Biography
A Design Director and Mixed Use & Retail Centers Leader for Gensler’s North Central Region based in the Chicago office, Michael brings more than 20 years of experience leading large-scale commercial, retail, civic, aviation, hospitality, and education projects across the U.S. and Asia.
His expertise spans mixed-use master plans to commercial building repositioning, with a focus on placemaking and human-centric design. He brings thoughtful investigation and clear vision to some of the firm’s most complex work. His forward-thinking creativity and strategic rigor translate ambitious ideas into resilient, purposeful spaces. He is known for his hand-drawing and sketching, often working directly with clients in real time to bring ideas to life.
He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Kansas State University and is a licensed architect in Illinois.
The promise of mixed-use development is a thoughtful interplay between different uses that makes our cities more vibrant, resilient, and interesting.
Qualifications and Recognition
Bachelor of Architecture, Kansas State University
Registered Architect: Illinois
LEED AP
Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Gensler’s Gene Watanabe Award, 2013
Speaker, Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning, & Design Ekdahl Lecture Symposium 2025
Speaker, “Lincoln Yards and Fulton Market,” Facades Plus, 2022
Speaker, “Repositioning Willis Tower,” AIA Chicago, 2021
Panelist, “Principles for Retail Center Repositioning,” ICSC Centerbuild, 2019
Volunteer, Ronald McDonald House