HOUSTON, TX — Michael Barbour joined Johnston as Senior Engineering Design Professional MEP. Barbour brings 8 years of Mechanical Engineering design experience, as well as 6 years of experience serving as a Naval Nuclear Machinist Mate for the U.S. Navy. Barbour has extensive design knowledge in both HVAC and plumbing, as well as 3D design software. His ability to assist in production, as well as train others, make him a valuable addition to Mechanical Engineering. Barbour studied Nuclear Physics and Chemistry at the Naval Nuclear Power School, and is currently working toward a degree in Engneering.

HOUSTON, TX – Vishal Merchant, PE, Project Manager and Civil Engineer for Johnston, has been elected President by Asian American Engineers and Architects (AAEA). AAEA is a Houston based 501 (c) (4) organization with a goal to serve the Asian Engineering and Architectural community in the Greater Houston Area. Over the years AAEA has hosted several prominent guests such as Judge Ed Emmitt, Commissioner Steve Radack and Mayor Annise Parker.

“Under my Presidency,” Merchant states, “we will continue this momentum forward with various membership meetings that will benefit our society and we will use the funds raised to provide scholarships for students looking to pursue careers in Engineering, as well as Architectural professions.”

Johnston proudly supports Merchant in his new role and continues to actively promote the professional development of our staff.

HOUSTON, TX — Juan Valdez, Associate AIA joined Johnston as an Architectural Professional. Valdez brings 5 years of production experience in design development, construction documentation, client communication and design production. His skills will help enhance the working backbone of Johnston Architecture.

Juan received his B.S. in Design and Master’s in Architecture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also studied sustainable urban design at Tianjin University in China.

HOUSTON, TX — Jalal Zeitoune, IIDA, RID joined Johnston as the Practice Leader for Interior Design. Zeitoune brings 27 years of interior design experience focusing on both domestic and international projects, including corporate spaces, law offices, oil and gas and government facilities. His depth and breadth of experience, as well as team leadership skills, will continue to improve the cohesion and teamwork of Johnston’s Architecture.

He received his Master High Studies in Interior Architecture at the Lebanese University Institute of Art in Tripoli, and is a Registered Interior Designer in the State of Texas.

Julie is a Texas native born in Spring. She stayed in Texas as she earned her Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and most recently received her Masters of Architecture from the University of Houston. She owns a Yorkshire Terrier named Sophie and loves running, photography, traveling, and cycling. While Julie has done a bit of traveling around Europe, her vacation goals always include going somewhere she hasn’t been before. As a technical designer with over five years of experience using BIM programs to coordinate efforts between team members, Julie is excited to begin work at Johnston. (October 12, 2015)

Roberto graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Architecture. He comes to us with 15 years of experience in drafting, drawing, submittals, and client interaction. He has worked on numerous project types, ranging from interior fit-out to ground-up, multi-building projects. Most of his work is located here in Texas, but he also assisted in the documenting phase of a hotel in Ghana. Roberto enjoys Japanese food and loves working in his backyard. Someday he’d like to visit Japan and tour the country to see all the amazing ancient architecture. (September 8, 2015)

HOUSTON, TX - Craig Hein has joined Johnston as a Senior Graphic Designer. He brings over two decades of experience in graphic and web design. His experience includes being the first webmaster for a large architectural design firm, as well as creating brand environments, photography, motion graphics, and video production to clients. He has collaborated with a variety of businesses, fine artists, and benefit organizations. Craig is the creative and technical force behind Johnston’s new website and will be assisting in the creation of a variety of graphics and marketing materials to implement the Johnston brand.

HOUSTON, TX - Ed Gamel, PE has joined Johnston as Associate Partner | Director of Civil Engineering. Gamel brings over 30 years of experience in planning, design, and engineering management of transportation and infrastructure projects in both the public and private sectors. His expertise includes project management and administration of large, multi-disciplined projects. Gamel will provide both leadership and expertise to facilitate Johnston's growth and commitment to providing innovative and successful projects for our clients.

Gamel is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Texas and National Societies of Professional Engineers, and the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Society.

HOUSTON, TX - Vishal Merchant, PE joined Johnston as Associate | Senior Project Manager. Merchant brings over ten years of experience as a registered civil engineer, designing and developing commercial and residential projects. His extensive experience working with both Low Impact Development Design and local City and County design codes, ordinances, and approval procedures will offer Johnston even greater opportunity to continue to work with our targeted clients and give them expertise and focus to reach their project goals.

