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."

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.

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

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.

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.”