Front Range Design Center Announces the Addition of Top Industry Talent
Front Range Design Center (FRDC), a Boulder County-based team of interior designers and interior architects offering services to residential as well as commercial clients, recently announced the addition of Jamie Valdez, Roland Eibl and Rachel Laurel to its growing team of professionals. The trio represent some of the top talent in the design industry.
Jamie joins the design firm as director of design. As an NKBA and ASID award winning designer, Jamie oversees and manages the design direction of every project. She led a client’s 18-month project rebranding and updating their offices nationwide to whole home builds, kitchen, bath, and basement remodels. Jamie is an expert in guiding clients through their projects from concept to completion.
After graduating with a BA in Interior Design, Jamie joined a boutique residential firm in Chicago where she worked on everything from 15,00-square-foot mansions to urban penthouses and lakefront vacation homes. After returning to her home state of Colorado, she developed her practice by becoming the lead designer for a Boulder residential firm where she worked on homes from Denver to Vail.
Roland joins as director of operations. An expert at coordinating commercial and residential projects for over 30 years, he also serves as a quarterback in complicated stakeholder, C-level team, and owner’s rep projects from design to final installation. Adept at working in pressure, time-driven environments, he is a keen decision maker and problem solver with an emphasis on developing and sustaining long term relationships.
Career highlights include overseeing the store design and execution of the Boulder’s Whole Food’s flagship opening, Ideal market remodel, as well as over 100 store remodels for these brands and other national chains including Wild Oats and Pharmaca. After years in the commercial industry, Roland moved into the residential world of project management applying these same principals including relationship management to construction oversight.
Rachel joins FRDC as a design associate. A graduate of CU Denver, with a degree in Architecture and certificate of Interior Design, Rachel brings extensive proficiency in computer design programs including Adobe suites, Revit, Rhino, CAD, and Sketch-up. She plays a key role in design development and schematic drawings including floorplans, elevations, and renderings. Rachel also assists with product selection and final client project deliverables.
“Our clients, whether they are remodeling or redecorating, look to our team of designers, interior architects, and project managers to orchestrate their project from beginning to end,” said Judy Goldman, founder and CEO of FRDC. “We are committed to providing the expert level of service that homeowners and commercial property owners want when remodeling or building their property, and Jamie, Roland and Rachel will help us to continue to meet the highest expectations. We are a full service interior design center that has every product needed to complete any type of project, from a small bathroom, basement, full kitchen remodel or tenant improvement to a complete build or re-build.”
R+B Promotes Greg Ingalls, AIA, NCARB, to Project Manager
Rowland+Broughton Architecture/Urban Design/Interior Design announced the promotion of Greg Ingalls, AIA, NCARB, to project manager.
In his new role, Greg’s key areas of responsibility include project design and coordination from concept to development, managing client relationships, studio leadership, and mentorship. He is skilled in the latest architectural software, drafting, and rendering, as well as wood and steel fabrication. As an extension of his primary role, Greg is involved with R+B’s JEDI and Standards committees.
Originally from Newbury, MA, Greg received his Master of Architecture Graduate Degree from Southern California Institute of Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Design with an Emphasis in Architecture from University of Colorado at Boulder. He also participated in a Semester at Sea program, which included site visits in Brazil, India, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Japan. Prior to joining R+B, Greg was a project manager and job captain at Gensler in Los Angeles.
As an advocate for sustainable design, Greg is a board member of the Colorado Green Building Guild. Most recently, he was integral in executing the Build Forward Workshop + Expo, focused on educating trade professionals about rebuilding homes affected by the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado’s Boulder County. In his free time, he has an appreciation for music and sports, and enjoys hiking with his wife and two dogs, skiing, camping, golfing, and attending live music.
About his new position, Greg notes, “I am honored to be a project manager at R+B. My appreciation of the role goes beyond the title, as I am eager to embrace new skills and am excited for the opportunity to contribute further. Having worked with many different firms throughout the last 13 years, I am grateful for the ongoing support at R+B and am fortunate to add a facet to our highly collaborative culture.”
In regard to the promotion, R+B Principal Sarah Broughton, FAIA, NCIDQ, shares, “We are genuinely pleased to have elevated Greg to project manager. Paired with his enthusiasm for functional, efficient design, and impressive skill set, he brings tremendous enthusiasm and energy to the team. Congratulations, Greg!”
Howell Construction Adds Jenna McElvain and Leslie English
Howell Construction announced the recent addition of two key members to its team.
Jenna McElvain joins the company as a project engineer. After completing two successful internships with Howell in 2020 and
again in 2021, Jenna joined the Howell family full-time upon graduation. Jenna received her Bachelor of Science degree in
Construction Management from Colorado State University and brings experience working in land surveying as well as indepth
exposure to the industry through construction management internships.
“When we first met Jenna in 2020, we knew she’d be a great fit here at Howell,” said Todd Johnston, Senior Project Manager
at Howell. “We’re so pleased to have her back on a full-time basis.”
Leslie English joins Howell’s Accounting Department as a project accountant. Her impressive experience working in an
accounting capacity within the construction industry includes work for regional and national contractors in the Denver market.
At Howell, Leslie will help increase efficiency within this critical support function.
“To add someone with Leslie’s level of experience to our team is a huge win,” said Howell Controller Charlene Donnelly.
“She’s already contributed to our team’s processes and procedures.”
Studio K2 Architecture Elevates Geneva Kowalski to Partner and Principal
Studio K2 Architecture (SK2) announced it has promoted Geneva Kowalski, NCARB, to principal and partner at the firm. A 13-year veteran at SK2 with nearly 20 years of industry experience, Kowalski has been instrumental in broadening the firm’s design capabilities, combining architectural and interior design experience with a master’s degree in urban design.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have Geneva by my side as SK2 has grown and evolved,” said Kevin Koernig, AIA, founder of SK2. “She’s more than ready to step into this firm leadership role. She’s not only a mentor to other designers, but she’s been key to developing our national cannabis facility design practice, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she will do next,” he added. Koernig, who’s spent the last 25 of his 37 years as a practicing architect based in the Denver area, will remain a partner and principal in the firm, continuing to work with Kowalski to serve and grow its client base. The firm will remain branded as Studio K2 Architecture, though the ‘K2’ now represents the new Kowalski Koernig ownership structure. As it transitions to a majority woman-owned firm, SK2 will look to develop additional markets supporting design and construction teams on public projects by pursuing Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification from the city and county of Denver.
SK2 is a boutique architectural firm specializing in historic preservation and adaptive re-use, restaurant/hospitality, cannabis, manufacturing/industrial and multi- and single-family residential. Established in 2009, the small but mighty firm has designed award-winning projects such as the restoration of 2801 Welton in Denver to the new Fading West modular housing factory in Buena Vista, to projects for cannabis clients across the U.S.
As Kowalski steps into her new role at SK2, she will also continue to serve as executive chair for Women in Design, a role she has held since 2013. Kowalski is a founding member of WiD, a nearly 200-member strong, non-profit founded in Denver in 2005 to foster a self-supporting community of female design professionals working within the built environment. Kowalski is also serves on the city and county of Denver’s Public Art Committee where she works with the selection board to provide design advice on feasibility, structure and accessibility conditions related to the implementation of proposed artwork on public projects.
“I’m excited to take an ownership stake in SK2 and continue to grow what Kevin started,” Kowalski said. “It’s important that positions of leadership in architecture properly reflect the industry’s changing culture. As the number of women pursuing degrees and careers in architecture continues to grow, so too should leadership opportunities for women,” Kowalski added.
