Our Story-40 Years of Service and the Transitions Along the Way

Our Story

40 Years of service and the Transitions along the way

What's Inside

Welcome, friends.

It is a privilege to welcome you to our 40th Anniversary Celebration here at our Seattle office. Thank you for your partnership as we continue to grow our team and perform exemplary work.

Because of our technically excellent design and engineering professionals, our amazing support teams, and the long-standing relationships with trusted client-, consultant-, and contractorpartners, we have been able to achieve longlasting success. We offer our sincerest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to that success over the last 40 years.

Thank you for joining us to celebrate this important milestone. We look forward to continuing our journey together — here’s to another 40 years … and beyond!

Karoline Melrose Derse, NCARB Managing Principal

3rd Floor Office Remodel

Just in time for our 40th anniversary celebration, Salas O'Brien has consolidated our Seattle office’s previous two-story space into an inviting and modern single-story. Our in-house design staff created a new environment to accommodate up to 30 architects, interior designers, engineers, and administrative personnel.

In 2023, many employees are returning to the office after a long period of remote work during the Covid 19 pandemic. Our design focus warmly welcomes them back while emphasizing collaboration and well-being in the workplace. The refresh includes all new finishes, lighting and custom cabinetry throughout, with thoughtful consideration to space planning and reuse of existing furniture. Wood tones and other natural finishes help ground the office to our Puget Sound location. We arranged the furniture to let in more natural light and take advantage of the evergreen landscaping.

Our Origins

In September 1983, Jim Kuppler and Doug Diel hung a shingle outside Jim’s Seattle garage to form Kuppler Diel Architects. After two years, we leased office space in the Green Lake area. With a foundation built on the tech industry, we connected with several major telecom, software and internet providers in the Puget Sound area, becoming a major contributor to industries making a global impact. Those relationships grew. With the combination of engineering and architecture and a few name changes along the way, KDW, P.S., joined Salas O’Brien in 2012. Now, as part of a company with 70 offices throughout North America, we celebrate 40 years since our founding.

Remembering Jim Kuppler

FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL 1983-1994

Jim Kuppler is remembered as a kind and generous person, especially with his time. "He took genuine interest in other people, their struggles and their joys," says Arnold Kraakmo, who worked with him from 1986 until Jim retired from the firm. "He would often go the extra mile on projects to make sure the client was happy even if it cost him several hours of his personal time."

Jim's career began as an industrial designer with the Walt Disney Company. During his early years, he made most of his friends and contacts in the architecture and interior design world, eventually getting into interior design. He strove to learn everything he could about architecture so that he could improve his own work, says his friend and business partner, Doug Diel. "Jim decided he would take the exams to become a licensed architect. Tom Webb and I were his study partners," adds Doug. "Jim studied hard and passed his exams and earned his license."

Jim and Doug's friendship grew by studying together, attending the same church, and having children who played together. In 1983, they decided to combine their complementary skills, technical knowledge, and professional contacts to start a firm. Jim's focus was on high-end interior design clients, retail, and space planning, while Doug brought his telecommunications and healthcare contacts.

The firm grew more quickly than either imagined. They purchased an office building in the Green Lake area and hired more staff. Tom Webb joined them as a principal in 1988 and the firm's name was changed to Kuppler Diel Webb Architects, PS.

Jim's discipline and persistence helped him succeed. As he saw it, good design results from teamwork and collaboration —  with employees, consultants, and clients. Jim and Doug were open to more than one way of solving a problem and encouraged their clients to participate in the solution.

One of Jim's proudest accomplishments was partnering with his father to design and build a 24-unit apartment building in a jointly-owned property in the Green Lake area. A long stretch of multi-family residential design work opened for the firm as a result of that partnership.

"Jim had a very unique skill in three dimensional sketching and rendering with pen and magic markers," Doug remembers. "He could sketch a design idea while discussing the client's project scope of work and needs. He called it 'three-dimensional visual magic.'" Jim would advise young architects to learn to draw by hand to quickly convey concepts before committing them to more rigid formats and technologies, says Doug.

Jim continued as a consultant with the company after retirement. He continued his hobbies, which included restoring antique Ford automobiles, model railroading, and flying. Jim passed away in 2005.

