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, the Executive Committee for the Chattanooga AIA and also serves on the Advisory Board for the AGC of East TN. Jessica is licensed in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina.
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.
Kacee Brown
Senior Interior Designer, NCIDQ, IIDA
Growing up around construction, it was only a matter of time before Kacee became interested in the field of interior design. She attended the University of Alabama and graduated in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Environmental Sciences. She then moved to Chattanooga and began her career in interior design at a local firm.
Kacee gained experience in a variety of commercial projects and learned that she loved all aspects of design. From initial concept and schematic design to construction documents and seeing the project through to completion, she enjoys pulling all the parts and pieces together to create a cohesive end result.
In 2010, she had an opportunity to move to Australia to teach scuba diving, one of her other passions. She spent almost 7 months overseas and then returned to Chattanooga where she began doing contract design work, eventually focusing on hospitality, another facet she grew to love. She began working at a firm again in 2021, expanding her design experience to include healthcare, education, and restoration.
When not designing or scuba diving, Kacee enjoys swimming, kayaking, traveling, and doing creative projects around her home. She, her husband and two children reside in Sale Creek, Tennessee, and are involved in their church and school.
Lacie Chadwick
Design Professional
Local to Chattanooga, Lacie graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. She showed interest in design as a young child and has continued to grow her passion upon her grade school years and graduation. She believes every space has potential to become something new and enjoys thinking about how spaces affect the end user.
Although Lacie is fairly new to the field, she has worked on a variety of project types leading up to her employment at TinkerMa. She has experience in working on healthcare, education, corporate, adaptive-use, government, and entertainment projects and hopes to expand her knowledge in those areas as well as some new ones.
In Lacie’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their wild toddler in their new home. She also enjoys traveling but being native to Chattanooga she always looks forward to returning to her city. She is currently working towards getting her NCIDQ certification.
Lee Anne Chesnutt
Senior Interior Designer, Studio Director,
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 joined 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.
Andrew Edwards
Design Professional,
Associate AIA
Andrew grew up in central Alabama and recently graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Architecture. He joins Tinker Ma with a passion for building sustainable urban environments, which he developed while studying at Auburn’s Urban Studio in Birmingham and a semester abroad in Barcelona. Andrew believes strongly in servant leadership, having served as president for both Auburn’s Theme Park Engineering and Design Club and the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction Ambassadors.
Andrew is excited to use design as a tool to imagine the future of our cities. He wrote his thesis as a critique of urban development in Atlanta, proposing a new transit and community hub as the centerpiece of a dramatically expanded public transportation system. Andrew continues to explore innovative solutions to improve the built environment for all people and the planet.
As a Chattanooga transplant, Andrew spends much of his free time exploring the outdoors and the region’s vibrant culture. He also enjoys film, cooking, and travel.
Desaree Frost
Construction Administration, Fire Inspector 1
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.
Meredith Gaddis
Marketing Specialist
Meredith began her academic journey in interior design before transitioning to Marketing, where she earned a Business Marketing degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She has built her career on a passion for strategic communication, organization, and relationship-building.
Throughout her career, Meredith has worked in various roles, including marketing, project management, business analysis, and team leadership, with a focus on delivering results and nurturing strong client relationships. Meeting new people and fostering connections is her favorite aspect of any job, and she takes pride in creating lasting partnerships with clients—understanding their needs, developing tailored solutions, and ensuring their success.
Meredith is certified in Lean Six Sigma and holds the position of Scrum Product Owner, where she has refined her skills in developing marketing strategies, managing operations, and delivering measurable results. She is also a member of SMPS — an organization for marketing and business development professionals working in the A/E/C industry. She thrives in dynamic environments where clear communication and creativity are essential for driving successful outcomes.
Her passion for design and her enjoyment in bringing spaces to life continue to influence her marketing approach, allowing her to blend creativity with strategic thinking to produce impactful and memorable work. Meredith is dedicated to her craft and excited to continue making a difference in her role at Tinker Ma.
Outside of her professional life, she has a strong passion for design, the outdoors, and travel. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she returned to Chattanooga more than 15 years ago. When she isn’t working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children.
Tonya Gentry
Associate, Office Manager
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.
Jarrod Hall
Design Professional
Growing up working in his father’s precision machining company, Jarrod acquired an early appreciation for things that fit together perfectly. Whether in front of the old turret lathe, turning dowel pins for hydraulic housings or crouched over the surface grinder, polishing steel parts to a mirror finish, the affinity for the perfect fit came naturally, and he has carried this into his design career.
Jarrod is a philosophical disciple of Samuel Mockbee, James Agee, and Walker Evans, and is interested in the social and economic impact that a design or a project can have on a community. He is interested in the social and societal consequences of the built environment.
