Hans is an architect, educator, urban designer, and developer who exercises his passion for crafting places for people through teaching and practice. Hans is Dean of the University of Oklahoma’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture where he has taught since 1999 as Professor of Architecture and Urban Design. He holds the A. Blaine Imel, Jr. Professorship and the Mabrey Presidential Professorship, and has twice been recognized amongst the Top 30 Educators by Design Intelligence. Alongside his academic efforts, Hans is the co-founder of BAU_Butzer Architects and Urbanism with Torrey A. Butzer, with whom he has co-designed notable projects such as the Oklahoma City National Memorial, Skydance Bridge, and the pavilions of Scissortail Park. Their built works have been recognized with awards from the AIA, ASLA, and APA, noted amongst the 10 Monuments That Changed America, and have received LEED and WELL Building Institute certifications. Hans was the recipient of the American Institute of Architecture’s Award for Excellence in Public Architecture, and elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.

Lisa M. Chronister, FAIA, AICP, LEED AP is the Assistant Director of the Oklahoma City Planning Department where she leverages her architectural expertise to influence public decision making, improving public and private development to ensure a vibrant, attractive environment for the entire community.  Before joining the Planning Department in 2014, Lisa worked for over two decades in traditional architectural practice.  Throughout her career, Lisa has devoted her time and talent to developing emerging professionals, engaging communities, and advancing diversity within the profession at both the local and national levels.  Lisa earned a Master of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma.  She also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. 

Sara Codarin is an Assistant Professor of Architecture at Lawrence Technological University’s College of Architecture and Design. Her research spans robotic fabrication, large-scale additive manufacturing, digital craft, computational workflows, and generative AI for world-building. She holds an M.Arch and a Ph.D. from the University of Ferrara, where she focused on robotics for cultural heritage preservation. Her collaborative work on artificial intelligence was selected for the 2025 Biennale Architettura in Venice, curated by Carlo Ratti. She has exhibited her work at Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture, Detroit Month of Design, and Milan Design Week. Sara is a techno-optimist, and she loves robots.

Sean Creque is a Senior Project Manager with KAI with over 15 years’ experience in delivering Design Build projects with a focus on successful completion in terms of quality, budget, and schedule. At KAI Enterprises he is committed to transforming communities through integrated design and construction excellence in his role on various Rail Transit Programs.

Mauro Dallabattista, AIA, is an award-winning designer and Guernsey’s Vice President and Director of Design. He brings over 32 years of experience in architecture, engineering, and construction. Known for his seamless artistic vision, Mauro collaborates closely with teams to deliver visually dimensional, unique, functional, and technically responsive designs.

His portfolio reflects a commitment to sustainable and innovative design, most recently demonstrated in his leadership on Guernsey’s new headquarters -the first mass timber multi-story office building in Oklahoma. Mauro expertly navigates the complexities of mass timber construction, including prefabrication, structural coordination, and evolving code requirements. His work balances architectural expression with performance and resilience.

With extensive experience in mission-critical facilities such as headquarters, data centers, and laboratories, Mauro designs high-performance environments that integrate system reliability, occupant wellness, and long-term success

Karl Daubmann is an architect at the forefront of digital design. He is the Interim Provost at Lawrence Technological University. For the nine years prior he served as the Dean at the College of Architecture and Design. He is a University Distinguished Professor and his teaching includes design, AI, and leadership. His design practice, DAUB (design, architecture, urbanism, building), focuses on expanding the relationship between design, technology, and practice. Daubmann is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Between 2010 and 2014, Daubmann was the Vice President of Design and Creative Director for Blu Homes, where he led a multidisciplinary team that developed prefab housing. In 2024, he and Sara Codarin co-founded PLOP (prototyping lab for off-site prefabrication) with a focus on additive manufacturing for housing.

Bob serves as HFG’s Director of Business Development for Oklahoma. He is an influential team member who excels at acting as a liaison between stakeholders and the HFG team. Through nearly a decade at HFG, Bob has learned the nuances of the healthcare industry and is prepared to act as a client advocate throughout the process.

In over 30 years of professional practice, Steve Dumez has led the design of complex projects in a wide range of building types. As Director of Design for our practice, he oversees the design of all projects from concept to construction documents, working closely with a team of senior designers in ensuring the consistent quality level that drives our design-first practice. His engaging design process concentrates on first developing a detailed design program for clients including building image and brand goals, program compliance and ultimately physical design drivers. Under his design leadership, EskewDumezRipple has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for design excellence, including more than 25 national design awards and an additional 100+ awards at the local, state and regional levels.

Steve is a Past-President of AIA Louisiana and AIA New Orleans and serves as an active professional mentor within the region. He has also chaired AIA design awards programs at the local, state and regional level and has served on numerous design award juries across the country. He is actively engaged in many local civic organizations and has previously served on the board of the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans. His projects have been recently published in several books as well as numerous national architectural and design magazines such as Architect, Architectural Record, Contract, and Interior Design.

