SMITHGROUP - Key Persons

Amanda Key

am..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Principal, Interiors

"Our work can positively impact the way people learn, work and interact," suggests Amanda, an interior designer in the Dallas office. "We remember moments, like sharing a meal with friends in an atmosphere that resonates with us. Spaces are sometimes what make an experience memorable." Amanda has fond memories of her first SmithGroup project: the University of Michigan South Quad renovation, upgrading a 1950s residence and dining hall for students in athletics and honors programs. As a former student athlete herself (softball), Amanda says, "I recall my college experience so fondly. I wanted to ensure that the space I helped design left a positive impact on their college experience, too." Her college coach conveyed some lasting lessons. As Amanda explains, he reminded his players that they had the opportunity to do what many could only dream about-play ball for four years and walk away with a college degree. "The message resonated with me: Make the time and experience count."

Andrew Dunlap

an..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Principal, Building Technology Studio Leader

No wonder Andrew has always been intrigued by the age and durability of the pyramids at Giza. As a building enclosure specialist and leader of the firm's Building Technology Studio, he's our go-to expert on exterior building enclosures and thermal analysis-roofing, skylights, curtain walls, windows and waterproofing-including those of historic structures. This includes analyzing conditions, investigating options for corrective work, and developing remediation and construction plans. Andrew's work has corrected problems at such architectural and historic gems as the Smithsonian Arts and Industry Building and the Eliel Saarinen-designed Cranbrook Art Museum. "I enjoy the technical aspects of our work," Andrew says. "It gives me the opportunity to work on a wide range of cool projects with cool people. It is always exciting to see what the next one will be." Andrew began with SmithGroup as one of our interns in 1999. "My goal was to find a career that I enjoyed," he notes. "I am fortunate that my life has led me down a path that is fulfilling that goal."

April Didlake

ap..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Director of Business Development

Networking and building relationships have always been among April's most valuable assets. However, it was not until she made the transition from financial services to the AEC industry that she found her passion. Her role as a strategic networking partner, she says "allows me to show up as my authentic self, which is truly a priceless opportunity." April is energized by SmithGroup's "welcoming culture to do great things with amazing people," as she puts it. "SmithGroup has some of the most experienced and innovative leaders in the industry. What inspires me is knowing that I am helping to bring forth opportunities for the team to do what they love and solve real problems." April also brings this same passion as a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects' Arizona chapter, where she facilitated events that initiated conversations and developed meaningful strategies to address diversity and justice in the design and construction industry.

Arun Kaiwar

ar..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Principal, Sacramento Office Lead

Whether talking about his colleagues at SmithGroup or his love of cricket, Arun is big believer in the positive power of teamwork. "With a strong collaborative team culture built on a foundation of trust, individuals put group objectives above self and together achieve higher objectives," suggests Arun. He also notes that inclusion is a key part of that equation: "My core belief is that design excellence is truly achieved by democratizing the design process, and making it inclusive of diverse people, disciplines and perspectives," he says. For his part, Arun works to "encourage teammates to get out of their comfort zone and take risks to test the boundaries of their abilities-and more importantly, give them a safe space to fail and try again." Arun is a true believer in this approach and has seen its success whether on complex projects or on a cricket field, because ultimately it is all about the people.

Barbara Blum

ba..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Director of Business Development

"The moment when a meeting concludes and you think, ‘I don't think that could've gone any better, connecting with the client and delivering a creative, engaging solution'…That is the best," Barbara enthuses. She's connected with the right role at SmithGroup, developing client relationships for the new Atlanta office. "Business development is all about relationships and connecting the dots," she suggests. "Connections often develop in surprising ways, so it's a matter of being agile and strategic." Barbara describes her typical day as "a shuffle of meetings-internal and external-and then putting together all the nuggets I gathered. Collaboration is the core of business development." After a couple of years of pandemic life, Barbara would enjoy recharging her creativity in Copenhagen. "I'd spend my time touring art museums and checking out the architecture. Sketchbook in hand, it would be a week of design, dining, and art inspiration."

Brad Woodman

br..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Vice President, Southwest Region Director

Brad leads SmithGroup's Southwest Region, while spearheading the design, planning and construction of laboratories focused on biotech, biomedical energy, forensic and health science research. His most recent experience includes significant work for the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Pearl Harbor and the Forensic Science Complex in Toronto, Canada. When he joined SmithGroup, Brad remembers "seeing the phenomenal work and award-winning projects and thinking, 'This is what I imagined architecture can be.'" Yet he says he never anticipated "the scope and impact of the projects, the diverse clientele and being challenged by partners and peers every day. We partner on incredibly interesting and challenging projects," he marvels. When not tackling those challenges, Brad says, "I enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Enjoying nature helps me appreciate a slower pace and what's important."

