Monica Lowry, Senior Project Manager, Burgess & Niple. “Growing up I was always creating something—furniture for my dolls, ideas for a club house, or ways we could renovate our house so I could (finally!) get my own room. I never got my own room but did cultivate a deep passion for creating spaces.”

Krista Paas Nicholas, AIA, Sr Project Architect, Envisage Architecture. “l am very experienced in institutional work, especially with an expertise in healthcare design in both large-scaled, multi-phased projects and smaller boutique healthcare offices. I’m also focusing on learning multi-family and wood construction. I love working in all phases of design, construction and mentoring younger staff.”

Tommy Brand, Owner, Phantom Sound. “I love the famous quote from Aldous Huxley, ‘After silence, that which comes neatest to expressing the inexpressible is music.’ We just finished a custom home project featuring automation controls, security, smart lighting, motorized shades, and most importantly, whole home sound. The customer did not want to see the speakers and that is what we do best.”

Patrick Fernbach, PE, WELL AP, Director of Mechanical Engineering, KLH Engineers. “I get energized by exploring engineering concepts in our department, growing strong team cultures, fostering relationships with our community leaders and clients, and creating systems that allow our team members to engineer our clients’ dreams into a reality.”

Sari Lehtinen, International Associate AIA, Senior Designer at MA Design. “I’m at the latter part of my career, and lucky to get to focus on what I love the best – concept design, housing solutions, and urban environments. Also mentoring and assisting staff newer to the field brings me joy. I love sharing experiences and knowledge, and collaborating with my team.”

Congratulations Madison Gilmore and Clarissa Leidenheimer who recently passed their exams to become licensed architects, moving from Associate AIA to full AIA!

Anika Anisha, Assoc. AIA, Architectural Designer, Elevar Design Group. “I have been interested in architecture since childhood. It was also my mom’s dream for me to become an architect. This is a very challenging career, but always be prepared to overcome all the difficulties with passion.”

AIA Cincinnati is led by a volunteer board, elected by our chapter members. This year we have six new members, in addition to a new president and vice president. Get to know your chapter leadership in these profiles.

Tom Shumaker, Director of Business Development, Cincinnati Commercial Contracting. “We especially thrive in a design assist role, particularly when design professionals seek our expertise with pre-engineered metal building systems.”

Chad Estes, Partner, GOP Limited. “Ask three engineers a question and get four different answers. While they may all work, we know the fifth answer is the best. The one you get to after what occurs to you initially and after collaboration with the team, considering all variables. We work closely with our architects, we’re nimble and responsive, and creative in our approach.”