People

I wanted a career that encouraged creativity, so I decided to study architecture. I found my passion in design, and I love that it allows me to use my imagination. When working on a project, I enjoy looking at the big picture and working through the major aspects of the design. I also like to examine how the design interacts with people and nature.

Aside from designing, I am most happy when I am traveling and eating food. I love visiting new places, learning about their culture, and of course, trying their unique cuisine.

Read more about Alejandra in her employee spotlight.

I have always known I wanted to be an architect, a job where you are able to be creative while making a meaningful contribution to people’s lives. I value the importance of establishing a sense of community and I admire how designed spaces can make positive impacts on our daily life. I enjoy configuring spaces through schematic design and seeing a project come to life.

In my free time, I love baking, cooking, and spending time outdoors. I love walking around the neighborhood or working in my garden. I try to travel as much as possible and am always eager to learn about history and culture.

When I was younger, I gravitated toward art, science and history. Exploring art was always the “what” I wanted to do. With science, understanding light, form and geometry taught me the “how.” History gave me an interest in traveling and learning the relationship of things – the “why.”

At Bray, these interests are represented through a position that’s a perfect culmination of the three. In my role, I create graphics and visuals to support marketing efforts including branded collateral, proposal pursuits and referendum communication, just to name a few.

Outside of the office, I spend my time experimenting with new recipes, creating illustrations, and anticipating my debut on Jeopardy ­– until then, you can find me at Wednesday Night Trivia.

Read more about Angelo in his employee spotlight.

During my time in public education, I discovered a strong passion for referendum and communication campaigns. By combining my skills in content creation, strategic planning, and organizational management, I help clients effectively connect with their diverse audiences. At Bray, I collaborate closely with school districts and other partners, guiding them through referendum and communication campaigns.

When I’m not working, I love spending time outdoors with my family. Whether it’s horseback riding, snowmobiling, UTVing, hunting, gardening, or road tripping, I’m always up for an adventure! For some “me” time, you’ll find me lacing up my running shoes and hitting the trails with one (or all three) of our black labs. We also have a small hobby farm, and I truly enjoy the rewarding work that comes with it!

While my parents were designing a new house, I got to witness first-hand how a building transformed from drawings to construction. From that point forward, I was hooked. I became particularly interested in how buildings influence the areas around them, which lead me to study urban planning alongside architecture.

At Bray, I enjoy producing plans and renderings and working through the specifics of space design with building layouts. When I am away from the organized mess on my desk, I love to go disc golfing, compete in curling tournaments, and enjoy outdoor activities.

Read more about Austin in his employee spotlight + 5-year Bray spotlight.

A look back at my grade school report cards will reveal I was an incessant chatterer, and my parents will heartily confirm I have been a connecter and a communicator my whole life. Once I realized I could center a career around organized communications in college, the path forward was clear. I love helping bridge the gap between any and all parties—whether connecting messages with audiences, aligning internal and external teams, or uniting different departments. I thrive in any situation that calls for harmonizing varied perspectives and ways of thinking. At Bray, it’s my job to act as the communication liaison between clients and internal teams. This includes developing and maintaining communication schedules, creating content, coordinating client events, managing activity reports, and other duties as assigned.

Outside of work, figure skating has been a passion of mine since the serendipitous moment my parents decided to tune into the 1998 Olympics. I competed in singles, solo ice dance, and synchronized skating from childhood through college and into early adulthood. Since then, I’ve exchanged my title of “competitor” for the titles of: Vice President of the Wisconsin Figure Skating Club, Qualifying Competition Judge with U.S. Figure Skating, and Learn-to-Skate instructor. Since retiring from competitive skating, I’ve also picked up Latin dance as a hobby. If I’m not skating or dancing, chances are high that I’m either at a concert or playing board games with friends.

I have always known I wanted to be an architect. I enjoy creating spaces that enhance how people interact, and architecture allows me to do that. I assist architects in making digital models and renderings of buildings along with creating graphics to aid in the design process. Helping clients visualize their spaces before construction even begins is both exciting and rewarding.

When I’m not at work, I’m looking for new places to travel…that is if I’m not looking for my keys, which I frequently misplace. I love spending time outdoors and am always up for a new adventure.

My interest in architecture started early on as I watched my dad, an estimator at a lumber yard, bring home plans and work on them at the dining table. This early influence shaped my journey to become an architect, where I discovered a passion for the impact buildings have on users and communities. I specialize in engaging with school districts, teachers, students, and their communities in the early stages of projects to help determine and prioritize clients’ needs and develop design solutions to make their vision a reality.

Outside of work, I enjoy working on home improvement projects – incorporating my love of bright, vibrant colors into geometric murals brings my unique sense of style into our home. My family and I also enjoy traveling and have recently discovered the magic of Disney, which has become our new favorite travel destination!

When I was in elementary school, whether I realized it or not, I fell in love with design and architecture. I would build dollhouses made of cardboard and interiors filled with colored paper. Fast forward to today, I have the same enthusiasm for design but now apply it to real-world spaces. I love how design and space can influence daily life, especially for those at a young age and the role it plays on their fundamental development.

