Her diverse experience includes involvement in biotech projects, urban mixed-use multifamily housing, and client representation at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for their Capital Program Management Department. Mannion’s impressive track record includes overcoming challenges in obtaining approvals for complex projects, such as the residential mixed-use housing at The Brand in Glendale, California and integrating regional transportation at UCSD.

Commenting on her motivation to join HMC, Mannion said, “I have followed HMC since encountering the firm on interview panels at UCSD. I knew HMC was synonymous with design excellence and was looking for a workplace with focus, strategic goals, and genuine care for its employees.”

In addition to serving clients and ensuring that HMC is even more responsive to their needs as they look to the future, Mannion will focus on business development and serving and expanding the firm’s higher education client base in Southern California.

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He has over 23 years of experience in higher education design, and as a design leader in HMC’s higher education studio, James led the design of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona’s student housing and dining commons and the University of California San Diego’s Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood. His promotion underscores HMC’s belief in developing and promoting internal talent and recognizes his role as a leader, mentor, and award-winning expert.

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O’Keefe will utilize her research expertise to organize and analyze project/client data amassed throughout Lawrence Group’s 40+ year history to propel the firm’s growth and aid its marketing team.

“Hannah will be instrumental in transforming Lawrence Group’s raw data into useful information that will not only help us tell our own story better, but will also enable us to nuance it to become genuinely meaningful to our targeted audiences. We look forward to Hannah contributing to our future growth in many significant ways, and intend to help her continue to evolve in her career journey,” said Lawrence Group Enterprise Director of Marketing/Associate Principal Rommel Medrano.

O’Keefe has more than five years of experience analyzing market trends, evaluating competition, and providing actionable recommendations across multiple industries. Her skills in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, SPSS, GIS and Qualtrics have made her proficient in communication and presentation, project management and team building, data analysis and reporting, and client management and strategic thinking.

“We are ready to leverage her research expertise to help ALL our teams thrive,” said Medrano.

Prior to Lawrence Group, she was a Market Research & Strategic Consultant for global strategic brand and marketing consultancy firm The Value Engineers where she performed project management qualitative and quantitative research studies and developed strategic solutions to drive business growth.

O’Keefe has a Master of Public Administration from Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kansas.

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Eckmann, who started her career at Perkins&Will in 1999, has served as K-12 practice leader for the Chicago studio since 2017. Working closely with key school stakeholders – administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members – she has brought her expertise in educational planning and design to schools from Chicago to Omaha, Mumbai to Shanghai.

“I’m excited to take on the added responsibilities,” Eckmann said. “The possibilities of education have always resonated with me. Schools are game changers for students and communities, and we must be creative and responsive with the communities we serve. I look forward to continuing to embrace designing sustainable, healthy environments to benefit future generations.”

Among Eckmann’s projects: William Jones College Preparatory High School, a seven story high school in downtown Chicago; Westview High School combining a school and community YMCA in Omaha, NE; The Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School, a PK-7th grade international school in Mumbai, India; and on the boards: The Bezos Learning Center, which is designed to support students in STEM focused learning, for the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington D.C.

Eckmann earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and her Bachelor of Environmental Design from Miami University of Ohio.

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In his new position, Milenkov will provide overall practice leadership for KAI’s Engineering business. His primary focus will be resource management; talent growth, retention and development; technical standards and quality; and budget and schedule execution for engineering projects. Additionally, Milenkov will drive engineering best practices, fostering an environment of collaboration within a multi-discipline team environment.

Milenkov has over 20 years of Mechanical Engineering experience in HVAC; steam and chilled water systems; utility master planning; energy, stress and flow modeling; facility energy auditing and analysis; and construction administration.

Milenkov’s extensive portfolio of projects at KAI includes:

• Dallas College – Eastfield College
• Dallas ISD Pinkston High School
• Fort Worth ISD YMLA
• National Juneteenth Museum

Prior to KAI, he worked as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for BW Design Group; Director of Engineering Services for Axxis Building Systems; and Senior Mechanical Engineer for Jacobs Engineering Group, each in Fort Worth, Texas.

Milenkov has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a member of ASHRAE.

When not working, Milenkov enjoys baking, photography, and spending time with his wife and three sons.

