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Troy Ainsworth has built a 40-year career in architecture defined by strategic vision, steadfast leadership and an unwavering commitment to mentorship and community-focused design.

A principal at FFA Architecture and Interiors, Ainsworth joined the firm in 1998 after earning his degree from the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture and Allied Arts. He was promoted to principal in 2007, just as the Great Recession threatened the firm’s survival. Rather than viewing the economic crisis as a setback, Ainsworth saw an opportunity to strengthen his management skills and guide FFA through turbulent financial years.

“His vision and determination allowed the firm not only to endure, but to emerge stronger and more resilient,” said Sue Johnson, a longtime member of FFA’s marketing team, in Ainsworth’s Icon nomination form.

Through steady leadership and a focus on long-term sustainability, Ainsworth made strategic decisions that preserved the firm’s values and commitment to quality design. His guidance helped FFA survive both the Great Recession and the pandemic, positioning it to thrive under a new generation of leadership he personally mentored.

Ainsworth has played a pivotal role in shaping FFA’s market sectors, beginning with the establishment of the firm’s library design practice. In the late 1990s, FFA was appointed as the historic preservation expert for the restoration and expansion of Multnomah County’s Central Library. When the lead firm’s contract was terminated, FFA completed the complex project despite having no prior library design experience. The restored landmark won numerous local and national awards, and Ainsworth recognized the opportunity to build a library design practice that has since served generations of patrons throughout the region.

He later expanded the firm’s public portfolio to include public safety and operations facilities, broadening both the firm’s expertise and its geographic reach.

“Generosity has always been central to Troy’s guidance,” said FFA President Christine Rumi in the nomination form. “He has tirelessly shared his knowledge and experience, ensuring that lessons learned over decades of practice are passed down to others.”

Partner Richard Grace noted that Ainsworth’s mentorship transformed his career, providing the tools and support needed to advance into leadership.

Under Ainsworth’s leadership, FFA has become the third oldest design firm in Portland. Ainsworth’s approach to design is grounded in listening, ensuring voices often left unheard are brought into the conversation. He was an early adopter of community engagement long before it was recognized for its value industrywide.

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Monique Allen, president of ACMS Northwest, has spent 28 years building a career dedicated to advancing diversity and opportunity in the architecture, engineering and construction industry.

A Portland State University graduate, Allen oversees the Design Division at ACMS Northwest, founded in 2013 with CEO Laurie Allen. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping a company where women and people of color comprise 65 percent of the staff, while 100 percent of the executive team comes from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds. The firm’s CEO, president and operations managers are all women and people of color, reflecting a commitment to inclusive leadership in an industry that has historically lacked diversity.

Allen actively creates pathways for women and minorities to pursue careers in project management, construction management, inspection services and engineering. Under her guidance, ACMS emphasizes cultural diversity in hiring, ensuring the team reflects the communities it serves.

On Nov. 1, Allen assisted with the official opening of ACMS’ new Seattle office. She also mentors staff members internally as they grow within the company and transition into new or expanding positions.

Allen serves as a key sponsor and advocate for STEM outreach efforts targeting youth from preschool through community college. She participates annually with Friends of Trees and National Polar Bear Day, investing in the next generation through partnerships with programs like Engineering for Kids, a Portland-based initiative that introduces engineering concepts to children ages 4 to 12. Allen regularly visits classrooms with ACMS staff to share real-world applications of engineering, safety and construction, helping students see women and people of color in every role from engineer to project manager.

Allen engages with local schools including Boise-Elliot Middle School and Jefferson High School, offering career talks, internships and job-shadowing opportunities for high school seniors. Her involvement with Oregon Tradeswomen includes volunteering and speaking at events like the Tradeswomen Leadership Institute Conference.

Allen’s mentorship extends through collaboration with organizations including Women’s Transportation Seminar, Women in Environment, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, the National Association of Minority Contractors and the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs. She mentored a group of BIPOC women for Women in Environment, contributing to the empowerment and professional development of underrepresented individuals in the industry.

Allen currently serves on the board of Women’s Transportation Seminar. In 2024, she received the organization’s Woman of the Year recognition. The Oregon Department of Transportation recognized Allen as one of the lead women working on the I-205 Abernethy Bridge Improvements project, the first megaproject to break ground in 45 years.