Outside of work, I enjoy shopping, swimming, picnicking, and brunching with friends. I also like snuggling with my cats – a lot.

Read more about Britani in her employee spotlight.

Since a young age I have enjoyed designing and drawing; I always carry a sketchbook just in case inspiration hits. With architecture, I have found a field where I can use my passion and design skills to shape the spaces people inhabit. Working alongside our team, I help coordinate facility needs assessments and conduct field verifications. The most satisfying part of my role is transforming this information into a visual representation, such as a 3D model, to help clients better understand their spaces.

In my free time you will find me sketching, enjoying time with my friends, or indulging in peanut butter – do you prefer creamy or crunchy?

I am so lucky that Bray Architects allows me to connect with people and bring them the resources they need to be successful. Our architectural services have a breadth and depth that includes much more than designing a beautiful building. I love delivering the message that we help strengthen communities. It’s satisfying knowing that my efforts benefit people far beyond my personal little world.

My “personal little world” is pretty great, though!  I can’t keep up with my husband’s triathlon efforts, but I am the better lap swimmer.  While he trains, I pretend to garden and try to keep up with my voice lessons.

As a former physical education teacher, driver’s education instructor, and high school basketball referee, I have been a part of the educational world for years. In 2004 I began my career in the construction industry and have been involved in over hundreds of projects across Iowa. During the last few years, I was a member of the ICAT program of the Iowa Association School Boards and assisted districts with master planning, architectural selection, bond referendum support, facility assessments, and construction scheduling. As Regional Director of Business Development based in Des Moines, I foster relationships with school districts across Iowa and southern Minnesota. I enjoy working with school boards and helping to improve the lives of students.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family. We have traveled to 24 different national parks in 15 states and try to visit a different park together each year. Most of our summer days are spent at the lake or on the farm. I have started biking again because I missed the wind blowing my hair.

Growing up, book covers and magazine spreads inspired me to pursue design. I’m intrigued by the challenge of creating a cohesive look across a publication while giving each page a different appearance; the fusion of typography and imagery is fascinating. At Bray, I channel my creativity and imagination into designing print and digital collateral for internal and client-facing projects, crafting material that is both unified and distinctive.

I find joy in dressing up for work and selecting interesting pieces to make each day unique. Outside of work, you can find me at concerts, biking along the shores of Lake Michigan, painting, illustrating, or often admiring my cat.

As a child, I loved drawing cities and buildings. My interest in architecture developed further when I had an opportunity to take a drafting class in middle school. I enjoyed it because I was never great writing, but knew I could get my ideas across in drawings. Now, as a project leader and architect, I enjoy working with clients to develop solutions for their needs. From rough schematic plans to tangible buildings that meet communities’ goals, I help create places that promote learning, activity, and community pride.

When I am not working, you can find me outdoors cycling, backpacking, and canoeing, or finding a new destination to travel to.

When I was five I really enjoyed puzzles and would build airports from blocks, including the parking structures. Now I thoroughly enjoy detailing a building from the ground up and use the planning and puzzles of my youth to figure out how the pieces fit together.

At Bray I take building projects from inception to completion: design, detailing, documentation, coordination and client contact. But the detailing is what I enjoy most. It really is the small pieces that matter most.

Outside of work I love my family most of all, and the outdoors, skiing, movies, travel and baseball. My son’s middle name is Nolan, after Nolan Ryan. I tried (unsuccessfully) to name my daughter Cal, after Cal Ripken.

Read more about Chris in his employee spotlight.

While I originally studied art, I became interested in interior design when organizing museum exhibits and seeing the work of the exhibition design team. I returned to school to study interior design with a focus on sustainability. Since then, I have learned that the spaces we create have an impact on not only the natural environment but also on people’s mental and physical health. I enjoy researching interior products and materials that have environmental health benefits, and using color, pattern, and texture to bring an organization’s vision to life.

Outside of work, I like to spend time outdoors biking, hiking, running, or walking our two dogs. I also try to find time to read, write, and work on my own artwork and music.

I thought my 7th grade teacher Mr. Smith was so cool because he would draw house floor plans on graph paper during his free time, so, always interested in being cool, I became an architect.

Like most architects, I believe I’m good at everything. I specialize in schools, which are complex building types and always provide the challenge I value. In addition, I’d like to take a moment to plug my band, Labware. We rock.

From a young age, I had a desire to create – whether it was drawing images or building with Legos, I was driven to design and create. When my grandfather introduced his career of drafting for an engineering firm to me, it drew me towards the career of architecture. At Bray, I enjoy collaborating with team members about creative solutions for difficult challenges.

If I’m not in the office, I’m most likely exploring the outdoors with my girlfriend and our dog – there’s nothing better than sitting by a warm campfire!

Read more about Devin in his employee spotlight.

