
Erika Moody, FIIDA
Principal, Interior Designer
Read BioErika Moody, FIIDA
Principal, Interior Designer

Love what you do and others will too. Erika is talented at working with people, solving the space needs puzzle and making everyday spaces better through design. Like a great coach of any team, she’s an excellent motivator and communicator — and we often say she has all it takes to run a business.
Loves: Fresh flowers

Erin Stork, IIDA
Associate, Interior Designer
Read BioErin Stork, IIDA
Associate, Interior Designer

A true visionary and natural-born creative, Erin has mastered the ability to catch a client’s excitement for their project and bring ideas to life. Anyone who has met her knows the passion she exudes for design, but those of us who work alongside Erin get to see how that passion is applied to elevating how people experience the spaces around them. Whether working with workplace, hospitality or higher education clients, it is evident that for her, everything is about people. Her enthusiasm is contagious to clients and coworkers alike.
Loves: Fleetwood Mac

Jacob Palan
Associate, Architectural Associate
Read BioJacob Palan
Associate, Architectural Associate

Jacob is a firm-leader in historic renovation projects, including his own 1885 historic home. While with Helix, he has used his wealth and depth of knowledge to renovate nearly 1 million SF of space in Kansas City. True to his people-person reputation, Jacob has earned being a trusted partner for some of Kansas City’s most prominent developers and contractors. He’s known around the office for his ever-evolving software knowledge and his ceaseless dad jokes.
Loves: Scotch

Megan Penland
Interior Designer
Read BioMegan Penland
Interior Designer

For Megan, design is a family affair. After visiting her older brother at Kansas State University while he studied landscape architecture, Megan loved seeing the school and his studio. She followed in his footsteps — and her own intuition — and studied interior architecture. Megan started her career working on national, large-scale projects, but her love of her hometown brought her to Helix, where she’s ready to harness her experience as an adaptable designer to make an impact on the local community. Outside the office, Megan can be found at one of her favorite downtown coffee shops, the farmers market, or tending to her garden.
Loves: House plants and throw blankets

Doug Stockman, AIA
Principal, Architect
Read BioDoug Stockman, AIA
Principal, Architect

Form follows function may sound cliche, however, this is the philosophy in which Doug Stockman resides. He believes in a straight-forward design approach that is clean and purposeful. His passion for design and enriching communities has been reflected in the numerous projects he has completed throughout our region. He is also known for the best breakfast omelets known to man. This fact has been verified by his family; others can simply dream.
Loves: Cycling, running, and walking to work

Aaron Burson, Associate IIDA
Interior Architect
Read BioAaron Burson, Associate IIDA
Interior Architect

Aaron always thought he wanted to be an engineer, but he fell in love with architecture and design when he discovered it perfectly blended his love of analytical thinking with creativity. Speaking of blended, Aaron also collects uncommon houseplants. His favorite is a hybrid between a philodendron melanochrysum and verrucosum, which he keeps on his desk here in the office.
Loves: Art galleries and trashy reality TV

Alissa Wehmueller, IIDA
Principal, Director of Interiors
Read BioAlissa Wehmueller, IIDA
Principal, Director of Interiors

Alissa is a on a personal mission to create a happier, healthier American culture through workplace design. We see some parallels between her lifestyle philosophies and the more European models that blend work with pleasure. Her love of the industry is contagious, and it shows in the numerous accolades she has received during her career. Another thing we love about Alissa: she brings our office to life with her radiant personality — and her green thumb.
Loves: Spoon-scooped watermelon

Katie Davis, LEED AP, WELL AP
Project Manager
Read BioKatie Davis, LEED AP, WELL AP
Project Manager

Katie studied as a civil engineer but quickly realized she is less interested in making sure buildings stand up than she is in creating spaces that are inspiring to those that inhabit them. Her constant pursuit of creating environmentally conscious buildings is guided by a favorite quote, “What if every single act of design and construction made the world a better place?” Katie reads fiction and classic novels in her spare time, enjoys traveling and is currently trying her hand at knitting.
Loves: Sweater weather and her puppy, Matilda

Matt Murphy, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, WRID
Associate, Senior Project Manager
Read BioMatt Murphy, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, WRID
Associate, Senior Project Manager

Walking the line between art and architecture in college, Matt switched majors several times before ultimately settling on architecture when he noticed his paintings taking on more and more linear forms. With his love for project delivery and writing specs (yes, really), it’s no wonder that Matt’s extensive experience results in impeccably executed project drawings. When he’s not living his motto — “work hard to create places where people want to be” — you can find Matt tending to his garden or rescuing animals, or you can go cheer him on in his competitive steel-tip dart league.
Loves: Collecting skateboard decks

Jeremy Crabb, AIA
Senior Project Architect
Read BioJeremy Crabb, AIA
Senior Project Architect

