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Our Team

Our architectural firm believes that exceptional design enhances lives, driving our team’s commitment to creating architecture with meaningful impact. We measure success through community ownership and engagement—both in process and outcome. Collectively, our team has delivered over 260 major educational facility projects and hundreds of smaller initiatives, representing more than $3.2 billion in construction value, each reflecting our dedication to transformative learning environments.

Eric Baltzell
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Eric Baltzell, CEO
Eric has continued Tom Gilbert’s legacy of service of quality as president since Tom’s retirement in early 2024. In 2023, Garmann Miller acquired Gilbert Architects, which allowed both firms to expand its resources and personnel to over 90 design and planning professionals. Eric was named CEO of GM in 2017 after leading the electrical engineering team for 16 years. Since then, GM has expanded from its Minster, Ohio, location to offices in Columbus, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Eric fosters a client-first culture with a commitment of sustainable design and gives back to various organizations that enhance lives in the communities we serve. Eric is a graduate of the University of Toledo and maintains his Professional Engineer credentials.
Rod Frey, Jr.
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Rod Frey, Jr., Principal
As a principal, Rod brings over 30 years of educational design experience to Gilbert Architects. His responsibilities include educational planning and feasibility studies, analysis of demographic studies and enrollment projections, and the development of educational specifications. He is intimately involved with the overall project design and oversees project managers and architects, construction administrators, consultants, and support staff to ensure client satisfaction from preliminary design through construction administration. Rod has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Drexel University and is an Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP) a distinction that reflects his expertise in educational facility planning. When he’s not working, enjoys exploring rails-to-trails bike trails, and trout and pier fishing.
Scott Adams
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Scott Adams, Principal
Scott is dedicated to K-12 educational design as a principal at Gilbert Architects. He blends academic programming with spaces that enhance learning and student development. As project leader, Scott ensures quality assurance while maintaining schedules and budgets. His expertise includes permanent off-site construction solutions and safer learning environments through his CPD certification in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Virginia Tech.
Kyle Cross
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Kyle Cross, Director of Business Development
Kyle is a licensed architect who also serves the firm as its director of business development. He has over two decades of experience in the construction and professional design sectors, showcasing a versatile career path that includes roles as a contractor, construction project manager, designer, and project manager. Kyle is deeply committed to forging meaningful connections with public school administrators, stakeholders and the communities they support. His client-centered approach ensures that Gilbert Architects consistently meets and surpasses client expectations. He earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture at Drexel University and brings a distinguished background of service, having honorably served for eight years in the United States Army Reserve.
Michele Davidson
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Michele Davidson, Director of Business Operations
Sara Wolf
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Sara Wolf, Director of Communication + Marketing
Mohammed Bello
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Mohammed Bello, BIM Modeler
Brianna Blackaby
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Brianna Blackaby, Project Manager
Chris Bonner
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Chris Bonner, Construction Contract Administrator
Jim Brenner
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Jim Brenner, Project Manager
Kelly Fox
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Kelly Fox, Interior Designer
Jeremy Foxx
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Jeremy Foxx, IT Specialist
Ken Goad
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Ken Goad, Construction Contract Administrator
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Scott Ludwig
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Scott Ludwig, Project Director/BIM Manager
Kevin McCandless
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Kevin McCandless, Project Director/BIM Modeler
Sharon Polanskey
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Sharon Polanskey, Business Development Coordinator
Ericka Sepulveda Adorno
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Ericka Sepulveda Adorno, BIM Modeler

GARMANN MILLER +
ACCESS ENGINEERING:
OUR PARTNERS IN DESIGN

In July 2023, Gilbert Architects announced its acquisition by Garmann Miller, a leading K-12 education design firm with four locations in Ohio and Indiana.

This partnership came to fruition when our founder, Tom Gilbert, retired after a distinguished career dedicated to K-12 architecture.

To further enhance the services we provide, Garmann Miller has also joined with civil engineering firm Access Engineering Solutions. With a proven record of delivering infrastructure solutions that strengthen communities, their expertise expands our ability to offer fully integrated, end-to-end solutions for our clients.

Together, we’re a team of more than 100 design, planning and construction professionals who serve communities across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions with even greater resources and efficiencies.

Discover more about our collective capabilities and the synergy between GA, GM, and Access by visiting creategm.com.

TOGETHER OUR TEAM:

  • Considers a school’s academic needs and goals, as well as how a space affects the social and emotional growth of students.
  • Works closely with educators, to fully understand an educational community’s programs and culture.
  • Conducts educational planning, including feasibility studies.
  • Administers an analysis of demographic studies and enrollment projections, and the development of educational specifications