My fascination for construction, then ultimately architecture, started when I was a kid. I was captivated by building site’s machinery, the building process, and how entire spaces could transform before my eyes. While working for a hardscape company, I learned I enjoy building relationships with clients and to help them bring their visions to life. Architecture allowed me to combine my interest in design and problem solving while staying close to the aspects of construction. This enabled me to have a more sustainable and creatively fulfilling path forward.

Outside of work, I am super passionate about the automotive world. I enjoy building, modifying, testing, and driving cars that I have worked on. I also enjoy taking road trips, hiking, and exploring new places.

As the Office Manager at Bray, I get to do what I love most, engage with a variety of people and help them out on a daily basis. The team said it seemed I’d been here for years when it had just been a few weeks. Suddenly I was supposed to be the person with the answer to office questions no one else seemed to know, like, what happened to the recycling bin next to the copier?

When not managing the office, I’m hanging out with my family or shopping for more cardigans.

I excel when I have to think outside of the box, and in interior design, thinking outside of the box is everything we do. I enjoy everything from schematic design to furniture selection and seeing a final rendering of the spaces that brings a clients vision to (virtual) life. At Bray, I coordinate with many project teams completing construction documents with material identification and applying finishes to the interior surfaces.

I enjoy cooking in my spare time, especially since my dad owns a food truck where I learn new recipes, and spending time with my four cats.

Read more about Fabián in his employee spotlight.

My fascination with Lincoln Logs and Legos as a child stimulated my passion for design as a career. Now, I assist architects and designers by creating graphics and building renderings to support the design process. I love that my position allows me to help create something that can impact a child’s learning experience, and an entire community, in a positive way.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending most of my time outdoors with my friends, family and dog. In the summer, you can find me boating, hiking or fishing, but in winter – I like to hit the ski slopes.

Read more about Gabby in her 5-year Bray spotlight.

I love making pottery, textile, and prints. I also like to cook, garden, sew and knit. In short, I enjoy making things and figuring out how to bring my ideas to life. This led me to architecture, which also allows me to be creative and work with architects to complete unique projects – whether renovations and additions or new construction. And since architecture is constantly changing, there is always something to learn!

When I am not working, you will find me traveling with my family. We love visiting new places, as well as making trips back home to Tokyo. My love of travel has also led me to learning new languages – Bonjour!

My love for design, creativity, and problem-solving got me into architecture. As a project specialist, I am particularly passionate about school design. Schools are environments where learning and growth happen, I feel honored to assist in creating these spaces that can inspire students and teachers and help shape future generations. I enjoy solving design challenges that lead to creating a project that is not only aesthetically pleasing but will serve also serve as functional and nurturing domains.

Outside of work, I enjoy taking road trips, being in nature, playing guitar and writing country music. I have been working on breeding endangered species and exotic freshwater fish.

I knew that the building industry was for me since a very young age. I have done several different types of work throughout my career in architecture. I enjoy all phases of the architectural design process including construction. When I am on site at a building project, my coworkers always know because I have a very loud voice and an even louder laugh. Many people think I am shouting when I am just speaking at my normal level. It comes in handy when I am trying to communicate over the sound of construction equipment!

When I’m not working, I enjoy camping and woodworking. I also enjoy working on home improvement projects, and I have renovated every building I have lived in.

I gained interest in architecture without even knowing it; I played the Sims games, and it wasn’t until later that I realized why I enjoyed it so much – I was able to create spaces and buildings for the characters to explore. As a project coordinator, I conduct field verifications and create facility study documents for clients to understand the existing conditions of their buildings.

Outside of work, I enjoy a good round of golf or working on my retro Jeep. I also appreciate listening to my vintage hi-fi stereo with a growing record collection.

Read more about Jeff in his employee spotlight.

After 14 years in the apparel and fashion industry, I decided to branch out into commercial interior design which has provided the opportunity to work on hospitality, senior living and educational projects. I appreciate design challenges that require me to find creative solutions – from how clothing will fit and feel on a customer, to how a building will look and function for its inhabitants. I enjoy collaborating with clients and our architects to create inspiring environments for children and teachers to thrive in, which is very rewarding.

Aside from design, my passion extends to my apparel line – Mas Mama, gardening and distance running. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, Matthew, and our two children.

Read more about Jennifer in her employee spotlight + 5-year Bray spotlight.

After working in various roles in the architecture industry for the first 13 years of my career, I spent the next 11 years working in different industries and roles. I became passionate about how businesses operate with particular focuses on operational, financial, and contractual performance. Now I have the opportunity to marry my love of architecture with my passion of business operations and performance! I specialize in taking a big picture project or process and breaking it into digestible workflows — keeping everything organized.

Outside of work, I love to spend time with my husband and three kids. Off-road jeep rides, drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway, going to the beach, traveling to fun cities, gardening, trying out new restaurants, organizing/reorganizing spaces, having friends over, and there’s always at least one house project going on.

At an early age, I knew the architecture field was for me – it encompasses all my passions: art, problem-solving, coordinating, and being technical. I enjoy working closely with team members to implement clients’ needs into drawings. I’m always up for a challenge of finding unique solutions to difficult problems.