Brenna Costello

br..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Principal, Health Studio Leader

In 2016, Building Design + Construction named Brenna to their "40 Under 40" list, recognizing her as one of the top young professionals in the country. We couldn't agree more. She's earning a national reputation for her work in the planning and design of advanced rehabilitation facilities, including the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, a world-class facility devoted to military veterans recovering from traumatic brain injuries, and is now working on nine similar centers being built across the country. "I love the challenge of the profession," she says, "and knowing our designs help improve patient outcomes." It seems Brenna seeks out challenges in her personal time, too; she is a nationally-ranked rugby player who coaches collegiate teams. "For better or worse, my athletic endeavors have taught me more about medicine than I ever thought I would know," she admits.

Carrie Perrone

Job Titles:

Principal, Higher Education Studio Leader

Chad Brintnall

ch..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Landscape Architect
Principal

Chad has carved out a landscape architecture career working on a lot of memorable places. His waterfront revitalization and redevelopment work brings him to tropical beaches and gorgeous Great Lakes shorelines. Community planning projects often focus his creative energies on iconic university campuses and recreational trails. Such outdoor settings are a perfect fit for Chad, who professes to "a deep love for the natural world." It's a perfect fit for SmithGroup and its clients, too, who benefit from Chad's keen artistic eye and his collaborative spirit. Chad thrives on juicy, challenging problems, where he can brainstorm, debate and develop creative solutions for clients. He's also one of the firm's premier sketch artists, artfully translating master plans and concepts into illustrations - a key visioning tool that helps clients see their projects come to life. What does Chad like to envision in his time off? A fat trout rising for his fly in a cold, clear river.

Channing McLeod

ch..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Architect
Principal

For clients with a particularly thorny problem to solve, Channing is happy to be their guy. His favorite types of projects are "the complicated and difficult ones that other people try to avoid. It's how you gain a client's trust and respect," he notes. Channing says his team takes on clients' challenges by thinking of those challenges "as ‘our' problem, not ‘their' problem. With collaboration and communication, we keep clients informed and in front of issues. No one likes surprises." Speaking of surprises, Channing's choice for time travel would definitely be forward, not back. "I would want to go into the future to see what changes in my life and investments I need to make now," he muses. "I would be afraid to go backward in time for fear of making changes that negatively impact the world or my friends and family." Thankfully, real-world travel is less fraught with consequence. Channing would opt for a trip to Scotland, where he'd ramble through the countryside and enjoy the people.

Chris Anderson

Job Titles:

Principal, Design

Clint Menefee

Job Titles:

Vice President, Higher Education Studio Leader

Craig Passey

Job Titles:

Vice President, Health Studio Leader

Dan Kinkead

da..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Principal, Director of Urban Design

Dan discovered his passion for architecture and cities applying for college as an undergraduate. "After an exhausting day-long entrance exam, which included full-scale figure sketching, writing, and model making, it all clicked. It was a very rare moment of sublime clarity. " That clarity, coupled with a desire to improve cities through his work, has fueled Dan's drive to create urban places, complex mixed-use projects, and adaptive reuse efforts that realize new futures for buildings, districts and cities. In each case, Dan is driven toward concepts, strategies, and programs that directly impact and benefit people's lives. As the director leader of SmithGroup's national Urban Design Practice, Dan welcomes big - seemingly intractable - challenges that require broader socio-cultural, economic, and ecological thinking. His 24-year career has encompassed transformative projects for districts and cities across North America, Europe and China. "I like complexity, and working with an interdisciplinary team to develop inclusive, thoughtful and clear responses," says Dan. "It's difficult to maintain the breadth of this work at times, but it's critical as we move to foster a shared, resilient, sustainable and equitable future."

Daniel Carfora-Hale

da..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Principal, West Region Business Development Director

Daniel Cusick

Job Titles:

Principal, Health Studio Leader

Dave Whitman - CCO

da..@smithgroup.com

Job Titles:

Communications Director
Principal
Media Inquiries

As SmithGroup's communications director, Dave sees his primary responsibility as "making sure that existing and prospective clients, current and potential employees and members of the media all know about the amazing and impactful work being done by the talented people at SmithGroup," he remarks. "My role provides the opportunity to interact with teams across all of our different markets and there is no shortage of outstanding design work to promote. It's a big task, and one I am happy to take on each and every day." Active work days suit Dave, an avid runner, swimmer and cyclist. "Fitness is a huge part of my life," he says. "My two favorite places to run are the Chicago lakefront and the beaches near Santa Monica. And I've always found running to be a great way to explore new cities." Dave also brings his upbeat energy and considerable communications skills to his work as a sports PA announcer for college football, basketball, baseball, softball and soccer games in the Detroit area. "What started as a hobby has become a great way to combine my passions for communications and sports in one place," he notes.