Blog

As we look back at the past year, we at Curtis Miner Architecture find ourselves full of gratitude for all our activities and accomplishments. Here are our top reasons for celebrating 2021:

1. Two New Principals

In November, CMA welcomed two new principals within leadership.

Mike Anderson, AIA, NCARB, started at CMA in 2000 as a drafter while finishing his early college education. Mike has helped lead the firm’s focus on mentorship and was instrumental in formalizing a long-term vision of team member mentorship and growth.

A 25-year industry veteran, Curtis Livingston, AIA, NCARB has been an influential contributor to the K-12 market in the Intermountain West. Curtis’s role will expand to include leadership in business development and marketing activities.

2. Five Architecture Awards

We are honored to be the recipient of five prestigious awards this year.

• Joseph D. Adams Public Safety Building, Best Government/Public Building, ENR Mountain States
• Built Bar Corporate Office, Award of Merit, Interior/Tenant Improvement, ENR Mountain States
• Commercial Architect of the Year, West Coast USA Prestige Awards
• Alpha Warranty Office Building, Outstanding Commercial Project Over $10M, UC&D
• Groove Entertainment Office Building, Outstanding Private Project Under $10M, UC&D

3. Project Milestones

From new projects to project completion, we fulfilled many project milestones in 2021.

Notable projects completed include:

• Groove Office Entertainment Technologies – Feb 2021
• Wasatch Behavioral Health, Receiving Operations Center – Dec 2021
• Bonneville Equipment Kubota Dealership – Dec 2021

Notable projects awarded include:

• Intermountain Healthcare Lake Park North Building Level 1 Remodel, West Valley, UT
• J Fisher Company Wentworth Housing Project, Salt Lake City, UT

4. CMA Family Additions

In 2021, CMA proudly welcomed nine new members to our family:

In January, Mikle Merkley joined the firm as a BIM Technician. Mikle is not only creative and able to use his imagination to think outside the box, he also has a talent for approaching his projects with technically-sound logic. In October, Mikle was promoted to Senior BIM Technician.

Shaylee Mears joined our interior design team in February, focusing on commercial interiors. She works wonderfully well within the CMA team, allowing her to realize her goal of improving others’ lives through great design.

Kevin Zeller, BIM Technician, joined CMA in March. Kevin has always enjoyed taking on new challenges, and he approaches any assignment with energy and commitment.

In April, Jacob Frederickson joined the firm as a BIM Technician. Jacob creates skillful drafts, models, and renders for CMA clients. He has strong communication skills and a passion for learning. Jacob was promoted to Senior BIM Technician in October.

Matt Anderson joined CMA as a Senior BIM Technician in May. Organized and detail-oriented, his hard work ethic makes him a valuable member of our team.

In June, Jacob Wendt joined our team as a BIM technician. Jacob’s experience as a drafter and construction worker give him insight the design process.

With a master’s in architecture and a bachelor’s in construction management, Spencer Mitchell brings a unique combination of work experience and education to his Senior BIM Technician role. Spencer joined our team in August.

Tressa Messenger, who joined us in October, brings years of experience as an architectural designer and drafter to her position as Senior BIM Technician.

Michelle Carbajal joined our interior design team in November. Michelle participated in a study abroad program in Europe as well as an archeological dig in Israel.

5. CMA Family Milestones

From work anniversaries to licensures and promotions, our team members realized many personal milestones this past year.

Christopher Thompson was promoted to Project Manager in March.

Jonathan Johnson became a licensed architect in May. We applaud this significant achievement!

In September, Kyle Mendoza and Curtis Livingston celebrated five years with the company.

In October, three BIM Technicians were promoted to Senior BIM Technician: Blake Gneiting, Mikle Merkley, and Jacob Frederickson.

6. Company Culture

At CMA, our teamwork extends beyond the day-to-day. We recognize the importance of camaraderie, tradition, and play. After 2020’s canceled or modified events, we were happy to be able to be together in person.

• One CMA annual activity is the Soldier Hollow tubing event at the Nordic Center. In February, all employees brought their families or a plus one. Following the tubing, Janine and Curtis Miner provided hot chocolate and donuts.
• This year, the CMA Cinco De Mayo lunch was catered by Café Rio. Everyone sat in the common area where the tables were filled with a variety of Mexican candies. We also played a couple of fun rounds of Heads Up – movies edition.
• Our annual Lagoon Day was held in June this year. We were able to have our buffet dinner once again and everyone was able to enjoy the park with their families.
• In October, we held a service project at Food and Care Coalition. A few members of the firm went to the Food and Care Coalition in Provo and served dinner to those in need. 
• The theme was Star Wars for this year’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. First place went to Jake Wendt with his Baby Yoda. In second place was Matt Anderson with his Mandalorian. Third place went to Janine Miner with her Porg.
• The CMA Harvest Lunch in November found us back to our traditional potluck – We were able to go back to our sit-down potluck again this year. Everyone enjoyed the spread while watching Looney Tunes Thanksgiving specials.
• In December, we held our Christmas Dinner at Sundance, with Christmas trivia games and fun ice breaker activities at each table.

7. Thank you

We’re grateful to have things return a little to normal this year. To be able to see one another face to face. Thank you to our talented and dedicated staff, inspiring clients, capable contractors and others who inspire us to do better every single day.