Outside of the office, I’ll most likely be ice fishing in the winter or riding motorcycles in the summer – that’s if I’m not doing my new hobby of quilting!

Read more about Jesus in his employee spotlight.

My interest in architecture started while sketching tree houses as a kid – the fascination of having tree houses connected with bridges and ladders and the result of small-scale design elements formulating a larger, complex system was always satisfying to me.  At Bray, I get to channel this sense of exploration and creation. I’m involved in many aspects within planning and design, and I have the opportunity to work with a great team. 

Outside the office, I’m an avid camper. I’ve visited about a dozen national parks across the country, with my top three being Olympic National Park in Washington State, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. I can’t forget Acadia in Maine, so I guess that makes it top four.

Read more about Joe in his employee spotlight.

With 30 years of experience in the industry, I’ve been involved in all phases of architectural design using REVIT, detailing building enclosure, and coordinating all disciplines (construction manager, subcontractors, and engineers) for projects. As a construction administration representative, I enjoy being onsite doing field observations and seeing the diligent workers who make our construction documents come to life.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my two beautiful daughters, golfing, kayaking, traveling to warm destinations, and bowling in a league I organize in the Fall. Additionally, I’m a referee for high school soccer games and youth soccer leagues.

Read more about Joe in his employee spotlight.

While studying for my master’s in architecture, I focused on historic preservation which opened my eyes to the design strategy of reusing our built environment and the sustainability of it – that’s where my passion lies. At Bray, I have the opportunity to work on many phases of a project, including design work and construction documents. I’m always pleased by a hyper-realistic rendering; even as architectural designers, we can still bring a little movie magic to the office.

With a great interest in all forms of design, I fill my free time with projects in animation, film, and other digital art – all things to keep my ideas fresh.

Read more about John in his employee spotlight.

I’m an Architect. Just like Mr. Brady, except with less wood paneling and fewer kids. The sexy staircase and the masonry oven in the kitchen can stay, and Alice, of course.

After more than two decades in the profession, I find increased joy and satisfaction in all aspects of this work (ok, maybe not all), with a profound appreciation of our clients, peers and the builders of architecture. Currently, my focus is on administering the construction of our projects. I love being at a project site. It’s where words and lines on paper finally make sense. Mr. Brady would approve.

Throughout my architecture career, I’ve grown to love the ability to work a variety of roles — I get to be a designer, an orchestrator, a salesman, and more. As former owner of BHMM Architects, I work on growing and expanding Bray project opportunities within the Illinois and Iowa region. The greatest joy comes from getting to work with our clients, helping them arrive at solutions for their building needs.

Outside of work, my family is my greatest joy. My wife and I enjoy exploring new places, hanging out in kayaks, and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy mountain biking, playing drums, skiing, and brewing beer.

Read more about John in his employee spotlight.

As an architect, I enjoy creating spaces that will stand the test of time. Helping clients realize their vision and seeing their ideas come to life is the most rewarding part of my job. At Bray, I work in all project phases and produce drawings that ultimately lead to a completed project.

Outside of the office, I enjoy being a great role model for my three kids and have a blast raising them. I love living a healthy lifestyle and spending my time up north at the lake. I’m also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, but don’t worry, I’m the nice kind and am a big fan of all other Wisconsin sports!

Read more about Jordan in his employee spotlight.

My journey into architecture began during my college years in New York City. It was the first time I understood the profound impact the design of the built environment can have. In my professional endeavors, I firmly believe we can enhance people’s quality of life through thoughtful design. From site infrastructure to interior details, it’s the variety and multidisciplinary focus that makes architecture so appealing to me. At Bray, the complexity of the school building type, the significance of its purpose, and the impact of its design quality capture all these personal values and professional curiosities.

Outside of work, I’m a coffee shop and antique store enthusiast, often enjoying Anodyne coffee or exploring the vintage furniture shops, conveniently located near our office in Walkers Point.

With a strong passion for writing and content creation, I knew the communication field was for me – as I always say, “I like using my creative brain.” At Bray, I get to do both of my passions to produce proposal and communications materials that support the firm in gaining new projects, all while working with a dynamic marketing team. I enjoy learning and am always looking for ways to advance my communication skillset.

If I’m not working, I’m most likely snuggling my cat, reading, antiquing, visiting a museum, or attending concerts. I also love traveling and learning about history and culture – ask me about my travels, I love giving recommendations!

Read more about Josie in her employee spotlight.

If it wasn’t for my high school art teacher who gave me architecture magazines to look at, I don’t know if I would have found my passion – being an architect. I love the connection between the technical and creative side of architecture and finding that balance between both to come up with a beautiful design. Taking a clients idea and making it come to fruition is a rewarding experience.

Besides my passion for architecture, I’m also passionate about art, traveling, and staying active – hiking, running, and skiing are just a few of the activities I enjoy. I’m always planning my next travel excursion as there’s so much to see and experience in the world.

Read more about Kari in her employee spotlight.

