SGA Design Group announces new hires, promotions:
Tulsa, Okla. – SGA Design Group, a top national architecture firm, is pleased to announce eight leadership promotions and sixteen new hires.
Mitchel Garrett, AIA, NCARB, LEED® AP has been named Vice President and elected to SGA’s Board of Directors for 2019. Along with more than 30 years of experience, Mitch brings accessibility and responsiveness to every client relationship where he serves as Principal in Charge. He’s a licensed architect in multiple states, and is a member of the AIA, NCARB certified, and is also a LEED Accredited Professional. Mitch understands the importance of building long-term relationships with clients, believing that when you strike the right chemistry, great things happen. He also strives to create a supportive and engaging environment for employees, and sees SGA as a legacy firm – providing value for many generations to come. Mitch has been with SGA Design Group since 1999.
Travis Hager, AIA, NCARB, LEED® AP BD+C has been named a Shareholder and Principal. Travis graduated from Oklahoma State University with a NAAB-accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1998. He first joined SGA in 2001 and rejoined our firm in 2012 after spending 9 years practicing architecture in South Carolina. He brings over 20 years of experience in a broad variety of project types including higher education, K-12, senior living, religious, residential and retail. Travis is a licensed architect in Oklahoma and South Carolina, a LEED Accredited Professional with BD+C Specialty and has also received a Post Disaster certification by CAL-OES.
Greg Davis, AIA has been named an Associate Principal. Greg received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 1993 and joined SGA’s team in 1998. Since 2003, his focus as Director of Technology has been on developing and growing the firm’s information systems. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, a member of the AIA, and is licensed to practice architecture in Oklahoma. Greg combines his technology background and experience in the field of architecture to bring a unique set of skills to SGA and our clients. He believes in creating strong structures – both electronic and physical. He values reliability and security and brings these priorities to all his work.
Clint Hoppes, SPHR, SHRM-SCP has been named an Associate Principal. He joined the firm in 2007 as the Human Resources Manager and became HR Director in 2009. Clint works with firm leaders to develop and implement HR strategy that advances the firm’s goals and promotes SGA’s core values. His focus is on helping individuals, teams, and the firm be more successful. Clint earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication from Oklahoma Christian University, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Oklahoma. He is a senior certified HR Professional with HRCI and SHRM.
Robert Klemple, AIA has been named an Associate Principal. Rob has been bringing value to retail leaders including Walmart, Albertsons and Home Depot for more than 20 years. He supports each client’s goals with his design and entitlement expertise, focusing specifically on brand design response and retail innovation. Rob is passionate about keeping up with design trends across the country, as well as developments in technology and building techniques. He continuously strives to find creative solutions for clients, while also focusing on speed to market and controlling costs. Rob graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1993 and joined SGA Design Group in 2002. He is a licensed architect and a member of the AIA.
Alexis Balbontin, AIA has been named an Associate. Alexis has been part of the SGA family since 2011 and has worked on numerous grocery clients including ALDI, Akin’s Natural Foods, Reed’s Market, Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Walmart Supercenter. He is currently the program manager for Hanger Clinic. Alexis obtained his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in 1993 and is a licensed in architect in Mexico and Oklahoma. He has worked on healthcare projects, including the Springer Clinic for Saint Francis and the award winning Morton Medical Center Clinic in Tulsa. Alexis has been involved in the American Institute of Architects, serving as a director of AIA Eastern Oklahoma and working on multiple committees.
LaWayna Dalessandro has been named an Associate. LaWayna is a 1987 graduate of Oklahoma State University where she obtained a BS in Interior Design. She joined SGA in 2002 and has over 30 years of experience in architectural design and consulting. Her vast experience includes prototyping, as-built documentation, design and construction documents for ground-up and remodel projects, permitting, and construction administration. LaWayna excels at maintaining client relationships. Her resume includes over 25 years of working with fast-paced retail clients with replicable building programs. She has completed and permitted projects of all sizes across jurisdictions in nearly every state. LaWayna is currently working with the SGA special projects group.
Larry Gordon Wilson, AIA has been named an Associate. As a Senior Project Architect, Larry leads projects for various clients, including Walmart. He has significant experience developing architectural concepts for numerous volume program clients. Larry is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, is a licensed architect in Oklahoma, and is member of the AIA.
Barry Belt, NCARB joined SGA in September of 2018. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas in 1980. Barry has worked on many building programs in his 38 years in architecture. Most of his clients were national clients and has projects completed in over 27 states. Barry has been involved in all phases of architecture from contract negotiations, design, construction documents, bidding, and construction administration.
Emily Berndt, IIDA, Allied Member ASID joined the SGA Design Group team in 2018 as an Intern Project Designer after receiving her Bachelor of Interior Design degree with a minor in Art History from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has prior experience in the retail industry including opening locations of Ashley Homestores as the head of visual display as well as experience with a local homebuilder in Oklahoma City. Emily is a member of both The Commercial Interior Design Association as well as the American Society of Interior Designers. She is in pursuit of her NCIDQ Certification and LEED accreditation.
Colton Connor, Assoc. AIA joined SGA in May of 2018. He received his Master of Architecture from Drury University in 2018 and joined SGA’s team shortly thereafter. Prior to graduation, he worked for a firm in Springfield, MO for two years. While there, he received experience on a wide range of projects including elementary and high schools, single family homes, multi-family residences, local restaurants, commercial renovations, and prototypical site adaptation. He is currently working toward licensure.
