RND ARCHITECTS - Key Persons


Charles Nickelson

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Principal
Charles serves as Principal of the firm. With 35 years of experience, he is an accomplished architect with a rich portfolio in renovation design and planning. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon and is NCARB certified. Over the years, Charles has become an expert in the field, dedicating much of his career to adaptive reuse projects. He currently leads the firm in municipal and higher education projects, where his deep knowledge of construction, building codes, and state and local government agencies is invaluable. Charles is known for his strong attention to detail, excellent people skills, and his ability to collaborate effectively within a team. His practical, client-centered approach to the design process has made him a trusted leader. Some of his most notable projects include Brightleaf Square, the Durham City Hall Renovation, and the Durham County Stanford L. Warren Library Renovation. Charles has always had an interest in building and construction, as he spent a decade building custom homes after high school, eventually leading him to pursue architecture as a career. Outside of work, Charles enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, and woodworking. Charles is an experienced architect with an impressive portfolio of government, higher education, and commercial projects.

David B. Daniel

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Principal
  • Project Manager
David is a talented architect with 29 years of experience. He joined RND in 2007 and has since advanced to become a Principal for the past 14 years. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a Bachelor of Architecture from UNC Charlotte. David leads the firm in healthcare and government projects. His expertise spans a wide range of specialized spaces, including medical laboratories, forensic science laboratories, medical offices, patient care areas, operating rooms, radiology replacement projects and more. His work has become integral to many of North Carolina's leading healthcare providers who rely on his creative vision, deep understanding of complex building systems, and strong problem-solving skills. David's design philosophy has evolved over the years, with a deepening passion for healthcare design. He finds fulfillment in creating spaces that can make a difference and help people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Notable projects in his portfolio include the NC Department of Justice State Crime Laboratory, Western Regional Crime Lab, the Duke Radiation Oncology Expansion, Durham City Hall Interior Renovation and the UNC Health Specialty and Investigation Drug Pharmacy Upfit. David's interest in architecture began at an early age. As a child, he enjoyed sketching houses, buildings, and landscapes for fun-a hobby he still pursues today, often using pen and paper as his preferred problem-solving method. Outside of work, David enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, boating, and spending time at the beach. He also takes great pride in maintaining and driving vintage cars. David is an architect and project manager specializing in the design of premier healthcare and government facilities.

Eileen Carroll

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Designer
Eileen has worked at RND as an Architectural Designer since 2016. She earned her Associate's degree in Architectural Technology from Wake Tech in 2008, followed by a Bachelor of Fine Art in Interior Architecture from UNC Greensboro in 2013. Prior to her experience in architecture, Eileen worked as an electro-mechanical designer creating circuit boards. This skill has allowed her to excel in creating detailed models and drawings for complex healthcare and public projects. Eileen is a quick learner and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure high-quality design solutions. This is reflected in her design philosophy centered around precision and continuous improvement. While her drive for excellence has remained constant over the years, she has developed a deeper understanding of how technology can enhance design development. Some of her notable projects include the Durham County Board of Elections Renovation, the DUMC Bronchoscopy Suite Renovation, 90 S Main St Alleghany County, and the MedCenter Mebane Elevator and Stair Tower Addition. Initially from New York, Eileen's passion for architecture was fueled by her interest in adaptive re-use for historic buildings and a desire to revitalize them. Outside of work, Eileen enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her puppy, Coco. Eileen provides design and project management support in many of the firm's healthcare projects.

Glenn Parks

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Project Manager
  • Creative Architect and Project Manager
Glenn is a creative Architect and Project Manager and has been a key team member at RND since 2004. With 24 years of experience, he holds a Master of Architecture from NC State, in addition to his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UNC Chapel Hill. Specializing in municipal government and higher education projects, Glenn has a passion for designing parks and recreational facilities, driven by his deep connection to the natural world. Known for his enthusiasm and energy, he is a collaborative team player and a detail-oriented designer. Glenn is rarely without a sketchbook, using it to conduct thorough research and analyze the social and physical contexts of his work. As a project manager, Glenn takes pride in collaborating with clients through every step of the design process, from pre-design to construction. Throughout his career, Glenn's approach to design has evolved, yet his understanding of how small changes in space can positively impact people has remained constant. He has excelled in leading municipal and commercial projects and is particularly skilled in developing architectural solutions that balance budget, sustainability, and durability. Notable projects in his portfolio include the Durham County Board of Elections Renovation, the Carpenter Fire Station Restroom Building, and the McCrimmon Restroom Building. From a young age, Glenn had great spatial awareness and was drawn to the mysteries of architecture. Outside the office, he enjoys art history, kayaking, and exploring the natural environment. Glenn is an accomplished architect with a rich portfolio of government, higher education, and public park projects.