My favorite aspects of being an architect are tied between facilitation and schematic planning. At Bray, I guide our clients through, what for some, is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help shape the environments they work, teach and learn in. I enjoy following each project from start to finish and find satisfaction when a plan comes together seamlessly. Each project is different, which makes each one unique.

I love going on adventures with my husband and our two boys: we enjoy taking trips and hanging out on the lake at our cabin up north. I usually have my camera in-hand to capture fun family memories, which usually end up on our annual photo calendar.

Read more about Kate in her employee spotlight.

I knew the world of architecture was the place for me at a very young age. My love for being creative coupled with an interest in problem solving made my career path a no-brainer. Here at Bray, I assist with virtual modeling and graphics to help clients visualize their projects, which also aligns with my love for drawing.

Aside from architecture, I have a passion for antiquing, camping, and exploring the City of Milwaukee with my husband. If you know of an antique shop with unique furniture and art prints, you know where to find me – I am always up for a road trip across Wisconsin!

I love the new challenges each project brings and the feeling you get when you see a building go from lines on a page to a built structure. I knew I wanted to be an architect since I was about 10 years old building structures with Legos.

Besides golfing, hiking and doing home remodeling projects, I love to travel with the my family – I have visited all 50 states! My next goal is to visit all seven continents and as many different countries as I can!

I have always been fascinated with the built environment. My passion for knowing how we interact with the spaces we create, and the emotional response that comes with it, ultimately led me down the path to architecture. At Bray, I assist in project construction document creation, which allows me to utilize my technical focus.

Outside of work, you can find me out at local restaurants or in my kitchen trying out all different foods. I also love anything outdoors. In the winter, I instruct snowboarding at Devil’s Head Resort and in the warmer months, I enjoy kayaking, backpacking, and rock climbing.

Read more about Kyle Downing in his employee spotlight.

As a kid, I always had an affinity for drawing and creating. On Sundays, I would grab the newspaper just to trace over the comic strips until I could draw every character from memory. After taking art classes as I got older, I learned the ways art can be used in everyday life. As a designer, I love being able to take a client’s concept and show them my graphic interpretation of it.

Even outside of work, I still love drawing, painting, creating graphics, and constantly filling sketchbooks. I also collect records, go to hotrod and motorcycle shows, see live music, and restore antiques from time to time.

Read more about Kyle in his employee spotlight.

As an interior designer, I am dedicated to crafting innovative and functional spaces that seamlessly blend aesthetics with practicality. My role involves not only the technical aspects of design but also building strong, collaborative relationships with clients to ensure their visions are realized with precision and creativity. I am passionate about the importance of understanding and translating client needs into compelling design concepts that inform the overall solution and design decisions throughout the project. Motivated by a commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world, I pursued a career in interior design to make impactful contributions to environments where everyone can feel valued and empowered.

When I’m not in my interior design element, I enjoy playing sports, reading, writing, and traveling. There are a million things I can’t wait to try and explore to better myself, and the people around me!

Read more about Kylie in her employee spotlight.

Twenty years ago, a friend recruited me for an admin position at a design firm. Ever since, I’ve found myself in the construction industry. In my role, I organize workflow and process documents to maintain efficiency. It is rewarding to see the finished project knowing I had a part in it. My father and grandfather worked in construction for over 30 years and I think they would have loved hearing about the different projects I have been involved in.

Outside of work, long road trips with my family are one of my favorite traditions — driving up the Pacific Coast Highway tops the list. It is also when I fell in love with California and why I visit there any chance I get.

I have always had an interest in built environment and design. Being involved in several adjacent fields, that passion led me to finding my happy medium in architecture. I love that I can be creative while focusing on problem solving and community needs. I enjoy taking an active role in the design process and working at a detailed level to ensure client needs are met.

Outside of work, I love doing anything and everything outdoors, specifically hiking and skiing. I also enjoy crafting, movies, attending local concerts and markets, and spending as much time as possible by the lake!

The natural beauty in the built environment and the impact it has on everyone’s lives is inspiring to me and why I wanted to be an architectural designer. Each project is significantly different, and my favorite part is figuring out what sets a community apart from others and how to celebrate that in the design of their building(s).

When I’m away from the office, I’m most likely at a beach or trying to convince my friends to watch a scary movie with me – sometimes it works, other times it’s a movie night to myself!

Read more about Macy in her employee spotlight.

I’ve wanted to work in architecture for as long as I can remember. Here at Bray, I participate in many aspects of a project, from schematic design through construction documents. This allows me to finesse and detail the design at all scales.

When I am not working, I am MAKING. You can find my hand-crafted jewelry and hand painted accessories on my etsy shop, The Nouveau Co. When I’m not creating, I am refinishing furniture, growing baby house plants, or doing other DIY projects.

I also enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband Tom, and my naughty little Blue Heeler Bindi.

Read more about Maria in her employee spotlight.

I enjoy working in the built environment knowing that the work I do is helping to design buildings to better communities. As I’m starting my career in architecture, I’m excited about the endless designs I’ll be creating, especially using the Revit Software.

