One of our firm’s core values is continual improvement and establishing pathways for personal and professional growth. We’re excited to welcome five new BRR leaders to the firm’s principal group and elevate two principals to executive and senior leadership.
Executive Vice President: Megan Whitman
Megan Whitman, AIA, IIDA, is based in the BRR Kansas City office and has been promoted to Executive Vice President. Megan has been with BRR since 2006 and currently leads a studio focused on the grocery, retail and convenience store markets. while also overseeing the firm’s Seattle office. She’s involved in the planning of the firm’s business goals and supports the achievement of these goals. Megan plays a key role in the development of our teammates through various programs and resources BRR provides. She has a passion for mentorship and professional development, especially when it comes to supporting emerging professionals in the industry. She was named to ICSC’s class of Leaders Under 40 in 2020 and is widely involved in community and industry organizations, including AIA and IIDA. Megan also serves as Chair for the Development Committee for WEN and Co-Chair on the Infrastructure Committee for Folly Theater.
Senior Vice President: Robert Ciston
Robert Ciston, AIA, is based in the BRR Kansas City office and has been promoted to Senior Vice President. Robert’s work with BRR spans over 25 years and various sectors, including national retailers and industrial/fulfillment centers. He currently leads a multi-office team which manages projects ranging from new fulfillment and distribution centers to micro-fulfillment and last mile delivery conversions. He has also been instrumental in establishing BRR’s prototype development and maintenance programs for multiple national clients. His involvement and leadership spans the design and management of more than two dozen unique prototypes. Additionally, Robert continually works to develop processes and tools that maximize production workflow. He led the creation of our custom project management program, and continues to provide leadership for the tool’s evolution and capabilities.
Vice President: Mary Beth Gregory
Mary Beth Gregory, AIA, is based in the BRR Philadelphia office and has been promoted to Vice President. She joined the firm in 2012. Mary Beth is a Project Manager for one of the firm’s largest retail clients, Walmart, which includes multi-project site adaptations on a national scale. She has worked on multiple retail, industrial, and grocery clients in several national offices, managing different regions across the country with experience in all phases of the design process. Mary Beth is widely involved in community and industry organizations, including AIA and is a committee chair with Philadelphia PWC.
Vice President of Marketing and Communications: Jennifer Lerner
Jennifer Lerner, CPSM, is based in the firm’s Kansas City office and has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Communications. She joined BRR in 2018 and built the foundation for a formal marketing and communications team, essentially building an in-house agency for the firm. She oversees the planning for and implementation of all marketing communications materials, social media and digital strategies, proposals and internal communications efforts. Jennifer is heavily involved in community and industry organizations, including SMPS-Kansas City where she has been a board member for the past eight years.
Vice President: Jill Lyons
Jill Lyons, AIA, LEED AP, has been promoted to Vice President. With 30 years of experience providing full-scope architectural services in the retail food market, she works closely with clients in the grocery, restaurant, convenience store and travel center industries. She manages teams to produce a number of different projects across the country for clients like Love’s Travel Stops. She works closely with our clients to determine their project goals and maintains regular communication with both the client and project teams to ensure the long-term success. Jill has been essential in building a team of in-house experts. She is knowledgeable on the challenges inherent to the industry including operations, store layout, health code and food service equipment. Jill will celebrate 21 years at BRR this year. She is the former Vice President of the Lone Jack Board of Education and now actively supports the Lone Jack Education Foundation.
Vice President and Corporate Counsel: Angela Markley
Angela Marley, JD, has been promoted to Vice President and Corporate Counsel. Angela joined BRR in 2011, is based in the Kansas City office and is our in-house legal counsel. Day to day, she works with our leadership and project teams to implement practical, mutually-beneficial contract terms with our clients and consultants. Her expertise managing professional service agreements has been essential in maintaining positive client relationships, as well as a healthy legal and financial standing for BRR. Angela is deeply committed to her community, serving as President and founding member of DotteArts, Inc., sitting on the Advocacy Committee for ArtsKC and championing the Companions in Faith Committee for Our Lady of Unity parish. She also recently retired from Commissioner for the 6th District for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas after 12 years of service.
Vice President: Kelsey Sundet
Kelsey Sundet, AIA, has been promoted to Vice President. She joined BRR in 2010 and is based in the Phoenix office. She oversees the design, production and construction administration for grocery and retail projects nationwide for clients like Walmart. She is well versed in remodel, adaptive re-use, new construction and tenant improvement projects. She has worked with both local and national brands building client relationships and leads a team on a day-to-day basis to implement solutions around the requirements and challenges specific to grocery and retail project types. Kelsey is involved in community and industry organizations, including AIA, and ICSC.