SDIAZ

Lance D. Baker, AIA

President

Lance Baker, founding partner and principal of Synectic Design, has successfully completed projects in the Federal, public, private and commercial markets. As an owner and designer, Lance participates in the design, documentation and administration for each project Synectic Design completes.

With 24 years of experience, Lance works closely with each and every client to ensure that he understands both their needs and their expectations. He prides himself on working together with clients, contractors and subconsultants to find solutions to the complex needs of each project. He is sincerely dedicated to actively leading the design team through all phases and participates in every major decision affecting successful project completion.

Lance is licensed for architecture in 20 states; he’s a member of AIA (American Institute of Architects) and active in the Scottsdale Charros, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the community through the promotion and support of education, youth programs and economic development.

David P. Hamblen, LEED AP BD+C

Vice-President

A partner in Synectic Design since 2005, Dave holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech). With 20 years of experience, he has successfully completed projects of varying types in the public, private and commercial markets. With the Synectic Design team, he consistently exceeds clients’ expectations with respect to design, practical and budgetary considerations.

Dave participates in the design, production and technical aspects on a majority of the firm’s projects; thriving on the challenge to provide solutions for any design problem he’s presented with. He is also responsible for various management duties including budgeting, technology and quality control.

Dave has achieved LEED Certification which, according to the US Green Building Association, “signifies that you are a leader in the field and an active participant in the green building movement who contributes expertise to the design, construction, operations and maintenance of buildings and neighborhoods that save energy, use fewer resources, reduce pollution, and contribute to healthier environments for their occupants and the community.”

Valorie Jakubowski

Marketing/Office Manager

Handling both the firm’s office management and marketing, Valorie is a seasoned multi-tasker. A 1995 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Valorie earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism with a minor in Public Relations. She spent more than 10 years in sales – mostly in media and technology sectors – before accepting her first marketing position in the A/E/C industry. She has been with Synectic Design since October 2011.

Valorie uses her knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm to create our marketing materials, respond to RFQs, handle office duties such as accounting and human resources, and create & maintain the website and social media sites. In her spare time she loves to read, hike and camp with her family.

Jake Munns

Senior Project Manager

Jake Munns has successfully completed many projects of varying types in the healthcare, public, private and commercial markets. Jake studied CAD Design and Construction Management at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and, with more than 14 years experience, Jake brings extremely solid coordination and documentation skills to every project he works on. He takes great satisfaction in listening to client desires and parameters, with careful consideration to balance these factors against design constraints such as budget and schedule.

Aggressive skills and experience in architecture have given Jake an excellent foundation from which to adapt to new situations with an open mind. Strategies of execution are developed and relationships are built with all team members and appropriate resources. Mediums and processes are implemented to visualize and complete the project.

Nicole Kimble

Senior Project Manager

With a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and 8+ years of experience, Nicole Kimble is dedicated to enhancing user experience through problem solving and innovative design. “I love that we get to design and create every day. I love that it’s problem solving to the Nth degree – with no one solution in mind, but a number of options and alternatives that we get to explore in order to make something beneficial and beautiful for our fellow humans.”

Having worked on a variety of project types including multi-family, commercial and industrial, and corporate office, Nicole has a well-rounded understanding of the design process. She sees influencing the way people experience their built surroundings as a huge privilege, and utilizes innovative thinking and a detail-oriented approach to design solutions that exceed the expectations of each client.

Mike Martinez

Project Manager

Mike Martinez has successfully completed many projects of varying types in the healthcare, public, private and commercial markets. With 19 years of experience – including more than 3 years at SDI, Mike takes satisfaction in listening to client desires and parameters, with careful consideration to balance these parameters against the design constraints such as budget and schedule. He develops strategies of execution and builds relationships with all team members and appropriate resources. He implements mediums and processes to visualize and complete the project.

Mike has an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting & Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Westewood College of Technology in Denver. His natural skills combined with his experience in architecture have given Mike an excellent foundation to adapt to new situations with an open mind, while bringing solid coordination and documentation skills to every project he works on.

Ashley Sams

Project Manager

Ashley Sams is a 2013 graduate of the College of Architecture at the University of Arizona, with an Accredited Bachelor’s of Architecture. She has successfully completed projects of varying types, including hospitality, multifamily, mixed use, retail, medical, senior housing and residential.

With 8+ years of experience, Ashley brings a wealth of experience in BIM modeling and management, as well as coordination and documentation skills. She takes satisfaction in collaborating with the client, engineers and contractors to create a beautiful, user-friendly, cohesive space that creates a positive and effective user experience.