Our People

Erica Kennedy has been with the firm since 2019. Born in Asheville, NC, she graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Art and a Bachelor of Architecture. Shortly after college, Erica realized her love for hotel design and the hospitality sector. Erica thrives on business development, great client interactions, and successful project completions. In 2021, she was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Hospitality Tourism Alliance. She is also involved in many other organizations including AIA, CSI, ULI, CREW, etc. Erica enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, reading, and hanging with her pup Louie in her downtime.

Veronica Grant is an Architect and has been with ODA Architecture since 2013. She spent her childhood in New Jersey, Florida, and North Carolina. Veronica graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2013. Veronica resides in Winston-Salem with her husband and their daughter. She has been a board member of her local AIA Chapter since 2019 and enjoys volunteering with young aspiring architects, traveling, and baking with her daughter.

Matt Gower has been with ODA since 2014. He is passionate about design and enjoys working on complicated mixed use and urban infill projects. A native North Carolinian, Matt received his Bachelor of Architecture from UNC Charlotte in 2000. He enjoys spending time with his family and exploring new avenues for creativity wherever he can find it.

Nelson Broyles has been with ODA Architecture since 2015. He was born in Memphis, TN and moved to Charlotte, NC in 1993. Nelson graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 2014 and a Bachelor of Architecture in 2015. Outside of ODA, Nelson enjoys traveling, playing sports, and drawing.

Carlos Leonardo has been with the firm since 2015. He was born in Miami, Florida and relocated to Charlotte in 2011 to attend the UNC Charlotte where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Architecture in 20014 and a Bachelor of Architecture in 2015. Outside of ODA, Carlos enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Terry Edgar has been with ODA Architecture since 2016. He has over 48 years of experience in the Architecture and Construction Industry. He was born in Salamanca, NY, grew up in Western NY and attended the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned a Bachelors of Professional Studies in Architecture. Terry enjoys golf and spending time with his wife of 48 years, children, and grandchildren. He is also anticipating his retirement so he can spend more time with his family and exploring Asheville and the country.

Eileen Van Popering has been with ODA since 2018. She was born in Connecticut, grew up in Long Island and moved to Charlotte in 1987. Eileen graduated SUNY Cortland with a BA and got her MBA from Adelphi University. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, and reading.

Mia Strong has enjoyed her time working with ODA Architecture since 2018. She grew up in Anderson, SC and moved to Savannah GA for college. When she wasn’t enjoying beach life or giving tours on a dolphin tour boat, she attended Savannah College of Art and Design where she graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and in 2008 with a Masters in Architecture. Graduating during a recession brought her up to the DC metro area where she started her career and lived for 5 years before she decided that she could no longer live without sweet tea and southern hospitality. She moved to Charlotte in 2013 where she laid her roots and now spends her days enjoying family time with her 4-year-old son. When she has a rare moment to dabble in her hobbies, you’ll find her decorating cakes, crafting, doing Zumba, hunting, fishing, sport shooting or hiking.

Brian Bumann has been with ODA Architecture since 2019. Born in Iowa, Brian moved to NC in 1974 after extensive travels as the son of an Army Lt. Colonel. He graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 1988 and Bachelor of Architecture in 1992. He resides in Davidson, NC with his wife and family and enjoys camping, skiing and swimming. He spent many years as a volunteer for the USGBC and recently served at the Chair of the Davidson Design Review board and Historic Preservation Committee.

Sarah Feiner has been with the firm since 2021. After running away from the freezing winters of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Sarah moved south to Charlotte, NC for college in 2016. Somewhere in between checking out her new surroundings, travels abroad and navigating college during a global pandemic, Sarah graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 2020 and a Master of Architecture in 2021. When she’s not in the office or bouncing around local breweries with fellow ODA-ers, Sarah enjoys going for walks with her sweet puppy dog Carrie (our featured pup), filling her apartment with way too many plants, and hitting up all the local thrift stores.

Anthony Murphy has worked with the Company since his graduation from UNC Charlotte in the Spring of 2021. Originally born and raised outside of Boston, Anthony relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina in the Summer of 2014, where he finished high school and began his journey at the UNC Charlotte School of Architecture. In his time at the SoA, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, as well as a Master’s Degree in Architecture. When he is not working, Anthony finds endless comfort in hitting stingers on the golf course, cooking the finest of Italian fare and drinking his way through the Charlotte craft beer scene.

Spencer Bauer has been with the firm since 2021. He was born in Detroit, MI and moved to Pinehurst, NC in his sophomore year of high school. Spencer graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in 2020 and a Master of Architecture in 2021. Spencer enjoys pina coladas and getting caught in the rain (just kidding). You’ll generally find him at his usual haunts, assorted hiking trails and mountains in and around central North Carolina, and breweries and bars in the general vicinity of said hiking trails. He also does graphic design from time to time.

Garrett West began his professional career in 2022. He was born in Tampa, FL but spent most of his years living in Dayton, OH. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Bowling Green State University in 2020 and wrapped up his education at UNC Charlotte with a Master of Architecture in 2022. Outside of ODA, Garrett enjoys golfing as much as he can, playing with his Australian shepherd Renzo, and hanging out with friends on the weekends.

Whitney Van Houten is a fun loving, free spirit who loves dessert. She has been with ODA since 2022. She values, and prides herself in her kind optimism, curious intelligence and fostering authentic human connection to build community. Born in Upstate NY, like many New Yorkers she has always flirted with the idea of moving South. After spending her undergraduate degree at the University of Buffalo and receiving her Masters of Architecture from Cornell University it was time to leave her windshield scraper in the dust, and in 2020 she headed to the Queen City. She has been making a home here for herself and her two pups Zazu and Kanga. Dog walks along the greenway, Khali yoga, Saturday morning cinnamon rolls from Enderly Coffee, Volunteering with Roof Above and ODA Architecture are all a part of that home. At ODA, Whitney is a Project Architect, but also the girl you call when you need an outfit to hit the town in, a listening ear, or anything orange. She’s got your back.