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Libby Barg Bakke, vice president and technical practice manager for water advisory at Consor North America, has dedicated nearly three decades to advancing public works infrastructure across the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on delivering safe, reliable drinking water to communities throughout the region.

Bakke earned a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife biology from Kansas State University, which she used to launch her career as the Water Quality Manager at the City of Salem. This unique combination of hands-on technical expertise and strategic planning credentials has shaped her approach to infrastructure development.

With more than 28 years in the industry, Bakke has become widely recognized as a leader in strategic communications for public works infrastructure projects. She brings technical knowledge, facilitation expertise and public engagement skills that consistently result in successful project outcomes and strengthened community trust.

Her leadership has been particularly impactful in Oregon’s water sector. Bakke has supported major initiatives including the City of Hillsboro and Tualatin Valley Water District long-term water supply planning projects, the Willamette Water Supply Program, the Portland Water Bureau Water Treatment Facility, the City of Bend Bridge Creek Pipeline and Filtration Plant, and the Eugene Water and Electric Board Water Reliability Initiative. These efforts collectively represent more than $3.5 billion in capital investment.

Bakke’s nearly two-decade partnership with Hillsboro Water demonstrates her long-term impact. She has facilitated citizen advisory groups, crafted communication strategies for rate adjustments and capital improvement programs, and become a trusted advisor whose approach balances transparency, clarity and credibility.

Her expertise extends to funding strategies and public engagement on financial matters. She has played a pivotal role in communicating about federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loans, voter-approved bond measures and ratepayer impacts – always making complex information accessible and aligned with long-term public trust in infrastructure investment.

Bakke is actively involved with the American Water Works Association and recently served on the board of trustees for the Pacific Northwest Section, where she has strengthened the drinking water community through mentorship, programming and thought leadership.

At Consor North America, Bakke has helped engineers and client partners recognize the value of connecting elected officials, managers and the public to the purpose, need, funding and execution of infrastructure initiatives that improve communities.

“What makes Libby extraordinary is her ability to connect the technical with the human,” noted Janie Berg, marketing director for water with Consor North America, in Bakke’s Icon nomination form.

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Stuart Emmons serves as principal of Emmons Design, which he established in 1997. He has focused his 38-year architecture career on addressing Oregon’s housing crisis through innovative design and modular construction.

Emmons earned his Master of Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design in 1988 after receiving his Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in 1986. His commitment to housing innovation has defined his professional trajectory, particularly during the past 15 years as he has pioneered modular architecture approaches to increase housing production and affordability.

His contributions to the profession earned him induction into the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, a distinction held by only 3 percent of architects nationwide. His work has centered on creating housing solutions for vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, while advocating for factory production methods to accelerate housing delivery across Oregon.

AIA Fellow William K. Wilson of William Wilson Architects, who sponsored Emmons for Fellowship, said in a letter to AIA: “He is driven by a passion to find solutions to homelessness and housing affordability. The ‘ripple effect’ of his work is impressive and I look forward to watching Stuart as he continues to develop innovations in housing and manufacturing in future years.”

Emmons co-founded Our Portland, Our Schools, the grassroots initiative that catalyzed Portland Public Schools’ comprehensive rebuild program. His 2010 editorial advocating for prioritizing high school reconstruction proved influential in shaping the district’s approach.

Emmons played a pivotal role in historic preservation as co-chair, alongside Brian Libby, of the Friends of Memorial Coliseum. The organization successfully preserved the modernist landmark Veterans Memorial Coliseum. He also served as co-curator with Randy Higgins for the 2003 and 2004 Portland Design Festivals.

His urban planning contributions include master planning work for South Waterfront, Downtown Waterfront, and Woodlawn Triangle. He has served on the Art Museum Development Committee and holds board positions with the Modular Building Institute and Clatsop Community Action.

Emmons ran for Portland City Council in 2016 and 2018, centering his campaigns on ending homelessness and expanding housing access. He has organized community initiatives including clothing drives for homeless populations and fundraising for Jefferson High School’s band program. He contributed to the vision for Bybee Lakes Hope Center and received the Hal Hart Award from Lincoln High School.

