In the News

A reflection of our dedication to client service, we proudly celebrate the largest group of promotions in the firm’s history. These leaders are bringing value to our clients through creative problem solving and designs that enrich the lives of the people that interact with them.

We are pleased to recognize career growth and expertise development in the diversity of skills and opportunity offered at O’Connell Robertson. The impact of these individuals’ varied talents will take the company into the future. Their unique strengths and contributions are making a significant impact on our clients, firm culture and operations throughout our Austin, Houston and San Antonio offices.

“We are excited to recognize these individuals who are demonstrating the highest level of response to our Firm’s core values. They are not only excelling in their areas of specialized knowledge and expertise, but are mentoring others, giving back to the community and championing client advocacy,” says Amy Jones, President.

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Casey Nicholson, RA has been promoted to Associate Principal. With more than eight years at the firm, she brings 17+ years of experience in programming, planning, architectural design and project management of educational facilities. As a former elementary school teacher, she combines her passion for children’s education and quality design by focusing her talents in our K12 market studio. She received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Architecture from the University of Hartford. Casey and her husband, licensed foster parents, have adopted two daughters through the foster care system and continue to open their home on weekends to kids who’s foster parents need time off.

SENIOR ASSOCIATES

Jessica Bazán has 15 years in the A/E/C industry and serves as a Business Development Leader, cultivating client relationships. She has served as a Board member for SMPS and both Austin and Pflugerville Education Foundations. She’s on Leander ISD’s grant review committee, is a member of TSPRA and has participated in Central Healthcare Community Champions and Austin ISD UpClose. She was named to the 2023 cohort of ElevateHER. Born and raised in Southwest Austin, Jessica graduated Magna Cum Laude from St. Edward’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Doug Dawson, RA began his career in architecture working with the firm in 2016. His role is primarily within the K12 studio where he focuses on educational planning and design. Doug is participating in A4LE’s Advanced Academy for Learning Spaces and hopes to receive ALEP designation. Having grown up in Austin, Doug finds it incredibly rewarding to professionally be part of the growth of School Districts within his community. Good communication, listening in particular, is the cornerstone of Doug’s collaborative working style. Doug achieved a Master of Architecture from the University of Kansas.

Kurt Schwerdtfeger, AIA, RID, RAS, LEED AP BD+C has more than 18 years’ experience in the A/E/C industry and has spent 15 of them in various roles including design, construction administration and quality assurance across all project types with the firm. As a child always sketching, Kurt knew he wanted to be an architect from an early age. He is proud of the firm’s current work with Waco ISD where he has overseen the quality documentation of new educational facilities. Kurt sits on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Hutto. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kansas and MBA from Lamar University.

ASSOCIATES

Chad Cooley has been with the firm just over a year and is a Project Director specializing in healthcare. Playing with Legos as a child served as an inspiration for his career, and now enjoys a career at a firm that has a playful culture. He has enjoyed working on the Clarity Child Guidance Center and feels fulfilled knowing that his efforts are helping children within the San Antonio community. Chad received a Master of Architecture from Texas Tech University.

Christopher Crawford, RA serves as a Project Manager on healthcare facilities of all types. Having been here for one year and seven months, his favorite facet of being a part of the O’Connell Robertson team is learning all aspects of healthcare from our integrated design team. He remembers the vast atrium spaces of his elementary school that intrigued him as to how environments are created. The West Expansion for the Shannon Medical Center has been very rewarding for Christopher as complex solutions had to be developed given the site constraints and the parking garage below occupied areas. Christopher received a Master of Architecture from the University of Kansas.

Andrew Faust is a Project Leader specializing in education. With nearly three years at the firm, he enjoys being surrounded by and working with people who have such a wealth of knowledge. He too, gained an appreciation for the industry designing and building houses with Legos as a kid. The Waco ISD High School has allowed him an opportunity to grow and stretch his skills as it’s the largest and most complex project in his portfolio to date. He earned his Bachelor of Science in architecture from Lawrence Technological University.

Christina Harris, RA is a Project Architect who has been with the firm over a year. She values her teammates and the collaborative process shared—bouncing ideas off each other and drawing from others’ experiences to create solutions. Seeing her admiration of car designs and designing buildings with Legos at an early age, her dad encouraged her to take drafting in High School and consider architecture as a career. She is excited to be working on a new high school project and thrilled that the district has already had a positive response. Christina has a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University.

