2024 WBJ Women Who Lead
in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Renae Slusser

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2024 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design - Renae Slusser

SPT Architecture’s Renae Slusser was nominated and selected as an honoree for Wichita Business Journal‘s Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design 2024 collection.

2024 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Renae Slusser

Q. What has been your career path?
A. I received my master of architecture in 2012. My first position out of school was as architectural intern at J VanSickle and Co., a real estate development firm in Wichita, specializing in multifamily residential. I started as an architectural intern at SPT in 2014, became licensed in 2019, and gained experience as project manager on small to midsize projects of all types.

Q. Who are your mentors and how have they influenced your career?
A. Ron Spangenberg, who retired in 2020, shared so many stories of his lifetime of project successes and improvement opportunities; the best learning moments were in the car or after hours listening to his stories and his thoughts on what was happening in the office. I try to incorporate his simple and straightforward leadership style, wherein his actions influenced others to follow, with little words needed. He encouraged all ideas and opinions, and always said you can’t criticize an idea unless you have a different solution.

Q. Best advice for a women wanting to enter your field?
A. Lean into your particular strengths as a woman; a lot of qualities commonly associated with women are invaluable in solving design problems and working with clients and project teams.

Q. What do you like most about your role?
A. I love the variety of project types and sizes and project personnel. I enjoy that some projects are full of problem solving, while others are more predictable.

News Release
SPT Architecture Announces
Three New Partners

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News Release SPT Architecture Announces Three New Partners

NEWS RELEASE
SPT Architecture Announces Three New Partners

SPT Architecture is pleased to announce three new firm partners have been named: Jeff Koch, AIA, Managing Partner; Kristine Pafford, AIA, Partner; and, Luke Dolechek, AIA, Partner.

Jeff Koch joined the firm in 2023 with over 30 years of design experience. “Jeff is a tremendous asset to our firm and offers our clients valuable expertise in hospitality and multifamily residential design,” said Greg Tice, Managing Partner. “Jeff is an outstanding architect who has quickly become familiar with our long-term clients and continues to build relationships with new clients through his exceptional work and commitment. We look forward to his continued success as a partner of the firm.”

Kristine Pafford joined the firm in 2002 and Luke Dolechek joined in 2007. Greg Tice shared, “Kristine and Luke have been with SPT since they graduated, and each have grown with the firm and have made huge contributions to our ongoing success. Kris and Luke each bring unique qualities to the partnership, and they will be instrumental in our continued growth.”

Jeff, Kristine, and Luke join firm partners Randy Phillips, Greg Tice, Rebecca Gates, Brad Teeter, Gina Loomis, and Dave Wells.

2023 WBJ Women Who Lead
in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Kristine Pafford

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2023 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design - Kristine Pafford

SPT Architecture’s Kristine Pafford was nominated and selected as an honoree for Wichita Business Journal‘s Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design 2023 collection.

2023 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Kristine Pafford

Q. What has been your career path?
A. I have been at SPT Architecture my entire career. After my sophomore year at Kansas State University, I started as a part-time receptionist for the summer and returned the following summer as an architectural intern. After graduation in 2002, I accepted a full-time position and have been at SPT ever since. Although I’ve spent my career at one firm, the variety of project types I’ve been able to work on has kept me on my toes and I continually learn new things.

Q. Who are your mentors and how have they influenced your career?
A. I’m incredibly lucky to have worked closely with Ron Spangenberg on many projects. The trust he had in me as a young architect was a little scary! Ron taught me that design doesn’t have to be complicated to be good, and that the best design tool is the trash can. I learned a lot about integrity and work ethic from Ron. I hope that I can be a good mentor to other young architects so I can pass down that knowledge.

Q. Best advice for a women wanting to enter your field?
A. My advice for other women or any young person is that you must be proactive. You will need to become comfortable asking questions and seeking information. Nobody expects you to know everything, but you must be willing to find answers. Always do what you say you’re going to do, and always follow up. Being accountable is how you build a great reputation.

Q. What do you like most about your role?
A. Architects have a great responsibility to their clients. I don’t take it lightly that the lines I draw represent real spaces that people are going to inhabit to learn, work, receive healthcare, etc. Our clients put their trust in me to guide them through the design and construction process, which can be a stressful experience for them. The best part of my job is when clients are happy with the completed project, and their vision has become a reality.

2023 WBJ
Women in Business
Gina Loomis

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2023 WBJ Women in Business - Gina Loomis

SPT Architecture’s Gina Loomis was nominated and selected as an honoree for Wichita Business Journal‘s Women in Business 2023 collection.

2023 WBJ Women in Business
Gina Loomis

Q. Other than work/life balance, what is the most significant professional challenge you have face?
A. When my career began in 1994, the architecture industry was predominately male. As a female, I had to learn to be assertive, quickly gain knowledge in our industry, and develop confidence to earn the respect of my co-workers, clients, collaborators, and business associates. Those challenges, hard work, and my desire to continually learn and grow led to my role as a partner in our firm, expanding my leadership role.

Q. Describe your most outstanding business accomplishment.
A. In 2010, I was approached by Ron Spangenberg, co-founder of Spangenberg Phillips Architecture, about becoming a partner with the firm. As a mother of two young children, I had great hesitancy as my family was my top priority. After much prayer and deliberation (and convincing from the other partners), I decided to accept their offer. It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made; it has truly been my privilege and an honor to have the opportunity to help our firm grow. Since I joined the firm in 2006, we have grown from 20 employees to our current 38.

