LAMAR JOHNSON COLLABORATIVE - Key Persons
Al has more than 30 years of experience in the design industry. He entered the construction, architecture, and design field in 1988. His areas of expertise include programming, lease negotiations, schematic design, design development, initial budget development, issuance of contract documents, and construction administration. Throughout Al's career, he has successfully delivered over 58M SF of architecture, corporate shell & core, and interior projects.
Experienced in commercial, residential, hospitality, and public sector work, Alfredo's skills streamline production processes and ensure maximum efficiency. He has worked on top-tier projects, including Lincoln Park 2550, 10 East Delaware, JW Marriott in Chicago, the King Abdullah Road Hotel in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, and a mixed-use high-rise building in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. In addition, Alfredo spearheaded projects for more than 30 years with companies including Jones Lang LaSalle, Teng & Associates, and McDonald's.
Amy recognizes the success of a project begins with a strong client relationship. Developing the initial design concept into a built project and understanding the clients' expectations, is an asset she brings to every client and team. She prides herself on not only her diverse architectural skill-set, but also the numerous projects she has led through construction. From coordinating historic rehabilitation to incorporating new cutting-edge technology, Amy enjoys and appreciates the challenge of collaboration within the architecture industry.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Penn State East Halls Master Plan State College, PA
As an award-winning landscape architect, Andrew is an advocate for meaningful design that provides integrated solutions for his clients. With an emphasis on implementation, Andrew ensures creative ideas are carried through the construction process without compromising design integrity and ethos. His career has covered a variety of project types, including public realm, community development, and corporate environments.
Andy's nearly 35 years of experience includes millions of square feet of corporate and industrial projects of all sizes. His thorough understanding of the design and construction process, combined with his passion for understanding each client's specific process, makes him a natural team leader. Andy will analyze and communicate the user groups needs while leading the team through a collaborative creative process resulting in a successful solution. His attention to detail and appreciation of building evolution typically provide flexibility for added residual value during the process.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Residential Market Leader
As Principal and Residential Market Leader, Bob approaches design, management and execution of projects from a holistic viewpoint in response to the unique qualities of the program, site and community. With more than 25 years of in the profession his design experience includes student living and high-rise residential, commercial mixed-use, historic adaptation, exhibit and commercial flagship design and branding throughout the U.S., Europe and China.
Cale entered the design industry in 2001 with a belief in the strength of inter-disciplinary collaboration. His portfolio is diverse in project types at the local, national, and international levels. Using global design best practices, Cale's strength lies in knowing the importance of developing solutions that are culturally significant, sustainable, and sensitive to the needs and constraints of specific sites.
With 18 years of experience as a registered landscape architect, Cale's portfolio is diverse in project types at the local, national, and international levels. Using global design best practices, his strength lies in knowing the importance of developing solutions that are culturally significant, sustainable, and sensitive to the needs and constraints of specific sites.
Charles provides MEP system thought-leadership, constructibility reviews, system shop drawing reviews, and engages system start-up and commissioning services on various project types. Since 2003, he has provided design advice on various healthcare and higher education projects, including designing laser labs at the University of Chicago and a cell therapy cleanroom facility at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Fellow With the American Society of Landscape Architects
As a Managing Director for LJC, Chip Crawford is a practice builder, creative thinker, and problem solver. An award-winning Landscape Architect, Chip has more than 30 years of experience leading some of the world's most complex planning, landscape architecture, and urban design projects. A true collaborator, Chip connects with clients and has a unique ability to stimulate creative thinking and problem solving, bringing the best expertise and newest thinking to the table.
Chip is a Fellow with the American Society of Landscape Architects, past president of the Landscape Architecture Foundation, and Fellow at Kansas State University. He is also a registered Landscape Architect and LEED GA accredited professional by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Dave's areas of expertise include higher education, Life Science, and Health Care. Dave brings a multi-disciplinary, forward-thinking approach to a wide array of projects. He's responsible for guiding design teams in establishing a clear vision and unique sense of place from concept through completion. He immerses himself in his clients' goals by embracing their culture and seeking a holistic understanding of the goals unique to their project. An advocate of sustainable principles, Dave's committed to working collaboratively to elevate design that optimizes value through responsive leadership, creative visioning, and technical expertise.
