Path to Leadership: TDA Names New Class of Principals
We are proud to announce the designation of five new principals at TDA. With each of them having participated in TDA's Path to Leadership program, they are assuming new responsibilities for guiding the future of our firm.

Path to Leadership: TDA Names New Class of Principals

ThenDesign Architecture (TDA) is a “teaching and learning” architecture firm with a 75-year history that specializes in educational and civic design across Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Resulting from the evolution of our “people first” philosophy, we are proud to have transitioned to a 100% employee-owned company and named our first cohort of five firm principals. This next generation of leaders will continue to guide TDA in the decades ahead.

In 1989, Huston Associates became TDA after Founder and Board Member Robert Fiala, AIA, NCARB, APA, guided the architecture firm into the modern era. With a robust future in mind, Bob promoted President and CEO Chris Smith, Ph.D., AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, to partner in 2004 and continued to expand the people-centric culture to better serve both our clients and staff.

For decades, TDA has embraced our staff by helping them develop relationships and leadership skills that provide the best opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Bob and Chris knew that as TDA grew, so would the importance of creating a focused succession plan to develop leaders from within the company to guide the firm. Based on our core values, the Path to Leadership program was created to provide hands-on experience in business development, project leadership, and company management to prepare the next generation of TDA leaders.

Qualified associates who exemplified characteristics that include leadership, creativity, and collaboration were given the necessary training and tools to foster growth through greater responsibilities and guided engagement. Inaugurated in 2024 and working alongside Bob and Chris, the first group has developed into firm principals.

On a parallel track for retaining strong leaders and a talented staff, Bob and Chris turned over ownership of TDA to the people who continue to make it successful. In early 2026, we proudly announced that TDA is now a 100% employee-owned firm. The implementation of this development encourages well-being and employee retention so that experienced professionals would see TDA as a long-term workplace to call home.

Being a “people first” company is not just an idea. It is how we operate.

Turning over 100% of TDA’s financial ownership to the employees is a natural progression of the company’s legacy. It becomes an additional economic benefit for the staff while also reinforcing the unique culture that has earned us recognition as one of the top places to work in Northeast Ohio.

This first class of participants has embraced TDA’s core values and exemplify them across their respective projects. The promotion to principal is an official acknowledgment of their existing roles and responsibilities at TDA, while establishing their official leadership position within the company. We congratulate our new principals on their achievements and continual dedication.

TDA Principals

  • Architect, Scott Alleman, RA, NCARB
  • Operations Director, Emily Danis
  • Educational Planner, Cheryl Fisher, LEED AP, BD+C
  • Architect, Adam Parris, RA
  • Architect, Ryan Schmit, RA, NCARB, LEED AP

Each principal will continue in their current capacity on projects and with clients, but will assume a greater and more direct role in the continuing direction of TDA. We continue to train our future leaders today and are grateful for the passionate, dedicated team we have.

See what opportunities we currently have on our Careers page. If you would like to learn more about us and see if you may be a good fit, contact us.

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