Meet Our Team
Laura L. Bauer
Interior Design
Laura graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1988 with a degree in business and a concentration in interior design. She began her career in residential design and after five years moved into the commercial design field where she has remained since. Laura joined Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates in 2000. Professionally, she enjoys working on a wide range of projects and loves the challenges and thrills of designing and space planning so that it fits a client’s needs perfectly. Laura is involved in the confirmation program at her church and her community athletic association. She enjoys running and golf.
Vincent J. DiGiorno, AIA
Architecture
Vince graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1986. While he was a student he spent a year living and studying architecture in Rome, Italy. In 1998, he earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. Code analysis and specifications writing define the details necessary for building beautiful buildings. Since 1990, Vince has studied, applied and taught in-house the specifics of the building code with a keen understanding of the nuances and details of government regulations. In addition, he is our chief specifications writer providing product documentation and bid and construction information.
When Vince is not working he focuses on raising four children with his wife, Kathy. He is a volunteer youth soccer coach and teaches several small accelerated math groups as a parent volunteer. Vince is a confirmation catechist at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. He is a 10-handicap golfer and an avid cyclist. Vince is detail-oriented, project-focused and excels under pressure.
Marc R. DuBois, AIA
Architecture
Marc graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in design in 1993 and the University of Minnesota with a Master of Architecture degree in 1995. He is a registered architect in eight states, including Minnesota, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. He is a member of AIA MN, and is the head deacon in his local church. He is currently planting a vegetable garden with his wife and three children. Marc plans to be involved in further service locally and abroad in the future.
Kevin Dummer, LEED AP BD+C
Architecture
Kevin graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree. He then continued his education at Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.
On the job, he is most excited about getting to know each client and custom tailoring a design to best improve their environment and how it functions for them. He also enjoys wearing many hats – one minute he’s a designer, the next an artist, a carpenter or a plumber. Kevin is also a LEED Accredited Professional.
Away from work, Kevin enjoys taking random road trips with his wife to new areas and going sailing, kayaking, biking, snowboarding, hiking, camping and more. When not on some adventure, he loves spending time with family, friends and his cat, Jax, and fixing up the house.
Stephen T. Iaria, AIA
Architecture
Steve graduated from North Dakota State University in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in science in environmental design and a bachelor’s degree in architecture. Steve started at Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates in the summer of 2000. Since then, he has worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from park shelters to pharmaceutical clean rooms to retail stores at Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe. In 2008, Steve passed his last architecture registration exam and became a licensed architect in Minnesota.
Steve, his wife, Tracy, and their daughters, Josephine and Mae, live in a brownstone in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of St. Paul. They enjoy taking long walks up and down Summit Avenue with their dog Ziti and Steve always finds something new to look at with the historic homes that line the street. Steve’s dream job would be to design and build his own home.
Dan Jaeger
Structural Engineering
Dan joined Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates in June, 2011, after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor of civil engineering degree with an emphasis in structures and a minor in architecture. His educational background and project approach focus on both the engineering and architectural sides of a job. As a card-carrying member of the American Society of Engineers, Dan says that he’s always noticing the ways in which buildings are constructed and what it takes to properly design them.
Outside of the office Dan enjoys volunteering at his church and playing basketball and tennis. He is an accomplished pianist and teaches lessons in his free time. He makes it a priority to reach out to people whenever possible in all aspects of life and would like to incorporate this passion and his knowledge of the Spanish language in future volunteer endeavors to Latin America.
Ashley E. Krech
Office Administrator
Ashley is a 2007 graduate of Colorado Christian University with a liberal arts degree in English. She began her journey at Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates four years ago, handling receptionist and office manager duties, and has since dived into the world of marketing and business development.
Ashley continues the use of her creative side outside the office doing marketing and graphic design for her mom’s floral business. It is her hope to take floral classes soon and begin floral designing for events as well. She also enjoys traveling with friends, yoga, music, art, and just about any activity that includes the outdoors.
Jon M. LeNoble, Associate AIA
Architecture
From Minnesota originally, Jon graduated magna cum laude in 1995 from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in architecture. Following a short stint overseas, Jon moved back to the Midwest and launched an architectural career focused primarily on commercial, institutional and governmental ventures. While Jon sets time aside each week for cooking and basketball, an activity he has continually played and coached at various levels since grade school, he enthusiastically pursues architecture as “the meaningful definition of space.”
Michael J. Lisowski, PE
Structural Engineering
Mike graduated in 1992 from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Although slightly biased as one of the stockholders, he believes that Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates has been, and continues to be, an exceptional place to work. Mike joined the firm in 1995 and is regularly involved in all aspects of daily company life. He looks forward to each day as an opportunity to help KOMA’s clients capitalize on the opportunities that they may have.