I’ve always loved all mediums of art and even though my job entails designing, I still appreciate doing it in my spare time. An evening of creating art with friends is a night well spent.

Read more about Maribell in her employee spotlight.

At an early age I began creating building structures, starting with detailed “Lego” buildings and “Erector set” structures. Those eventually morphed into life-sized projects made of cardboard and duct tape to 2×4 plywood forts. Continued interest led me to become an architect and eventually open my own firm, MLA Architects, before merging with Bray. As a Delivery Team Leader, I oversee projects and work with clients to determine program space requirements and develop conceptual plans. I also direct administration and marketing in the St. Paul office.

Outside of work, I enjoy fishing and working on my lake home in Northern Minnesota. Just like at the office, I am often multi-tasking, balancing fun with the next improvement project.

Watching my father enjoy his architect career, coupled with my own passion for drawing and problem solving as a kid, led me to my career today. As a full-service architect, and former owner of BHMM Architects, I find all phases of a project to be fun and interesting (except door and hardware shop drawings). The projects I enjoy most are mainly religion-based.

In my free time, my wife and I tend to our 1906 American four square house that always needs love, attention, and of course, money. Playing the clarinet in the Bettendorf Park Band is one of my favorite hobbies.

Read more about Mark in his employee spotlight.

As a designer, I get excited about the chance to help someone craft their ideas into a physical reality. I enjoy that each project presents unique challenges and that design has the potential to positively influence how people feel in a space.

In the office, I work on renderings quite a bit, but I also try to experience everything I can and help wherever I’m needed. Outside of work you can find me being active, enjoying nature, and hanging out with friends and family. I love exploring Milwaukee’s diverse food scene and learning new things – I’m always up for an adventure!

Read more about Mark in his employee spotlight.

Formerly known as Overbudgetmark, I now proudly take on the mantle of Underbudgetmark. (My co-workers are just jealous, they know I’m the go-to around here.)

After more than 30 years as an architect I would say my area of expertise is air-tight Construction Documentation. My wife and I have five kids, which apparently wasn’t quite enough, hence the exchange student from New Zealand … sorry, I’ve got to get back to work.

There is nothing formulaic about what we do. I love that every client, every project and every process is unique and challenging in its own way. Client engagement, facilitation and public communication are my strengths, yet over the years I’ve done a little bit of everything for the firm.

I am blessed with a wonderful wife, Hilary, who fought for years to bring us Sam and Ben, the greatest twins in the world. Getting to do something I love that also supports them drives me to succeed and is truly gratifying. That, and the fact that it truly isn’t work to me.

Growing up, I always had an interest in the arts and loved any creative outlet. Now, as an interior designer, I love creating spaces that foster positive interaction, growth, and community. I enjoy building lasting relationships with clients through the design process, and beyond. I especially enjoy K-12 design as I know just how important a positive and encouraging school environment is for kids, and designing schools is my way of helping the youth in our community build a brighter future.

When I am not working, I spend my time chauffeuring my three kiddos to their various hobbies. If I am not watching their activities or games, I love relaxing, reading, or planning our next family vacation.

Architecture includes all my interests – art, math, history, and science, so it’s no wonder why I love this career! I find it incredible that the spaces we inhabit have such a powerful impact on our lives. Creating renderings to visualize projects is my favorite part of what I do, because I get to put my graphic design and illustration skills to work.

When I’m not working on architecture, I love finding new hobbies. Currently, my hobbies include arts and crafts, traveling, outdoor activities, and perusing the library.

Read more about Megan in her employee spotlight.

As an interior designer, I collaborate with clients to create spaces that reflect their vision and needs, while adhering to design standards. I have always had a passion for the education sector, and I strive to create environments that support the success of both students and educators.  I enjoy building relationships with clients and the process of transforming an idea into a 3D visualization and eventually into a fully realized environment.

Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my kids and shuttling them to their various activities, cheering them on at sporting events, and supporting their school through involvement. Beyond being with my kids, I just love being with friends and family. I also love dogs! It’s rare for me to come across a dog without asking to pet it.

At an early age, I was introduced to different design elements as I watched my father work in the cabinetmaking business. Working alongside him inside beautiful architectural buildings, I became more involved with the design and documentation process which is when I found my passion for the built environment. I enjoy engaging with clients and being involved in their design discussions to create construction documents.

Being born and raised in Wisconsin, my family’s cabin in the Northwoods is home for me in the summers. Hunting, fishing and watersports takes up most of my time – that’s if I’m not on the greens, of course!

Read more about Michael in his spotlight.

I take part in many facets of the planning and design process, collaborating with team members and clients throughout all phases. I really enjoy working in Revit^® and jump at the chance to help others further explore the ins-and-outs of the program. When it comes to the details, there is nothing like the zen-esque experience of redlining architectural drawings. Although it can be a repetitive process, the best part is knowing you’ve done something worthwhile.

