Class Acts: Former student news

The College of Architecture encourages former students to submit news items for the Class Acts section of the arch|one e-newsletter. This section highlights professional achievements, as well as news briefs about marriages, births, retirements, bucket list accomplishments or whatever else former students care to share with the college community and their former classmates. News and photos may be e-mailed directly to the editor .

CLASS OF ‘73

Ronald M. Helton  BED ’73 is the CEO of Conroe, Texas-based [FloodSafe USA] (http://www.floodsafeusa.com/) , which develops and installs patented, specially designed doors and windows that protect homes and commercial buildings from flooding.

The company also integrates state-of-the-art composites and coatings into exterior walls in an architecturally aesthetically pleasing manner to keep building interiors dry from floodwaters.

CLASS OF ‘74

Lars Stanley BED ’74 , heads Stanley Studio, a firm whose innovative, sustainable design of John Gaines Park and Swim Center in Austin was covered in a Texas Architect [article] (https://txamagazine.org/2017/03/01/the-pool-upstream/) .

Stanley, a member of the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows and an [Outstanding Alumnus] (https://www.arch.tamu.edu/community/formerstudents/outstanding-alumni/past-honorees/111/) of the College of Architecture, led a team that designed a swim center in Austin’s Mueller subdivision that uses stormwater to irrigate two green roofs, includes photovoltaic plans that power the pool’s pump equipment and provides shade for a kiddie pool, and includes other unique features.

CLASS OF ‘81

Jim Molinelli BED ’81, MARCH ’83, Ph.D. ARCH ’96 , authored “ [Remodel! Without Going Bonkers or Broke] (https://www.amazon.com/Remodel-Without-Going-Bonkers-Broke/dp/0692848681) ,” a step-by-step guide that helps people eliminate critical mistakes when hiring professionals for residential design and remodeling.

After earning his master’s degree, Molinelli began his career at a small town firm in Maryland. He eventually turned to design-build remodeling, earning two awards from the state’s governor for addressing the needs of Maryland’s remodeling public.

In his book, Molinelli details the different types of designers and remodelers, how to interview them and their references, cost-saving strategies, prevalent remodeling myths, and more.

CLASS OF ‘85

Keith Lokey BED ’85 has a son, Christopher ’19, attending Texas A&M as an engineering major. Keith, a senior vice president of data and analytics at the Bank of America, leads a team of nearly 300 project management and technical engineering professionals who drive revenue and deliver value for the bank’s shareholders and customers.

Keith’s father, Paul Lokey ’60, is also a former student.

CLASS OF ‘88

Roy R. Pachecano BED ’88 , president of [Portico Real Estate Investments LLC,] (http://porticorei.com/id69.html) directed and produced a [short film] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqVMJxsO66s&feature=youtu.be&a) on zoning and its impact on architecture, real estate and the community.

The film is part of a course he teaches at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where he is an adjunct professor.

A designer, developer and financier, Pachecano led Portico’s transition to a commercial, hospitality and residential real estate company. Portico began as a family construction business more than 75 years ago.

CLASS OF ‘96

Jennifer Evans-Cowley MUP ’96, Ph.D URS ’00 , an [Outstanding Alumna] (http://www.arch.tamu.edu/community/formerstudents/outstanding-alumni/past-honorees/144/) of the College of Architecture, has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Texas.

Evans-Cowley, an Arlington, Texas native who begins her UNT post July 1, 2017, comes to North Texas from Ohio State University, where she served as vice provost for capital planning and regional campuses.

“Jennifer brings unique expertise to help us continue our momentum as a Tier One research university because she understands how to best support student and faculty success and plan for growth,” said Neal Smatresk, president of UNT.

Kevin Wang BED ’97 has purchased [INSPEC] (http://www.inspec.com/main.cfm) , an architectural specifications consulting firm, after working there for more than 11 years.

Nearing its 32nd year of operation, INSPEC writes specifications for hundreds of projects each year, including numerous, high-profile Texas structures such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Omni Hotel in Dallas, Liberty Mutual headquarters in Plano and the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney.

CLASS OF ‘07

Stacie D. Barker BED ’07 retired from her position as a product manager with Reynolds and Reynolds to be a stay-at-home mom with her son, Westley Marlin Barker, born Feb. 22, 2016.

The Reynolds and Reynolds Company is a leading provider of computer software, business supplies, and professional services for automotive retailers.

Andrew Pogue BED ’07 is the co-founder of [Fair Isle Brewing Co.] (https://www.fairislebrewing.com/) , projected to open in 2018. The brewery has already created its first beer, Ellie, which [Draft Magazine] (http://draftmag.com/best-beers-of-the-week-041417/) described as “outstanding, from the aroma of earthy pressed berries, hay bales, amaretto and hibiscus to the soft, winelike acidity found in the flavor.”

Pogue, an [architectural photographer] (http://www.andrewpogue.com/) , also produces architectural films as part of [Frazer Pogue Collective] (http://www.frazerpogue.com/) .

CLASS OF ‘08

Moonmoon Parmar MUP ’08 was named an Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Women Builders Council, a New York state-based organization that empowers women and promotes diversity throughout the construction industry.

Parmar is an environmental planner with Langan, global engineering and environmental consulting firm in New York that serves a diverse group of public and private clients with land development projects.

CLASS OF ‘12

Nicholas Oyler MUP ’12 led the [establishment] (https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/may/4/forum-to-riverfront-corridor-debuts-in-june/) of new bike lanes and pedestrian plazas in a yearlong pilot project in downtown Memphis, where he is the city’s bikeway and pedestrian manager.

The goal, said Oyler, is to establish vibrant pedestrian and bicycle corridors that improve downtown Memphis and connect the city’s midtown, a group of neighborhoods east of downtown, with the nearby Mississippi River.

CLASS OF ‘16

Gregory Luhan, Ph.D. ARCH ’16 , was named a 2017 University Research Professor by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. Luhan is an associate dean of administration and the John Russell Groves Endowed Professor of Architecture at UK.

The $10,000, one-year award furthers the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of the awardee. As a Texas A&M visiting associate professor of architecture in 2014, Luhan led environmental design students who developed solutions for accelerating the recovery of a small Kentucky town ravaged by a 2012 tornado.

Jessica Wiggins, URPN ‘16 , is improving Houston’s bicycle infrastructure as the new advocacy director of BikeHouston, which partners with public and private organizations to expand the network of Houston’s high-quality bike lanes and trails.

Wiggins was a producer at Houston’s KPFT-FM in 2016 and served as a staff intern in the Urban Sustainability Lab at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. for four months in 2015.