Robertson/Sherwood/Architects' Newest Principals

Lana Sadler, AIA

Becky Thomas, AIA

Big news! Lana Sadler, AIA, and Becky Thomas, AIA are the newest principals and shareholders at Robertson/Sherwood/Architects, joining Carl Sherwood, AIA and Scott Stolarczyk, AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C on the firm’s leadership team. Lana and Becky assume their new roles as founding partner Jim Robertson, FAIA, FCSI, CCS and I step back from our senior leadership responsibilities.

 
Jim relinquished his ownership back in January 2023, and I just sold my interest in the firm earlier this month. Along with Scott, Carl remains a primary shareholder. As readers of this blog are aware, I intend to leave the workforce very soon, as early as this June if all goes to plan. Jim, and eventually Carl, will follow me into retirement.
 
As I mentioned upon Lana’s and Becky’s promotion to Associate status a few years back, the process of ownership transition does prompt reconsideration of old paradigms, especially those that are overdue for reexamination. Robertson/Sherwood/Architects will always retain elements of the successful culture and attributes instilled by Jim and Carl (and to a lesser extent, by me). On the other hand, the injection of energy and new vision that Lana and Becky promise to bring is precisely what the firm needs most at this moment.
 
The practice of architecture is dynamic, to say the least. The ongoing evolution of an architectural office is both a necessity and a driver for growth and change. Those firms poised to evolve with agility and foresight stand to flourish, leveraging innovation to stay relevant and competitive. Evolution isn’t just about survival on the competitive landscape—it’s about seizing the occasion to redefine and excel, to embrace new technologies and ways of working, and to shape the future of a firm with informed foresight.
 
I expect great things from Lana and Becky. They’ve waited patiently for this opportunity. Along with Scott, they’re more than ready to take the reins and carry Jim’s and Carl’s legacy forward for decades to come.
 
Here's the announcement we posted to our website:
 
All of us at Robertson/Sherwood/Architects (RSA) are excited to announce the newest evolution for our firm. Lana Sadler and Rebecca Thomas are our newest principals, extending the legacy that James Robertson and Carl Sherwood began in 1986.
 
Lana joined RSA in 2002 after graduating from Kansas State University and traveling across the country from Illinois to explore the Pacific Northwest. She has been a major contributor to several of our firm’s significant projects, including the Lane Community College Downtown College campus and Roosevelt Middle School. Lana was the Project Architect for the Edison Elementary School project and is currently taking on the lead for the second phase of work at Civic Park. Lana has also taken a strong lead in acting as production manager for the firm, coordinating work in the office and making sure we all stay on task. Outside of the office, Lana enjoys spending time with her children and taking advantage of the outdoor activities her adopted state provides.
 
Becky joined RSA in 2005 after graduating from the University of Oregon and working with the UO Facilities Division during school. She has led the charge for our office on projects such as the expansion for FOOD for Lane County, multiple athletic facilities for the Eugene 4J School District, and a new indoor aquatic center for the North County Recreation District. She is currently working as the Project Architect on the Lane Community College Health Professions Building which is nearing completion. In the office, Becky is our IT guru, making sure we all have the tools needed to do our job. She has also been a big advocate of the work experience for everyone in the office, not something explainable but incredibly important. Outside of the office, Becky loves spending time with her family. She also enjoys being outside any chance she gets, running, walking, hiking, skiing . . . anything active. Her extra time is spent volunteering at local schools and supporting her two boys as they pursue their passion for sports throughout the year. If she’s not at the office you can usually find Becky at a field, in a gym, at a school, or walking her dog.
 
Lana and Becky join Carl Sherwood and Scott Stolarczyk in leadership roles for RSA. Carl is a founding Principal of the firm. Scott has been with the firm since 1999 and joined leadership in 2020. It is exciting to bring Lana and Becky into our leadership team, moving us into great new directions.