We’ve named Diana Davis as Managing Director of our Houston studio. A graduate of Rice University School of Architecture, Davis returns to Houston after 18 years in our Atlanta studio, where she served major healthcare clients such as The Mayo Clinic, Duke University, and the University of Texas. Davis succeeds Raymond Beets, who has led the Houston practice for 13 years and will retire later this year.
“I can’t think of a more qualified leader to take over the reins of this office,” Beets says. “Diana’s enthusiasm for the job, combined with her record of excellence in client relations and her impressive portfolio of projects, is just the right mix of ingredients to further strengthen our Houston practice. Both our team and our clients—across all market sectors—are in very good hands.”
A licensed architect, LEED Accredited Professional, and certified Lean Black Belt via the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Davis has earned the trust of clients around the country for her deftness in project management and delivery, as well as her design acumen and business savvy. She has played an integral role on everything from conceptual planning and programming to project management and contract documentation. Her background in healthcare will complement the Houston office’s core areas of expertise, which include science and technology, as well as higher education. It will also help the office expand its offerings to serve a wider variety of clients.
“It’s great to be back in Houston, a city I’ve considered ‘home’ since my time as a graduate school student at Rice, and I am thrilled to re-establish my roots here,” Davis says. “It’s a great honor to be able to work with and lead this team of talented architects, designers, and planners to grow our practice.”
A variety of on-the-job experiences and formal training contributed to Davis’s promotion to Managing Director, including her participation in the firm’s well-regarded Leadership Institute. Launched in 2007, the Leadership Institute identifies rising firm leaders and invites them to participate in a year-long series of hands-on workshops and other activities intended to strengthen and refine their leadership skills and influence.