Mike’s personal interests include spending time with his wife, two children and golden retriever. Additionally, Mike has numerous hobbies and interests that are not receiving the attention they deserve.
Cindy Douthett Nagel, CID
Interior Design
Cindy received her interior design training from the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, graduating in 1984. She became a Certified Interior Designer in 1994 (the first year certification was offered in the state of Minnesota). She has been practicing commercial interior design for over 24 years. Joining Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates in 1997, she brought the interior design capability to the firm and quickly became a stockholder as well.
Near and dear to Cindy’s heart is the successful development of the firm’s identity and branding through graphics, presentation and promotional materials. Interior architecture, the sculpting of space and use of color remain her professional passion. Cindy achieves great satisfaction through orchestrating the translation of her clients’ vision into reality. Outside the office, Cindy is hockey-ballet-soccer-lacrosse mom to two very active children. When not chauffeuring, she and her husband persevere with the slow restoration of their 1918 farmhouse in St. Louis Park, which has become a lifetime project.
James H. Pluth
Office Administrator
James is a Winona State graduate with a B.A. in psychology and additional degrees in design and drafting, accounting, and IBM system administration. In addition to living in Japan for four years – where he taught English – James served as system administrator for Community Banks, where he provided broad network and technical support.
At Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates, James fills his time handling the firm’s bookkeeping needs and assisting with office manager duties. He enjoys working with the various vendors and consultants who cross his path, and creating informative reports.
Outside of work, James is involved with local town politics, is an avid photographer, and spends time playing tennis, gardening, and learning to cook vegetarian food.
Brian L. Riley
Structural Engineering
Brian graduated from Northwest Technical Institute with an Associate in Applied Science degree. Brian started his career in 1995, working with engineers and collaborating with architects, project managers and clients in an attempt to deliver the most complete and comprehensive set of drawings for construction. His experience ranges from residential homes to multi-level commercial buildings and from simple wood construction to post-tension concrete. With a strong interest in CAD development and computer networking, Brian gets the opportunity to put his drafting aside from time to time and focus on the company’s needs in those areas. Brian and his wife built their home together in Rosemount and spend most of their time trying to keep the landscaping alive and flourishing. When he does get some free time you can find him on the fairways of Minnesota trying to become a better than a double-par golfer.
Angela R. Rohlen
Design Technician
Angie is a 2008 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a Bachelor of Science degree in environment, textiles and design with a major in interior design and certificate in textile science. She started at KOMA in 2009 as an intern for a special project, and has been a full-time team member since the summer of 2010. Her favorite part of the job is the broad exposure she gets by working with architects, engineers and designers to see an entire project come together. Angie believes that great design is in the combination of details – color, material, light and texture – to create contrast, rhythm and identity in a space. A travel enthusiast, she draws inspiration from modern architecture and design – especially the “less is more” aesthetic. When she is not working, she likes to bake, run and watch the Minnesota Twins.
Corey Schmitt
Architecture
Corey graduated from North Dakota State University in 2006 with Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in environmental design degrees. Corey joined the Krech, O’Brien, Mueller & Associates family in 2011 as an architectural designer/project manager with a deep appreciation for all types and styles of architecture. With architecture experience in a wide range of industries – from residential to retail and educational to industrial – Corey’s breadth of knowledge and interest in creating responsible, sustainable design are a natural fit for the company.
Originally from Paynesville, Minnesota, Corey is an uncle to two nieces and a nephew and enjoys spending time with family and friends. He has a dog named Tessa, a beagle/terrier/pug mix that he affectionately calls a “Pugglerrier.” He lives an active lifestyle filled with tennis, golf, volleyball, running, cooking, painting, traveling and volunteering.
Matthew J. Van Hoof, PE
Structural Engineering
Matt graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering and has been practicing structural engineering ever since. Matt joined the firm in 2001 after working in Chicago for four years, and has enjoyed the wide variety of projects and materials he has designed at Krech, O’Brien, Mueller and Associates.
Matt lives in Hudson, Wisconsin, with his wife and four kids and enjoys camping, mountain biking, backpacking and spending time with his family.
Bimmer
Administration
Bimmer (pronounced Beamer), the company’s resident mascot, has spent much of the past year scheming behind the scenes to become the president of the company. He maintains that without his cuteness and the licks and kisses he gives to each new person he meets, the firm’s business development would go downhill. Bimmer knows that he has only one chance to achieve his life-long dream of being president, so he spends a lot of time sleeping, saving his energy for the long road ahead. He still frequently disappears without permission and gets away with it by saying that he is out marketing. His main duty around the office is to make sure there are enough treats to pass out to new clients, as well as himself.
Meet the principals »