Our Team
Thomas Palmer
Principal, AIA, NCARB
For more than 25 years, Thomas has designed creative solutions for the transformation of the built environment and the benefit of his community. For nearly 20 of those years, the City of Chattanooga has served as the canvas on which he has created his artistic, but functional, visions for clients and projects of all sizes.
Thomas’ work includes everything from visionary architectural programming and planning for the creation of a new district in the city to single-family homes and many spaces in between. His work has supported large organizations and governments at the city, county, and state levels, as well as private concerns from start-ups to well-established entities. Regardless of the size or scale of the project, Thomas works closely with clients to deliver projects that meet the needs of today and are capable of meeting the challenges of tomorrow.
As a founding Principal and Design Director of Tinker Ma, Thomas leads the design development of many of the firm’s projects. His experience as a graduate of Auburn University and its Rural Studio, and as an early LEED Accredited Professional, encourages him to research and develop innovative, sustainable, and beautiful solutions to design challenges.
After serving several committee and commission memberships, Thomas currently serves on Chattanooga’s Form-Based Code Committee and shares his expertise with local nonprofits. His work has been published in Architecture Magazine, Architectural Record, Timber Home Living, and Environmental Design + Construction, and he was featured in a profile in EGG.
Craig Peavy
Principal, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Craig is an Alabama native and Auburn University graduate. He participated in the Rural Studio at Auburn for two terms and realized that architecture is not the solution but is instead the catalyst. Craig believes people make the difference.
Before starting PV Design, Inc. in his garage in 2014, Craig worked for Lord Aeck Sargent in Atlanta and River Street Architecture in Chattanooga, where he eventually became a partner in the firm. In 2016, PV Design moved into a renovated office building on Cherry Street, which is now home to Tinker Ma.
Craig has developed and built several projects in Chattanooga’s urban core. Each time, he has evaluated and incorporated urban design principles and worked to educate the participants on how critical these principles are to the city. As such, he is proud to add urbanist to the various titles he holds: father, husband, architect, welder, carpenter, plumber, electrician and urbanist.
Jessica Stack
Principal,
AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, EDAC
Jessica’s experience spans many sectors of the industry including health care, hospitality, municipal/public sector, industrial, residential, and commercial projects. She has worked for firms in Tennessee, South Carolina, Kansas, and Alabama and now calls Tinker Ma home. Whether thinking strategically through efficient space planning and creative solutions for achieving client objectives or maximizing a tight budget, Jessica has a passion for problem solving through design.
Jessica holds Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Construction Science & Management from Clemson University and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Kansas with an emphasis in Health Care Design. In her graduate work, she focused on environments for aging. As a math nerd and one of those people who doesn’t mind being in front of a crowd, Jessica’s favorite part of Graduate School was her position as Graduate Teaching Assistant for Structures for Architects which involved teaching, conducting lab projects, and grading for over 80 students each semester.
Jessica lives on Signal Mountain with her husband and two rambunctious daughters. She loves to read and is currently having fun learning to play golf with her husband and friends at SMGCC. She is an active member of her community, serving on the Community Partners Board for the East Ridge Future Ready Institute as well as the TN PKU Foundation Board of Directors and the National PKU Alliance Affiliate Council.
Trey Wheeler
Principal, FAIA, NCARB
A graduate of Auburn University, Trey excels in technically sensitive projects for a variety of clients, including state and local governments and institutions of higher learning. His work has appeared in the New York Times and Architect magazine, and he has received an AIA Tennessee Award of Merit. He has served as president for both AIA Tennessee and AIA Chattanooga, is currently the Government Relations Chair for AIA Tennessee, and serves on AIA National’s State Government Network.
A natural mentor, Trey is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, a leadership development program that pinpoints promising local professionals in their early to mid-careers. He is an ambassador within the community, leading historical preservation efforts as a member of the Board of Directors for Cornerstones, Chattanooga’s non-profit Historic Preservation Organization.
Trey and his family have been in Chattanooga for almost 30 years now and lead very active lifestyles enjoying the outdoor scene that Chattanooga has to offer. This passion for the outdoors has spearheaded many initiatives for creating more safe, convenient and accessible public use areas. He has served on boards with SORBA Chattanooga, a local mountain bike advocacy organization, as well as, Wild Trails, and the YMCA of Metro Chattanooga. If you see an RV driving down the interstate, loaded up with kayaks, mountain bikes and a drafting table… Wave, it’s Trey!