"Jim and Doug were open to more than one way of solving a problem and encouraged their clients to participate in the solution."

Thank you, Doug, for 40 years!

FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL, ADVISOR 1983-PRESENT

Doug Diel co-founded Kuppler Diel Architects with his friend and business partner Jim Kuppler.

"Jim and I knew each other for years. Our kids played together and our families attended the same church," Doug says. Jim was then vice president of design and store planning for Littler Department Stores, while Doug worked on several telecommunications and health care projects for Schmidt - Schmidt Architectural Partners. "In the spring of 1983 Jim and I both discovered we needed a change in career direction. My skills were in management, accounting and design. Jim's were in imagination, interior design and sketching and rendering by hand."

"Our vision was simple — Jim would market to high-end retail clients on space planning and interior design. I would market to my communications and healthcare contacts. I would run the business end," says Doug. Within two years, the firm grew quickly. With a continuing design services contract with The Bon Marche and many projects from Pacific Northwest Bell (PNB), the firm needed more space and more staff. They found a building in Green Lake to renovate, and Doug recruited Tom Webb, a former co-worker, who became a partner and principal.

When an anti-trust lawsuit forced the break-up of AT&T and its regional Bell telephone companies by 1984, PNB became US West, and the door

"When we started the firm we still used typewriters and mimeograph machines. We used parallel drafting boards and drew everything by hand."

opened for new companies to provide long distance telephone services. "We began to get an increasing design load for telecommunication infrastructures," says Doug.

Doug credits two events contributing to the success of the company. The first was when his previous boss, who was about to retire, wrote a recommendation to PNB to use Kuppler-Diel's services. The second came when he had an opportunity to speak to the head of a major Puget Sound real estate and construction company that specialized in the software industry.

"They were looking for an architectural firm with experience delivering mission critical-design solutions," he says. "We started with small lab projects. In 1997 we were involved in the renovation of an on-campus corporate data center. In 1998 we were part of a design-build team to create what I believe was the first off-campus internet data center. We provided services for an increasing number of projects and are still providing service to this company today. We have received many acknowledgments from them for outstanding service."

In a rapidly changing world, Doug and Jim shepherded their growing firm into the 21st century. Telecom companies asked KDW to add in-house engineering services. As the tech-oriented client base grew, Doug saw a change in the technologies the staff worked with. "When we started, we still used typewriters and mimeograph machines. We used parallel drafting boards and drew everything by hand. We got our first IBM model B in 1986 and it revolutionized the creation of specifications and sped up correspondence. We were one of the first small firms to adopt AutoCAD and as the years went by found more and more ways to use it efficiently."

Doug officially retired in 2018, but continues to consult and advise on various infrastructure projects. "My wife and I just celebrated our 55th anniversary. We plan to travel and continue our life of learning experiences," he says.

The 'W' in KDW: Tom Webb

KUPPLER-DIEL-WEBB PRINCIPAL, PARTNER 1988 - 2020

Tom Webb and Doug Diel were coworkers and friends at Schmidt - Schmidt Architectural Partners before Doug and Jim launched Kuppler Diel Architects. Once Kuppler Diel's business took off, Jim and Doug asked Tom to join them as a third principal and partner.

Having grown up in a construction family, Tom has been interested in architecture since childhood. "After high school, I spent a couple of years working construction in northern Idaho weather," he says. "I froze during the winter or I got laid off due to bad weather. Architecture looked to be a warm occupation. Thus, off to the University of Idaho School of Architecture."

Having that construction background was a benefit to his architecture career, however. "Growing up, my dad panned me off to most all the construction trades to learn what it was all about," he says. "This practical and real knowledge of the trades has been a very helpful base to practice architecture."

One of the greatest challenges in his career, says Tom, was learning to communicate with clients. "It is critical to always carefully listen to what they specifically want and need. No assuming you know, or know best. It's their project," he explains. "And they are paying the bills."

"It is critical to always carefully listen to what [clients] specifically want and need. No assuming you know, or know best. It's their project."

In fact, Tom continues, "the best advice I would offer a new graduate is to learn how to write and clearly communicate. Communicate, communicate, communicate! Also, remember everyone is important. Never burn any relationship bridges. The business world remembers and is smaller than one would think."

