BKV Group Announces New Partners and 2025 Staff Promotions

WAREES SMITH
​​​​Project Manager, Partner
Washington, DC

Warees is an active member of NOMA and in 2024 became the BKV’s Committee Chair of our newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee.  In addition, Warees will occupy a key leadership role in our pursuit of becoming a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) as well as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in the DC region. He’s a great communicator, strong collaborator, and brings people together for open dialogue in working toward unique solutions to complex challenges. Warees’ positive outlook and calm leadership style strengthen our team and cultivate a supportive culture for all. We’re so proud of you, Warees!

JACKIE WILCOX
Director of Interior Design, Partner
Chicago, IL

Jackie Wilcox has been a wonderful addition to the Chicago leadership team over the last 2 ½ years and we are proud to recognize her as a Partner. Jackie is a strong communicator and thought leader for Workplace and Corporate Interiors and is a major contributor to our Chicago practice site and interiors project pursuits. With a unique background on the architectural side, in addition to being our Director of Interiors, she mentors and connects regularly with all of our Chicago and Interiors discipline staff and works hard at new client and business development outreach opportunities. Jackie truly cares about a supportive workplace culture, and it has been a joy to watch her thrive in her role. Way to go, Jackie!

RON BUTLER 
​​​​​​​​​Senior Design Leader, Partner
Dallas, TX

Ron Butler’s senior design leadership over the last 5 years in the Dallas practice site is being recognized with his well-deserved promotion to Partner! Ron’s expertise and design talent on urban infill and mixed-use multifamily, in addition to student housing, have bolstered his relationships with existing clients and strengthened opportunities to connect with new potential clients. He is also supporting firmwide design leadership efforts to raise the quality of the design process and provide mentorship and guidance for both the Dallas and Vietnam design teams, producing positive and impactful communities we can all be proud of. Way to go, Ron!

MEGAN VAN BECK
​​Director of Branded Environments, Partner
Minneapolis, MN

Megan Van Beck’s 13-year journey at BKV has showcased her passion for design and quality of every project she touches as a curious innovator with boundless energy and her always positive attitude we can all aspire to. These are some of the many reasons we’re proud to recognize Megan as a Partner. Megan is a creative and organized leader, a key member of the interiors leadership team, and her efforts to launch the BKV Branded Environments team have elevated the firm’s presentation materials and client engagement process. We can always count on Megan for a creative boost of inspiration and motivation. We’re so proud of you, Megan!

CARL PRICE
Vice President of Operations, Partner
Dallas, TX

Megan Van Beck’s 13-year journey at BKV has showcased her passion for design and quality of every project she touches as a curious innovator with boundless energy and her always positive attitude we can all aspire to. These are some of the many reasons we’re proud to recognize Megan as a Partner. Megan is a creative and organized leader, a key member of the interiors leadership team, and her efforts to launch the BKV Branded Environments team have elevated the firm’s presentation materials and client engagement process. We can always count on Megan for a creative boost of inspiration and motivation. We’re so proud of you, Megan!

MICHAEL HEALY
​​​​​​​​​Project Manager, Partner
Minneapolis, MN

Michael Healy started at BKV Group 14 years ago as an Architectural Designer, grew into his role as a Project Manager, and we’re now proud to call a Partner! He has risen to every challenge put in front of him. His professionalism, intelligence, talent, attitude and interpersonal skills all represent the future leadership qualities of our firm. Mike is trusted by the clients and staff he works with, has demonstrated his abilities as a strong project manager, is a great mentor to staff, and has grown tremendously in his marketing, business development, and thought leadership efforts in recent years representing BKV. Congratulations on your Partner promotion, Mike! 

ALEX SAWKA
Director of Mechanical Engineering, Partner
Minneapolis, MN

Megan Van Beck’s 13-year journey at BKV has showcased her passion for design and quality of every project she touches as a curious innovator with boundless energy and her always positive attitude we can all aspire to. These are some of the many reasons we’re proud to recognize Megan as a Partner. Megan is a creative and organized leader, a key member of the interiors leadership team, and her efforts to launch the BKV Branded Environments team have elevated the firm’s presentation materials and client engagement process. We can always count on Megan for a creative boost of inspiration and motivation. We’re so proud of you, Megan!

CHARLIE CHARLTON
Vice President of Construction Administration, Partner
Minneapolis, MN

Charlie Charlton’s journey at BKV is one of continued growth and recognition of his leadership within the Construction Administration discipline over the last few years. Charlie has grown from a Senior Construction Administrator to the Director of CA for Minneapolis, to becoming the national VP of Construction Administration and Partner in his 12 ½ years with us. Charlie represents BKV with his strong client relationships in the field, fostering innovative ways to solve complex project issues in a timely and effective manner. He is process-oriented and focused on quality and efficiency, reinforcing the importance of the construction administration phase of our projects being the final opportunity to make lasting great impressions with our clients and contractors.  Way to go, Charlie!

LARRY FARRIS
Director of Code Compliance, Partner
Minneapolis, MN

Larry Farris leads a critical component of our projects in his role as Director of Code Compliance, and we’re proud to now also have him as a Partner. Larry’s 12½ years at BKV have been crucial in navigating complex code challenges with our project teams as a national resource providing firmwide support. Larry ensures that code compliance is achieved in all phases of the project, from conceptual design to construction. His early involvement in projects helps facilitate our holistic approach to the design process in order to minimize surprises and delays during permitting and construction. With over 30 years in code enforcement and consulting, Larry holds multiple certifications from ICC (International Code Council), and has served as a Certified Building Official (CBO), Assistant Building Official, Plans Examiner, and Inspector, as well as taught classes and seminars at the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin-Madison, ICC Region III Educational Institute, 10,000 Lakes Chapter of ICC, and other local community colleges in the Twin Cities metro area. The State of Minnesota also presented Larry with the Paul Heimkes Award for Excellence in Building Code Administration at the 2023 State of the State address. Thank you Larry for your support to the national BKV practice and congratulations on your Partner promotion!!