In my free time, I love exploring dive bars, listening to music, and going to museums. I love how museum exhibits are like giant dioramas. Someone had to think of a way to design an environment that tells a story but doesn’t distract from the display – it’s the ultimate design challenge.

Read more about Michael in his employee spotlight + 5-year Bray spotlight.

When I started to doodle re-designs of the dairy farms I worked on while growing up, I knew I was meant to be an architect. Construction Administration allows me to utilize my 25 years of experience with a wide variety of project types. I thrive on detecting problems and formulating solutions. At Bray, I oversee the construction of our designs and make technical adjustments as needed. I also enjoy performing technical reviews of drawings, contractor submittal reviews, and field observation.

When my wife and I are not busy renovating our home, I enjoy spending time with her and our three children. I also enjoy classic car restoration, especially on my 68 Chevy Impala I occasionally have time to tinker with.

Read more about Michael in his employee spotlight.

After my first year in architecture, I realized that I had found the right fit for myself. Architecture provides me the opportunity to explore new concepts, techniques, and processes. Seeing these efforts materialize from an idea to reality: priceless! Architecture lets me embrace my appreciation for engineering while allowing me to pursue my artistic side through design.

My daughter and son are the light of my life and contributing to their well being always takes priority for me. When I do have spare time, I enjoy home improvement projects, gardening, traveling, collecting and reading. With a personal library currently standing at over 5,000 books, the latter two have become synonymous.

Read more about Michael in his employee spotlight.

Designing pages and spreads in my high school yearbook class sparked my interest in graphic design. I love using typography, color and imagery to create pieces that portray the message and desired result for a client. As part of the marketing team, I collaborate with coworkers and clients to create internal and external marketing collateral – proposals, presentations, brochures, social graphics, etc. – you name it, I design it.

When I’m not matching my coffee tumbler to my work outfit every day, I love to spend time with my family and friends. I also enjoy listening to Lady Gaga, going shopping, staying fit and playing volleyball. Even though I’m 5’5”, I’ve got hops!

Read more about Mindy in her employee spotlight.

I had a great drafting/architecture teacher in high school, which is really what influenced my career path. I enjoy working on the conceptual massing and layout of the building while also figuring out how people occupy, move through, and interact with spaces. As an architect, I lead projects through design and into construction, helping problem solve any challenges along the way. Striving for client satisfaction is always my goal!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife and I are blessed to have two children.

Read more about Nate in his employee spotlight.
 

From cantilevering blocks off the countertop to helping my grandma in her wood shop, I have always had an interest in design and construction. At Bray, I study schools in the pursuit of designing them for current and future needs. When working on renovation projects, I have the mindset that every building has some great aspects and that they should be highlighted. I especially enjoy working on educational buildings as they often have a large impact on their communities.

Outside of work, one of my favorite activities is putting on music and dancing around the kitchen while cooking with my significant other, Katie. The rest of my free time is usually spent wood working, playing sports, and relaxing with friends. I am a Minnesotan at heart, but after enjoying everything from craft breweries to baseball tailgates – I have become a true Milwaukeean!

Read more about Nathan in his employee spotlight.

I believe that the built environment is both a reflection of and framework for the community that grows within it. As an architect, I have a hand in shaping that framework to foster a healthy and sustainable community.

Outside of work I spend time with my growing family and work on carpentry and computer based projects.

Read more about Nathan in his employee spotlight + 5-year Bray spotlight.

From an early age, I had an innate curiosity and an abiding interest in the technical and artistic potential of architecture. As an experienced architect, I focus on supporting clients’ aspirations with respect for colleagues and context, with an emphasis on both design and technical issues.

A typical weekend includes trips to the YMCA and cooking projects at home – sometimes successful, sometimes a learning lesson.

Read more about Nick in his employee spotlight.

From a very young age, I’ve enjoyed the construction and deconstruction of objects, appliances, and machines. As a senior project specialist, I am involved in all the phases of an architectural project development process. I enjoy using my advanced knowledge in project setup, layout, and problem solving to teach and learn from others – everyday provides the opportunity to learn something new!

Traveling is a big part of my life, especially going to visit my family in Mexico. I have traveled extensively around the country as well as to many foreign countries. When I’m not traveling, I’m most likely restoring classic motorcycles and cars or competing alongside my sons in archery.

Read more about Oscar in his employee spotlight.

At the age of 16, I participated in a foreign exchange student program and had the opportunity to tour some of the magnificent buildings in Europe, which inspired me to become an architect. I found my passion in design and strategic planning, and here at Bray I get to incorporate both my passions in my work. I enjoy partnering with clients and communities to understand their hopes and dreams, and craft them into real, tangible, and aspirational spaces.

Outside of work, I enjoy being active, hiking, biking, playing tennis, and hurling – I’m a member of the Milwaukee Hurling Club! In the winter months, I enjoy working through my book/film/game backlog.

Read more about Paul in his employee spotlight.

I have always been a happy “maker of things”. When I was seven years old, I saw a neighbor bring home a model house from his high school drafting class and that is when I knew I would make it my career. As a Senior Project Specialist, I work on all facets of a project, however, I get the most joy from working through challenging construction details.