Jeremy’s lifelong love of drawing and the arts has resulted in considerable experience as a project architect, working on complex, visionary projects around the nation. His affection for Kansas City brought him to Helix, where he can practice in the city he loves. Jeremy has a keen ability to refine the shared vision between client and designer, which makes him an asset to our projects. He also has a growing bourbon collection, which makes him an asset to our weekly happy hour.
Loves: Live music

Clay Phillips, AIA
Principal, Higher Education Practice Leader
Read BioClay Phillips, AIA
Principal, Higher Education Practice Leader

Clay had no choice when it came to pursuing a career in architecture. The son of a writer and the grandson of a carpenter, it just made sense for him to choose a profession that brought together the acts of creating and building. He attributes the success of his work to one thing: collaboration. Designs are stronger when the entire team solves multifaceted and complex design problems. Clay leverages his critical thinking skills when approaching a new project, and he leverages his height when playing volleyball.
Likes: Marvel movies (even though he doesn’t want to admit it)

Liz Ponder, AIA
Architect
Read BioLiz Ponder, AIA
Architect

Whether working with developers or revitalizing a historic gem in the heart of the city, Liz uses her broad background (in and out of architecture) as a basis for a diverse array of projects. For Liz, designing is storytelling. She believes the narrative of the buildings she works on should be compelling, yet simple enough to stand on their own. A perfect fit for growing Kansas City, she’s been urban-focused since her youth, when she could often be found designing little cities for her brother’s matchbox car collection.
Loves: Jeopardy + weekend home projects

Bryan Gross, AIA
Principal, Architect
Read BioBryan Gross, AIA
Principal, Architect

Some call him the architect’s architect. We’re not exactly sure what that means, but some people call him that. Bryan is known for his steady leadership and his constant pursuit of excellence. He strives to exceed clients’ aspirations with meaningful design concepts while remaining vigilant about budgets and schedules.
Loves: Running 26.2 in 220 minutes

Travis Snell
Architectural Associate
Read BioTravis Snell
Architectural Associate

Travis is a true maker at heart and followed his lifetime love for math and art into a career in architecture. He has since realized that a good architect must also be a historian, sociologist, and ecologist. He is excited by Helix’s contributions to the growth of Kansas City and shares our love for watching KC bloom. By day he tells stories through renderings and award-winning diagrams; by night he enjoys concocting new recipes and trying his hand at a new art media.
Loves: Rosemary and cats

Obhishek Mandal
Architectural Associate
Read BioObhishek Mandal
Architectural Associate

Obhi has been drawn towards creative pursuits throughout his entire life. Whether he’s painting at home or developing compelling visuals for Helix, Obhi is constantly looking for new artistic outlets. When approaching architecture and design, Obhi centers his philosophy on two key elements: a deep contextual understanding of the place in which he is designing, and thinking through the temporal human experience of what he designs. He also draws from his lifelong exposure to other cultures, an asset that will help him achieve his goal of global domination — but not like that. Obhi dreams of traveling to every continent.
Likes: Triple shot Americanos

Kyle Leiker, AIA
Architect
Read BioKyle Leiker, AIA
Architect

Kyle balances pragmatism and thoughtfulness to create projects that shape our city. A true urban dweller, he has spent time living and working in New York City and Washington D.C., and now calls Kansas City’s Westside neighborhood home. Kyle‘s design process starts with a pen in hand, iterating on ideas until the best design emerges. He can also make an alarmingly good cup of coffee, which we plan to take advantage of in exchange for his one true weakness: a slice of cheesecake.
Loves: Bicycling

Reeves Wiedeman, FAIA
Founding Principal, Architect
Read BioReeves Wiedeman, FAIA
Founding Principal, Architect

Known for his imaginative and sensible solutions, Reeves is a proven leader in creative problem-solving. As a founding Principal of Helix, Reeves has been a driving force behind the firm’s growth and success. Plus, you probably won’t ever meet a more perfect mix of right and left brain.
Loves: Giving impromptu toasts

Alexis Oppenheimer
Associate Architect
Read BioAlexis Oppenheimer
Associate Architect

Alexis, who returned to Kansas City after twelve years in NYC, brings an innate sense of creativity to her projects. Her mother, an artist, taught her the joy of creating, which inspired Alexis to ultimately pursue a career in design, a profession that uniquely entwines both the practical and whimsical sides of her personality. Alexis believes that architecture is the art of problem solving. She begins her design process by asking questions and seeking out solutions through analysis, deduction and creativity. She begins her weekend mornings with a good mimosa and seeking out her next art project.
Loves: Sewing

Jay Tomlinson, FAIA
Founding Principal, Architect
Read BioJay Tomlinson, FAIA
Founding Principal, Architect

He’s a pioneer of the Kansas City arts scene. But don’t let the word “pioneer” fool you. Two sons and an ear for music have kept him appropriately hip. Jay is strongly committed to the continued vitality of Kansas City’s urban core. He has lead more than 50 renovation projects contributing to the recent $6 billion revitalization of downtown Kansas City.
Loves: The Sunday New York Times and yoga