Through numerous opinion editorials, speaking engagements, and design symposia at institutions including the University of Oregon and Portland Public Schools, Emmons continues advocating for housing innovation and solutions to homelessness.

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Alec Holser, founding principal of Opsis Architecture, has spent 44 years transforming public cultural and learning environments across the Pacific Northwest through designs that elevate communities while advancing sustainable architecture to new heights.

Holser established Opsis Architecture in 1999 alongside partners Jim Kalvelage and James Meyer, building the firm from a vision cultivated during their time at the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts, where Holser earned his Bachelor of Architecture. The founders sought to create a design-centric practice inspired by the creativity and open dialogue of university design studios, establishing a regional and national standard for design excellence grounded in placemaking and sustainable practices realized through inclusive, collaborative processes.

His design of the Hood River Middle School Music and Science Building set a transformative precedent as the nation’s first ILFI-certified net-zero energy public school, establishing new benchmarks for environmental design in K-12 education. The Reed College Performing Arts Building demonstrated his ability to unite performance, craft and sustainability, earning both national AIA and international USITT recognition. The Oregon Zoo Education Center advanced architecture as a teaching tool for ecological stewardship, showcasing buildings that actively demonstrate sustainability principles to visitors.

Currently, Holser leads the Mariner’s Hall project at the Columbia River Maritime Museum, combining innovations in mass timber design with interactive storytelling and exhibits designed to create dynamic visitor experiences.

Throughout his career, Holser has championed a deeply collaborative, human-centered design culture at Opsis. From the firm’s founding, he helped establish an open studio model that breaks down traditional silos, inviting diverse voices into design conversations and ensuring projects emerge from shared authorship across clients and consultants. This inclusive approach has shaped Opsis into a nationally recognized leader in educational and cultural design.

Holser embedded sustainable design as both a guiding principle and creative driver long before sustainability became mainstream in the industry. His leadership pushed Opsis to pursue ambitious goals including net-zero energy performance and biophilic design integration. Internally, he fostered a culture of mentorship, equity and professional growth, cultivating the next generation of firm leaders.

His work has appeared in more than 60 periodicals and four books, and projects he has led have earned more than 60 local, regional and national design awards. The American Institute of Architects recognized his design leadership by designating him an AIA Fellow in 2020.

Holser serves as a board member for Friends of Timberline and has presented at more than 35 regional, national and international conferences to share insights on sustainability, community building and transformative learning environments.

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Laurie Kendall has dedicated two decades to transforming workforce development in the construction industry, with a particular focus on expanding opportunities for young people and underserved populations, while working with the Associated Builders and Contractors Pacific Northwest chapter.

Under Kendall’s leadership, the ABC PNW chapter achieved significant milestones in making construction careers accessible to the next generation. She spearheaded the creation of the local ABC Craft Championships, a landmark initiative that attracted 1,000 high school students to learn about apprenticeship opportunities in the trades. The event serves as a crucial bridge between students and construction careers, introducing young people to the skills and pathways available in the industry.

Kendall’s commitment to educational access led ABC PNW to become an accredited sponsor of the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) curriculum, enabling the organization to sponsor Oregon high schools in teaching industry-standard construction education. This achievement expanded the reach of quality construction training to students across the state.

Recognizing the need to support emerging professionals, Kendall launched the Young Professionals Program for ABC members, creating a structured pathway for career development and industry engagement. She also champions second-chance opportunities, promoting apprenticeship programs at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility to help incarcerated women build viable career paths upon release.

Beyond her executive responsibilities, Kendall has invested in developing critical safety and wellness capabilities within the construction community. She became a certified CPR instructor to train ABC members, ensuring they possess life-saving skills on job sites. Additionally, she serves as a Vital Cog suicide prevention instructor, addressing the mental health challenges that construction workers face.

Kendall extends her commitment to service through involvement with the American Red Cross, further demonstrating her dedication to community welfare.

A graduate of Eastern Montana College, Kendall has built her 20-year career on the principle that construction offers meaningful opportunities for all. Through her continuing work with ABC PNW and now as owner of her own firm, Kendall Executive Solutions LLC, she will continue to reshape how the industry attracts, trains and supports its workforce, making lasting contributions to both individual lives and the broader construction community.

Kendall also was recognized as a 91��Ƶ Oregon Women of Vision Circle of Excellence honoree this past October.