Pooja Harris, Assoc. AIA, NOMA has been an architectural job captain on our K12 production team for more than two years. She cares tremendously about the missions of our clients and appreciates learning from a group of passionate, intelligent and talented teammates. Contributing to the creation of things that improve communities is what drives her. Her experience on Waco ISD High School has been memorable as it is her first and largest project to work on from schematic design through contract documents. She has a Bachelor of Science in architecture from Northeastern University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Houston.

Jill Hope, CPSM is our Director of Marketing and Strategic Growth. Jill recently joined the firm and we’re excited to maximize the 25 years’ experience of marketing for the A/E/C industry that she brings. Jill works with our Senior Leadership Team and Business Developers to orchestrate the firm’s marketing process and guide our brand’s external impact. Having been a member of SMPS for 24 years, she has served on the Houston Chapter Board in many capacities. Jill earned Bachelor of Arts in mass media (journalism) and speech communications from Houston Christian University.

Steven Hysick, PE is an MEP Project Manager specializing in mechanical engineering. He has been with the firm one year, seven months and enjoys working with experienced colleagues in multiple design disciplines that are always willing to help. Puzzles and strategy games contributed to his passion for engineering. Seeing his hard work translated in an education or healthcare building that will be used for years to come is rewarding. He is particularly proud of the Hays ISD Academic Support Center—the first project where he designed an entirely new building. Steven received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

Hannah Laue, AIA is a Senior Project Architect in our Education studio. With one year, seven months at the firm, Hannah says the people here are the best and support each other. As a child, she enjoyed touring open houses on the weekends with her parents and saw architecture as a way to combine two of her favorite subjects—art and math. Hannah is just beginning design for a replacement elementary school (Kendrick) in Waco and says that is the most fun stage because the possibilities are endless. She received a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University.

Kristin Leija, RID, NCIDQ, EDAC, WELL AP, LEED GA has served as an Interior Designer at the firm for nearly two years. She loves working in a place where teammates support and respect each other. Kristin has always obsessed about how a space makes her feel. Exploring new spaces and revisiting those that left a remarkable impression on her, is something she genuinely cherishes. Her experience working on the Shannon Oncology Trustee Suite challenged her to go outside her comfort zone and from that experience she grew professionally and technically. She received her Bachelor of Science in interior design from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

James C. Moore, AIA has served as a Senior Project Architect/Manager within our K12 group for more than a year. James feels we’re a true family here with great people that are passionate, talented and client driven. He was inspired to be in this industry because he wanted to give young students architectural spaces to learn, increasing their possibilities and pride in their school. He enjoys practicing craftsmanship and collaboration to create places that are tailored to clients. The Hays ISD Academic Support Center is special to him because it brought together their staff resources, allowing them to grow into the future while providing a one-stop interaction space for the public. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University.

Greg Ortiz is a member of our Construction Administration department. For more than a year he has been working with the talented and passionate people of O’Connell Roberson bringing buildings to life. He learned a great deal from the Hays ISD 4-pack and developed solutions to challenges that will bring value to many projects moving forward. He received a Bachelor of Science from Texas State University.

Lucia Prado is an architectural Project Captain specializing in education spaces. She has been with the firm one year, seven months and enjoys collaborating with a highly qualified team that is willing to support each other to achieve amazing things. Lucia has always been interested in design, drawings and the way things are put together. This, combined with a passion for the building process and thoroughly enjoying each phase of any project, made her progression into a career in architecture natural and extremely rewarding. Lucia received a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and a Master of Architecture from University of Texas San Antonio.

Ed Sapir has been an Electrical Designer with the firm for six years. He specializes in power design for unique spaces like kitchens, labs, theaters and healthcare. Being a part of the O’Connell Robertson team has given him plenty of on-the-job training and opportunity for growth. His love of architecture inspired his career. Aside from our Austin office renovation project, Ed has enjoyed working on the University of Texas Football Team’s temporary weight room and laundry project. He also feels that the St. David’s Institute for Learning was the perfect blend of health and education. Ed received a Bachelor of Science from Carleton College.