolled in drafting classes and fell in love with the art of technical drawing. After her schooling, she now recognizes that architecture is the most amazing field because it can affect and improve every aspect of life. Emma joined K2M because of its positive atmosphere and focus on people. She is excited to begin her professional career where she can impact others. "Nurturing Relationships" is theK2M core value that resonates the most with her because it's very important and beneficial to build strong relationships with clients, associates, and peers.
Job Titles:
- Senior Design Technology Specialist
"Anyone can obtain knowledge, but only a wise person knows how to use that knowledge" Unknown
Erin got into this field by going to a tech school and giving it a try. Any personality test she took said to go financial career. "I can not pinpoint one thing about why I like this career. I like everything about it other than all the math. I let others do that." ha! Erin added "I guess you can say my life is about building. If I'm not building something at home I'm building something on a computer."
Erin joined K2M because of the putting people first culture. If it was not for the staff then the company would not be where it is today. The main core value that speaks to her is the Learn & Lead. Only through supporting each other will a company flourish.
Evan has always enjoyed building things with his hands. After taking a drafting class in high school, he discovered architecture as a possible career - Evan has been studying and pursuing architecture ever since. He enjoys creating small joyful moments for those who use the buildings he works on.
Evan joined K2M to be a part of a growing team where he can continue to grow as an architect. He is excited to be a member of a larger firm and get to know other K2Mrs across the different offices. The K2M Core Value that speaks to him most is Be Good. Pursuing integrity and fostering trust between himself and those he meets is how Evan has always tried to live his life.
Job Titles:
- Senior Mechanical Designer
"Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it." -Sir Henry Royce
As early as Francine can remember, she's always been interested in the design of buildings and all the components that go with it. When she was in elementary school, her father built an addition on their house. He didn't let her help, but she used to follow him around and be amazed at the skill that went into it. Francine joined K2M because she feels it is a place she can grow, learn, and develop relationships. She strives to build trust that will bring clients back again and again. When someone asks why she is passionate about her career, her answer is very simple: she loves what she does!
Job Titles:
- Marketing Specialist
- Member of a Team
Breaking into the A/E/C Industry was merely an accident. After pivoting from a direction towards fashion PR and moving back to her hometown, Gina landed a job with a small architectural firm specializing in K-12 design. She quickly gained an understanding of the good architecture can do to create thriving educational communities and a more sustainable future. "Being able to work alongside the creatives that shape the built environment is rewarding in itself, while I also enjoy playing a role in shaping the perception and appreciation of well-designed spaces beyond aesthetics."
Gina is excited to be a member of a team that not only shares a passion for the work at hand and embodies the entrepreneurial sprit, but also prioritizes putting people at the center of everything they create. The "Be Good" principle becomes the foundation for success, as it's the first step required for all else to fall into place. By fostering an empathetic process, not only can we better understand our team, but also gain a deeper understanding of our clients and best serve their needs.
Halle has always loved art and math, so her dad recommended architecture to her when she was deciding on a major in college. She's loved it ever since and hasn't looked back. She loves that she gets to exercise her creative muscles in the designing phase to fit a client's needs while also receiving the satisfaction of creating detailed documents and drawings. The K2M core value that speaks to Halle the most is "Nurture Relationships." She feels, at the end of the day, the relationships we build are the most important part of life.
When Halle isn't at work, she enjoys spending time outside hiking, working out, cooking, yoga, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Business Development Director, Southeast Region
"I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care." -Lou Holtz
When the pull to leave the big city (NYC) became overwhelming, Heather moved to Key West and bought a 38-room guesthouse, which she owned and operated successfully for 13 years. After selling her business, she turned to real estate. As an active member of the community, Heather was encouraged to run for elected office and had the honor of serving as a Monroe County Commissioner for 12 years.
Marketing and business development at their core are about connecting people with products and services that provide them real benefits, real value. Heather is passionate about applying her varied skill set in marketing and communication to new endeavors with K2M, as she has done in publishing, advertising, hospitality and real estate.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Support Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Support Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Support Team
Job Titles:
- Director of Project Management