Jewell Anderson
Urban Design + Planning, Associate AIA
Jewell chose her career path as a Planner and Designer because it provides an avenue to holistically address social, economic, and environmental issues through political action, collaboration, and design. Jewell believes everything and everyone is connected, and it's important to identify critical links between large and small-scale socioeconomic and environmental issues. As a value-led designer, she believes no project is too small to have a positive impact, and people of all incomes and ages should benefit from good design. Every project responds to the site and tells the community’s stories. Jewell seeks to integrate biodiversity with design to promote healthier lifestyles, resiliency, social equity and connect people back with nature.
Jewell has recently joined the Tinker Ma team, but she has been collaborating with Tinker Ma for many years and has a well-established community in Chattanooga. Her downtime is often spent traveling or catching a live music event. She also loves yoga, cooking, and exploring new trails with her dog. She spent last year visiting 20 countries. Now she is happy to reside in Chattanooga and call the city home.
Kelly Ashton
Marketing Specialist
A Georgia native, Kelly holds a degree in English Language Arts Education from Auburn University. Through her experiences as a freelance writer and former English teacher, she comes to Tinker Ma placing a high value on clear communication. She believes every design has a story, and she loves to share the narrative of each project as it develops from concept to completion.
Kelly has also spent extensive time traveling and living overseas where she taught English as a second language, worked for a non-profit, and met her husband Matt. They now reside on Signal Mountain with their three children, their dog, and much of their extended family.
When not working, Kelly is usually busy cheering on her children at their soccer and baseball tournaments. In her free time, she loves to visit the lake where she enjoys skiing, paddle boarding and spending time with family.
Lee Anne Chesnutt
Senior Interior Designer, NCIDQ, IIDA, NEWH
Lee Anne earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from University of Tennessee Knoxville and has since built a robust portfolio of corporate, hospitality and residential design projects. She has more than 25 years of experience, with the past 15 years as founder and principal of C Design Studio in Chattanooga.
Although she is a new employee at Tinker Ma, Lee Anne has collaborated with Tinker Ma on several past projects, including the award-winning renovation and addition to McMahan Law Firm. Lee Anne’s specialized role as an interior designer starts with listening closely to the client’s hopes and desires which allows her to tailor a design solution to fit each client’s individual needs. She is committed to assist clients in all phases of the design process, establishing consistent and clear communication with the client throughout.
In addition to being an interior designer, Lee Anne is an avid gardener and house plant enthusiast. Like most of the transplants to Chattanooga, she, her husband, and their pup enjoy spending time outdoors, both on the water and exploring in the woods. She has volunteered at many local non-profit organizations and is an active member of NEWH, the Mid-South region.
Lauren Dunn
Project Architect, AIA, NCARB
Lauren joins Tinker Ma with a dedication to sustainable architecture moving toward carbon neutrality. She is passionate about the preservation of invaluable ecologies, especially in our region. In addition, she understands the social consequences of architecture on the public realm and is committed to creating public space that is truly inclusive.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Lauren has earned both a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Architecture. She has nearly 10 years of experience and an impressive portfolio that includes athletic facilities, townhomes, and mixed-use projects.
Deeply committed to the architecture community as a whole, Lauren currently serves as Past President to AIA Chattanooga’s Component, a Director for AIA Tennessee’s Executive Committee, and a member of the City’s Board of Construction Appeals. She loves communicating architecture to young people who may one day consider the profession and serves the community as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as well as being involved with area K-12 students in varying capacities.
A joyful spouse and mom of three rambunctious boys, Lauren spends her free time cooking for her family and hiking, running, biking, and camping with them. She has planted 20 trees in her yard so far, composts, reduces consumption, recycles, and daily tries to find other ways to love the earth.
Desaree Frost
Construction Administration
Desaree Frost spent seven years working as a Fire and Building Code Inspector with the Deputy State Fire Marshal. Her experience with the inspections process and the required documentation as well as her in-depth knowledge of fire safety and prevention are great assets to Tinker Ma.
