Jeff was once asked why he became an architect, and his answer was “When I could hold a pencil, I would draw. When I could hold scissors, I would build models. When I found out what architects do, I knew that is what I wanted to do.” Graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Tennessee in 1976, Jeff started his professional career working at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge designing exhibits and graphics. Jeff became the assistant director of a National Endowment for the Humanities program entitled “An Appalachian Experience,” and was coeditor of the book The Encyclopedia of East Tennessee, which went into multiple printings. In 1981, Jeff joined the architecture department of the Tennessee Valley Authority and became part of the team designing TVA’s barge-based exhibit for the 1982 World’s Fair. Following that, he worked on the authority’s Chattanooga Office Complex. Jeff joined McCarty Holsaple McCarty in 1986, and was promoted to Principal and Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer in 2004. He is licensed in Tennessee as both an Architect and an Interior Designer. Also serving as the firm’s Director of Interior Design, Jeff has been a project Principal and/or Project Manager on some of the firm’s largest projects including the renovations to TVA’s Knoxville Office Complex, a new corporate headquarters for UNUM Provident Insurance Company in Chattanooga, renovations to the downtown Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB), a new engineering building on KUB’s Hoskins Campus, and the Clayton Center for the Arts in Maryville, Tennessee. Projects that Jeff is most proud of include the Blount County Public Library, John C. Hodges Library on the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s campus, and the Historic Tennessee Theatre. Jeff’s love of books and libraries is reflected in the library projects he has worked on at MHM. These interests led to support of local libraries and literacy groups as president of Knox County Friends of the Library, UT Library Society and currently the Knox County Library Foundation. Jeff’s community involvement includes leading and/or serving in the following organizations: Past President, American Institute of Architects (AIA); Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA); Past Chairman, Central Business Improvement District (Downtown Knoxville); Leadership Knoxville, Class of 2006 and Executive Board Member; University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Associate; President of the Board and Founder of the Episcopal School of Knoxville; Junior Warden, St. John’s Episcopal Church; Board Member, Knox County Friends of the Library; Board Member, University of Tennessee Knoxville Library Society; Member, Grolier Club – Bibliophilic Society and Club in New York City