Kasha Egan, PE, SE, CWI, PTI, ICCMSI, is a structural engineer with over thirteen years of experience delivering high-performance buildings across healthcare, education, commercial, residential, and corporate sectors. As the lead structural engineer for Guernsey’s new headquarters, she guides one of the state’s most ambitious mass timber projects. Her role involves integrating timber and steel systems to achieve architectural intent, code compliance, and constructability. Kasha excels in collaborative environments and delivers creative, technically sound solutions that balance innovation with real-world constraints. Her eight construction inspection certifications, including ICC Master Inspector and AWS Certified Welding Inspector, bring a practical lens to design. Mass timber has sharpened her expertise, requiring early coordination to resolve fire resistance, lateral stability, and hybrid system challenges. Her precision ensures elegant and resilient structural solutions.

Dr. Lee A. Fithian is an accomplished architect, educator, and researcher dedicated to advancing sustainable design and building performance. With a career spanning over three decades, she has played a pivotal role in integrating sustainability principles into architectural curricula currently serving as the Director of the OU Online Master of Science in Sustainable Architecture, developing and administering an innovative program that equips students with the necessary skills to address climate change challenges in design and construction. Beyond academia and professional practice, Dr. Fithian has held leadership roles within the AIA, including serving as a technical jury reviewer for the AIA National COTE Top Ten Awards and the AIA BPKC Leadership Group. She has also been an active member of the IECC Envelope Embodied Carbon Subcommittee and the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission.

Frantz is a graduate of the Tulane School of Architecture in New Orleans.  His work focused on historic preservation, Main Street restoration, and neighborhood revitalization.  For 43 years, Frantz worked in many small Oklahoma towns.  Much of his work was with the Oklahoma Main Street Center and the OU College of Architecture.  Recently, Frantz retired to focus on his small Oklahoma City-based consulting firm, co-founded with his wife, Mary.

Following initial studies at Tulane University, Brian L. Freese continued his education at the University of Oklahoma, receiving a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1984.  Freese established Freese Architecture in 1994, following 10 years with firms around the state.  As principal, Freese has guided Freese Architecture to become an award-winning and internationally published firm specializing in custom single-family homes, commercial buildings, and interior architecture.

Freese has served in many capacities with the AIA Eastern Oklahoma Chapter including President (two years), Chair of the Marketing/Communications Committee, Founder and Editor of Design Perspectives, as well as on many boards and committees at the University of Oklahoma College of Architecture. Freese is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is licensed in the State of Oklahoma.

Donnie Gillespie, AIA has built his career by crafting meaningful and impactful designs for a diverse group of clienteles across the nation, with a heavy emphasis on healthcare architecture. He is a relentless creative who delights in the details, lives for the challenge, and dwells in dreams. For over two decades, Donnie has brought an undeniable passion and exuberance towards finding the solution in each project.

Julie Gordon brings twenty years of experience in non-profit and government project, program, and grant management to her role as an assistant professor at the OU College of Nursing. Her expertise additionally includes regulatory enforcement, budgeting, policy advisement, and strategic planning. Leveraging her experience, Dr. Gordon focuses her research on discovering system-level interventions and policies that address population health issues to improve the quality of care in acute, post-acute, and long-term care settings.

As the design visionary and thought leader responsible for conceptualizing innovative learning environments at A4E, Olivia leads the practice in planning, programming and the overall design direction of the firm through an interactive and collaborative process. She believes that outstanding projects begin with a clear concept and should balance aesthetics with curriculum-based innovations to create expressive and functional 21st century educational environments that feature hands-on/ minds-on maker spaces, transdisciplinary settings, and project-based learning. Her commitment and involvement extend through every phase of the design process. Olivia is also on the Leadership Group of the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on Architecture for Education (AIA-CAE) and is a frequent speaker at education-focused conferences, including the California STEAM Symposium, California School Business Expo (CASBO), EDspaces, NSTA, and AIA-CAE.

Nicole Harris, a dedicated architect specializing in healthcare design, committed to crafting spaces that enhance both physical and mental wellbeing. With extensive experience working across a range of project scales- from intimate rural healthcare facilities to large-scale government initiatives, Nicole brings a thoughtful, human centered approach to every design.

Chase Henninger has worked on both the architecture and construction sides of the industry and works to drive innovation through creative problem solving and collaboration at JE Dunn Construction. He currently chairs the OKC chapter of DBIA and sits on the Central Edmond Urban District Board.

Design is a strong passion for Isaac, a principal with Tradesman. This passion continues to drive him forward to new ideas and concepts. Isaac has worked on a wide ranging set of project types from single family to process oriented large scale manufacturing facilities and everything in between. Isaac believes that each day is not only an opportunity to learn something new in life but a chance to share what has been learned with other team members. He firmly believes that not only do the best ideas and designs come from positive teams but also that these pooled experiences allow for more beautiful solutions to enhance our local built environment and quality of life.