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Nate McCoy has spent 18 years transforming Oregon’s construction industry through his commitment to equity, access and opportunity for minority-owned businesses. Since 2015, he has served as president and CEO of the National Association of Minority Contractors – Oregon, where he has established the organization as a leading voice for construction firms owned by people of color across Oregon and southwest Washington.

Under McCoy’s leadership, NAMC-Oregon has doubled its membership in recent years and now serves nearly 350 small businesses owned by people of color in construction and related industries. He has expanded the organization’s impact across four core pillars: education, relationship building, contract opportunities and advocacy. McCoy personally connects with and vets all new and potential partners to ensure alignment with NAMC’s values and commitment to equity and community impact.

Earlier this year, McCoy realized a long-held goal by opening the NAMC Oregon Small Business and Workforce HUB. The facility serves as a resource center for small business owners and career seekers of color, offering access to training, mentorship, contracting opportunities and community connection.

A lifelong Portlander from a legacy Black family who grew up in the city’s inner Northeast, McCoy holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon. He has built strategic partnerships with government, industry and community stakeholders to expand access to contracts, workforce training and resources for underrepresented firms.

McCoy has chaired the Portland Housing Advisory Commission and serves on the Governor’s Minority Contractor Task Force and ODOT & AGC Leadership Council. He previously served on the AGC Oregon-Columbia chapter Board of Directors. His work has shaped equitable contracting practices and increased accountability in public contracting.

McCoy is an active member of the Urban League of Portland, the NAACP, the Coalition of Black Men and AME Bethel Church. He coaches youth basketball, volunteers at Kairos and mentors emerging leaders of color, reflecting his commitment to ensuring current and future generations have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

“(Nate) has surrounded himself with and been guided by a circle of seasoned Black men who have mentored and coached him, and in turn, he pays that forward by mentoring and uplifting others,” wrote Cinna’Mon Williams, NAMC-Oregon chief operating officer, when nominating McCoy for an award. “His ability to channel guidance and lived experience into dynamic leadership has created transformative opportunities for small businesses and individuals historically excluded from the industry.”

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Brian Peters has built a distinguished 22-year career in architecture, all spent in Portland, where he has become a recognized leader in the Pacific Northwest design community.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and a Bachelor of Architecture from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, along with a minor in Interior Design and an emphasis in Spanish, Peters began his professional journey in Portland. He spent his first 12 years working at two architecture firms before co-founding Woodblock Architecture in 2015 with three partners.

Peters is the first person to serve as Woodblock’s managing principal. He maintains personal architecture licenses in Oregon, Arizona and Minnesota, and has completed projects in approximately half of the United States. His diverse portfolio spans multiple building types, including Fred Meyer remodels in Anchorage, Alaska, and other grocery projects, a 200-unit mass timber affordable housing development and additional multifamily projects, breweries and restaurants across multiple states, local public projects, retail developments and medical office facilities.

Peters oversees nearly every operational aspect of the firm. He manages hiring and candidate interviews, developed the business development process including mentoring junior staff in client development, and assembled a team to lead grassroots marketing efforts. He also refined the firm’s accounting processes for internal and external stakeholders, leads the review and compensation procedures, advocates for company culture, coordinates company events and currently spearheads the firm’s first strategic planning initiative.

Beyond his professional practice, Peters maintains active community involvement. He participates in PTA and PTO groups at his children’s schools and serves as a founding board of directors member of the West Linn/Wilsonville School Foundation. He also serves as membership chair for the Pacific Northwest region volunteer committee of the International Council of Shopping Centers, and holds memberships in the Society for Marketing Professional Services, the Ajera Users Association, Commercial Real Estate Women and Douglas Ridge Rifle Club.

Peters has strengthened the architecture, engineering and construction industry through active participation in numerous organizations and events. He connects organizations to advance projects, building an extensive professional network that supports the industry regardless of his firm’s direct involvement. He maintains a visible presence at local, regional and national events, promoting both Woodblock Architecture and the broader Oregon design market.

Peters’ bio on Woodblock’s website gives a glimpse into his fun-loving personality, and he says he’s known for his legendary beard that clients flock to like the swallows of Capistrano.