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A recent graduate of Auburn University with experience in noted firms including the acclaimed Alabama-based Rural Studio, Biffle joined El Dorado’s ranks earlier this year, splitting her time between the firm’s upstairs studio and downstairs fabrication shop. Working on projects ranging from affordable housing in Omaha, Neb., to the reimagining of a 1960s-era dorm at the University of Arkansas, she has also joined El Dorado’s team of fabricator-designers in their custom steel shop, creating new metal elements installed in Kansas City Public Television’s new headquarters as well as a shade and bandshell structure for Overland Park-based arts nonprofit InterUrban ArtHouse.

“Needless to say, sparks have been flying!” quips Biffle, who earned her bachelors of architecture from Auburn University and took top honors in both project and portfolio competitions there, including serving as a Freedom by Design Project Manager. “I also really appreciate ELDO’s mission of ‘working purposefully across scales, locations, and contexts, from city blocks to exhibitions, between critical ideas and our intangible, spiritual attachment to place.’”

Drawing on her focus at Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction, or CADC, Biffle also finished her fifth-year thesis at Rural Studio. Working on projects that addressed challenging social issues and complex design briefs, Biffle contributed to design-build teams for the Moundville Community Pavilion in Alabama, as well as the 20K Ophelia’s Home.

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CO Architects is recognized for architectural planning, programming, and design in the higher education, science and technology, and healthcare sectors, and works with leading institutions from coast to coast. CO Architects’ specialized expertise includes transformative schools of medicine and health professions, advanced research and teaching laboratories, K-12 facilities, and innovative clinical facilities on higher education, healthcare, and urban campuses.

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Vitela brings over 15 years of experience in engineering, project management and program management to this role. Vitela has worked as a Senior Mechanical Engineer for UT Health in San Antonio, Texas for the past six years. Before that, Vitela worked as a Project Manager and Mechanical Engineer for Northside Independent School District. His career is distinguished by several notable achievements during his tenure with UT Health including the Excellence Award (2022), Extraordinary Impact Award (2021) and Employee of the Year (2019).

Vitela’s responsibilities at LAN will include overseeing various project types ranging from new construction to renovation projects, aimed at enhancing educational environments for LAN’s clients. His role involves program development, project planning, procurement, overseeing construction processes, managing project closeout and facilitating operational handover.

JP Grom, LAN Vice President and Program Management Business Group Director remarked, “Bringing Alfred into our team is a strategic step for LAN. His experience at UT Health San Antonio and his dedication to engineering excellence will greatly benefit our projects at Alamo Colleges. Alfred’s approach aligns seamlessly with our commitment to providing exceptional service in planning, engineering, and program management.”

A Professional Engineer licensed in Texas, Vitela earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

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Hale has played a pivotal role in managing a spectrum of projects valued from $1 million to $100 million. His portfolio at Christman includes senior living facility The Lodge at Shannondale and key developments for the University of Tennessee, including the Mossman Lab, West Campus housing (Dogwood and Magnolia Halls), Surge Building and the Energy and Environmental Science Research Lab, formerly known as the Ellington Plant Science Building.

Hale also has completed the Associated General Contractors’ Supervisory Training Program and undergone 30 hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety training.

In his new role Hale will continue his leadership in overseeing complex construction projects. He is tasked with maintaining high standards among trade contractors, ensuring strict adherence to safety compliance and fostering a sense of unity and purpose within project teams, all aimed at achieving client objectives. In addition, Hale will focus on the professional development and training of future leaders for the company.

The Christman Company offers construction management, general contracting, design/build, program management, real estate development, self-perform and millwork services.

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A native of Nebraska and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Post has dedicated his entire 12-year career to architecture and design, working on significant projects within the central U.S. and beyond. Since joining DLR Group’s Higher Education team as an Architect in 2019, Adam has played a pivotal role in several notable projects including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Neihardt Complex, the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Calvin T. Ryan Library, and the University of Iowa’s Bowen Science Building. Beyond these facilities, Post has lent his expertise to shaping the master plans for South Dakota State University and the Des Moines Area Community College. In addition to his professional commitments, Post serves on the board of the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation.

“Adam’s dedication to our clients’ success and his contributions to our team’s advancement are truly commendable,” remarked Senior Principal and Global Higher Education Leader Stu Rothenberger, AIA, LEED AP. “Witnessing Adam’s remarkable growth throughout the years has been truly inspiring, and I eagerly anticipate the promising trajectory ahead for him in this new leadership position.”

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