David has been in the industrial building design and construction industry for more than 32 years. He has vast experience in master planning nearly 150 million SF of industrial/business parks, as well as countless other assignments from small tenant improvement projects and building expansions to state-of-the-art distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. David works to build collaborative relationships with his clients to creatively solve current project challenges and to be forward-thinking, providing flexibility for future operations and offer residual value.
David brings over 35 years of experience in his new role as Principal at LJC, as part of Clayco's delivery model of develop, design, and build. He is licensed in 20 states and is both LEED Accredited and NCARB Certified. He has been very active with the California Architect's Board for over twenty years where he served as a Master Commissioner. David is an architect in pursuit of mastering the details of architecture. In every professional effort, he brings to the table a strong technical background complemented equally by a most rigorous aesthetic ability. He carefully crafts all the aspects of his projects with which he is involved by exploring all the details in the creation of the designs. His understanding of construction and his ability to master its assemblage is at the highest level.
David has won over 40 design awards in his career and is a 2017 Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and a 1998 AIA National Young Architect Award recipient.
Drew has led the design of a wide range of high-profile buildings and building types since entering the design industry. Working closely with clients from the project's inception, he uses his experience to maintain a fresh view of what defines the work ahead and the best methods to bring buildings to fruition. Drew has stayed active in architectural academia as an instructor, guest critic, lecturer, and developer of educational programs. These efforts, along with his involvement in community programs, strengthen the role architecture can play in our neighborhoods, city, and world at large.
Eduardo has more than 25 years of experience in architectural design, urban design, and project management in a truly collaborative spirit. He offers a diverse project management experience with complicated project types and a honed ability to coordinate multiple user groups and complex teams. Eduardo fosters consensus among stakeholders and relishes challenging aspirational projects. He prides himself on an open and accountable collaborative team setting where the team focuses on ideas, not people or authorship.
Elias brings a high level of energy, passion and creativity to every project. He has extensive experience providing design leadership on a multitude of project types, including commercial, hospitality, health care, education, science and mixed-use projects. Elias is involved with coordinating all aspects of a project's design and technical development. He believes that architecture begins with understanding each client's needs but must achieve elegant results that transcend expectations. His work is guided by a passion for experiential architecture; an integration of the natural and built environment that fosters a meaningful sense of place. He believes in a collaborative process where places are conceived with a thoughtful integrity that adds a sense of grace to life, to last and be loved by those who live and work in them.
Erik has led design efforts on transformational projects for prominent academic medical centers and large healthcare systems across the U.S. and internationally since 1989. He shares his expertise with the community through regular presentations to professional organizations and has been featured in Healthcare Design magazine, Architectural Record, and most recently World Architecture News. Erik has also leveraged his experience in the design of a number of healthcare educational facilities.
Jen has acquired over 20 years of experience in all aspects of the design process, from programming to construction administration, including furniture and architectural product specification, procurement, and in-field project management. Her strong listening and problem-solving skills inform her recommendations throughout a project. She is motivated to create solutions that deliver value while improving the user experience and business performance. Jen brings spaces to life: meeting the client's goals while reflecting their brand and culture.
Jessica has extensive experience designing corporate interior projects of all sizes and for a variety of clients. With a strong foundation in all phases of a project - from real estate analysis to strategy and programming through construction administration, she is a hands-on designer. She can see the big picture and pay attention to detail to ensure seamless project development and successful outcomes. Jessica applies her background in marketing and communications to better understand her client's brand and culture, to design spaces that support their work needs, business goals, and the cultural shift they wish to enact.
As Senior Principal, Jim helps drive studio development in the aviation / aerospace and industrial / advanced manufacturing markets. For over 25 years, Jim has managed global teams and large-scale design and construction projects for Fortune 500s such as Southwest Airlines, Amazon Air, and John Deere, in addition to establishing new offices for strategic growth. He holds an M.Arch from the University of Oregon.
