Five IA Designers Awarded for Exceptional Leadership and Teamwork

The peer-driven, firm-wide IA|Act Awards program recognizes IA team members doing exemplary work.
Rapid 7. Photo by Robert Benson.
Rapid 7. Photo by Robert Benson.

The IA|ACT (IAct) Awards program is a peer-driven, internal program that, for the past five years, has recognized staff members who demonstrate extraordinary leadership and encourage a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. Those who have been recognized go outside the purview of business-as-usual efforts, and have helped bring positive change to the firm culture.

In 2014-2015, five designers were recognized for their exceptional work at IA.

 

Krystle-Fader-IA-Interior-Architects-OCKrystle Fader
Junior Designer

“Krystle joined us as a Junior Designer, and has been crucial in our rapid and wholehearted adoption of Revit,” explains Brian Koshley, managing principal of IA in Orange County. “According to our Director of Design Intelligence, Guy Messick, Krystle ‘defines’ what a Revit leader is all about. She has sought to promote Revit at its highest potential as a design tool on various projects, not just those she is involved in, and has shown courage in respectfully challenging those on her team that are more senior to embrace what Revit can provide as a design resource.

“She has gone out on a limb to get better work done, challenging the team to put aside the old thinking of AutoCAD and to truly understand the difference,” Koshley says.

 

Courtney-Harms-IA-Interior-ArchitectsCourtney Harms
Project Manager

“Courtney Harms has been instrumental in keeping several national technology services clients happy:  Some of the projects require traveling with less than a week’s notice, and she rearranges her personal schedule to make this happen,” says Kindell Williams, IA’s managing director in Denver. “She consistently looks for the best way to serve our clients and works tirelessly as needed to make sure this happens.  We appreciate her dedication to IA and our clients!”

 

 

Richard-Smith-IA-Interior-ArchitectsRichard Smith
Design Director

“Richard Smith has a ‘can do’ attitude, and rolls up his sleeves to get whatever needs to be done without being asked,” shares Williams of her Design Director in Denver. “He finds a way to bring humor into stressful situations, often easing client concerns.  And he has helped grow a local project for a Fortune 150 company into a global account with projects across the U.S. and in London.

“We thank Richard for his strong client relation skills and his dedication to IA!” Williams says.

 

 

Coury-Stolarik-IA-Interior-ArchitectsCoury Stolarik
Designer

“Coury Stolarik has been instrumental to the Carolinas’ offices,” says Sheri Ginett, managing director of IA’s offices in the Carolinas. “She is very focused and dedicated to the team here and always willing to jump in. While early in her design career, she is an up-and-comer, and has a lot of very thoughtful design solutions.  When I suggested she spend a few months in Seattle to work on a large-scale, and demanding project, she came in the next day and said ‘yes, I am the person for this assignment!’  At that point I knew not only did I make the right hire in her, but it confirmed that she is a true team player.”

 

Kristen-Streeter-IA-Interior-ArchitectsKristen Streeter
Senior Designer

“We really want to recognize Kristen’s contribution to the firm and our office through her role as IIDA MAC President,” says Holly Briggs, managing director in IA’s Washington, DC, office. “Serving as President has continued to bring recognition to our firm as an industry leader in the DC market, and underscores her passion for the design industry—one of the foundations of IA.  Kristen exemplifies the level of professionalism that we value as an organization.”