May I introduce one of our newest members, Chris Leibensperger. He is part of the architectural team at R2R Studio here in Knoxville, where he is currently pursuing his architectural license. The firm focuses on a variety of project types including commercial, residential, interior architecture, and brand development design.
Chris said that he has been able to work on several different projects in the East Tennessee area including the Shops at Bexhill, Southern Craft BQQ in Greeneville, Patriot’s Chicken in Blaine, Monkee’s Retail at the Orangery Village, Sweet P’s BBQ in Fountain City, Tennessee Stud Cidery in Pigeon Forge and the Town Center Plaza in Gatlinburg. He said that his favorite part of the profession is the “wide range of design challenges each project presents, and the impact each project will have on people as the space is used.”
Chris is from Western New York, between Buffalo and Rochester. He graduated from SUNY Alfred State College in 2009. He came to Knoxville in April of 2021 and joined R2R Studio. When asked what drew him to study architecture, he said, ” I grew up building with Lego’s and always seemed to create buildings, towns, or houses. In high school I focused on construction and technology classes [where] my passion and interest in how a building came together really took off.”
Chris said that he joined CSI to better understand the science of buildings, the different trades in the industry and to network and build relationships. Before moving to Tennessee, he had started getting involved in the local NY CSI chapter. Once here in Knoxville, he was invited to a chapter meeting by Gary Bergeron, FCSI. He hopes to continue to grow and learn, both personally and professionally.
Chris has a daughter who is 6, a son who is 4, and an 8-year-old black lab mix named Bailey. He enjoys hiking, golf, and an occasional nice glass of bourbon. Please reach out and introduce yourself to Chris and welcome him to CSI Knoxville.
Come Grow with Us!
Posted: Sat, Jun 22, 2024
The Knoxville Chapter is growing and we want you to join the fun too! In the past month the chapter has welcomed 4 new members - Michaelanne Collins from BarberMcMurray, Chris Leibensperger and Maureen Sotak from R2R Studio, and Chuck Whited from Main Street Studio in Cleveland, TN. Lots of new talent and faces at our meetings each month. Don't miss it!
Suzan Jordan Wins Gulf States Region's Highest Award
Posted: Tue, Jun 11, 2024
Suzan Jordan, CSI, CDT, CCPR, was presented the Robert V. Bishop Award this week at the CSI Gulf States Region Conference in Jackson, MS. This is the Gulf States Region’s highest honor.
Ms. Jordan is a Dupont Tyvek Senior Certified Building Envelope Consultant. She is an authority on the subject of moisture management and the building envelope. She often has classes at CSI meetings and with architects, building officials and building contractors educating the design and construction industry about best practices concerning the building envelope and moisture management. She has remarked that the networking opportunities and relationships fostered in CSI provide avenues to reach more prospective clients and help her be seen as a trusted resource to designers and contractors.
She is a member of the Knoxville Chapter and has served in many roles in both our chapter and the Gulf States Region. She is a familiar face at all Gulf States planning meetings, Region conferences and Institute conventions.
The award is given to a Gulf States CSI member who has rendered extraordinary service to the Construction Specifications Institute and especially the members in the Gulf States which include Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the panhandle of Florida. The CSI Gulf States Region Operating Guide states, “This award will be given to a member having at least ten (10) years of continuous membership and who has portrayed exceptional and meritorious service and devotion to the Gulf States Region and to the principles of The Construction Specifications Institute. This award shall be considered as the highest recognition that can be given by the Region.”
Recipients of the Robert V. Bishop Award serve as the jury for nominees submitted for this honor. Their service continues to embody the dedication and lifelong service to the Gulf States Region displayed by Mr. Robert V. Bishop, FCSI, CCS. The Knoxville Chapter has one other Robert V. Bishop Award recipient - Kathy Proctor.
Discounted Meal Ticket Still Available
Posted: Tue, May 14, 2024
Starting in January 2023, the CSI dues no longer included the cost of monthly meals. The Knoxville Chapter Board voted on February 6, 2024 to implement a 2024 Meal Plan Option for the CSI Chapter.
Monthly meal costs are $20 per person for lunch. This can be paid online in advance as you make your reservation at CSI Knoxville.
If you were not able to take advantage of the earlier meal ticket offering, you still can! Purchase a discount meal ticket for $80 which will cover all the rest of the monthly lunches this year. (a $20 savings) You may purchase this online Click here or contact Suzan Jordan (suzanwjordan@yahoo.com) to receive an invoice for this amount.
A reservation for each meeting is still required in order to provide the caterer with a correct food count. You can make that through your monthly Constant Contact announcement.
Students and first-time guests are always free.
New Member News - Welcome Shannon Elliott, CSI
Posted: Fri, Mar 29, 2024
Please welcome our new member Shannon Elliott, CSI. I first knew Shannon when she was a member of the CSI Student Affiliate at the University of Tennessee. She always had a huge smile and was willing to help CSI students to do so many things – including building a CSI Homecoming float. Shannon graduated from UT with a Masters of Architecture in 2010. She is licensed to practice architecture in both Tennessee and Kentucky.
Now she is a Sr. Project Architect at Parkway Construction and Architecture. When she was asked to describe her firm, she replied, “We are a Design-Build firm with national reach, and work in every sector except single family residential”. With offices out in the western US, and licenses in 49 states, they do reach most of the country.
She says she loves architecture, “because I’m interested in everything, and it combines so many fields of knowledge.” When asked what her favorite part about the profession is, she said, “…there is always something to learn.”
Shannon came to Tennessee from Parkersburg, West Virginia in 1999. Her family still lives there. Her father raises 100 varieties of hostas. Shannon is pictured here with a variety called Guacamole. It gets up to 8 feet in diameter and 6 feet tall. The leaves are a big as your head!!
Shannon loves learning! She has just passed the Estimating Practioner’s exam, and she is studying for the CSI CCS exam this spring. Ask her about the CCS (Certified Construction Specifier) requirements. That is no small task!
When asked what she hope to gain from a CSI membership, she said that she looks forward to reconnecting with folks that she hasn’t seen in a while. She works remotely for her firm, whose offices are in Texas, California and Utah, so being part of CSI gives her the opportunity to stay connected with what is happening locally.
So reach out to Shannon at our next meeting and introduce yourself. Or rekindle an old acquaintance. You will be happy that you did! Welcome back Shannon to Knoxville CSI!