Since entering the design field in 1988, Joe has been responsible for project design development, documentation, and collaborating with design leadership in creative problem-solving. Through collaborations with engineering consultants and allied professionals, he coordinates the design and construction processes from conceptual design to implementation.
Jonny leverages his innovative thinking to advance elegant design solutions. From residential and commercial to medical and corporate, he brings a passion for creating memorable, timeless, and refined spaces to each project he engages. His work has been featured in ArchDaily and World News Architecture among other global Online publications. With several national awards for projects completed in Istanbul, Jonny is committed to impacting the built environment in a lasting and thoughtful way.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
As President of LJC, Kapil Khanna focuses on overall firm management. As a member of the executive leadership team, he is responsible for providing direction for both the business strategy and the implementation of initiatives to support the firm's growth. Kapil works across all disciplines of the enterprise to seek out opportunities for greater alignment and integration to make positive impacts on our most complex projects.
A veteran of the design industry, Kapil has provided project management on some of the region's largest and most complex projects for healthcare and academic systems, including Cook County Health & Hospitals System's Stroger Hospital Central Campus, University of Chicago Medicine Center for Care and Discovery Parking Garage, Orange Regional Medical Center Outpatient Care Center and Cancer Center Expansion; as well as extensive projects with Higher Education and Healthcare facilities across the US prior to joining LJC.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Corporate Market Leader
As an LJC Corporate Market Leader, Lance is responsible for establishing design and project delivery leadership. As the single point of contact for many corporate clients, Lance ensures projects are delivered to exceed the client's expectations every time.
In her 20 year career, Lesley has been responsible for public engagement, project management, project design and direction, client contact and public process facilitation on a variety of architecture and planning projects. She has experience in a full range of architecture and planning project types and scales. Her professional training and practice include both domestic and international experience, specifically working in China, Russia, U.A.E, and Saudi Arabia. Lesley focuses her community centered practice on placing emphasis on implementable placemaking strategies, public engagement, liveable communities and sustainable design.
Lina entered the architecture and interior design field in 2000 and has since garnered extensive experience in a wide variety of project types. She is multi-disciplinary and works consistently among different practice areas, including mixed-use developments, residential, hospitality, retail, and workplace projects. Her diverse experience enables her to approach complex projects with a unique perspective resulting in innovative solutions for the client. Lina provides the design and technical expertise required to execute all phases of the project and is committed to delivering projects aligned with the clients' vision and goals.
For the past 35 years, Lucien Lagrange has built a legacy as one of the most respected architects of his generation.
Born in France and schooled in Montreal, Lucien has designed contemporary skyscrapers, classically inspired commercial mixed-use structures, and sophisticated renovations, many defining the local Chicago cityscape and other gracing cities around the globe - all of which have earned international renown.
Before founding his firm in 1985, Lucien was with SOM, where he designed major office tower and retail projects, among others, across the nation. Some of Lucien's most notable projects include the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Erie on the Park, and Chicago Union Station.
Matt is a Principal and Market Leader at LJC. He is an award-winning landscape architect with 20+ years of leadership and expertise working in the public realm. He's worked on various project scales/types in landscape architecture, planning, urban design, and horticulture. His fun and collaborative spirit set the stage for consensus building. Simultaneously, his design approach focuses on creating contextually appropriate and socially restorative environments for people/plants/pollinators through sustainable principles. As a leader and mentor, Matt is involved in all aspects of the design process, from inception through implementation, ensuring client satisfaction through a well-conceived and delivered outcome.
Job Titles:
- Chief People Officer
- Principal
Matt serves as an advocate for LJC's people, their career paths, and our firm culture. As a member of LJC's Leadership Council, his leadership focus is on integrating LJC's operations with parent company Clayco and its enterprise of companies. He collaborates with Clayco peers and LJC colleagues and oversees LJC's recruiting, hiring, and internship program. Matt organizes our annual leadership appointments and performance review processes while working with our leadership team to help facilitate compensation reviews and conversations. He is a Leadership Council Liaison to our Culture Core Council's Talent and EE:DI (Engagement-Equity-Diversity-Inclusion) Committees, advising these on their key initiatives. Matt also collaborates with the President, CEO, and Executive Chairman on special projects that sustain and advance the organization. He champions LJC's culture, especially its values of integrity, humility, and fearlessness; and is a proponent of the firm's broad-based community engagement efforts. He is honored to represent LJC as a Leadership Council Member for WBEZ Next.