Tom is now retired, spending his time remodeling and building projects just for his family. "Debra (his wife) and I are chasing the good weather between the beautiful northwest and the deserts of Tucson," he adds.

I was very fortunate to work with many amazing and talented people. This includes fellow office workers, clients, and contractors. We worked hard and found time to have fun," concludes Tom. I owe my success to my understanding wife, Debra, and all the great people working with me. I have no regrets and have made many great friends.

1988

Kuppler Diel Architects and Tom Webb's TR Webb Architects combine to become Kuppler-Diel-Webb Architects. Tom becomes a third principal.

1983

Jim Kuppler and Doug Diel establish Kuppler Diel Architects, LTD in Jim's Seattle garage.

1986

Arnold Kraakmo, newly graduated from the University of Washington, joins Kuppler Diel as an architect intern.

1994

Jim Kuppler leaves the firm to pursue other things, but continues as a consultant. Doug Diel, Tom Webb, and Don Weissinger become principals. The firm is now known officially as KDW Architects, PS.

2004

Karoline Derse, a future principal and future managing principal, joins KDW as an architect.

1996

Future principal Brenda Ross joins the firm as a senior project architect. KDW adds interior design staff. Mechanical engineer and future principal Steve Boie joins KDW.

Arnold, Brenda, and Steve are named principals.

David Story and Randy Jones, future principals, join KDW as mechanical engineers.

2006

Mechanical engineer and future principal, Guy Mackenzie, joins KDW.

Electrical engineer and future principal John Siefken joins. KDW Architects becomes KDW Architecture & Engineering, a full-service A&E firm.

KDW, PS, joins Californiabased Salas O'Brien to become KDW Salas O'Brien. Arnold Kraakmo is named managing principal of the Seattle operations.

2008

2013

John Floren, electrical engineer and future principal, joins KDW.

Kim Myran joins KDW Salas O'Brien.

2020

2022

After the worst of the Covid 19 pandemic is over, we celebrate 10 years of being part of Salas O'Brien. President and COO Paul Silva attends, as do many others throughout the company.

2020

A new virus, Covid 19, becomes a pandemic. Seattle is one of the first US cities affected. As the world is locked down, we learn to work remotely while also understanding how architecture can accommodate postpandemic needs.

Liz Robinson, director of interior design, joins

2023

Arnold Kraakmo steps down after serving 11 years as managing principal. He transfers the reigns to Karoline Derse, who joined our staff in 2004 and has served as architectural principal since 2021

2023

Salas O'Brien undergoes a brand refresh. The company has expanded to more than 70 offices throughout North America. The new brand represents greater diversity in what we do and who we are, better aligns with our strategy, and helps us achieve consistency throughout the company as we continue to unify as one Salas O’Brien. As our Seattle-based operations work toward that goal, we remain committed to serving our clients and our beloved Puget Sound community as always.

As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, Arnold Kraakmo reflects on his 37 years with the company. As the company grew, so did he. Given the opportunity, he invested in the company and became an owner. As a principal after only 14 years into his career, Arnold built upon his experience and relationships to gain trust both outside and inside the company.

When KDW merged with Salas O’Brien in 2012, Arnold was promoted to managing principal of the Seattle operations. He embraced the new responsibility with appreciation and enthusiasm and has led the business honorably and successfully for the past 11 years.

On August 1, 2023, Arnold stepped down from the role of managing principal and handed the responsibility to Karoline Derse with unanimous support of other firm principals as well as upper Salas O’Brien management. “I’ve had the honor and privilege to be part of a leadership group with the finest engineers, architects and business people in the industry," he says. "I have done and seen many amazing things and am richer because of the experiences and relationships built along the way.”

On August 1, 2023 Karoline Derse, NCARB, assumed the role of managing principal for the Seattle operations of Salas O’Brien. Karoline's experience was very different from Arnold’s. When KDW merged with Salas O’Brien in 2012, she was returning to the workforce after maternity leave and had just earned her architectural professional license. Later she said that she had no inkling of the magnitude of the change that the merger would have on our business and the growth potential of her personal career. She earned a series of promotions, which allowed her to grow in parallel with the growing Salas O’Brien organization. In 2021, Karoline was promoted to principal.