Originally from Utah, Desaree has called Tennessee home since December of 2003. She graduated on the dean’s list from MTSU with a major in psychology and double minor in sociology and mental health services. From there, she worked in juvenile corrections before moving to the State Fire Marshal’s office in Nashville, TN.
An organized creative, she excels at project management, customer service, and skills training. She strives for perfection but believes there is always room for improvement.
She shares two daughters with her husband and finds that parenting is hard, but incredibly fulfilling. As a family, they love to travel and try new things.
Tonya Gentry
Office Administrator
Tonya holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has more than 25 years of experience in marketing, advertising and business development in the Chattanooga area. Living in Chattanooga for most of the last 30 years, she has seen the amazing changes that have taken place to make downtown Chattanooga what it is today. She looks forward to the future of Chattanooga’s urban landscape.
Tonya has volunteered for a variety of local nonprofits, serving on boards, working on special event committees and serving as a nonprofit Executive Director. She is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, a leadership development program that pinpoints promising local professionals in their early to mid-careers.
Jason Hughes
Associate,
BIM Manager
Jason has a broad background in 3D modeling and documentation, including biomedical, consumer and commercial products. He has more than 10 years of experience modeling architectural buildings.
Jason is highly skilled, using multiple 3D modeling applications such as Autodesk Revit, among others. Prior to joining the firm, he worked as a designer for River Street Architecture, a project manager in 3D as-builts for Coast 2 Coast Surveys and a designer for architect Mike Splawn.
Jason is a 1995 ITT Technical Institute graduate with a major in Computer Aided Design & Drafting. After graduation and several years of experience, Jason took the opportunity to give back to his school by teaching at ITT Technical Institute for several years. He lectured and gave hands-on guidance to students by introducing manual drafting on a drafting board as well as computer aided drafting and design techniques.
Bradford Northcut
Senior Project Manager, Associate AIA
Brad is a Chattanooga native, who returned to his hometown after 15 years in Nashville. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he was one of four students to participate in the founding year of UPSTART (Urban Program in Sustainable Design Education) in 1997, providing design/build urban infill homes in Chattanooga as a collaboration between Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises and UTK College of Architecture. This experience was influential in developing his continued interest in innovative construction practices and gaining first-hand community experience in revitalizing urban neighborhoods.
His project experience has focused on mixed-use urban infill, locally owned restaurants and bars, boutique retail and high-end residential. Brad is excited to build on his professional and community experiences in Chattanooga, as it continues its trend of growth through quality design and sustainable development.
Kahlil Rowett
Senior Project Manager, Associate AIA
Kahlil was born in Texas but spent the majority of her childhood in southern Arkansas. She attended The University of Central Arkansas where she received a Bachelor of Interior Design and while living overseas for several years, she earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of South Australia.
Kahlil is an accomplished architectural designer with an emphasis in municipal design. She has years of experience both here in the US, but also in Australia. Her project experience includes design and construction oversight for a broad scope of design elements from office complexes, operations buildings, water and wastewater maintenance structures, educational facilities, libraries, and athletic facilities.
Her dedication and commitment to working as a team is apparent through the longstanding relationships she has built in the industry. Kahlil enjoys problem solving and working alongside structural, process and MEP engineers, as well as the construction team, progressing cohesively through a project from design to close out.
At the beginning of 2022, ready for a new adventure, Kahlil, her husband, two children and two pups relocated to Chattanooga. She and her family look forward to immersing themselves in the community and taking advantage of the extensive list of outdoor activities the area has to offer.
Patrick Ryan
Senior Project Manager, Associate AIA
Patrick is a 2001 graduate of Auburn University and the Rural Studio program with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He began his career in Birmingham, working on projects ranging from commercial to design-build residential. In 2005, Patrick moved to Charleston and continued with residential design and construction. While there, he became involved with hands-on woodworking as a hobby, using it to explore detailing and methods of construction.
In 2011, Patrick moved to Chattanooga and spent his first three years working in the design-build industry with Haskel Sears Design. As a project manager and designer, Patrick was involved with local projects such as the Flying Squirrel and Tennessee Stillhouse.
Patrick joined the firm as project manager in 2015. Patrick is NCARB Certificate Holder and an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects.
