Welcome to our Newest Members of the Board of Directors

Jonathan Brower, PE

Jonathan has held several different positions at L.A. Fuess Partners since joining the Dallas, TX office in June of 2012. Each new role has involved a different level of responsibility that builds upon the foundation of the previous. While sharpening his structural engineering skills on a variety of different building material and project types, he has discovered my passion for educating the next generation of industry leaders. As an Associate at L.A. Fuess Partners, he aligns his personal passions with the company’s core values to help promote the structural engineering and architecture industry to current and future generations. Jonathan is active within the Dallas ACE Mentorship Program and is past chair of the AIA Dallas Education Outreach Committee.

Jonathan earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M.

Lisa Casey, ASLA, LEED AP BD+C

Lisa Casey is an associate at Studio Outside, where she focuses on design that brings wholeness for people and places with an emphasis on placemaking and children’s outdoor environments in civic and mixed-use spaces. Her creative inspiration starts with existing context, client collaboration, and extensive travel and sketching experience. She has lived and traveled in Europe and explored much of the US with a sketchbook in hand. Recent projects include a large mixed-use project in Allen, Texas, a play feature at Bluestem Park in Fort Worth, and Bank OZK Headquarters in Little Rock. Lisa received the Outstanding Service Award for her work with the national ASLA in 2018 and the Kay Tiller Chapter Service Award in 2016.

Lisa has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University.

Diane Collier, AIA

Diane is the principal and owner of the Diane Collier Group, where she represents products and building materials to the architectural and landscape architectural community for the making of commercial and public outdoor spaces.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska school of architecture, and the University of Texas at Arlington school of architecture, Diane has had a diverse career of practice including historical projects, new design and construction with Cadillac Fairview and many parks and commercial work, all the time passionate about making cities better places through design.

Diane is passionate also about involvement with the architectural profession, instrumental in the beginnings of Dallas Women in Architecture and the AIA Dallas Tour of Homes. She has served on the AIA Dallas Chapter Executive Committee in multiple capacities, she has been involved in many aspects of the chapter’s activities and efforts including Columns Magazine, membership, chapter branding, and more.  As a past member of the Architecture and Design Foundation board, she has been involved in fundraising and executing programs and events including Art by Architects, Rockitecture, and, most recently, the Impact Dallas Gala.

Peter Darby, AIA, LEED AP

Peter Darby is the Founder and Principal at Urban Darby Architecture, a consultant-based transportation architecture practice in Dallas focused on aviation, transit, and urban design mixed-use projects. Peter is originally from the Chicago area and attended Lake Forest College studying Urban Studies, has an undergraduate professional architectural degree from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Before relocating to Dallas in 2013, Peter practiced in the Northeast, including Washington, DC, New York City, and Boston.

Peter currently serves on the AIA Dallas Board of Directors as Vice President of Programs and Secretary for 2022 and as the Director of Education in 2021 and 2017. Peter is also past chair of the Historic Resources Committee and has been an active member of Public Policy, Communities by Design, Community Honors, Gala Planning, Codes and Standards, and COTE committees for AIA Dallas. Peter is the recipient of the AIA Dallas President’s Medal in 2021 and the AIA Dallas Presidential Citation in 2021 for his efforts in leading the AIA Dallas DART D2 Advisory Committee.

Peter also serves on other boards, including the Executive Committee at-Large for the Greater Dallas Planning Council and past Chair of the Urban Design Awards; Second Vice President with the Board of Directors for U.S. Capitol Page Alumni Association in Washington, DC, including Director of Events leading national and regional programs. Peter served on the National Board of Directors for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association for six years.

Ellen Mitchell Kozack, AIA

Ellen is a recognized leader in the industry’s move to create a more energy efficient, equitable, and resilient built environment. Ellen guides LPAred, LPA’s in-house research team focused on developing actionable research to support the firm’s informed design process. She also leads initiatives across the firm to advance sustainability and high-performance design, building a culture of education, accountability, and innovation.

Ellen has spent the overwhelming majority of her career focused on integrating sustainability and high-performance design, achieving results across a diverse range of project types, budgets and cultures. She has overseen more than $4 billion worth of construction through LEED and other third-party certifications. On every project, she advocates for a holistic approach to sustainability, focused on performance, experience, wellness and community. She stresses the value proposition of high-performance design and the impact on market share, positive industry and community visibility, and occupant satisfaction and well-being.

Throughout her career, Ellen has championed an expanded awareness of the industry’s social impact and the connection to environmental issues. A tireless advocate for public interest design, she previously founded and directed an initiative dedicated to providing reduced fee or gratis design work to communities and non-profits, working on projects ranging from a net zero energy maternity ward in Uganda to an urban food studio in Washington D.C.

Ellen is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events discussing design culture, carbon reduction and public interest design. She volunteers with several groups focused on promoting best practices, including the AIA National Framework for Design Excellence Task Group, AIA National COTE Sub-Committee on Climate Action & Climate Justice and Large Firm Round Table Sustainability Group Executive Committee.

Nancy Villa

Nancy is an experienced banking professional with a proven sales and service ability to acquire and retain long-lasting commercial and personal relationships. In her role at Origin, she manages day-to-day banking activities for branch clients as well as uncover new opportunities to expand relationships while supporting a large team of commercial lenders.