Cheryl Dillard joined SGA in July of 2018. Cheryl received her Bachelor of science in Dietetics from Kansas State University and her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Interior Design from Oklahoma State University. She has worked in higher education within managerial foodservice roles for multiple universities. Within interior design, Cheryl has worked on projects for K-12, banks, churches, healthcare, and higher education. Before joining SGA, she worked as an Interior Designer with Oklahoma State University which allowed her to aid all campuses under the Oklahoma State A&M Board of Regents. Cheryl brings experience within higher education, team building, and customer service.
Olivia Good, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate joined SGA in December of 2018. She graduated from Oklahoma State University in December of 2017 with her Bachelor of Architecture. Olivia worked in Denver for a year after graduation and recently moved back to her home state of Oklahoma. She is in pursuit of her license and is a LEED Green Associate.
Jose Garduno, Assoc. AIA rejoined SGA in October of 2018. He graduated in 2014 from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design with a Bachelor of Architecture, and also has an associate’s degree in computer aided design from Northwest Arkansas Community College. Jose has over 12 years of experience working with retail & restaurant clients, and has been involved with numerous tenant improvement projects.
Isabel Martinez joined SGA in June of 2018. She received a CAD Technician certification from Tulsa Technology Center. Isabel is currently a full-time student at Tulsa Community College and is working on completing her prerequisites. Her goal is to attend Oklahoma State University where she plans to obtain a Bachelor of Architecture.
Bob Myers joined SGA in January of 2019. He received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from the University of Oklahoma and is a licensed architect in Texas. Bob brings an extensive knowledge in planning, design and construction and will serve SGA clients as a Senior Project Manager. His 30+ years in architecture have afforded him a wide range of experience with multiple building types including retail, hospitality, higher education, K-12, municipal, and corporate/commercial clients.
Amanda Neal joined SGA in May of 2018 as Marketing Coordinator with over 10 years of experience. Her previous roles have given her significant hands-on experience in brand management, email and engagement marketing, advertising, and website management. Amanda attended OSU-Institute of Technology for Graphic Design.
Carrie Newman, Allied Member ASID joined SGA in April of 2018. Carrie received her Bachelor of Interior Design and Marketing Minor from the University of Arkansas in 2005. She is an allied member of ASID. Her previous design experience involves residential, convenience stores and large-scale retail.
Cassi Post joined SGA in January of 2019. She received her BS in Interior Design from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2017. While in school, Cassi had the opportunity to work for another architecture firm where she gained experience in healthcare and higher education projects. After graduating, she moved to Nashville and worked for an interior design firm where she spent time as the lead on multiple senior living projects. Cassi has a goal of passing the NCIDQ exams within the next few years and would also like to obtain her LEED accreditation.
Mohandis Radford, Jr., Assoc. AIA joined SGA in May of 2018. Mohandis received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 1998 and joined SGA’s team in 2018. He brings to SGA 20+ years of experience in architectural design and construction. His experience is drawn from varied project types, including retail, single and multifamily housing, hospitality, educational, healthcare, law enforcement, and performing arts facilities. Mohandis has been involved in all aspects of these projects from preliminary design and project documentation through to construction administration.
Steven Reichard joined SGA in May of 2018. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oklahoma in 2018. Prior to joining SGA, Steven worked at Indian Health Service gaining experience in healthcare. Before pursuing his architecture degree, he was a communications airman in the United States Air Force, serving eight years active duty and two years reserves.
Dan Rice, Assoc. AIA joined SGA in August of 2018. Dan received his Bachelor of Construction Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2010 as well as his Master of Architecture in 2018. He joined SGA’s team in August 2018 to work as a project manager on the Target team. His experience in construction management and project cost estimation enhanced Dan’s ability to create structural and economically sound designs. He has worked on a variety of projects including government/municipal, interiors, remodel, residential, and retail.
Melissa Smalley, Assoc. IIDA joined SGA in October of 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Pittsburg State University in 2012. She worked as an Interior Designer and Workspace Consultant for five years at ScottRice, a Steelcase furniture dealership in Oklahoma. With her experience, she brings a plethora of furniture knowledge from systems furniture and modular architectural walls to lounge furniture in the corporate, government, and higher education industries. She has also served on the Interior Design Leadership Council for Pittsburg State since 2016 and just recently joined the ZeroLandFill Tulsa committee for IIDA and is currently pursuing NCIDQ Certification.
Andrew Yeh joined SGA in August of 2018 as Intern Project Designer. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design from Oklahoma Christian University and has a background of textile knowledge in lighting, tile and flooring.
“2018 was a terrific year for SGA. We added several fantastic clients, hired numerous individuals with exceptional qualifications, and positioned several key people in strong leadership roles. 2019 should be an equally exciting year as we continue to grow and expand services,” said Christopher B. Goble, President & CEO, SGA Design Group.
About SGA Design Group:
SGA Design Group (SGA) was founded in 1995. SGA has become an established leader in national architectural programs, prototype development & management, architectural forensic analysis, and sustainable design. SGA is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has a second office in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Contact Information:
1437 South Boulder, Suite 550
Tulsa, OK 74119.3609
Telephone: +1 (918) 587-8600
Company Website: www.sgadesigngroup.com
Twitter: @SGA_Designs