Karen Perry

Job Titles:
  • Accounting Manager
Karen joined RND's team as an Accounting Manager in 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with over 10 years of prior Accounting experience with the Airline industry. Karen oversees the daily operations of the Accounting data and a variety of Human Resource task. She also maintains the business finances, including ledger reconciliations, quarterly reports, and annual tax preparation. RND is dependent upon her integrity, organizational skills, efficiency, and ability to multitask to maintain our day-to-day operations. Prior to her position at RND, Karen obtained an North Carolina Real Estate Broker License in her spare time. Her passion for real estate and residential/commercial design led her to pursue an accounting position at RND, where she has since gained a deeper understanding of the architectural design process and project management. Since joining RND's team, she has enjoyed combining her varied interests in accounting, architecture, and real estate. Outside of work, Karen enjoys flower landscape, volleyball, biking, and traveling. Karen oversees the firm's accounting data and performs a variety of Human Resources tasks to maintain our day-to-day operations.

Rhonda Zack

Job Titles:
  • Leader
  • Principal
  • Project Manager
Rhonda is a highly talented Project Manager and architectural designer who has played a critical role in many of RND's large-scale government, higher education, and healthcare projects. Her attention to detail and excellent communication skills have helped her establish strong relationships with consultants and owners, who respect and appreciate her ability to skillfully coordinate multi-disciplinary teams and maintain project momentum. Rhonda's approach to architectural design is greatly influenced by her studio-driven BFA degree in Environmental Design. Her experiences with and deep appreciation for art disciplines such as ceramics, sculpture, and painting, motivate her to consider architecture through the lenses of composition, light, and color. As a frequent international traveler and avid explorer, much of her inspiration also stems from the art and architecture of other cultures. Rhonda's talents extend far beyond her creativity and leadership. She also has an encyclopedic knowledge of old films, is a classically trained pianist, and is a well versed automotive shop assistant to her husband, with whom she shares a deep love for Formula 1 racing. Rhonda is a talented leader and architectural designer who has played a critical role for many of RND's large-scale government and higher education projects.

Stanford L. Warren

Job Titles:
  • Library

Steve Pulling

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Architect, Construction Administrator
  • Project Manager, Construction Administrator
Steve is an Architect and Construction Administrator with 27 years of experience and has been with RND since 2002. He earned his Master of Architecture from NC State University in 1998 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Carroll College. Steve became a licensed architect in North Carolina in 2010 and is NCARB certified. Steve's background in science has informed his rigorous, methodical, and investigatory approach to problem-solving and design. Specializing in construction administration for renovation projects and elevator modernization, Steve expertly guides projects through the bidding and construction phases. He particularly enjoys working on life safety projects that focus on how a building's internal structure is just as crucial as its external design. He is highly detail-oriented, skilled in creating detailed drawings, and has a strong understanding of the interconnected systems of both the built and natural environments. While Steve's early design philosophy centered on passive solar and energy efficiency, over the years he's developed a deeper appreciation for the subtle design elements that shape the user experience. Some of his most notable projects include the Durham City Hall Exterior Renovations, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the Isaac Taylor Research Building Life Safety Improvements at UNC-Chapel Hill, and the Stanford L. Warren Branch Library Renovations in Durham. Steve's interest in architecture began early, as he was inspired by his uncle who was a home builder. He spent time on job sites, immersing himself in the field and gaining hands-on experience in carpentry before pursuing his professional career in architecture. Outside of work, Steve enjoys gardening, tinkering, and listening to music. Steve has played an integral role on RND's team since joining the firm in 2002. As a licensed architect with an intimate knowledge of the entire building process, Steve's primary role is as Construction Administrator. He skillfully guides many of our projects through the construction process by carefully monitoring activity for compliance with specified product requirements, design intent, code requirements, and workmanship standards. He also serves as an impartial administrator of contracts between Builders and Owners. In addition to his architectural masters degree from NC State University, Steve also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Carroll College. This foundation in scientific inquiry has informed his rigorous, methodical, and investigatory approach to problem-solving and design. It also helped him achieve an understanding of the interconnected systems of both the built and natural environments, and the ways in which building design is an integral component of surrounding ecosystems. Steve has a deep appreciation of and respect for the natural environment. His favorite travel destinations include Alaska and New Zealand for their stunningly beautiful natural scenery. In his spare time, Steve enjoys gardening and relaxing on his screen porch with a good book, music, and the sounds of neighborhood owls. Steve's intimate knowledge of the entire building process enables him to provide skillful on-site construction administration services.

Zen Master

When she's not in the mountains, Tyler is in charge of stress management when she comes into the office.