RLPS Promotes Four

What inspired you to pursue architecture?

Most people in architecture knew from a young age that they had a passion for buildings and spaces inspired by Legos. I was no exception; I was always building, drawing, and rebuilding to make my Lego structures better.  I was in 7^th grade when my parents decided to add on to our house. When they hired an architect, I knew that was the career path for me.

Who is your role model or someone who has had a significant influence on your life?

Both my parents have been strong role models, not only through their careers in service (as a police officer and teacher) but also through their integrity and willingness to help anyone in need.  They have made their lives transparent for others to see that if you do good for others, you receive everything back tenfold.

If you could advise a student on the same career track, what would it be?

Follow your passion.  Maintain a good balance between art and technical classes, seek a skilled mentor, and stay with them throughout the early stages of your career.  A strong mentor can help you achieve your career goals; their lessons are invaluable.

What is your most prized possession?

I don’t have a prized possession, but the most important things in my life are my two teenagers (YIKES) and my husband.  I wouldn’t trade them for the world!

Describe your first job and what you learned from it.

To paraphrase one of my favorite book titles: Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned as A Waitress! My first job was as a waitress at a family-owned Mexican restaurant. In many ways, it was a great start to my career in architecture, as I learned how to listen carefully, make recommendations, and curate a positive experience for my customers – three key skills I utilize every day in my work at RLPS. I learned quickly that it wasn’t about what I liked for dinner but about what my customers would like.

I have fond memories of the bustling production kitchen, looking across my tables and seeing my customers smiling and laughing and enjoying their meals, and coming together at the end of the night with fellow servers to divvy up the tips and swap stories.

What is a favorite quote or phrase to live by?

My favorite quote is actually a verse from the Leonard Cohen song Anthem:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in

I love this verse as a reminder that it is important not to sacrifice the attainable good for the unattainable perfect – perfection can be so tedious!

If you could advise a student on the same career track, what would it be?

It’s not who you are when things are going smoothly, it’s who you are when the train is going off the track that defines your ability to be successful. So, take risks and make mistakes, but when you do, own them and be informed by them – they are the nutrients of life!

What is a hobby or special interest of yours?

When I can, I volunteer at a German Shepherd rescue center. I love all animals, but especially dogs. I feel grounded and calm when I am around dogs, and it gives me so much pleasure to help care for these exquisite creatures that have been dealt a crummy hand!

What inspired you to pursue architecture?

My father was an owner and operator of a local design-build construction company. From as early as 6 years old, he was taking me along with him on construction sites. Watching the process of buildings rising out of the ground to become built realities captured my young imagination.

If you could advise a student on the same career track, what would it be?

• Draw – the immediacy of being able to communicate and think visually as you draw is a crucial skill that I don’t believe technology can ever replace.
• Experience – experience great architecture. Visit places of architectural significance, draw them, and feed your imagination.
• Learn – make a lifelong habit of learning. Working in this profession requires learning new things daily.
• Work – In order to learn and grow in this profession, you have to work hard and love the work.
• Have Fun – enjoying your work is a gift that requires intentionality. Work hard at finding joy in what you do and keeping it fun.

Explain something that has happened in your professional career that confirmed you are doing what you are meant to be doing.

I travelled to Cambodia last year on a volunteer trip to train young professionals with Engineering Ministries International (EMI). That trip gave me a deep sense of gratitude to be able to share with others what I’ve learned throughout my career. It has been a journey that I could never have planned, with many twists and turns, many great experiences, and I’ve worked with many exceptional people. It was at that reflective moment that I had the sense that I was doing something I was meant to be doing.

Share some of your “bucket list” items:

Hike the High Sierra Trail.  I ran the New York marathon in 2019, so I’d like to run a marathon in each remaining decade of my life. I’m not sure if it will be possible, but I would love to try.

Describe your first job and what you learned from it.

My first job was as a cashier at Hinkle’s Pharmacy in Columbia, PA. Two things stick out to me: A customer kindly taught me how to count up to make change. Most importantly, the proprietor routinely bused tables without any fanfare. He chose to do the most menial tasks to assist his staff, and it was evident it was simply part of his character. His unknowing example greatly shaped the way I approach others.

Describe an unexpected thing that happened to you and how you handled it.

While studying abroad in Italy, my class visited Florence, and I missed the bus back to Volterra. After running to catch the bus, I watched it pull out of the station just as I arrived. It was the last bus of the day, and I was 2 1/2 hours away and had to find a way back. With my limited Italian, I hopped a bus to get closer and wound up in San Gimignano as the sun was setting. The only hotel with a room was hundreds of Euros a night (which I didn’t have) so I resigned myself to sleeping on a bench in the park. On my way to the park, I passed a small plaque on a wall with the words: Zimmer / Camera / Chambre. I took a chance and knocked on the door. A kind widow greeted me and, for 42 Euros, put me up in a small apartment she had created. Through broken Italian and a translation book, I was able to communicate my plight. She took pity on me, called her friend who worked at the bus station, and helped me book a ride to Volterra the next day.

I learned to rely on myself, realized the importance of kindness to others, and faced the consequences of missing the bus, and learned my actions can greatly affect others, as my professors were grappling with how to find me. I didn’t have a cell phone, and the only place to send an email to them was closed for the evening.

Who is your role model, or someone who has significantly influenced your life? Describe.

It may seem cliché, but my family was a huge influence. I was fortunate to have both parents and all four grandparents in my life through early adulthood when my grandparents were called home. My wife is the greatest influence in all aspects of my life, and my children drive me to be a better person every day.

What’s something that most people don’t know about you?

Architecture was my fallback. I originally intended to serve in the Coast Guard with the goal of becoming a helicopter rescue pilot. I participated in a week-long Cadet program at the Coast Guard Academy between my junior and senior years of high school. At the completion of that week, and lots of prayer, I felt led to change direction in life. In retrospect, had I joined the Coast Guard, I would never have met my wife. We met a day after I would have reported for school.