Arnold has mentored and trained Karoline for the past few years to prepare her for the managing principal role. “I’ve been so lucky to have an extended window of time to really understand the business side of our organization,” says Karoline. “Combining this contextual knowledge with my first-hand experience performing almost every role within the roster of the Seattle operations in the last 20 years, I feel uniquely qualified to excel in this position.”

Arnold Kraakmo NCARB,

AIA, CDT

ARCHITECT, PROJECT MANAGER, PRINCIPAL, MANAGING PRINCIPAL 1986 - PRESENT

Arnold joined Kuppler Diel Architects as an architectural intern in 1986. Early in his career, he was immersed in design work for the telecommunications industry, and over time he became a trusted leader within the company to help establish Salas O’Brien’s position in the technology sector throughout the United States. Since 2012, he has served as the managing principal of Salas O'Brien's Seattle-based operations.

Arnold first became interested in architecture as a seventh grader in a technical drawing class. He remembers the end of semester project was to draw plans and elevations of the family home. His dad was so thrilled he went out and bought Arnold a small drawing board with a drafting machine.

"With music as my first course of study in college, I did not have a background or prior interest in classic architecture or the history of architecture. I always felt I was lacking some historical foundation," says Arnold. He found that the volumes of standards and mountains of record drawings from the telecom industry helped fill that void. He gained knowledge through reading and by listening to others, driven by his own natural curiosity. Though he was often the youngest person at the conference table he wasn’t afraid of what others thought about him. With experience, he became an expert in key areas that gave him authority to speak confidently with building officials, contractors, consultants, and clients.

"I have been honored to lead a team of wonderful, bright, creative, enthusiastic, and ambitious people."

As Arnold is freed from managing principal responsibilities, he plans to return to doing the work he loved as an architect. In his spare time and as he reaches retirement he plans to work on projects at home and spend as much time as possible with friends and family, especially grandchildren.

Arnold sums up, "I've been honored to lead a team of wonderful, bright, creative, enthusiastic, and ambitious people. I've had the privilege of being part of a leadership group with the finest and most honorable engineers in the industry. I've been challenged and encouraged by two brilliant and inspiring leaders, the CEO and the president of the company."

"I came into the company as an untrained, slightly educated intern, and through hard work and providence rose to the highest level in the company, just shy of president. I've done and seen many things and am richer because of the experiences and relationships along the way."

Karoline Derse NCARB

ARCHITECT, PROJECT MANAGER, PRINCIPAL, MANAGING PRINCIPAL 2004 -PRESENT

Karoline came to KDW as an intern in 2004. Because of her excellent communication style and problem-solving skills, she quickly advanced into leadership roles. She is now being promoted to managing principal of the Seattle-based operations of Salas O'Brien.

Karoline became interested in architecture when she took a survey course at the University of Texas. "It's a fascinating combination of art and science, psychology and physiology, theory and practice," she says. "The design process requires critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and efficient teamwork. There’s satisfaction in knowing that you helped create something of lasting value, that will help advance society, and to know you did so in a responsible way."

An architecture career has not been without its challenges, however. "As a woman in the AEC industry, I have experienced bias and been required to go above and beyond to prove my capabilities. But I've always had my KDW Salas O'Brien team to support me. And other strong women have mentored me and provided positive examples of success while juggling work, family, and personal obligations.

As a leader at Salas O'Brien, Karoline credits the culture of teamwork that brings success to our projects. "There is always a design problem to be solved, a deadline to be achieved, a client that requires attention, and a

"We’re designing buildings of the future for technology that doesn’t exist yet. It’s an exciting time to be part of this industry."

contractor demanding construction information. It can be overwhelming, but when the team comes together to overcome these challenges, it's magical," she explains. "I'm grateful for the teams that have been around me throughout my career, driving the work with their intelligence and defusing the stress with good humor."

Karoline's vision for the future includes building on the solid foundations of the past 40 years, promoting our work to new clients while striving for improved ways to deliver services. "Recent advances in technology have made the design and construction process faster and easier," says Karoline. "We’re modeling buildings down to the inch and coordinating systems long before the contractor breaks ground. We work together and communicate effectively even when separated from each other and the job site. We’re designing the buildings of the future for technology that doesn’t exist yet. It’s an exciting time to be part of this industry and our team has the right balance of stability and agility to make the most of the new tools."