While in school, he worked as a CNC and woodshop supervisor in the University of Tennessee’s fabrication laboratory, or FabLab. Jarrod is a Knoxville native and Chattanooga transplant who has a broad range of interests in the design field. He delights in the impossible of conceptual design as much as in the mundane and utilitarian. His experience lies mostly in education and multi-family housing projects in the Tennessee Valley, but also extends to some restaurant, event space, and administrative projects as well.
Outside of his work, Jarrod is a cyclist, marksman, and digital artist. He loves to sit down and play a video game with his friends or just watch a good movie. Jarrod holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and is currently in pursuit of his license to practice architecture.
Fred Henderson
Project Manager
Fred has more than 40 years of professional experience in architecture. He began his registered career as a Project Architect at Smith Design Group in Cleveland, TN. After that, he became a partner and then the Principal Architect at Smith & Henderson Architects, where he worked for 15 years. Following his time there, he joined BDA Design in Texarkana, Arkansas, as a minor partner, serving in the roles of Project Architect and Project Manager for 10 years.
Currently, Fred serves as both a Project Architect and Project Manager. He is responsible for managing day-to-day activities, including client communication, consultant interaction, construction administration, site visits, shop drawing reviews, and post-construction tasks.
David Hudson
Senior Project Architect,
AIA
David is a proud graduate of Auburn University and has a lifelong commitment to excellence and innovation. His professional journey has been marked by transformative leadership, most notably in founding and growing Artech into a thriving organization. Taking the next step, David was instrumental in guiding the merger of Artech with Tinker Ma. Through this growth, David has been able to foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and success, delivering exceptional results for a diverse array of clients.
Beyond the office, he has been deeply involved in the community. He had the honor of serving on numerous nonprofit and civic boards, and advising private companies on strategic initiatives. These roles have allowed David to give back to the city he loves while broadening his perspective on effective leadership and community impact.
David’s passion for Architecture led him to teach at a local high school, where he enjoyed mentoring students and inspiring the next generation of innovators. His work in healthcare, education and many other types of projects reflects his dedication to creating spaces that not only serve but elevate the communities they support. These experiences have shaped his approach to partnering with clients, ensuring that every project David undertakes aligns with their vision and drives their success.
Outside of work, David cherishes time with his family, enjoys the challenge and serenity of golf, and finds peace in fly fishing—always in that order.
Scott Hudson
Senior Design Professional
As a child Scott had a fascination with drawing, especially his primary interest, cars. In college, he studied Advertising Art, but later moved into Computer Science. During a summer break, he worked for a local architecture firm but when it came time to go back to school, he chose to stay in architecture. He went on to work in the field of Design/Build as a designer and estimator for a couple of local design-build contractors.
After that, while working for another local architecture firm, he and a friend decided to go out on their own. Scott passed the General Contractor license exam in industrial, commercial, and residential construction and opened a ‘Design-Build’ office with that friend who was a licensed architect.
He first joined Artech in the early nineties and then went back out on his own as Home Inspector and Home Designer in 2000. When work slowed due to the recession in 2007, he went to work for a large regional mall developer as their site plan manager. After the recession, he worked at a local engineering firm as a project manager and ‘floating’ designer drafter. Scott returned to Artech in 2020 as a designer drafter working in Revit. Scott enjoys working on his house, working in the yard, playing pool, camping, and hiking.
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.
Valerie Melcher
Senior Interior Designer
Despite her early love of building elaborate structures with Legos and her practice of drawing maps, buildings, and designs on any available scrap of paper, Valerie went off to the University of Georgia as a pre-med student. In her second year all that changed after working with the counseling and testing center at the university and finding out that her top suggestions for a profession were more in the creative vein – architecture, interior design, or landscape architecture. Since UGA did not have a school of architecture she switched her major to commercial Interior design. Since receiving her degree, she has worked locally in that profession for close to four decades. Her design career started with board drafting using a pin bar and has evolved over the years using the new technologies as they have appeared.
Throughout her career, she has worked on a wide range of project types both locally in and in the southeast. Hospitality and healthcare have been her main project type focus. The size of the projects that she has worked on varies widely in scale from an x-ray room to a full-service design on a multistory hotel including all furnishing, fixtures, and equipment. She looks at each project as a puzzle to be solved and prides herself in creating spaces that are both pleasing and functional.
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.
Alexa Ocampo
Design Professional
Alexa holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design, along with a Minor in Construction Management, from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. She is passionate about space planning and enjoys researching furniture and finishes for hospitality design. Alexa aims to create designs that foster an emotional connection to a place, helping people remember their experiences positively.
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Alexa has called Chattanooga home since 2019. She began her career as an intern at Tinker Ma, where she developed a strong foundation in interior design through hands-on experience that has shaped her professional journey. She is proud to be an Associate member of IIDA and is actively working towards NCIDQ certification to further enhance her expertise.
