Six Become Associate Principals as Part of New Ownership Team

As we continue to highlight CJMW’s new ownership and leadership team, this week we start with a focus on the firm’s new associate principals. Whether they’ve been with us for years or are more recent additions to the team, each is an integral part of CJMW. They lead projects small and large and have shown commitment to the firm both in their project work and beyond.

Riann Adams AIA joined CJMW in 2018 as an architect, bringing with her almost ten years of experience in a wide range of markets. Clients appreciate her ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with contractors, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure successful project completion. With her strong organizational skills and knowledge of building codes and regulations, Riann consistently delivers innovative and practical solutions that exceed expectations. Recently completed work includes multiple projects for Allegacy Federal Credit Union; Riann is currently working on Carolina Museum of the Marine and other projects.

If you could give a younger person career advice, what would it be?  Don’t lose your passion. ALWAYS remember why you got into your chosen career — and let it guide you like a North Star. What is your favorite travel destination?  Somewhere deep in the mountains where I can appreciate nature and unplug from the daily grind. How would you describe your career in 3 words?  Constantly seeking knowledge.

Riann is a member and has served on the Board of the Winston Salem Chapter of the AIA as both secretary and currently as treasurer. She is committed not only to her own, but also her colleagues’ professional growth and development, advocating for a healthy and strong firm culture through targeted initiatives. Riann notes that, “Becoming active in leadership roles in my local professional organizations helped me make connections in ways I didn’t know I could.”  In addition to her professional achievements and interests, Riann is an active member in her community, and she participates in various charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Winston Salem Women for Good.

David Byington, AIA David joined CJMW in 2019 bringing 20 years of experience as a registered architect in both North Carolina and Texas. Grounded in his believe that architecture is intrinsically of its place and for the community, David’s approach to the practice of architecture focuses on client satisfaction through celebrating each project and building on its own unique qualities. Through active listening and responsive design, David develops a design that speaks not only to its program and purpose, but to its site and environment as well.  He says, “Being with a client as they experience for the first time the space you’ve all been looking at on paper or in the 3d model is truly rewarding.”

How would you describe your career in three words?  Learning never ceases. What is a valuable lesson you learned in your career?  Enjoy the learning experience of every project regardless of scale. If you go in thinking you know everything, you’re shortchanging yourself and your projects. If you could be anywhere other than here, right this minute, where would you be?  Floating in the ocean on my board; outside the lineup and waiting for the next set of waves.

David has worked on a range of projects including adaptive reuse, K-12 and higher education, performance, senior living, retail, and hospitality. Previously serving on the board of the Winston-Salem chapter of the AIA, David enjoyed developing connections with industry professionals as well as mentoring the next generation of professionals. David is a member of the American Institute of Architects, an NCARB certified architect, and a LEED Accredited Professional.

Palmer Ferguson, AIA Palmer joined CJMW in 2016 after earning a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. Early experience working for a small design-build firm gave him a solid understanding of the importance of designing for the end user, while keeping constructability in focus. This understanding, coupled with his collaborative approach to design, has helped him realize innovative solutions for clients. With a love of learning new things, he integrates modern technology and strategies with timeless design principles.

Palmer takes a collaborative approach to design. He has a growing role in CJMW’s multi-family residential projects, including Brady Square, Huntington Village, Urbana at HiOaks, and The Coile, and has taken a leading role in complex higher education projects including Longwood University Music and Performing Arts Center.

What are the best skills you bring to your career?  A love of learning new things. Architecture offers a deep well of knowledge about the built environment; any field of study can inform our understanding of humans, the physical world, history, art, or philosophy. Describe a time that your career was rewarding.  We met some residents of the newly opened building at the ribbon cutting of one of our affordable housing projects. They were very excited to meet the design team and show off how they were living in their new homes.

Palmer’s advice to new graduates is to, “Look for opportunities to take ownership of and responsibility for projects early in your career. And look for careers that will make those opportunities readily available.” Palmer has also contributed to performing arts and hospitality projects, including the Academy Center of the Arts, Mt. Airy Hotel and Performing Arts Center studies, and Villa Maria restoration and adaptive use.

Julie Poovey, RID, IIDA Julie joined CJMW’s Raleigh office in 2018, bringing 20 years of experience designing award-winning corporate and multi-family environments in Raleigh and environs. An accomplished project manager, Julie uses her relationship-building skills to build collaborative teams that deliver successful projects.

