Announcing New Principals and Associate Principals

It is with excitement that we announce the promotion of Don Kranbuehl, Chris Small and Kevin Utsey to Principal. We are also pleased to announce the promotion of six team members to Associate Principal: Peter Allen, Albert McDonald, Dave Parker, Klaus Perkins, Damian Seitz, and Melodi Terhune.

“We are thrilled to recognize the accomplishments and leadership of these team members. Their meaningful contributions to our work and our culture reflect the firm’s vision for the future,” said Terri Hall, President.


Promoted to Principal


Don Kranbuehl, AIA, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Don is a design leader with a diverse portfolio of high profile, award-winning projects. As both an architect and a structural engineer, Don’s unique perspective and design acumen advance firm-wide goals for design excellence and collaboration across disciplines. He is a strong advocate for sustainability, leading the firm toward reaching our commitment to the 2030 Challenge utilizing an integrated design process. Don is also active in the educational community, having served for 10 years as adjunct faculty in the graduate program of the NC State University College of Design.

Chris Small, PE, LEED AP
Chris is a key leader in our Science + Technology practice and the Raleigh, NC office. Chris’s contributions are characterized by a willingness to go the extra mile and take on any new challenge. He leads by example, presenting regularly at national and regional conferences and collaborating with offices throughout the firm to support continued growth. As an exceptional client relationship manager, Chris keeps clients engaged and informed while establishing a team environment based on honest, open communication and high-quality design.

Kevin Utsey, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C
Kevin leads our architectural team and design practice in the Charlotte, NC office. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, Kevin is instrumental in guiding design teams of architects and engineers to develop innovative solutions for our clients. As an AIA Fellow, he has been nationally recognized for his exceptional design capability and contributions to both architecture and society. Kevin’s balanced approach and candor have made him a sought-after mentor within Clark Nexsen and by architecture students.


Promoted to Associate Principal

Peter Allen, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Peter is a senior structural engineer with more than 23 years of experience. He is highly regarded as a mentor within the firm and a trusted advisor to clients, providing valuable leadership and emphasizing a culture of continuous improvement.

Albert McDonald, AIA
Albert is a design leader within Clark Nexsen and the architecture community. He established and leads our Combustion Chamber initiative, geared at continuously elevating our design culture and creativity. Albert currently serves as the chair of the AIA Triangle Awards Committee, is a member of the Raleigh Appearance Commission, and regularly mentors architecture students and interns.

Dave Parker, PE, PACP
Dave is a key leader in our civil engineering practice and has been instrumental in the growth of our Civil infrastructure market. Based in the Virginia Beach, VA office, Dave is focused on providing exceptional client service and mentoring a strong team that develops and delivers innovative solutions.

Damian Seitz, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Damian is a design leader in the Virginia Beach, VA office. His thoughtful approach to both design and management have made him a strong mentor and positive contributor to the firm’s culture. Damian is very active in the design community, currently serving as the president of AIA Hampton Roads and as a board member for AIA Virginia.

Melodi Terhune, CID, ASID, LEED AP BD+C
Melodi is a senior certified interior designer with more than 18 years of experience working on award-winning commercial spaces in the higher education, government, healthcare, and corporate market sectors. As a strong leader and mentor, Melodi positively contributes to our design culture, client service, and ability to produce exceptional work.