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Dave Quivey, general superintendent at Skanska USA Building, has shaped the Pacific Northwest construction landscape over a 47-year career marked by innovation, mentorship and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Quivey’s career began with formal training in Building Construction Technology at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado, followed by completion of a Carpenters Apprenticeship program, where he earned his journeyman certification. This foundation in hands-on craftsmanship has informed his approach to construction leadership throughout his decades-long career.

At Skanska, Quivey has secured and delivered major projects that have transformed communities across Oregon. His portfolio includes Franklin High School, The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Sherwood High School, Mt. View High School and the DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. He currently leads construction of Beaverton High School while planning the University of Oregon Children’s Behavioral Health and Cleveland High School projects.

Quivey’s innovative approach has revolutionized construction methods in the region. At Sherwood High School, he conceptualized and executed the Pacific Northwest’s first concrete tilt-up theater, replacing traditional masonry block construction. The method generated significant cost savings and accelerated the schedule by three months, leading to its adoption at Mt. View High School for Evergreen Public Schools.

His commitment to efficiency extends to smaller details. On the Sherwood project, Quivey developed a reusable sheet metal blockout system for concrete formwork that saved time, reduced waste and improved quality. He also designed a custom sheet metal forming system for cast-in-place locker benches that delivered superior finishes.

Safety innovation defines Quivey’s leadership. He introduced the “5 Seconds for Safety” initiative at Sherwood High School, designing custom hard hat stickers and rotating mobile signage that transformed the site’s safety culture.

Quivey’s dedication to advancing women in construction produced groundbreaking results. At Mt. View High School, he assembled and led a tilt panel team that was 45 percent women – a landmark achievement in the industry.

“Dave Quivey stands as a towering figure in the construction industry, an unparalleled leader whose legacy is built on relentless innovation, dedicated mentorship, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence,” wrote Trevor Wyckoff, executive vice president and general manager with Skanska USA Builders, in the Icons nomination form.

Beyond construction sites, Quivey has served his community through the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, Veterans Food Drive, Boy Scouts of America, and youth sports programs.

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Thomas Robinson, founding principal of LEVER Architecture, has spent 34 years advancing sustainable design through innovative use of mass timber construction and regional material sourcing.

Robinson’s career reached a significant milestone in 2023 when LEVER Architecture won an open international competition for the Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine. The design exemplifies the firm’s sustained commitment to regenerative architecture using regionally sourced mass timber, authentic collaboration with Indigenous partners, and design excellence. The project merges Robinson’s passion for creating cultural spaces with material innovation that extends environmental benefits beyond individual building sites.

Over a decade-long journey in sustainable sourcing and design, Robinson has guided LEVER Architecture through increasingly ambitious projects. The progression began with the firm’s own office in North Portland, where the team first implemented their sustainable timber approach. This foundation evolved into larger-scale work, including the Adidas headquarters and numerous subsequent projects. Currently, Robinson’s sustainable design philosophy is being realized locally at Portland State University’s Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, rising on the North Park Blocks.

Robinson’s leadership philosophy centers on meritocracy of ideas. “The best idea wins, no matter where it comes from,” he explained. He cultivates an environment where every team member contributes their voice, with the firm’s role being to organize these diverse ideas into coherent architectural experiences that visitors immediately recognize upon entering a building. Once project principles align, Robinson noted, the team commits fully to realizing those ideas.

He emphasized that delivering architectural excellence requires three essential qualities: curiosity, collaboration, and most importantly, tenacity. “You need to be extremely tenacious in a kind and patient way to deliver excellence in architecture,” he said.

Mass timber projects LEVER has been involved with include the Oregon Conservation Center, the Albina Library, Timberlab Independence Hall, Cascada, L’Angolo Estate Winery, Meyer Memorial Trust, Thesis Headquarters, Redfox Commons, Albina Yard – the first U.S. building made from domestically produced Cross-Laminated Timber, and 843 N Spring Street – a creative office development that brings a natural oasis to downtown Los Angeles.

Robinson maintains active involvement in professional organizations including the American Institute of Architects, the Architecture Foundation of Oregon, and The Architectural League of New York. He also serves on the Oregon State University School of Forestry Advisory Panel, contributing his expertise in sustainable timber construction to forestry education.

Robinson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

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