Q. Describe your most significant contribution to the Wichita community.
A. In 2020, my co-partners (Greg Tice, Rebecca Gates, Brad Teeter and Dave Wells) and I embarked on the search for a property to purchase, renovate and move our office to a new location – we knew it had to be a special place, with good bones and in need of renovation. After a long search, we decided to purchase the old Greyhound bus station at 312 S. Broadway. This move allowed us to renew and revitalize an old, dilapidated downtown building, and ultimately help to reduce the urban blight and improve South Broadway, Wichita’s main north/south corridor. I was the lead interior designer for our project and after an intense, long renovation process, we have been rewarded in many ways. One of the highlights was winning the Wichita Business Journal’s “Coolest Office in Wichita” contest in March 2023, which was a wonderful recognition for all our hard work. Additionally, I have thoroughly enjoyed working on many projects with our great clients in Wichita – too numerous to name. The impact I have been able to have in our city has truly been rewarding to me personally. I think it has made a difference, and I hope in a small way, has made our city a better place to work and live.

Q. What is the most important thing you have done to improve the climate for women in business?
A. As a partner in the firm, I work alongside Rebecca Gates, my fellow female partner, to create a work environment where our female staff members feel comfortable and can thrive. With our firm’s culture, amenities, equal pay, and the support of all our firm partners, we strive to make our firm an equitable environment for all. Our growth has allowed us to hire more employees; of our 38 employees 17 are female. In our role as firm partners and leaders, we work closely with our project teams, mentor our designers, and give them the opportunity to personally grow in their roles. They gain confidence from their accomplishments, learn how to handle conflict, thrive as part of a team, and they get to feel the success, which greatly contributes to our overall success as a firm.

2022 WBJ Women Who Lead
in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Rebecca Gates

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2022 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design - Rebecca Gates

SPT Architecture’s Rebecca Gates was nominated and selected as an honoree for Wichita Business Journal‘s Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design 2022 collection.

2022 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Rebecca Gates

Q. What has been your career path?
A. My career path started when I decided that I wanted to be an architect at the age of 15. My father was a general contractor and at that time he had a construction project at the beautiful Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs — I was fascinated by all the details. I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture from K-State, and began with TK Architects to design numerous movie theaters in the U.S., Kuwait, Europe, and Asia, including India and China. With that experience I joined SPT Architecture 18 years ago and began work with the Warren Theatres. I became a firm partner in 2007.

Q. Who are your mentors and how have they influenced your career?
A. In the beginning, I was blessed with two dynamic female mentors, the first was the head of design at the architecture firm with 20 years of experience, and the second was a client’s construction project manager; both offered me the opportunity to work closely with them and learn valuable leadership techniques and tap into their tremendous base of industry knowledge. They stressed the importance of continual learning and old-fashioned hard work. As females in a traditional male industry, they emphasized that people respect people who work hard and develop an expertise in their field, regardless of gender.

Q. Best advice for a women wanting to enter your field?
A. Be fearless and observant; see the world and how the environment and people are touched by what you do. Get involved in likeminded organizations.

Q. What do you like most about your role?
A. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many wonderful and influential people as clients, colleagues, and friends, along with the opportunity to impact the built environment. It is also very rewarding to have the opportunity to work with and mentor our interior architecture designers who are beginning their careers at SPT.

2020 WBJ Women Who Lead
in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Gina Loomis

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2020 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design - Gina Loomis

SPT Architecture’s Gina Loomis was nominated and selected as an honoree for Wichita Business Journal‘s Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design 2020 collection.

2020 WBJ Women Who Lead in Real Estate, Construction and Design
Gina Loomis

Q. What is your leadership style?
A. My style is mostly participative in nature. I want to involve my team members in the decision-making process, which makes them part of the solution, and promotes creativity. I always strive to lead by example with a positive and open approach. I want to promote a encouraging and progressive work environment where our individuals can continue to enhance their skills and grow in their profession.

Q. When did you first feel like a leader?
A. In high school and college I held leadership roles in various organizations. After college, I held numerous leadership positions in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) for over 10 years.

Q. Who are your mentors and how have they influenced your career?
A. My mother and father instilled a strong work ethic in me, which continues to be a constant guide for me today. At SPT, Ron Spangenberg has been a great leader and mentor for me. He encouraged me to become a partner at SPT to learn under his guidance and further my career.

Q. What are you doing to mentor women in your industry?
A. On a daily basis, I mentor the younger interior designers in our office, and I work with high school students who aspire to study design. On a more personal level, I mentor my niece, who is currently studying interior architecture at Kansas State University.

Q. Best advice for young women considering your industry?
A. Work hard, listen, and get involved early in your career; continue to engage in opportunities whenever possible.

Q. What female leaders do you admire?
A. Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In,” inspired me to be part of a Lean In Circle for women in our area. I’ve learned valuable lessons and gained insight about leading as a woman, and also as a mother.

Q. What was your career path?
A. I started as a designer for a commercial furniture company, and then worked for a commercial architectural firm where I obtained my Interior Design Certification (NCIDQ). Shortly after, I became the leader of the interior design department. I joined SPT Architecture in 2006, and soon became a partner with the firm.

Q. What inspired you to choose a career in your industry?
A. As a child, I was always interested in art and interior design. After studying interior design at Kansas State University, there was no doubt in my mind that commercial architecture was in my future. I have never looked back.

Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. The process of planning and designing spaces for my clients, from start to finish is the most enjoyable part of my job. We work on various project types such as medical, hospitality, offices, and education, which give me the opportunity to interact with many different, interesting people. It’s very rewarding for me when my clients see their projects become a reality.