Jon Ward is Kirksey Architecture's newest Vice President and Studio Director.
The firm announced his advancement as part of this year's annual promotions, alongside 17 of his peers who were promoted as Associates and Senior Associates. Jon is a Pennsylvania native raised in central Ohio and a proud alumnus of The Ohio State University. He moved to Houston shortly after graduation, where he met his wife.
Jon is a senior project manager on Kirksey's Commercial team with experience that spans renovations and additions to high-rise buildings. He began his career in 1999 after graduation from The Ohio State University before joining Kirksey in 2003. Jon excels in managing complex projects and multiple lines of communication with project consultants. His expertise in building codes and attention to detail makes coordinating client specifications and project standards easy. A few of Jon's most notable projects at Kirksey include:
- His very first, the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza in the Texas Medical Center,
- A new Houston landmark, the Lyric Centre Garage,
- And two projects that were continuances of long, successful client relationships, Town Centre One and Two and Hotel ZaZa in Memorial.
Commercial office buildings have been a mainstay of Kirksey's practice since we opened our doors in 1971. Jon's expertise in the commercial office sector has developed organically and expediently as a member of the Commercial Projects Team. During his last 19 years with Kirksey, Jon has grown as an architect and a leader. He has worked closely with senior leadership throughout his time at the firm to learn from their experience and regularly sought out work that would hone his developing skill set. Jon's close working relationships with clients and industry partners have equipped him with a business development process that serves both Jon and Kirksey. Additionally, he is particularly adept at managing consultant teams and maintaining clear, efficient communication with the client throughout the project.
Jon has become a valuable mentor for his Commercial Projects teammates. Many of his peers and coworkers look to him for learning opportunities and guidance. His patience and commitment to sharing his experience and expertise have made him a valuable resource for new hires and developing architects. When asked what this new role meant to him, Jon said, "It provides the best opportunity to continue mentoring the next generation of professionals." He believes that mentorship is the best way to benefit clients and develop architects as it contributes to the success of both. "Mentorship allows individuals to grow, find longevity, and gain experience, which also helps maintain the reputation and growth of Kirksey as a whole," notes Jon.
"I'm looking forward to developing our talent as the building industry and building programming becomes more complicated," said Jon, "And when I am not doing that, I'll be spending time with my family and making plans to retire to the desert!"
We are proud to welcome Jon to Kirksey's leadership group. We know his knowledge, work ethic, and talent will continue to be an asset to the firm as we move forward.