Announcing a New Era of Leadership at Schaefer Architecture

After 40 years in architecture, all of which were spent in varying roles at Schaefer Architecture, Terry Wiggers will officially retire at the end of May 2025. Throughout his remarkable career, Terry has not only built a lasting legacy but also forged meaningful partnerships, nurtured vital client relationships, and played a pivotal role in shaping the direction and success of our firm. From his early days as an architectural intern to his final role as President, Terry’s dedication and expertise have left an indelible mark on both our clients and the firm. Over the years, he worked tirelessly to ensure our clients’ visions were brought to life, consistently delivering satisfaction and building trust at every stage of the design process.

As we announce Terry’s retirement, we also usher in the leadership transition to our senior partners, Justin Graham and Troy Hertel. In 2023, Justin and Troy transitioned from their roles as Vice Presidents to Senior Vice Presidents, a change that was publicly announced in November 2024. During this initial phase, both leaders began assuming various responsibilities from Terry Wiggers and Shannon Bohm, allowing them to step back and begin the process of shifting leadership. Shannon assumed a temporary consulting role as she prepared for her full retirement, while Terry transitioned to acting President. Over the past year, Justin and Troy have worked closely with Terry to ensure a smooth transition. With Justin’s promotion to President and Troy’s to Executive Vice President, Shannon’s retirement is now final, and Terry has stepped into his role as Chairman of the Board for Schaefer.

In addition to the leadership transitions of Justin, Troy, and Terry, Matt Hamm has been promoted to Senior Vice President, and Malcolm Watkins to Senior Vice President and acting board member. With these updates, our full operational management team is as follows:

• Justin Graham, President
• Troy Hertel, Executive Vice President
• Matt Hamm, Senior Vice President
• Malcolm Watkins, Senior Vice President
• Gary Holler, Vice President
• Robert Love, Vice President

This distinguished group of leaders remains committed to upholding our tradition of design excellence and ensuring a smooth transition, all while safeguarding Schaefer’s continued growth and success.

Charting the Path Forward:
Insights from Schaefer’s New Leadership

Having spent his entire career at Schaefer, Justin has been mentored and groomed for leadership throughout his time here. “Schaefer has shaped me from student to young architect, from project architect to project manager, and ultimately from Vice President to President,” says Justin. Thoughtful mentorship from influential and experienced architects and leaders has been instrumental in his professional growth.

With the recent addition of Krehbiel Architecture, along with its projects and staff, there is much to celebrate in terms of the firm’s growth. “It’s an exciting time to lead at Schaefer Architecture,” he shares. When asked what excites him most about his new leadership role, Justin emphasizes the continued collaboration with the talented staff and exceptional clients, nurturing mutual learning that helps bring aspirations and dreams to life.

In his new role as President of Schaefer, Justin envisions a future where the firm not only strengthens its leadership position in the community but also provides a supportive, collaborative environment where staff can thrive. Recognizing the immense benefits of mentorship in his own architectural journey, Justin believes it is vital to prioritize mentorship within the firm.

“Architecture is a complex profession, multi-faceted in many ways… It’s crucial that we mentor our staff, preparing them to deliver quality service and expertise, guiding them to success on future projects.”

Upholding and building on Terry’s legacy, Justin plans to continue prioritizing client relationships, exploring innovative solutions, and maintaining transparency through effective communication.

Our core values of imagination, collaboration, stewardship, and joy play a central role in our work. Justin believes that staying true to these values is key to future success. “I think it’s important to regularly ask ourselves whether we are living up to these values with the projects we pursue: Are we being creative? Are we communicating effectively within the design team and with the client? Are we providing the guidance and oversight that our clients and their projects deserve? Are we taking satisfaction and finding joy in our work? If we are not doing these things, then we’ve drifted from who we are.” In addition to staying grounded in our values, Justin is committed to ensuring that every staff member feels valued, supported, and appreciated in their role. A well-supported team member will take pride in their work and deliver their best results to our clients and the communities we serve.

Looking ahead, Justin sees many opportunities for the firm’s growth. The recent addition of Krehbiel Architecture opens new doors for Schaefer to re-engage with the housing sector and connect with new clients. By honoring our rich history while encouraging our innovative staff to explore new materials, construction techniques, design solutions, and emerging trends, we will be better positioned to serve our clients and communities. This approach will contribute to creating healthier living, working, and recreational environments. “We are committed to the communities we serve, to providing quality design and service, and to maintaining a work environment that fosters growth, innovation, and the well-being of our talented staff.“

Troy’s promotion comes after a lifelong career at Schaefer, where his diverse experiences have shaped his critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence—qualities that have helped him embrace new opportunities. Over the years, he has learned how to build meaningful and lasting relationships, both within the firm and with clients.

When asked what excites him most about stepping into his new role as Executive Vice President, Troy shared, “I am most looking forward to the opportunity to inspire our team, helping them reach their potential as designers and professionals, while also supporting their personal growth and goals.” Looking to the future, Troy believes the key to success lies in continuing to cultivate a company culture centered on collaboration, where every voice is heard, and where our core values remain at the heart of everything we do.

As a testament to Schaefer’s commitment to mentorship, Troy underscores the importance of maintaining strong, open communication and guidance across all levels of the firm, from senior leaders to entry-level employees and interns. He emphasizes how this approach is vital to employee development and growth. “We have an incredible team at Schaefer. I’m proud of the knowledge, passion, and commitment our people bring to the firm. I have no doubt that together, there is nothing we can’t achieve.”

Troy’s vision for the future revolves around understanding and embracing emerging trends, while integrating them into our clients’ evolving needs. He believes that anticipating industry changes and responding with energy and innovation will help Schaefer stay at the forefront of design and creativity. “As the world increasingly integrates with AI, there’s immense potential to adopt new technologies, explore new methods, and innovate in ways that will connect with our clients in ways we’ve yet to imagine.” Putting our clients first and nurturing new and existing partnerships is central to Schaefer’s success.

“We are here to help. Our clients success is our success, and together, we will achieve great things.”

As Schaefer embarks on a new chapter with the retirements of Terry Wiggers and Shannon Bohm, we also embrace the leadership transitions that are vital to our continued success. The promotions of Justin Graham and Troy Hertel to President and Executive Vice President, respectively, mark an exciting evolution for the firm. Their vision, commitment to collaboration, and focus on mentorship ensure that Schaefer will continue to thrive, guided by the same core values of imagination, collaboration, stewardship, and joy that have shaped our work for decades.

Terry’s legacy, along with that of our past leaders—Robert Schaefer, Henry Schirmer, Robert Eflin, Joe Johnson, Kenton Cox, and Sam Frey—remains a cornerstone of our identity. With the leadership of Justin and Troy, we are poised to build upon this strong foundation while looking ahead to future opportunities. As we move forward, the firm’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and innovative culture will ensure that every staff member is equipped to thrive, while our clients continue to receive exceptional service and design solutions.

At Schaefer, communication, collaboration, and transparency will remain at the heart of our work. Justin and Troy are committed to keeping the lines of communication open with both our clients and our talented team, ensuring that as we evolve, we do so with clarity and purpose. With a future built on the continued pursuit of excellence, Schaefer will remain a strong and trusted leader in the industry for years to come. Together, we look forward to maintaining our lasting legacy while continuing to adapt and grow, delivering outstanding results for the communities we serve.