"KDW Salas O’Brien has been an important part of my life for most of my adult life," says Karoline. "I’ve grown from a know-nothing intern to a confident leader due to the opportunities afforded to me, the support of the close-knit teams, and the confidence the leaders have had in me. I've learned the technical skills of design and project management and the soft skills of leadership from within this group. Arnold Kraakmo has been my supporter and champion. It’s an honor to follow in his footsteps as managing principal and I’m excited to continue with the skills that he has taught me and the compassion and strength that he exemplifies."

Learn from the people you work with.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Stay focused and complete your tasks. Hot is on the left, cold is on the right, sht rolls downhill, and payday’s on Friday.

Deadlines are our friends.

Never ask a person to do a task you would not do yourself.

Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.

You don’t have to be crazy to work here, we’ll train you.

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It is said that only two things are certain in life: death and taxes. Maybe that's not entirely correct. But two things are absolute in your working life—your first day of work and your last day of work. Your first day is rarely the beginning of your career, nor is the last day the end of your career, as we have found to be true at KDW Salas O’Brien, where your “retirement” is rarely your last day working.

Jim Kuppler never retired and was taken from this life before he finished all he had planned. Jim resigned from Kuppler Diel Architects to pursue other ambitions, but continued to consult with the firm when his talents and expertise were needed.

Tom Webb stepped down as principal in 2005 but continued to work on special projects with KDW, P.S., while arguably working harder and longer hours on his own projects. While Tom is no longer an employee, he certainly has not retired.

Doug Diel stepped down as principal in 2012 and technically retired from Salas O’Brien in 2018. Doug continues to support the work, focusing on special projects, and like Tom, he is not actually retired.

Resolve problems quickly

Don’t burn bridges.

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.

Behind every cloud is a data center

It looks better than I imagined it— because I thought it would look worse.

Excellence is a habit.

You need to be prepared to be the only one in the room who is right.

Don’t let what others think of you affect what you think.

Randy Jones officially retired in June 2022 but continued to work full time for almost a year thereafter, only slowing down at the beginning of summer 2023. Though much more limited, Randy continues to support the work and key clients as well as mentoring engineering staff.

Two noteworthy individuals retired when they left Salas O’Brien. Joan Hatchell rejoined the workforce in the mid 90s after raising a family to help KDW start the Interiors department. Joan very successfully managed and grew the department until her retirement in 2013. Betty Jane Thomas retired successfully in 2019. She joined our staff in the early 2000s and was mentored by Tom Webb. Betty Jane became one of our star project managers and was instrumental in creating many of the project management templates and procedures still in use today.

Three very important individuals—Tom Doyle, Kim Myran and Kip Kolodziejski— have recently announced their pending retirement. We want to recognize them and their contributions as we celebrate this milestone of 40 years, together with the many other transitions. We wish them well. Turn the page to learn more about their careers, talents and contributions to Salas O'Brien.

Tom Doyle RCDD

SENIOR CONTROL ENGINEER 2009 - 2023

Tom's career as a communications and control systems engineer spans nearly four decades and includes experience in many types of critical facility automation, including data centers, telecom, bio-pharmaceutical facilities, aerospace facilities, marine power and controls, nuclear facilities, port facilities, power plants, semiconductor facilities, and water/waste water treatment.

Early on, Tom remembers having a love for art as well as fascination with electricity. "I was the youngest child, and I remember looking through my older brothers' and sisters' science textbooks to learn more about electricity," he says. "I would walk up to Radio Shack and buy whatever I could afford with my allowance. When I was in seventh grade, I won a science fair with some posters I made about electricity."

Tom's mother was an artist, and he first enrolled in college as an art education major. He didn't complete the degree, but in his early twenties, made a meager living as an artist, doing pen and ink, acrylic, and watercolor paintings of landscapes and cityscapes. "I didn't like the 'meager' part of it very much, so I went back to the electrical trade and got my associates and bachelor's degrees," says Tom.

Two military projects are among Tom's most memorable as an engineer. The first was as the lead engineer for the US Navy X-Craft Sea Fighter

"Basically, I’m an artist that learned math. I think a bit differently than many engineers. This has been both a benefit and a challenge."

project. "I was the first designated chief engineer on Sea Fighter and ran the engineering station on the bridge for sea trials and speed trials," he recounts. The second, he continues, was designing the blast containment controls for the Kirtland Underground Munitions Storage Facility in Albuquerque, NM. "We store about half the US nuclear bomb arsenal there," he adds.

