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about the staff

shane chism, AIA, LEED AP

Shane received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arizona in 2000 and became a registered architect in 2008. In 2005 he became a LEED Accredited Professional. Shane has worked in Colorado and Nevada, as well as Arizona. While his special area of interest and expertise is schools, Shane has worked on a wide range of project types. In addition, he possesses extraordinary 3D modeling skills, making him a key member of our BIM team. When you are out and about town, look for Shane running, biking, swimming, or playing baseball. If you are competing against him in an aquathlon, look out!

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mike culbert, RA

Mike is a project architect with a diverse background and wealth of experience. After graduating from Pima College with an Associate’s Degree in Construction Drafting a very long time ago (Reagan was president then), Mike has worked at architectural firms specializing in health care, advance technology, and high-end custom residential projects. He became a registered architect in 1998 and a “young” grandfather in 2004. His technical knowledge, experience, dedication, and consistently positive attitude are a great asset to the firm. However, due to his advanced age, we need to keep the A/C really cold to keep him awake.

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samantha dickens

Samantha learned to type on an old Royal manual typewriter (remember those?) and moved up to computers in the DOS age. She now uses the computer to create brochure sheets on our projects and type up spec books. She answers the phones during the day and by night she races BMX in the “old ladies” cruiser class. She lived all over the country before landing in Tucson in 1993 and now lives here with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and a dozen bicycles.

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sara fontaine, AIA, LEED AP

Sara received her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech in 1989 (go Hokies!) and became a licensed architect in 2001. She has worked in both San Diego and Tucson on a wide range of project types including residential, commercial, school campuses, and hospitals. As a project architect, she works hard with the project team to be sure the project runs smoothly from design to construction. As our office den mother, she brings a refreshing sense of calmness when everything is going at full speed. Sara lives in Vail with her husband and two sons.

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becky johnson

Becky graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2006. Since that time, she has been involved in a wide range of project types including schools, retail, and senior living facilities. In addition, Becky is skilled in both graphic design and 3D design programs and is a valued member of our BIM team. Having grown up in the Tucson construction industry, Becky possesses a well-rounded perspective of the field of architecture and design. That, and she can give us the inside scoop on the contractors that we work with!

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carolyn johnson

Carolyn balances our books and works hard to keep us out of the red. Apparently nobody told her that bookkeepers are quiet and reserved individuals, but then again, she did grow up in Texas. Carolyn’s bookkeeping career has covered all areas of the design and construction industry including subcontractors, general contractors, and architects. She is a proud mother of a Navy Seaman and has cruised on a U.S. Destroyer with her son. The ship, somehow, survived.

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jason kosmicki

Jason received his Bachelor of Architecture in 2011 from the University of Arizona. Since then, his expertise in BIM programming has caused Revit to slowly morph into the appendage formerly known as his right hand. Lucky for us this, and his diagnosis of "car crazy", has not landed him in an institution (yet); he is still surviving through the support of his wife and son. He has worked on school additions and improvements, medical facilities, various tenant improvements, and the 9-story Unisource building.

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tetine price

Tetine graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1993. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from San Jose State which she received at an undisclosed point in time (we think she just forgot when). Tetine has a broad range of experience in commercial, medical, religious, and residential projects and is especially interested in linkages between the built environment and the human condition. But wait, there’s more! Tetine is an Idaho trout fisherwoman, an Arizona hiker, a classic movie watcher, a beginning jeweler, a self-proclaimed bad cook, and a good baker. Since we believe in consistent quality control here in the office, we try to help her maintain that last title as much as possible.

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tim smith, AIA

Tim graduated from the University of Arizona in 2002 with a Bachelor of Architecture and became a registered architect in 2009. When not cleaning up oil spills in the parking lot from his “classic” Volkswagens, Tim is busy managing various projects including offices, churches, public recreation facilities, and schools. In addition, Tim is heavily involved in our BIM software program and is an avid 3D renderer.

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amanda spear

Amanda Spear graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2010 from the University of Arizona. As an undergraduate, her experiences included working with the Drachman Institute to formulate a series of residential and community design concepts for several Arizona communities, design & construction of the DDBC residence #4, and participation in the House Energy Doctor Program. She is currently involved in a wide range of project types including schools and medical facilities. Amanda's experience as a rugby player makes her uniquely qualified to manage our literature and materials libraries. Knowing how to maneuver in a scrum means she can bring order to any amount of chaos in the library.

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quinn stoh

Quinn landed with us after living on the continents Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. In addition, he claims to have spent time on the grid from Tron, which would explain his enthusiasm and leadership in our BIM software program. We can’t confirm this, however, as his documentation of this period of time is in binary code. Quinn brings a strong sense of cultural diversity to Swaim, drawing from his past experiences around the globe while supporting his vision of efficient design through the use of technology and environmental considerations. Quinn graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University in 2002, participated in the National Environmental Systems Research Group: Vital Signs, and is a member of both the AIA and SARUG, the Southern Arizona Revit Users' Group.

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laura vertes, AIA, LEED AP

Laura graduated from the University of Arizona in 2003 with a Bachelor of Architecture and became a registered architect in 2009.  With a minor in Classical Civilizations, she brings both class and civility to the firm which is desperately needed at times.  Laura manages a wide range of project types, including medical facilities and office buildings, and is at the forefront of our BIM software program.

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