When she’s not focused on design, Alexa enjoys exploring the downtown eateries in Chattanooga, hiking scenic trails, and traveling to new places for inspiration and adventure. With a keen eye for detail and a love for creative problem-solving, she continues to grow both professionally and personally, bringing energy and passion to every project.
Michelle Parker
Office Administrator
Michelle is a small town, Wisconsin native who moved to Chattanooga in the year 2000. She brings with her 25 years of administration and customer service experience. Her demonstrated history of working in commercial construction, solar farm construction, retail, hospitality, computer technology, and the healthcare industry makes her a great fit for our company.
Michelle is a member of the P.T.A. board at M.V.E. and has been a member of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce since 2020. She has volunteered for years in the Junior Achievement program empowering young people to own their economic success. Michelle has also been a State of Tennessee Notary Public for the past 5 years.
Some of Michelle’s favorite activities include riding on their family Harley Davidson CVO, spending time tending her garden, going out fishing with her family, running with her Belgian Malinois, singing karaoke, and roller skating with her husband of 15 years and their 2 children.
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.
Joshua Rudisin
Project Architect,
AIA, NCARB
Joshua earned his degree from Virginia Tech in 2004. That summer, he moved to Chattanooga to begin his architectural career. Before rejoining the Artech team, Joshua honed his skills at various Chattanooga firms. His primary focus was on commercial retail and mixed-use spaces, and he also gained valuable experience in the custom residential market. With two decades of experience,
Joshua believes that design transcends aesthetics; architecture is a force that reverberates through the built environment, impacting humanity's well-being. Currently, Joshua is serving on the AIA Chattanooga executive committee, AIA TN State board, and actively mentors with the ACE Mentorship program. When not immersed in design thought, Joshua can be found on local biking trails, walking his dog, watching his son play soccer, or baking cakes in his kitchen.
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.
Terry Skwierc
Senior Design Professional
Originally hailing from Miami, Florida, Terry relocated to Georgia as a teenager with his family. Surrounded by exotic cars and motorcycles thanks to his father’s auto mechanic career, Terry initially envisioned following in his father's footsteps. However, his passion for drawing and an emerging interest in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) soon redirected his path. As CAD technology began revolutionizing the industry, Terry’s natural aptitude for computers made digital drawing an exciting prospect.
After earning his Draftsman certification from a local technical college, Terry embarked on his professional journey with a survey company, preparing as-built drawings for projects across the country. Following his marriage, Terry sought a position that would allow him to stay closer to home. Over the past two decades, he has thrived in various commercial sectors, steadily advancing his expertise. Terry’s dedication to architecture is matched only by his enthusiasm for music, technology, and spending quality time with his family. He also cherishes the occasional opportunity to dive into car projects with dad.
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
Senior Interior Designer, Design Director,
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.
Crosby Wheeler
Project Controls Specialist
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Crosby feels a deep connection to the community he feels fortunate to call home for himself and his family. After graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Crosby spent much of his career supporting and leading one of the nation’s largest bicycle retailers. While the product and lifestyle associated with bicycles were always an enjoyable aspect of that career path, it was the community and people that he served in that role that kept him excited to progress.
Having been raised surrounded by architecture, Crosby has always had an appreciation for the implications of architecture and design on our communities and the natural world. When the opportunity arose to combine his experience and passion for people and business, he chose to join Tinker Ma and pursue a new path that would more closely align him with the future of the community and its people.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Crosby also has a strong affinity for reading, riding his bike, and running when he’s not with his wife and two children.
Mark Wynnemer
Senior Project Architect,
AIA
Mark Wynnemer has more than 43 years of professional architecture experience, including 20 years in the region. He manages various projects, overseeing day-to-day activities such as client and consultant interactions, construction administration site visits, shop drawing reviews, and post-construction tasks. He is well-versed in both new construction and renovations across a diverse range of project types.
From a young age, Mark enjoyed drawing and building things. Not believing he could make a career out of playing with Lego, he pursued architecture instead and earned a degree from the University of Miami. With two decades of experience in South Florida, he has worked on an extensive array of building types, from single-family homes to high-rise condominiums, as well as restaurants and large multi-use commercial centers. The subtropical environment provided invaluable lessons in creating building envelopes designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and the test of time.
Twenty years ago, Mark and his family moved to Signal Mountain. As a project manager, he has shepherded all sorts of projects from design through construction; here in the Chattanooga area and throughout the southeast region. He enjoys mentoring younger firm members about the architect's role in the process and how to select and detail materials. When he’s not working you might find Mark out walking the trails on his property or building things in his garage – nothing out of Lego recently, but maybe on the next project.
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Coby
Greeter
