Sherm is a design-oriented leader who has devoted his entire career to the programming and planning of award-winning, complex projects nationwide. In his more than 30 years of experience, Sherm has been responsible for the planning, design, and construction of more than 25 million SF of space. Clients benefit from his unique approach to strategy, planning, and understanding of the ever-changing trends that lead to best practice thinking and innovation. Sherm holds two undergraduate degrees in architecture from Kent State University and a master’s degree in Urban Design from the University of Colorado. He has published and presented nationally on issues related to design, sustainability, and corporate leadership. Sherm is committed to systems thinking and was recently quoted in the third edition of W. Edwards Deming’s book “The New Economics”. He firmly believes in having a bias for action and the value of teamwork and collaboration as the best approach for enduring project success and joy in work. 

Elliott provides design leadership and overview for architectural and interior design and planning for DesignGroup’s largest healthcare projects. His work has received recognition and awards from clients and peers alike. In every project, Elliott pushes to achieve a higher level of design that addresses both the aesthetic and functional needs. His goal is to maintain a solid balance between design and budget.

As Managing Principal and Business Development Director, Jennifer focuses on work that supports or enhances the fabric of the city and furthers a fundamental belief that great design is the essential building block to vibrant, healthy communities. Jennifer has served as the President, along with many additional leadership positions, within the national organization Society of Marketing Professional Services. 

Leading DesignGroup’s Pittsburgh office, Tom brings over 30 years of experience working in a variety of healthcare environments from hospitals to medical office buildings and free-standing clinics. Managing both small and large projects, Tom is a strong project manager with skillful leadership in team coordination and client communication. He is dedicated to providing quality service though teamwork and communication with the owner, design and construction team. 
 

Chris began his career at DesignGroup in 2007. His 12-year tenure he has earned a reputation for design excellence. He is trusted with one of DesignGroup’s largest healthcare clients. Chris is a leader within the AIA Columbus Healthcare Committee, has spoken nationally and recently appointed as an Advisory Board member for Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo.

Alan has three decades of experience contributing to a wide variety of planning, new construction, renovation, and adaptive re-use assignments for colleges and universities. “Alan is an expert in design for higher education, student life, and campus auxiliary services,” said DesignGroup President Jennifer Horvath. “He brings a deep understanding of how facilities can meet market expectations and how the performance of these facilities enhance an institution’s mission and bottom line.

Alan has worked on more than 60 completed projects and studies across the country. His experience includes noteworthy institutions such as University of Pittsburgh, Bowling Green State University, University of North Carolina, Rutgers University, Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State University, and University of Arkansas.

Joe has risen through the ranks at DesignGroup. During his 10-year career at the firm, he’s been involved in award-winning projects such as the Columbus Museum of Art and Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Hilliard Branch. Joe has served on the board of directors for the Columbus Center for Architecture and Design, where he created the High School Design Studio program. He has also been co-captain of DesignGroup’s Pelotonia team since 2019.

Lorne offers strong team leadership and client responsiveness to his role as Project Manager. His communication skills and passion for effective collaboration result in high performing project teams creating exemplary design solutions. The proactive planning and design process Lorne leads is goal-centered, schedule-driven, and results-oriented. He’s developed a broad range of experience in community-impacting projects for both private and public clients. Lorne not only applies his commitment to servicing others in his role as an architect, but also as an energetic community volunteer and leader.

Mark has successfully managed several of the firm’s most complex healthcare projects. He seeks projects requiring strong leadership and organizational skills, as Mark is highly talented in these areas. As the Project Manager, Mark believes that architecture, planning, engineering, and landscape architecture are critically interconnected disciplines. His thorough understanding of program development ensures a process responsive to environment, function, phasing and cost requirements. Mark then excels at delivering these projects on time and on budget. Mark is the Healthcare Practice Group’s Operations Leader in connecting Health & Wellness to sustainability and green building design.

Alana has led our Interiors Group for the last three years, working on healthcare, library, education, workplace, civic and cultural projects. This diverse body of work has resulted in incredible outcomes for each of Alana's clients. Over the past 21 years at DesignGroup, she is known for her long-lasting client relationships rooted in a sincere passion for elevating the experience of her clients. Her design skills are augmented by her empathy for teammates and clients alike, leading to innovative solutions for healthy and healing environments.

As a Healthcare Planner, Angela has garnered strong client relationships with both new and key healthcare clients. She quickly stepped into a leadership position in the Central Ohio Cogence Alliance – an organization formed to create change in the design and construction industry. She has spoken nationally at the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo and participated in an invitation-only Healthcare Thinktank called the Healthcare Design Forum.

With more than 26 years of healthcare design experience and an ACHA, Operations Manager of our Pittsburgh office, Tom is responsible for aligning the project needs with the right people. A true people person, he mentors, counsels, and challenges our team members to elevate our clients’ experience. Tom is known for cultivating deep and meaningful relationships with his healthcare clients.

Ben joined DesignGroup in 2002 and now serves as the Education Market Leader where he commands tremendous expertise and passion around the Higher Education market and maintains excellent client relationships. He is proven as a thought leader for higher education through writing and speaking at The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) conferences. He has also been an active leader in the local Worthington area and DesignGroup’s Pelotonia team.

Relentless in her demand for technical excellence, Jennifer seeks approaches to make her team and projects better. Her leadership in internal initiatives is a testament to her quest for continuous improvement, which is influenced by listening to, engaging with, and advocating for her peers. In more than 10 years* of technical leadership of projects, Jennifer excels at collaboration and communication. She brings designers, clients, and construction managers together while delivering insightful solutions on budget and on time.

Mike has a breadth of experience in architectural design, ranging from mixed-use, multi-family residential, and single-family residential developments, to corporate, retail, hospitality, and parks and recreation projects. At DesignGroup, he has maintained a pivotal relationship with OhioHealth Riverside client team. They, and others, appreciate his fair, balanced and consistent approach to project management — the direct result of Mike’s dedication to ensuring effective communication among all project stakeholders.

John assisted in the launch and continued growth of DesignGroup’s Pittsburgh office which opened in 2017. He is an unwavering professional with a balanced and fair stance on many issues. He exemplifies “steady hand on the wheel” as he effectively manages dozens of projects, fosters collaboration, promotes great design and serves as a trusted advisor to his healthcare and higher education clients. John also serves on the AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors.

Nikki’s a proven team member at DesignGroup, leading and managing the delivery of projects for clients such as Leading EDJE, Franklin Park Conservatory and Cedarville University. Her insights, ideas and experience have been and will continue to be critical to the higher education, commercial and civic/cultural projects in which she services. She has also served in leadership roles for USGBC Central Ohio and DesignColumbus.