Michael Berger has more than 25 years of experience in architecture and commercial interior design. He is intimately involved in corporate interior project types, and his duties include programming and visioning, space planning, budgeting, design development, and contract administration. As a Principal, Michael's primary role is to act as the principal liaison to the client, real estate consultants, contractors, vendors, and specialty consultants.
Since he entered the design industry in 2006, Michael has led a variety of project types ranging from higher education and healthcare to multi-story residential and indoor vertical farming. He loves the forensic process of determining how to give existing buildings new life while respecting their provenance and has spent a large part of his architecture career on renovation projects.
Mike has served as a Strategic Facilities Design and Capital Planning Professional for more than 25 years, prioritizing the creation and operation of inspiring, innovative, accessible, clean, and state-of-the-art environments. Leading award-winning sustainability-focused designs, Mike works on higher education, institutional, cultural, performing arts, adaptive reuse/historic preservation, religious, corporate workplace, civic, and mixed-use development projects.
Notably, Mike has worked on the new Malcolm X College of Health Sciences, the cutting-edge Daley College Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and the Olive Harvey Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Center.
Previously, Mike served as the Executive Director of Facilities Management of Elmhurst University. During his tenure, Mike oversaw and managed the school's transformation from a physical "College" to a physical "University." He orchestrated a campus masterplan vision update, updating and implementing capital improvement projects. Before his work with Elmhurst, Mike held the role of Associate Vice-Chancellor of Administrative Services at City Colleges of Chicago. As Vice-Chancellor, Mike directed the capital construction and facilities management needs across seven campuses throughout the City of Chicago.
As an architect in Chicago for more than 20 years, My-Nga has left her mark on the industry, the firms she has worked with, and on iconic properties in Chicago and beyond. As design principal, My-Nga oversees all design work in luxury residential and hospitality projects. With a keen understanding of lifestyle needs and how people genuinely occupy their spaces, she leads an insightful, strategic design process that balances the goals of the clients, the needs of the end-user, and the inherent interplay between a building and its surroundings.
As a Principal and Senior Project Manager, Neil is a team builder, critical thinker, and mentor. Neil focuses on design implementation and management of projects, and he has been a leader on local and international projects. His projects range from small community parks, urban plazas, streetscapes, greenways, and extensive community master planning. Many of his projects have involved community engagement with residents and stakeholders, a process in which Neil enjoys as consensus building from the surrounding communities makes for successful projects.
Ron has over 25 years experience in the engineering and construction industry with an emphasis on design/build project delivery in the industrial marketplace. Ron has operational and executive level experience in the general manufacturing, aerospace, food & consumer products, life sciences and chemical industries. He has built and managed businesses in North America, Asia and Europe with an unwavering focus on efficient project delivery. Ron is a collaborative team player who strives to first understand his client's real needs; then deliver in an open, communicative manner.
Sarah provides extensive experience in both architecture and construction management. A licensed project architect, she has been involved in all aspects of project delivery from conceptual design through construction administration.
Sarah has led teams on a variety of developments across the globe, including office buildings, hotels, higher education, and high rise, in both new construction and adaptive reuse. A passionate advocate for Chicago, she is committed to improving the quality of life in our city and volunteers with several architectural organizations, as well as serving on the Planning and Advocacy Committee for the Chicago Loop Alliance and the local product council for the Urban Land Institute.
Sarah's projects have won numerous awards including the ULI Global Award for Excellence, AIA Chicago Divine Detail Award, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository Redevelopment of the Year.
As head of Technical Assurance Group, Scott leads a world-class group of architects, engineers, and performance experts who develop options and actions to reduce potential threats to project objectives. He provides technical leadership and management in the design, construction, commissioning, and operations of a myriad of project types. By understanding his clients unique values, Scott believes in working closely with his team to identify and foresee issues before they arise.