Merchant holds both a Bachelor of Engineering from Mumbai University and a Master of Civil Engineering from Lamar University, and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas. He has served as the President of the American Society of Indian Engineers (ASIE) and on the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC, Houston) Government Contract Committee. He also has the distinction of being elected the Young Engineer of the Year by ASIE and Asian American Engineers and Architects (AAEA).

HOUSTON, TX — Melissa Wright has joined Johnston as Director of Marketing. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and is member of the Society of Marketing Professionals. She has over 15 years of industry experience, having worked for national architectural, engineering and construction firms. Her perspective and knowledge brings a unique expertise that is valuable to our integrated firm. Melissa’s leadership and creative talents will be an invaluable resource as the company expands in size and scope.

HOUSTON, TX - Paula Gaviria, Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C has joined Johnston as Practice Leader | Healthcare Project Delivery. Paula brings seventeen years of architectural design and production experience. Her specialized knowledge is centered in the healthcare field with its unique complexities and requirements for hospital facilities both new and renovation. Paula's responsibilities include coordinating, managing, and delivering a wide variety of projects, including construction documentation and administration. Her breadth of work and coordination with consultants, contractors, code officials, and Owners will aid in Johnston's dedication to providing the best quality and most effective project delivery to our clients.

Paula is a former member of the Rice Design Alliance, LEED AP BD+C certified and an Assoc. AIA member. She has both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture.

HOUSTON, TX - Richard Leyendecker, AIA, NCARB has joined Johnston as Associate Partner | Director of Healthcare. Richard brings 42 years of architectural experience to Johnston in healthcare, commercial, and educational projects, both domestically and abroad. His proven experience with high profile, complex healthcare projects, both new and renovation for some of Houston's largest healthcare institutions provides years of perspective and expertise to facilitate Johnston's commitment to providing innovative and successful outcomes for our clients as Johnston continues its growth.

He received a Bachelor's in Architecture from Texas A&M University, and is a licensed Architect in Florida and Texas, as well as a licensed Interior Designer in Texas. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Texas Society of Architects, the Houston chapter of the AIA, and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

HOUSTON, TX — Larry Pennington, PE has joined Johnston as Director of Electrical Engineering. Pennington brings over 44 years of electrical engineering and project management experience. Pennington’s vast resume includes a wide variety of projects in several complex sectors of the industry, including municipal, healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, and military, both locally and internationally.

A natural teacher, Pennington will serve as a mentor and assist in training as well as advise on creative design solutions and polished documentation. With his management experience, Pennington provides decades of industry perspective to aid Johnston in the commitment to providing the best possible MEP solutions to our clients.

“I have spent my adult life learning. I am now at the point in my career where I can take what I have learned and share it with the next generation. By doing this I hope to enable them to be better professionals and better people.”

Pennington has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, has attended management seminars from both PSJM and the American Management Association, and is affiliated with the National Fire Protection Association, as well as being a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.

HOUSTON, TX — Danny Rothe has joined Johnston as Associate | Director of Contract Administration. Rothe brings over 25 years of construction experience in the commercial, institutional, educational, healthcare, and residential areas of the industry. Having worked on the Owner, architect, and construction sides of the industry, Rothe has a multi-dimensional perspective of building design requirements and project delivery. His attention to detail and focus on safety has allowed him to work on the most classified and complex projects in regard to security and code compliance.

Rothe has a Bachelor’s in Architecture from Texas Tech, a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from Texas A&M, and is CCCA and CDT certified and LEED accredited.

HOUSTON, TX — Kristen Owen, PE has joined Johnston as the Senior Associate | Director of Mechanical Engineering. Owen brings over 19 years of engineering and project management experience in healthcare and research design. Previously working as a Project Manager on the consulting as well as Owner side, Owen’s extensive work experience brings operational excellence and project management to identify program requirements and scopes for a wide variety of projects. Owen’s recent experience serving on the Owner’s side in the healthcare market will aid in Johnston’s commitment to providing the best possible facilities and integrated solutions to our clients. She is currently responsible for project budgeting and coordinating efforts for different healthcare projects, utilizing her engineering background to assist in adhering to healthcare codes and design and construction standards within various departments.

Owen has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University, and has been a registered professional engineer in Texas since 2004.