Kendra brings a wealth of architectural and worldly experience to every project. Her expertise in programing and building code knowledge ensures the foundational space program is right at the start. As a commissioner for the Oklahoma City Building Code Commission, Kendra understands municipal process and how to apply the Universal Building Codes.  This ensures projects work smoothly through permitting and fewer chances for rework to be required. Accessibility, green building, and fair access are natural attributes in her design process. Kendra approaches every project with a personal experience of how her family would use the space, thus ensuring an enjoyable and accessible space for all.

Adam Lanman, AIA, is the founder of Atelier aL, a design-forward architecture studio based in Oklahoma. His work focuses on environmentally responsible, small-scale architecture rooted in context, material clarity, and long-term value. With degrees in biology and architecture, Lanman brings an interdisciplinary lens to each project—balancing ecological thinking with careful craft and formal restraint. His practice spans residential, civic, and public interest design, and has been recognized with AIA design awards and features in PLAIN Magazine, Dwell, and 405 Magazine.

Lanman’s approach is shaped by direct study with architects known for regional and climate-based design. These early influences continue to inform a practice committed to designs that respond quietly and durably to their site and community. He also teaches university-level design studios and workshops focused on sustainability and regionalism, exploring how architecture can serve as both a physical and cultural anchor.

Sarah Lembke is the Design Coordinator for Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Downtown Resource Center, where she supports downtown revitalization through architectural design assistance and training. A licensed architect in Iowa, she meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for both Architectural History and Historic Architecture and is certified as a Historic Real Estate Finance Professional by the National Development Council. Sarah brings a passion for integrating economic development with high-quality design and has extensive experience working with communities to balance preservation goals with creative, context-sensitive development. Before joining the public sector, she was in private practice in Minnesota.

Jon Mindrup is a licensed architect and serves JE Dunn as a Design Management Director. He has spent his career facilitating design build projects and creating collaborative solutions. His experience in mixed use development and aviation will help pave the way for growth in Oklahoma. Jon sits on the National Board for DBIA.

Dr. Hongwan Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Oklahoma Health. She leads interdisciplinary, community-driven research on air quality, environmental health disparities, and climate resilience.

Evan is a graduate from the University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture, and joined BAU_ Butzer Architects and Urbanism in 2017. He has contributed to a host of award-winning projects such as the Scissortail Park Café, the La Nina Residence, and Dolese Bros. HQ. He currently serves as the Project Manager for the new construction at Taft Middle School in Oklahoma City. Evan remains involved in his Alma Mater often contributing his time as an adjunct professor at Gibbs College and recently serving as a guest editor in the national award-winning student led journal Telesi.

As Principal at TRADESMAN, John plays a critical role ensuring the project concepts meets our clients’ vision and resources. He has played a key role in the design and management of projects large and small, including recreation centers, mixed-use retail developments, and multi-family housing. His extensive experience in the design of complex mechanical systems provides the basis for helping ensure decisions are made with both first and life cycle costs in mind. John believes in giving back to his community and attempts to do that with each project he delivers.

Shakil Ahmad Shimul serves as an Assistant Professor of Architecture at the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma. His research centers on responsive architecture, building systems, and the promotion of human comfort and well-being. Additionally, he actively participates in interdisciplinary research and community engagement projects within the context of Oklahoma.

Eric Taylor, PE, LEED AP, is Guernsey’s Vice President, Director of Engineering, and a senior mechanical engineer known for leading multidisciplinary teams on complex building and infrastructure projects. He serves as the mechanical lead for Guernsey’s new 63,000-square-foot headquarters, where he designed wellness-focused systems, including underfloor air distribution and high-performance HVAC strategies that improve air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency. His expertise spans mechanical, plumbing, and fuel system design, life cycle cost analysis, and quality control. With a focus on early coordination and client communication, Eric delivers resilient solutions that enhance occupant health, safety, and welfare. His leadership supports Guernsey’s mission to create high-performing, human-centered environments through innovative engineering.

Justin Watson is a 2005 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.  Joining the lighting industry in 2015 following his military service, Justin has helped Architects, Engineers and Lighting Designers design and specify lighting and lighting controls for several hundred commercial, higher education, hospitality, and medical projects globally.  He currently holds the position of South Central Commercial Area Leader for Lutron Electronics, Inc.

Jared Zurn, Chief Programs Officer, serves as a member of the senior leadership team at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Zurn has responsibility for the strategic direction of examination related initiatives, professional ethics initiatives, as well as oversight of and participation in research regarding the current and future states of the architectural profession. Zurn is a licensed architect and Certified Association Executive.

Before joining NCARB, Zurn operated a sole proprietorship architectural design firm in northern Minnesota.  He also served as faculty of the Architectural Technology program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College where he served as a Division Chair and led the Architectural Technology program in the areas of curriculum development, course assessment, and program outcome assessment.