SFS Announces 2022 Promotions
SFS is pleased to announce the promotion of new Associates, Senior Associates, and Principal.
These individuals have dedicated themselves to bettering the practice of architecture and have consistently displayed key attributes of leadership within the firm.
“All of the individuals promoted have played an important role through their contributions to SFS, our clients and to the community at large. They embody true passion, dedication, and collaboration and they consistently facilitate others to use their own unique skills to elevate the firm both internally and externally,” said Kerry Newman, Principal.
Associates (Starting from top left to right)
Kelly Batcheller-Mummey
Kelly embodies SFS’s values with her outlook on leadership in her belief that a leader guides a team toward a solution while recognizing and utilizing the strengths of the individuals on the team. She states, “A leader will ask for input, but when needed, teach and share the experience so the team can successfully achieve the goal or outcome.” She gives back both personally and professionally through her involvement in AIA, being President of her HOA and heading its Architectural Review Board for over a decade, as well as being the Committee Chair for her sons’ Boy Scout Troop.
Zachary Bodine
Zach believes good leaders are successful when they bring out the best in others. Throughout his time at SFS, Zach has appreciated the thoughtfulness the firm’s leadership team has always brought to projects, stakeholders, and staff. He has skillfully utilized SFS’ core values in his work on community development projects and is motivated by the opportunity to help communities realize unique and inclusive recreation spaces. Zach enjoys mentoring college and high school students considering or pursuing an education or career in design. “It is great to see and encourage the next generation of our profession.”
Todd Cowger
Having been with the firm for 14 years, Todd has contributed to an impressive portfolio of civic and federal facility projects from design through construction and client occupancy. To Todd, good leaders should be able to communicate ideas and visions both verbally and visually as well as bring people together to turn that vision into reality. Todd is passionate about supporting small, locally owned businesses as frequently as possible.
Dirk Henke
Dirk believes that giving everyone a voice when it comes to design is critical to the success of the project and team and that both individual and team achievements deserve recognition. In further alignment with SFS’ core values, he states, “Architecture is a profession of perpetual learning and adaptation. Being nimble, humble, and diplomatic always results in a better experience for everyone involved and leads to better and more innovative work.” An active Harvesters Community Garden volunteer, Dirk understands the importance of getting involved in the community, both professionally and personally.
Kelsey Mahoney
Having devoted her entire career to the firm, Kelsey’s commitment to her role at SFS is far-reaching. Of most-rewarding to her is watching people experience the spaces the firm has helped to create and how they make a positive impact in their communities. Her philosophy on leadership mirrors the firm’s in that she believes a good leader is “honest, approachable, and earnestly listens to their team.” She actively participates in planning International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Mid America Chapter events, which she attributes to helping her cultivate many friendships and grow as a professional.
Mary Beth Vickery
A firm veteran with more than 20 years of experience at SFS, Mary Beth loves keeping current with the firm’s projects and best marketing practices. She is excited to watch the firm’s new leaders share their unique talents, elevate the SFS brand, and take things to the next level while inspiring others. She has been an active behind-the-scenes volunteer for the Friends of FIRE Foundation for more than 25 years. “I love that my children, now adults, grew up with a culture of inclusive education.”
Dana Vohs
Dana’s leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: “Leadership is INTENTIONAL. Intentional actions for current and future success.” She is motivated by SFS clients and the success of our projects. Her 25 years of experience proves that she is a true asset to anything she touches: from large government repair and modernizations to small-scale projects. Dana participates in many community organization’s programs, including the Bishop Sullivan Center’s ElderCool, FIRE Foundation, and the Jackson County CASA Light of Hope breakfast.
Senior Associates (Starting from top left)
Laura Burkhalter
In addition to her dedication to her work, Laura exemplifies leadership through her love of helping. “It brings me a great deal of personal joy to have helped a client, a consultant, a colleague, or a friend improve their process, project, workspace, or even just their day.” Motivated by service to others, she strives to empower her colleagues and project teams to do their best work while being empathetic and sensitive to individual needs. When Laura is not working on projects, she is serving on the boards of the Southmoreland Neighborhood Association, Midtown KC Now, and as President-Elect for the Mid-America Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Joe Klinkenborg
Having devoted most of his career to SFS, Joe exercises leadership skills by doing what is needed to help those around him accomplish personal and professional goals. His role at SFS allows him to research and implement products and technologies to better the firm and keep pace with the new design and 3D programs that are entering the market. Joe and his family believe in the importance of supporting their community and do so through their children’s school and local charities.
Derek McMurray
Derek is inspired by the chance to “work alongside like-minded creatives to find beauty and make incremental improvements to our built environment.” Derek believes leadership is the act of cultivating a group of people whose hard-earned experiences and skills can be pooled together and directed to achieve common goals. Throughout his 14 years at SFS, he has helped nurture individual talent while focusing on the architectural design that connects people and enhances their experience as a community.
Lindsay Tatro
In full alignment with SFS’ values, Lindsay fosters the growth of future firm leaders and herself through empowering her colleagues and creating a collaborative environment with open communication. She is driven by the firm’s meaningful work and seeing the positive impact of our projects within the communities we work. Lindsay strives to lead by example, and her 15 years of experience and diverse portfolio allow her to do just that through an emphasis on team building, strong communication skills and ability to manage complex efforts.
Cindy Tucker
Cindy is driven by the ability to make an impact on something bigger than herself. “Personally, it gives me a sense of belonging and challenges me.” Her philosophy on leadership involves trusting and respecting her teammates, mentoring others, and ensuring the firm is always positioned to do its best work. She also enjoys throwing a bit of fun into the mix, referencing Andrew Carnegie’s quote: “There is little success where there is little laughter.” From an early age, giving back to the community has broadened her perception of the world, and she is grateful for that experience. Through her contributions to various charities and food pantries, she believes that, regardless of form, sharing kindness benefits the community.
Allison Vandever
For Allison, leadership means fostering growth, learning from and listening to others, developing connections, and working collaboratively. She thrives on collaborating with enthusiastic and passionate groups to create uniquely special projects for users, clients, and the communities they serve. Her 16 years of comprehensive architectural experience and portfolio of work encompass a variety of community development projects that provide vibrant spaces for enrichment, recreation, and social gatherings. Allison’s passion for building solid relationships and desire for knowledge promises a bright future for SFS in her new role.
Principal
Dana Gould
With the firm since 2017 and in the industry for over three decades, Dana believes that leadership means having an authentic passion for what you do.
Her career has been devoted to rehabilitating and repurposing historic structures, which directly translates into one of her leadership goals of strengthening the positive impact the firm’s work has on the many communities it serves. She states, “Preservation is not only one of the most sustainable things we can do in our industry, but it also preserves and protects the tangible evidence of our cultural heritage.”
When she’s not evaluating building conditions and developing strategies for repairs, maintenance, capital improvements and modernization, she is serving on the Advisory Board of the Missouri Mainstreet Connection, whose mission she very much supports: “empowering community revitalization by celebrating, supporting, and sustaining historical commercial districts in both rural and urban settings.”
Looking to the future of SFS, Dana will be instrumental in ensuring that the firm’s vision translates into action through every one of its processes. She looks forward to forming teams tailored to each project and supporting each member so that their best qualities and strengths rise to the top.
“Each member, no matter how seasoned,” Dana said, “has something important to contribute.”