Now that engineering has been revolutionized by computer technology, Tom advises young engineers, "Don’t cut corners on learning the fundamentals. It’s easy to do when you can get so many solutions online, but if you don’t know the fundamentals, you can’t know if the solution makes sense."

One of Tom's hobbies and a second source of income is making custom knives. Visit his website to see his artistry. In retirement, he plans to "sleep in, make beautiful knives, take naps, repeat," along with teaching martial arts seminars and knifemaking.

Of his experience with Salas O'Brien, Tom says, "It's been great! I've been well taken care of. And Randy Jones has been the best boss I've ever had."

Kip Kolodziejski NCARB

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, ARCHITECT 2016 - 2023

Kip Kolodziejski was with Salas O'Brien for seven years, but his career began in 1980 after college graduation. His architecture experience includes warehouse, food and beverage, and commercial tenant improvement projects. Before joining Salas O’Brien, Kip worked for two of the premier tenant improvement firms in the Puget Sound region, Marvin Stein and Associates and Burgess Design.

Kip's interest in architecture grew from a love for art when he was young. "I always drew pictures as a kid and I was very interested in the southern style of residential architecture characterized by the classic Charleston, SC, townhome. I would draw every brick and shutter and lattice in isometric, which I 'discovered' naturally. It took me a long time to learn perspective sketching," he says.

"The computer greatly changed the profession when compared to hand drawing," he continues. "Drawing by hand was an art form and a blessing. I still sketch, but imagine starting a working day with eight hours of drawing time and ending it with so much accomplished and a pay check! Clicking computers isn’t the same. I’d tell young professionals to try sketching or pick up a trade as a hobby. You need to learn how to build things to succeed as an architect."

Infarm indoor farming facility, Everett, WA

Kip especially loves the challenge of learning new things. One particular project that he remembers well is the King County Election Facility, which he worked on for Burgess Design in 2007. "It had a complex program of new things I knew nothing about," he explains. "I had to educate myself on the election process and ballot counting. King County had to deal with rumors of cheating on a prior governor's race, and this building was an attempt to solve the missing ballot issue."

Another memorable project was the Infarm indoor farming facility in Everett, WA, completed in 2020. The project faced a unique communication challenge during the Covid-19 pandemic, with team members sheltered in place in Germany, New York, and Seattle. Kip's plans for retirement include cooking, working out, reading, writing, and travel. Of his experiences at Salas O'Brien, Kip is especially thankful for the opportunity to learn from others. "I was here for seven years and I’m glad that at my age I could find people who mentored me. At every stage of my career, I've been blessed by others who took time to share their knowledge. I hope I gave some of that back."

"At every stage of my career, I've been blessed by others who took time to share their knowledge. I hope I gave some of that back."

Kim Myran AIA

Kim traces her love for architecture to childhood. "I loved designing spaces and furniture for my Barbie dolls," she remembers." Mom brought home wallpaper samples and carpet squares from our local furniture store, and that's where I gathered the inspiration for my designs." Later, Kim's mom provided even more encouragement. "I studied her home magazines with floor plans of new homes. She bought me a tablet of graph paper, and I sketched my house plans with color crayons. One of my best designs had a lime green carpet and a zebra-striped sofa in the living room."

That bold sense of style remained with Kim and is evident in many projects she has worked on. Kim's describes the joy she feels when seeing the finished products of her work. "The colors, textures, sense of scale, natural light, lighting, furniture, and people using the space as intended feels like success," she says, naming the Crunchyroll world headquarters, Microsoft's Redwest campus and Building 37 atrium, and the new Salas O'Brien Irvine office remodel as a few examples.

One of Kim's greatest challenges was a deployment to Iraq with the US Army. "It caused me to not completely be focused on my career. My days were full, not much time to do anything other than my project tasks, eat, go on convoys to meetings in Baghdad, write reports, clean my weapon, write letters home, and sleep."

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, ARCHITECT 2013 - 2023

"Experience has helped me to look for a better solution when a design is rejected. Failing can make you stronger. Sometimes it's about how you frame the design story."

