Silling Introduces New Leadership Team

We’re a team of thoughtful leaders prioritizing an understanding of others’ perspectives and needs and elevating them above our own.  We are excited to introduce our Leadership Team at Silling!

Guided by firm CEO, Jody Driggs, AIA, a principal since 2001, Silling will be led by an expanded team of Directors poised to continue our legacy of critical design, thought leadership, and selfless service as we continue to elevate our commitment to Getting It Right.

Congratulations to Chad Wentz, AIA, IIDA, as he is elevated to Principal and Managing Director of the Silling studio! Chad joins Jody Driggs, AIA, Principal, in responsibility for developing and implementing the firm’s strategic direction and expanding our practice. A licensed architect and interior designer, Chad works to ensure we approach each project with a client-centered focus, coupling his pursuit of critical design with servant humility. Throughout his 25-year career, Chad has delivered award-winning, complex multi-disciplinary projects throughout North America and is a recognized leader in workplace, aviation, multi-family, retail, and mixed-use markets. Chad is an empathetic leader who inspires and celebrates the successes of everyone around him. We’re honored to have him lead us into the next century of service.

Next, we renew our celebration of Michael LeBoeuf, FAIA, as he continues to inspire and grow our studio in his role as Director of Design! With over 70 design awards to his credit throughout his impressive career, Michael was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows, Object One: Design in 2010.  Michael leads a highly collaborative and inclusive design discourse, speaking into all of our team’s projects and encouraging each studio member in their pursuit of design excellence and innovation. He inspires critical thought in our design approach and facilitates robust dialogue in every phase of project development. In addition to championing critical design at Silling, Michael continues to serve as a graduate design studio professor for the University of Florida City Lab in downtown Orlando.

We are grateful for the loyalty and dedication of Mike Moore and applaud his continued efforts as our Director of Business Development! In his 21st year of service to the Silling studio, Mike continues to direct our marketing and business development processes, growing us as a nationally recognized leader in civic and justice planning and design, while maintaining our strong legacy identity as a critical design studio serving the people of West Virginia. Mike inspires confidence within our team through his approach and competitive drive. He has a passion for seeing both our clients and studio family succeed and is instrumental to our efforts to grow. He maintains a servant relationship with our clients throughout the life of our projects and beyond.

Congratulations to Marie McCauley, AIA as she steps into the role of Studio Director in our 120+ year old West Virginia studio! Marie couples exceptional relationship and team-building strengths with her endless positivity in her role leading our Charleston studio, with a focus on staff resource management and innovative client service. Marie continues to serve as a design architect and project manager, delivering purpose-driven cultural, civic, justice, education, and county services projects. Throughout her 18-year career, Marie’s work has been recognized as thoughtful and compelling, garnering numerous awards. She models compassion and humility in her leadership style and inspires an insistency to Getting It Right among all internal and external project stakeholders.

Congratulations to Brian Estep, AIA as he is elevated as a Studio Director in our legacy Charleston, West Virginia studio! Brian’s passion for the craft of architecture is obvious in his award-winning work, and his strengths in design and mentorship position him to lead our entire studio in the ongoing development and perfection of the Silling Standard – our way of delivering design and service unique to Getting It Right. Brian brings an uncommon attention to detail in the development of our studio’s collective body of work. In addition to directing the studio in his new role, he will continue to be responsible for the development of highly complex justice, civic, and educational projects. With a humble lead-from-the-back approach, Brian inspires impeccable quality in our design processes and outcomes.

Last, we are thankful that our studio operations continue to be anchored through the efforts of Rachel Driggs, and are excited to announce her elevation as Director of Administration! In her expanded role, Rachel leads the financial, human resources, and administrative operations across our studio locations – leveraging her extensive corporate experience and strong relational skills to keep us running at peek performance. Rachel emphasizes wellness, stewardship and efficiency in her approach to studio administration, allowing our Directors to focus on and invest in growing our team, serving our clients, and delivering meaningful design solutions. She takes great pride in taking care of our studio family and we couldn’t do what we do without her.

Join us in celebrating these talented and dedicated studio members throughout the week and get to know the leadership team more on our website, Silling.com.