Julie focuses on a wide variety of styles through commercial projects from leading edge corporate office to historic and adaptive use. In addition to Julie’s workplace and adaptive reuse projects, her experience includes hospitality, multi-family, retail, transit, and performing arts projects for clients both private and public.

Describe a time that your career was rewarding.  One of my favorite projects was managing the historic renovation of the Raleigh City Market — National Historic Register and City of Raleigh Landmark. My grandmother used to take me there when I was very young, and it was very rewarding to help save that historic landmark building. What is an interesting fact about you?  I didn’t know Interior Design was a major in college. I made extra money at ASU painting landscape murals on dorm room walls for students tired of the grey winter days in Boone. One day I saw a student reading a textbook on Interior Design, talked to her a bit, and the next day I switched majors.

Julie is a certified professional Interior Designer, having earned her National Council for Interior Design Qualification Certificate and is a Registered Interior Designer in North Carolina. She serves on the Board of Directors for NAIOP Raleigh Durham as well as the Advisory Board for the ECU School of Interior Design.

Keagan Pope, AIA, LEED AP BD+C With over 15 years of experience in design and project management, Keagan serves a unique role as an Architect and Interior Designer in CJMW’s Interior Design Studio where she enjoys tackling the unique challenges that interior projects present. She is an excellent project manager, handling both the technical and non-technical aspects of any project with ease and skill.

Keagan approaches all her projects from a place of partnership, saying, “It’s important we work as a team with our consultants, contractors, and clients to find solutions because we all bring different strengths and unique perspectives to the table, which results in the most successful projects.”

What was your first job in your current industry?  My first job when I graduated was with CJMW Architecture in 2008! I took a position as an Architecture Intern in CJMW’s Live, Play, Work Studio. A little over 5 years later, I joined Interiors as the only architect in the studio. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?  A Veterinarian, artist, or doctor.  I never thought I would be an Architect, although my parents and life-long friends said it was a perfect career for me with my creative tendencies and natural leadership skills.

Keagan joined CJMW Architecture after completing her Bachelor of Architecture at UNC Charlotte, where she graduated with Honors and received the AIA Certificate of Merit Award as salutatorian. Prior to joining the Interior Architecture Studio, Keagan played a pivotal role in the Architecture Studio on projects such as the Boeing Delivery and Welcome Centers in Charleston, SC, Greensboro Day School’s new Middle School building, and Forsyth County’s Administrative Upfit in Winston-Salem’s Public Safety Center. Recently completed and current projects include PepsiCo’s Winston-Salem office renovation, HPU’s Qubein Arena and Conference Center, NCA&T’s Resurgent Building, and multiple projects for both Wake Forest University and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Keagan has served on multiple professional and community organizations such as AIA Winston-Salem Chapter as Secretary, President-Elect, and President. As a licensed architect, she is a member of the American Institute of Architects, is NCARB Certified, and a LEED BD+C Accredited Professional.

Rachel Pound, RID, NCIDQ, IIDA Rachel is an award-winning interior designer with almost 15 years of experience in hospitality, workplace, and senior living design. She brings her creativity and dedication to client service to all her projects, large and small. Rachel’s thoughtful and detailed approach is grounded in a belief in the importance of good communication, noting, “Having the ability to accurately and effectively communicate a design can mean the success or failure of a project.”

Rachel is known for the thorough investigation and attention to detail she consistently brings to all her projects, as well as a continuous focus on the end user experience and the importance of designing spaces to house both everyday and significant experiences.

What are some accomplishments you’ve achieved during your career?  One of the more unique accomplishments has been creating two custom furniture collections with Kimball Hospitality – they even named a sofa after me. What is a valuable lesson you learned in your career?  I find no matter what position I’m in I’m continually growing and finding new ways to create and make spaces uniquely perfect for every client. If you could invent a holiday, it would involve . . .?  Celebrating my teammates. Having a day for each friend to be thanked, appreciated, and loved on would be worth multiple holidays!

Rachel has led or contributed her talents to many of CJMW’s high profile projects, including Truist Leadership Institute, Paul J. Rizzo Center Expansions, Graylyn Manor Renovations, multiple projects at Salemtowne, and all five of the Hotel Indigo project CJMW has been involved with.

Rachel is a member of the International Interior Design Association and served on the North and South Carolina IIDA chapter board for 8 years. She is NCIDQ certified and a registered interior designer in the state of North Carolina.

We are excited to have these exceptional team members as part of the firm’s new leadership and helping to guide CJMW’s future!