Scott entered the field with a commitment to providing quality design solutions. He is responsible for coordinating all disciplines with excellence, providing an integrated design. Passionate about understanding the needs of diverse clients, Scott creates a productive and inviting environment, adding value to clients' businesses.
Shannon has been working closely with clients and consultants to bring innovative design solutions to reality since 2000. Her knowledge of critical facilities and the integration of highly technical spaces into projects brings high value to the design process. Shannon has worked on project types of varying scales, across many different building sectors, and with a variety of budgets. To every project she brings her extensive knowledge of building systems, a desire to get to know the team and the ability to collaborate, and bring the project to fruition.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications and Marketing
- Principal
- Chief Brand
Shelby is LJC's chief brand ambassador. With more than 20 years of marketing experience in the A/E/C industry, she leads the strategic messaging and visual representation of LJC's Brand. In addition, Shelby leads a small but mighty creative team that produces the firm's high-volume marketing and communications deliverables. She fosters a collaborative approach with LJC's Market Leaders and project teams in celebrating their successes via strategic content production. An active photographer, Shelby is passionate about the visual representation of our firm's work and culture and the impact of these on our clients and colleagues.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Leader of a World Class Group of Architects
Steve is a leader of a world class group of Architects and Engineers called "Clayco Technical Assurance Group" (TAG). This group was established in 1999, as a response to the fact that as a design builder we were solely responsible for the entire project, from the beginning of design to the turning over of the keys. TAG is a completely unique entity in the construction industry. We are a highly skilled, nimble, knowledgeable and experienced group of design professionals that touch ALL aspects of Clayco projects.
Tim has worked in all phases of projects from conceptual/schematic design to construction documents and construction administration. With a focus on collaboration, he strives to employ client-centered research based design to create environments unique to each organization while strengthening connections to their surroundings. Tim's passion is to apply technical, design and communication skills with diverse teams to make amazing places to work while transforming communities.
With 20 years of experience in the residential, mixed-use, and creative office sectors, Tom has designed award-winning work spanning the United States. Based in Los Angeles, Tom has spent the most recent part of his career focused on residential projects in the southwest region of the country. He has designed over 10,000 dwelling units and 500,000 SF of creative office and retail space in projects with a combined construction cost of more than $3 billion. He also designed and developed two award-winning adaptive reuse loft projects in Los Angeles.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Designer With
As an Executive Director and award-winning designer with LJC, Tyler Meyr is a leading conceptual thinker with a strong national and international portfolio of projects including built work in Los Angeles, London, Antwerp, St. Louis, and Istanbul. Having earned his Bachelor's and Master of Architecture from Tulane University and Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University, he utilizes 20 years of experience in urban design, planning, and architecture to address the complex challenges of today's urban environment.
His unique blend of urban design and architecture allows him to serve as a link between the disciplines, synthesizing context and program, along with the input of vital stakeholders into a cohesive vision. As a lead designer, Tyler strategically integrates diverse inputs into vibrant, distinctive, and inclusive environments. Tyler's passion for cities and their public spaces make LJC a dream opportunity to collectively envision and advocate for the future.
He also contributes to both civic and academic discourse by serving as a board member on the Chicago Central Area Committee and as a Lecturer at the Sam Fox School, College of Architecture & Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Design at Washington University. He has served as a visiting Design Critic at Harvard Graduate School of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology, and the University of Hong Kong.
Vance is responsible for leading the development and documentation of the project design. He participates in proposal preparation and also serves as the Industrial Market Leader for LJC where he is responsible for staff and project development. Since entering the design field in 1996, Vance has made the client's goals his primary objective.
For over 30 years, Victor has been driven to find better approaches to client problems. His work has spanned projects from bubble gum factories to baseball stadiums and everything in between.
Victor's expertise is instrumental to how we maintain a collaborative atmosphere while delivering the highest quality design. When he's not working on the next project, he sketches new concepts and finds creative solutions to architectural problems.
Woo Young is responsible for overseeing the work of the design team, guiding the project from concept to completion, and participating in the development of the project. Woo Young has been strongly influenced by urban and architectural design. This has shaped his process and comprehension of architecture. Through LJC's integrated delivery structure, Woo provides a unique value to clients via collaborative solutions.