Boston, MA Dyer Brown Architects has promoted 3 associate principals to principals. Joining the firm’s sole owner, Roger Shepley, AIA, principal and board president are Brent Zeigler, AIA, IIDA, president/director of design, Tara Martin, director of client services, and Rachel Woodhouse, NCIDQ, LEED AP, director of operations.

“When I first assumed ownership of Dyer Brown in 2003 from John Dyer and Jeff Brown, my focus at the time was not to become a big firm but rather on building the practice on what I knew best about the industry—building services, corporate services and corporate interiors,” said Shepley. “But a company has to move forward or it falls behind. You need to allow opportunities for growth to ensure the sustainability of what you spent decades building.”

Shown (from left) are: Tara Martin, Brent Zeigler, Rachel Woodhouse and Roger Sheple.

Shepley believes there are three core principles as to what makes for a successful firm: strong design leadership, strategic talent acquisition, and effective client services management—all of which guided his decision to advance those who possess this high level of expertise.

Zeigler, AIA, IIDA, joined Dyer Brown in 2011 as the director of design and assumed the role of president in early 2015 when the firm rebranded. Previously, Zeigler managed his own architecture firm and brings an entrepreneurial prowess to his role as principal, president/director of design. As part of the leadership team, he will work closely with Tara Martin, Rachel Woodhouse and senior management to direct the strategic growth objectives in each of the firm’s sectors: corporate services, building services and workplace/retail and hospitality; and will also continue to guide the firm’s overall design direction. Since joining Dyer Brown, Zeigler’s design talents and leadership capabilities have contributed to doubling the firm’s staff size and significantly diversity its body of work. With increased design and visualization capabilities, Dyer Brown has a growing roster of restaurant, retail, hospitality and higher education projects in addition to its already impressive workplace portfolio. His recent work includes Brown Brothers Harriman at 50 Post Office Sq. Boston; 100 Summer St., Boston - lobby renovation for Equity Office; and Fresenius Medical Care in Lexington/Waltham, Mass. He also serves on Dyer Brown’s Board of Directors, IIDA New England’s – vice president of Chapter Events, and will become a new committee member of the AIA Interior Architecture Knowledge Community in 2016.

Martin joined the firm 13 years ago when Shepley first assumed ownership, starting her career with Dyer Brown as a project manager in both corporate services and building services. In 2013, Martin was promoted to director of client services to fill a critical niche for the firm—leading in a more strategic client management and business development capacity. As principal, she will also maintain her position as director, and will continue spearheading the firm’s strategic initiatives in collaboration with the leadership team, as Dyer Brown expands geographically. Over the years, Martin has been instrumental in securing and maintaining successful, ongoing client services for a number of major accounts to include Liberty Mutual Insurance, Brown Brothers Harriman, and a large (confidential) international banking client. She was also recently honored with the CoreNet Global New England’s “2015 Service Provider – Leadership Award: The Americas”, presented at their annual gala on November 19, 2015. She serves on Dyer Brown’s Board of Directors, is a committee member for CoreNet, and a member of CREW Boston, IFMA Boston, and NAIOP Massachusetts.

Woodhouse, NCIDQ, LEED AP, has been with Dyer Brown since 2008, initially as a senior project manager before also assuming a dual key role as the director of operations in 2011. Her capability to quickly mobilize resources to attract talent assisted the firm in its rapid growth following the recession. Today, as principal and director, Woodhouse will continue managing the day-to-day operations of the firm, driving talent acquisition and retention strategies, and playing an integral role in crafting the firm’s culture and core values. As part of the leadership team, she will also be responsible for guiding the firm’s business strategy with Zeigler, Martin and senior management. Woodhouse is a member of Massachusetts Building Congress – Women’s Network, Steering Committee and will serve as committee co-chair in 2016. Previously, Woodhouse served on the practice curriculum staff and as a thesis advisor in Boston Architectural College’s Interior Design program.

Dyer Brown has also promoted six team members:

Ashley Dunn, AIA was promoted to director of workplace transitioning from her most recent position as senior project manager. Dunn started her career at Dyer Brown 10 years ago, and will continue leading design teams and mentoring junior staff. She is also an instructor at the Boston Architectural College, where she has taught since 2014. Dunn has worked on several large client projects to include Brown Brothers Harriman’s new office at 50 Post Office Sq. in Boston; a (confidential) national professional services firm with offices in Seattle, Dallas, and Kansas City, MO; in addition to numerous workplace projects for notable clients throughout the Greater Boston area to include GlaxoSmithKline, Lincoln Property Company, Motorola, Turner Construction, and State Street Corporation.

Other promotions include: Jen Taylor, LEED GA, senior project manager, building services; Daniel Johnson, senior project manager, corporate services; Jessie Sheehan, IIDA, LEED AP, senior interior designer, corporate services; Maggie Mitchell, IIDA, LEED GA, project manager, building services; and Josh Colantuoni, assistant project manager, workplace.

“We are a firm committed to fostering the professional growth of our employees, as well as building and maintaining strong relationships with all of our clients—the success of both is interdependent and a culture we’re all proud to continue,” said Zeigler. Today, Dyer Brown employs 44 people to include six registered architects, 21 interior designers, 12 architectural designers; in additional to 3D visualization specialists, marketing and support staff. In 2015 alone, the firm made several strategic hires adding ten new employees to its growing team.