Chandler Hanna
Architectural Associate
Read BioChandler Hanna
Architectural Associate

Chandler’s life seems to revolve around architecture. He knew from an early age that he enjoyed designing and creating things, and realized that design was the perfect career for him after job shadowing his uncle, who is also an architect. He relishes the finished product, taking an idea and seeing it come to life. When Chandler first learned about Helix while studying architecture at UMKC, he began following the firm’s work and imagining himself as a Helix designer. Much like design, his vision became reality. And if he isn’t practicing architecture, he’s touring homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright while on vacation.
Likes: Woodworking, flipping houses, and being active

Brennan Davies
Architectural Associate
Read BioBrennan Davies
Architectural Associate

Brennan has always centered his design philosophy on two things: creativity and collaboration, both of which have always come naturally to him. As Brennan started going to school and seeking out new ways to express his ingenuity, he found architecture to be the perfect intersection between creativity and problem-solving. But his love of architecture actually started at a much younger age — Brennan credits Legos as one of the drivers to pursuing a career in design. In fact, if you’re looking to buy Brennan a gift, he will still accept a Lego set to this day.
Likes: Accumulating house plants

Leah Steinacker
Interior Designer
Read BioLeah Steinacker
Interior Designer

Leah approaches design with an element of curiosity and joy. She finds that pushing an idea as far as it will go and asking all of the “what ifs” is not only a fun exercise, but it often results in innovative design. Actually, Leah finds joy in many aspects of her life — from making something with her hands to push through a creative block, collaborating with her colleagues, or relishing a good vegan breakfast sandwich. When she travels, Leah has three criteria for her destinations: the location needs to be old, cold, and quiet. If she cannot comfortably wear a sweater outside, it isn’t worth it.
Likes: Chairs. Old chairs, tiny chairs, homemade chairs, uncomfortable chairs.

Justin Roth, AIA
Architect
Read BioJustin Roth, AIA
Architect

Bio coming soon.

Tanvi Sanghvi, AIA
Project Architect
Read BioTanvi Sanghvi, AIA
Project Architect

For Tanvi, design never ends. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, she strives to impact the spaces in which people live and work. Since graduating from Syracuse University, she has worked on all phases of the projects but she enjoys working through details and being on site the most. From New York to California, Tanvi joined Helix in the heart of the Midwest as a project architect, bringing with her an impressive portfolio of corporate workplace design and an interest in broadening her experience in multifamily.
Loves: Tacos and traveling

Jessica Irons, IIDA
Interior Designer
Read BioJessica Irons, IIDA
Interior Designer

With a focus on design in hospitality, Jessica has cultivated her love for beautiful moments through her work. This love has parlayed into creating elevated spaces that combine form and function while bringing people together. Jessica immerses herself into her design specifically during the concept phase, she seeks to create a story that meets the overall goal of the project. Inspired by nature, a glass of red wine, and the exploration of Kansas City, Jessica is always seeking ways to make her life beautiful.
Likes: Afternoons on the Nelson + Coffee

Nina Grimes
Concierge
Read BioNina Grimes
Concierge

Nina is the first friendly face you’ll see when you walk in the front door and first voice you’ll hear on the phone. Her great attitude paired with the ability to coordinate Helix’s inner workings makes her a crucial part of the team. We suspect Nina has the best shoe collection in town.
Loves: Eating and not gaining any weight

Carly Erickson
Associate, Director of Marketing & Business Development
Read BioCarly Erickson
Associate, Director of Marketing & Business Development

An almost-journalist, Carly claims her career in marketing chose her. Lucky for us! In her role as Director of Marketing & Business Development, she tells compelling stories of Helix’s contributions to the architecture & design community, propelling our firm forward. She’s also a left-handed, total concert junkie who was named after Carly Simon. Carly is constantly inspired by the architects and designers she works alongside. We have to say: the feeling is mutual.
Loves: Hazy IPAs

Paul Weigel
Director of Finances
Read BioPaul Weigel
Director of Finances

Paul’s penchant for numbers makes him one of the few left-brained people in the office. Don’t let that fool you though. He can schmooze with the best of them. Paul also has a knack for growing a bountiful harvest of produce and aggravating the library copier.
Loves: Courgette cake

Rebekah Wilson
Marketing Coordinator
Read BioRebekah Wilson
Marketing Coordinator

Rebekah is the ultimate marketing professional. She believes that every aspect of our lives makes up our own brand, and she strives to live the brand that she wants to portray in every way possible. As Helix’s marketing coordinator, Rebekah crafts thoughtful ways to convey our brand, through portfolios, on our blog, and on social media. She finds her inspiration from being in nature, and she seeks community in new workout classes, concerts, or a quiet afternoon in a coffee shop. Rebekah is also the ultimate road trip companion — whether it’s a quick three-hour trek or an overnight drive, she’s always along for the ride.
Likes: Petting every dog she sees