Kim overcomes challenges with creativity, flexibility, and a good sense of humor. "Experience has helped me to look for a better solution when a first design is rejected," she says. "Failing can make you stronger. Sometimes it's about how you frame the design story."

The biggest change in architecture since starting out, she says, is that now "I can wear a white shirt and not worry about getting graphite or ink on the sleeves." In retirement, Kim plans on traveling, gardening, working out, cooking, and "making good use of all my museum memberships."

"Salas O'Brien has been my favorite company to work for," she says. "The people are authentic. The leadership has heart and makes you feel that you matter to the team and will provide support as needed through any personal challenges. It’s a wonderful place to wrap up my career."

Microsoft Building 37 atrium

Thank you

To the many persons, companies and organizations that have contributed to our success. Employees, consultants, contractors and suppliers — we can't name you all, but we appreciate you. Here are a few:

General Contractors

\ Otlans Construction

\ CE Skinner Construction

\ Charter Construction

\ Wick Constructors

\ Baugh Construction

\ Cobalt Construction

\ SG Taylor Construction

\ Rushforth Taylor Construction

\ Roebbelen Construction

\ WG Clark

Consultants

\ Abacus

\ ABKJ

\ AKB

\ Cator Ruma & Associates

\ Coffman Engineers

\ CG Engineering

\ DB Engineering

\ Hansen Gerber Engineering

\ Gerber Engineering

\ Huntley Pascoe, Inc

\ Gilbane Construction

\ GLY Construction

\ McAlvain Construction

\ Saybr Contractors, Inc.

\ Howard S Wright Construction

\ Kenaston Construction

\ Sellen

\ Brockamp and Jaeger

\ Turner

\ Colamette Construction

Mech/Elec Contractors

\ Pyramid Electric

\ Northwest Electric

\ Tangent Electric

\ Johansen Mechanical

\ Johnson Electric

\ Cochran

\ Emerald Air

\ Electrics Electric

\ McCoy Electric

\ Auburn Mechanical

\ Clearview Mechanical

\ MacDonald Miller

\ McKinstry

\ Sequoyah Electrics

\ Iverson Elder, Inc

\ Tres West Engineers

\ Armour Unsderfer Engineering, Inc

\ Wayne Hanson & Associates

\ Wetherholt & Associates

\ SSA Acoustical Consultants

\ Enterprise Network Solutions

Employees with 20+ Yrs Service

\ Mark Knoke

\ Monica Anderson

\ Brenda Ross

\ Arnold Kraakmo

\ Doug Diel

\ Steve Boie

\ Pick Electric

\ Air Systems

\ Veca Electric

Suppliers and Equipment

Representatives

\ Otis Elevator

\ Seattle Pump & Supply

\ Builders Hardware

\ University Reprographics

\ Olympic Reprographics

\ Trick and Murray

\ Johnson Barrow

\ CMS

\ Norby

\ Trane

To those who are part of the company providing support and accountability to our daily operations:

Salas O’Brien CEO

Darin Anderson

Salas O’Brien President

Paul Silva

Salas O’Brien Managing Principals

John Salas

Stan Everett

Brad Kalmans

Tim Burnham

Farzad Tadayon

Deirdre McDaniels

Aron McCallum

Essi Najafi

Srini Neralla

John Westphal

Karoline Derse

Support Services

IT

HR Finance

Marketing

Office Administration

Our sincere thanks

Ownership requires responsibility and dedication and with it comes an appreciation for the work of others and the revealing of your own inadequacies. With ownership, the company is part of you, like your child; you help create it, work for it, feed it, nurture it, discipline it and promote it. In time, someone comes along who is also willing to invest in the company and continue to move it onward.

KDW and Salas O'Brien have been a very large part of my life for 37 years and it will always be a part of me. But I realize that it wasn’t ever mine. It was loaned to me for a time. It belongs to the people who get up every day, do the work, and pour themselves into the company. I hope it will always be about the people.

My thanks to Doug Diel for his vision, hard work, and leadership.

Congratulations on 40 great years.

Arnold Kraakmo,

NCARB Senior Architect, Principal

“The basic principle which I believe has contributed more than any other to the building of our business as it is today, is the ownership of our company by the people employed in it.”

American businessman, James Casey

AIA,