SYNDICATE SMITH - Key Persons


Amy Rieke

Job Titles:
  • Office Manager
Amy is a Washington State Native, who moved to Leavenworth in 2012 with her husband and 2 daughters. Amy has deep roots and passion for the equine world. Amy has a Bachelors Degree in teaching and prior to Leavenworth, she taught middle school science. Her versatile mental prowess and fierce ambition have enabled her to implement new architectural office management software, streamlined bookkeeping and human resource operations for the office, along with taking names.

Boston Kiehn

Job Titles:
  • Interior Designer
Boston was born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley, growing up as a member of a 4 th generation pear orcharding family. Another Coug joining the firm, Boston received his BA in Interior Design from Washington State University in 2012 and went on to work on projects in Seattle and internationally in Shanghai, China. Mountain air and pear blossoms eventually called Boston back home to the valley and he joined Syndicate Smith in March of 2019. He is excited to join a firm that values collaboration among all trades, believing that this makes for the most successful, holistic designs.

Chelsea Courtney

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Designer
Chelsea joined Syndicate Smith in December 2015. Chelsea grew up in the heart of the North Cascades and attended Washington State University receiving a B.S. in Architecture in 2008. She is a prolific watercolor artist which implements other facets to design. She is also passionate about working at her aunt's bakery and cooking on her family's outfitting trips, both in Stehekin. Hiking, skiing, wind-surfing and getting to know people top the list of her favorite Leavenworth activities. She values the efficient and site-conscious design that Syndicate Smith promotes as well as attention to beauty through simplicity. She is thrilled to find a place where she is challenged daily to compose purposeful architecture.

Evan VanSandt

Job Titles:
  • Project Manager / Architect, NCARB
Originally from central Illinois, Evan attended architecture school at the University of Oregon and has since practiced architecture along the West Coast in California, Oregon, and Washington. Craftsmanship and nature are driving inspirations in his life. He strives to channel these inspirations into his work as an architect, through creating sophisticated designs which respond to the environment. In his free time, Evan enjoys rock climbing, trail running, backpacking, drawing, and making things with his hands.

Hannah Hering

Job Titles:
  • Interior Designer
New to the PNW, Hannah recently graduated with a BA in Interior Design from The University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2021. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Hannah moved out west to fulfill her dreams of living, playing and designing in the mountains. She strives to produce unique and thoughtful designs that turn each space into an experience. Some things that Hannah loves the most in life include farmers markets, spending time outdoors with family and friends, relief printmaking, really ripe peaches and her two cats.

Jake Monroe

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Designer
Jake joined the Syndicate Smith team in 2020. He grew up in Cashmere and was excited to come back to the area after finishing a Bachelor's of Architectural Studies and a Master's of Architecture degree from Washington State University. During his time in school, he won multiple design awards including the AIA Henry Adams Medal for excellence in the study of architecture. In his free time, Jake is a musician, playing the banjo and mandolin in bluegrass bands around the northwest. Jake helped start and run a free two-day music workshop in Cashmere called Taylor's Camp for kids ages 3-15 interested in acoustic music.

Laurel Podlich

Laurel joined Syndicate Smith in January 2021. Laurel grew up in Orondo and attended Montana State University receiving a B.A. in Environmental Design in 2010 and M. of Architecture in 2016. Laurel enjoyed her time hiking and snowboarding in Montana. After graduate school she decided that moving back to Washington fit her lifestyle and career intentions. Laurel is pursuing her architectural license and is excited to be a part of the Syndicate Smith team. She appreciates well thought out design that subtly achieves the goals of architecture. Laurel enjoys snowboarding, skiing, biking, hiking, camping, baking bread, and spending time with her dog. Close Window x

Matt Porter

Job Titles:
  • Business Development Director
An East Coast native, Matt was born in Maine and raised in Georgia. He earned a Liberal Arts Degree from the University of Georgia before making his way to Washington State in 1999. Having spent the majority of his career leading sales & marketing teams in the ski industry, Matt is excited to apply his experience in organizational development, strategy and execution to his role at Syndicate Smith. His favorite things in life include running on trails, non-fiction audiobooks, and exploring the wilderness with his family.

Sam Stanfield Wade

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Project Manager
Samantha is a recent graduate, holding both her B.S. in Architecture and Masters of Architecture from Washington State University (Go Cougs!). She joined the team in July of 2015, excited about the opportunity to begin her career with a great firm, which not only values great design but also the accessibility of design services. In 2020, Sam became a licensed architect in the state of Washington. A native Washingtonian originally from the West-side, she is an avid reader and music/movie enthusiast, who feels that architecture is much more than a job but rather a passion.

Steven Booher

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Principal
Holding a Bachelor of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago (2009), Steven has been focused on single and multi-family housing for over 6 years. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, he found his way to Leavenworth to be close to his family and take full advantage of the surroundings and community. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the mountains, all things science-fiction, and spending time with his family. Steven was made Principal Architect in October of 2017.

Todd Smith

Job Titles:
  • Architect / Director / Owner /
Born and raised in Leavenworth, Wa. Todd chose to leave the Bavarian Village to attend the University of Washington School of Architecture (Class of 2002). He spent 8 years at Johnston Architects In Seattle, with both Ray and Mary Johnston as great mentors. Syndicate Smith LLC was started in 2010. His wife, Julie and children, Kate and Miles, all agreed that Leavenworth should be called home in 2012. Piano, Art, Furniture, Photography, Skiing, Biking, Literature and Design all collectively inform the direction of each project pursued.