Werner Slabber
Senior Project Manager,
AIA, LEED AP
Werner was born in Tennessee but grew up in Shoemansville, South Africa. Werner discovered his love for architecture at a young age. Determined to become an architect, he worked in construction and studied under architects, paying his way through school. After earning his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Pretoria, Werner started his own firm, Werner Slabber Architect. In 2007, Werner, his wife and three children moved back to the US, taking root in Chattanooga.
After 30 years of relevant work experience, Werner doesn’t lack experience in any project type. His work crosses every industry, and he is proficient in all aspects of design. Chattanooga has offered him some of his favorite adaptive reuse projects though. He excels at redesigning old structures into usable, meaningful spaces, further preserving the history of an area.
It is evident at first meeting, that Werner is enthusiastic and passionate about his career in architecture. Considering his depth of experience, he enjoys teaching others, but also thrives on learning new techniques that come with the everchanging technology.
When Werner isn’t at the office or tinkering with his 1989 Chevy at home, if you can track him down, he is likely cycling, fishing, or perfecting his underwater photography on a fly-fishing excursion. He also enjoys time volunteering in the community as a member of the Signal Mountain LIONS Club and serving on the board for NACA Sports.
Zachary Standley
Project Architect, AIA, NCARB
After growing up in South Carolina, Zachary attended Appalachian State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Building Science. He made the move to Tennessee where he completed his Master of Architecture at the University of Tennessee, specializing in digital fabrication and computational design and taking advantage of several opportunities to contribute to design/build projects.
Most of the projects in his portfolio revolve around interests in complex structural systems, unique lighting conditions, and 3D modeling/rendering. In personal projects he enjoys toeing the line between the fantastical and realism, digital and analogue, art and architecture.
Zachary’s inspirations come from his fondness of the Appalachian Region, where he enjoys rock climbing, highlining, and trail running with his dog, Dax.
Vanessa Vereschak
Interiors Project Manager,
NCIDQ, IIDA, Associate AIA
Vanessa attended California College of the Arts (San Francisco, CA), where she received her Bachelor of Architecture. Training at an art school exposed her to many different mediums, including interior design and fashion. Incorporating her love for textiles and fabrication into architecture allows for a unique perspective, connecting the exterior of a building with the experience and emotion of the space inside.
After college, Vanessa gained experience working in high-end residential, including additions within urban neighborhoods, full interior renovations of downtown lofts, as well as custom, ground up homes scaling up to 10,000 sf. During this experience she also became a licensed real estate agent in multiple states, allowing her to build on her knowledge of varying forms of architecture. In 2017 she left the greater New York area and decided to move down south to Chattanooga.
At Tinker Ma, Vanessa not only designs residential and commercial architecture, but is also our interiors lead. She has a continued interest in exploring the potential connection between traditional technique and the digital process. She has quickly built an impressive portfolio of projects, utilizing digital design, custom fabrication and residential construction.
“I design spaces similar to the way I dress, with an attraction for variances, color, compilation of patterns/form and fearless creativity.”
When Vanessa is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring nature or out searching for her next personal architectural revival project. She is also an active member of AIA and volunteers with the Mentors STEM school program.
Amanda Weinstein
Project Architect, AIA, NCARB
Amanda grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she attended VCU, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design. She then decided to venture out and ended up across the country in Seattle where she completed her Master of Architecture at the University of Washington. After 7 years, Amanda grew tired of the Pacific Northwest weather and headed back down south, settling in Chattanooga.
Amanda wrote her thesis on Olympic cities, specifically how Olympic design isn’t adapted to current society. She can talk for hours on the subject in addition to offering insightful input on general community-focused design. Amanda has been involved in numerous community and group engagement research assignments which has led her to share a unique vision on how communities can utilize a space. Her project portfolio includes high-rise residential and offices, interior TI’s, retail/public mixed use, healthcare, and model building.
In her time off, Amanda enjoys basically every outdoor activity that our area has to offer. When she’s not hiking, camping, kayaking, biking etc., she is snuggling with her cat or playing with her dog. To offer a little personality insight, Amanda claims that her backup career options were stand-up comedian, poet or soccer coach.