When I am not in the office, you can find me working on home improvement projects, traveling, camping, or at a car show.

My undergraduate degrees are in Anthropology and Sociology, and I grew up riding and caring for horses. I recently added breeding and showing dogs to my current hobbies.

Becoming a CPA set my career path and after over 20 years at Bray, it’s a decision I’ll never regret. My husband is a horse trainer and we have up to 30 horses on our farm near Haven.

An interest in cities, knack for problem solving, and attention to detail are probably what inspired my career choice. But I really knew that I wanted to pursue architecture once I was a student at UW-Milwaukee.

At Bray, I take pride in designing spaces that people utilize daily and that positively impact the built environment. I especially love seeing the excitement on students’ faces as they walk into their new or renovated buildings. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids. We love being outdoors, no matter what the weather. Our summers are full of sports and family gatherings, and in winter I gear up whenever I have the chance to go backcountry snowmobiling.

Growing up, I would always get excited seeing interesting or unique architecture — I guess that was a sign of my future career in the field. I enjoy being creative and seeing that creativity come to fruition. In my role, I’ve always enjoyed the process of creating and honing a design, regardless of size, scope, or project type.

When I’m at home, I’m a do-it-yourselfer and love to tackle various art projects from time to time. I once designed and built a cute lemonade stand for my daughter out of odds and ends I found around the house.

Read more about Scott in his employee spotlight.

I realized architecture was the path for me after I toured my high school’s CAD lab and wood shop. After seeing visionaries and constructors in one room, I was sold. Fast-forward to today, I use my diverse background and experiences to build consensus and deliver thoughtfully designed projects. I especially enjoy utilizing research and design to unlock the answers for clients. Having grown up with a father and grandfather in the construction industry, craftsmanship, creative problem solving, and continuous improvement, along with a job well done, are inherent.

When I am not working, you may find me in another state or country enjoying local art, food, music, and nature. So far, I have visited 38 states and 18 countries on four continents.

Read more about Stacy in her employee spotlight.

Three factors contributed to my inherent attraction to design: an odd fascination with Frank Lloyd Wright as a child, a penchant for creating cities in dirt (legos? bah!) and the fact that two uncles were architects. I’m registered as an architect, landscape architect and interior designer which bodes well in my role as Director of Design at Bray.

Outside of work I’d rather be downhill skiing than anything else, but kayaking, hiking and biking work in the off season – and visiting every art gallery possible.

Read more about Stephen in his employee spotlight.

I am passionate about designing liminal spaces that foster positive social interactions. The problem-solving aspect of architectural design captivates me, from crafting detailed solutions to making aesthetic choices and optimizing space layouts. I believe that our built environment significantly impacts our cognitive and emotional well-being.

When I’m not working, I love spending time outdoors, especially in forests and mountains. As an avid backpacker, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many beautiful natural settings. The only exception to my outdoor enthusiasm is running in the cold; I prefer to save my running for the warmer months.

In high school, I had the choice to take a welding class or drafting class. I chose the latter and loved it. I also enjoyed playing design video games where I could create buildings and structures, so architecture seemed like a natural career choice for me. My favorite part about my work is creating renderings. I enjoy the entire process, from designing in 3D to selecting materials.

Just as I enjoy learning new things at work, I also like learning new skills in my personal life. I am very crafty and am currently learning how to crochet. Additionally, I enjoy hiking. My husband and I are working on going to all 64 Minnesota State Parks!

The year I attended Crow Island Elementary School (circa 1990) was the same year as the school’s 50th anniversary, which celebrated the impact it had on how schools were designed. As a child, learning about the elements of Crow Island really piqued my interest in architectural design. In my role, I implement and produce designs into construction documents. The best part of my job is the challenge of refining my current knowledge base and continually learning beyond that.

Outside of work, I enjoy competitive sailing, ice boating, and woodworking. For the past few years, I’ve also loved making my own bread – I haven’t bought a loaf of bread since 2018!

Read more about Tim in his employee spotlight.

Since I was a child, I always had a passion for art. As I grew up, I became more interested in architecture and design. I enjoy the design development stage and believe that thoughtful and innovative design can not only enhance physical spaces but also enrich the experiences of those inhabiting them. By assisting with project documentation, I allow my team to fully realize the potential of a space and how it can help our clients

Outside of work, I create digital art and enjoy going to concerts. I feel like music, travelling, and new experience inspire my work.

Beginning with Legos and drawings, I always had a desire to create from a young age. At Bray, I continuously seek to enhance the educational and built environment. From macro to micro design, I enjoy assembling the building blocks to create environments that spark enthusiasm for both the students and community at large.

Outside of work, I am fueled by adventure that comes in many forms – whether it be running, traveling or rock climbing. As a recent transplant to the Milwaukee area, I also enjoy seeking out the best coffee shops and art museums in the area.

Read more about Zachary in his employee spotlight + 5-year Bray spotlight.