Welcome to Knoxville – Kathryn Fuller, AIA, NCARB, CSI, CDT
Posted: Fri, Aug 23, 2019
We are happy to welcome Kathryn Fuller. She is a graduate of Washington State University and practiced architecture in Spokane. Having family in Knoxville, she came to interview with a number of firms and landed at Michael Brady, Inc. At MBI she fills the role of architect/ project manager and quickly became involved in lots of projects including commercial retail, apartment restorations, industrial/ manufacturing, warehouse and roofing. She is also focused on updating the office master specifications.
When Kathryn was asked how CSI has been an asset to her, she replied, “Just being involved in the chapter made the principals of my former firm take notice. When the sole spec writer in our office indicated he was retiring, the firm asked me to fill his shoes. I then took classes, provided by my local chapter, and passed the CDT on the first try. My former employer was very impressed with my initiative and this credential, boosting my pay. I then proceeded to move from chapter communications chair, up through the ranks to chapter president (2016-2017)."
"CSI leadership classes helped focus my path of involvement and inspired me to remain an integral participant in the organization. I believe I was hired at MBI Companies partly because of the CDT credential and involvement in CSI. The people I have met at conferences, and through local chapter events, are always willing to help a fellow CSI member. I continue to be a go-to person for co-workers seeking advice on specifications and product information. "
So how is Kathryn fitting into her new chapter? She stepped up and assumed the role of chapter secretary as Susan Davis retired.
“The Knoxville Chapter is unlike any I have encountered. The people are so helpful and kind - yet professional. When I flew here for interviews, members of the board took time out of their day to meet my mother and I at the airport - with balloons and a goodie bag. Before we left, we were treated to dinner by CSI people at Calhoun's on the River. A month later, when I moved here, members of the board magically appeared again to help unload the moving truck” said Kathryn.
“The CSI Knoxville Chapter is one of the few growing chapters in the U.S. and I believe it is because they work well together as professionals who are working for the common good of the organization. They also like each other's company, and welcome anyone to the table; making people feel like their time is well spent. These things help make this chapter such a success! I am glad to have stumbled across this chapter in this beautiful, scruffy, city of Knoxville, TN - and can't believe I am really here!”
The Knoxville Chapter is very happy that you chose to join our family!
CSI Member Susan Davis Opens New Firm - Personal Space
Posted: Sat, Jul 27, 2019
Knoxville CSI Member Susan Davis, RA, CSI, CDT, PMP has recently opened her own construction firm – Personal Space– to provide residential construction services to the “typical East Tennessee family.
Susan received her Bachelor of Architecture in 2001 from Tennessee, where she also joined CSI and earned her CDT. She has a varied background, which includes residential and commercial design but her experience with a defense contractor allowed her to expand into project management. This got her out of the office and into the field, and some of those fields weren’t even in the US.
She has continued her project management pursuits while working with Hickory Construction and there she realized there was a nitch in the market that wasn’t being met. Thus she took the leap and Personal Space was born.
She needs those project management skills because she is a single mother of three (15, 13 and almost 2) and has lots of activities to juggle. But she is doing it well.
Susan credits CSI with providing her a “lasting support network. I always have someone I can call. If I need recommendations for someone who can do a particular kind of work, or supply a particular material, or if I need to know how to use a product correctly, I have someone that I know their face.”
A new face at our CSI meetings is designer Mirelys Calise, who has moved this past year from Orlando, Florida where she worked as a Senior Designer and Planner for HHCP International. Her architect husband, Richard, practices with Lose Design in West Knoxville.
Mirelys has her own multi-disciplinary firm – Calise Design Studios – where she offers architectural design, production services, furniture design, and digital arts. http://www.calisedesignstudios.com This talented woman has a broad range of experience that includes residential and commercial projects, urban design, infill projects, interior renovations, retail and office both here in the U.S. and internationally.
She has volunteered her graphic skills and expertise in marketing to help get the word out about the all that we are doing in the Knoxville Chapter. We were happy to have her join us for the Chapter Planning Meeting this summer. She already is volunteering her talents with the East TN Community Design Center and assisted in a recent charrette on the redesign of the commercial corridor of Alcoa Hwy.
As if this is not enough to keep her creative juices flowing, she is a pastry chef and crafts artist. There will be lots of volunteers to beta test those tasty treats.
Welcome to Knoxville and welcome to the Knoxville CSI chapter. We are so glad that you chose East Tennessee as your new home.
Knoxville Chapter Planning Meeting - A Great Success!
Posted: Sat, Jul 20, 2019
The Annual Planning Meeting was held Saturday, July 20 at the offices of MHM. In attendance were President Geoffery Cavalier, Past Presdident Aaron Miller, incoming Secretary Kathryn Fuller, GSR President Suzan Jordan (who has LOTS of roles in our chapter too), Gary Bergeron (board member, technical and academic affairs chair), new board members Josh Buchanan and Brian Sickles, Stacy Colbaugh (our award winning Publication chair), Kathy Proctor (board member, planning & historian) and new member Mirelys Calise, who is assisting with graphics. Geoffery led us through an analysis of last year activities, a review of our mission, discussions of effective ways to use our volunteer time, task teams, setting key calendar dates, and a brainstorming session addressing membership growth and student support. All in all, it was a great meeting and we are off to a great start for another successful year.
We did identify a few areas that could use some new volunteers, so please contact Geoffery and see where you can be part of the CSI Knoxville action this year.
