OUR TEAM
Dusty Graham, AIA
PRESIDENT
Dusty is a lifelong resident of Northwest Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Architecture in 2004 and minored in Legal Studies. Dusty serves as Principal Partner and President of Core, and was a founding member of the company in 2007.
Dusty stays heavily involved with the Northwest Arkansas community, sitting on the board of directors for the Springdale Housing Authority, Springdale Athletic Foundation, and Shoes 4 Athletes.
When not practicing architecture, he is participating with his wife, daughter, and four sons in whatever youth activity is in season.
ROBERT H. KELLY, AIA
PRESIDENT emeritus
As president, Bob brings a unique experience of planning, design, and project management to a wide variety of public, corporate, government, and private facilities. He is passionate about a quality built environment. Bob has received awards for architecture in private practice, including “Excellence in Restoration.” He has also received awards in service, including the “Defense Superior Service Medal” for his leadership and design for the interior redesign of the Pacific Command Center Headquarters. He redesigned the Center and other highly complex facilities. The results create great working environments including classrooms, institutional, and office spaces.
His quick, skillful judgment is also attributed to his success as the Lead Architect for 3 different on-call design services for Universities. He is an expert in adaptive re-use, as he exemplifies in restoring Landmark Architecture in Northwest Arkansas. His management style has him working closely with his Core team, his guidance key in keeping a project on track.
MARISOL BAKKER, MBA
accounting MANAGER
BRANDON ALLEN
vice president
Brandon was one of the first employees at Core Architects. Joining with an eager desire to be part of a new company, he has since become a Program Manager, overseeing numerous projects from beginning to end. He has worked on a multitude of project types, including commercial, educational, and government.
In the past 12 years, he has continued to broaden his experience basis by completing many remodels, new construction, and in-fills which have exceeded clients expectations and schedules. Working closely with consultants and construction managers, Brandon knows what is needed to complete a quality project that meets a client’s needs and budget.
In addition to his design work, Brandon is leading Core’s Business Development program. He enjoys spending his free time in nature with his family, fly fishing, and golfing. He believes that there is no better feeling than that of completing a successful project.
michael baldwin, AIA, LEED ap
vice president
Michael was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas where his interest in architecture was sparked by his early fascination with homes designed by E. Fay Jones. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arkansas in 2006. Upon graduating, he worked in Chicago from 2006 to 2015 as designer and project coordinator at an international architecture firm on various large-scale healthcare, retail, and multifamily residential projects, from concept through completion. Michael returned to Northwest Arkansas and joined Core Architects in May of 2015 with a desire to give back to the community that provided so much opportunity for him.
Besides managing projects and relationships with key longstanding clients, Michael directs daily office operations, project staffing, and leads the firm’s strategic planning. He believes in practical, thoughtful, well-constructed buildings and spaces - achieved through clear, consistent communication and collaboration among designers, builders, and clients.
ignacio gonzalez, Assoc. AIA, LEED GA
LEAD DESIGNER
Ignacio is a native of Zacatecas, Mexico. He moved to Rogers, Arkansas in the fall of 1994. Ignacio graduated from the University of Arkansas in the summer of 2007 with a Bachelor of Architecture. He received numerous individual awards while at the University of Arkansas, including the Herbert K. Fowler medal for outstanding drawing skills and understanding of proportion and space as it relates to human experience. Ignacio’s 5th year Comp Studio project was also nominated for the Pella Prize (outstanding project design award).
Ignacio joined the team of Core Architects in September of 2007. He has worked on a variety of projects including the Walmart AMP and the Springdale High School Gymnasium completed in 2024.
When not practicing architecture, Ignacio enjoys spending time with his family and travels around the region to watch his two boys and daughter play soccer.
brian robinson, assoc. AIA
PROject MANAGER
Brian was born and raised in Northeast Arkansas, where his interest in architecture developed from his experience as a draftsman. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Arkansas in 2015. Before graduating, he was a CAD manager for 9 years, working with a wide variety of architecture.
He believes that attention to detail makes the most of buildings; he carries this philosophy of passion in his personal life and music as well. During his studies at the U of A, he was a part of the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition and research studio - this involved students collaborating with Crystal Bridges. Brian has worked on a variety of projects locally, including the Walmart AMP and many K-12 projects for Springdale School District. Completed in 2024, the new Springdale High School Gymnasium serves as one of the most premier competition gymnasiums in the state of Arkansas.
In addition to his project management duties, he also coordinates and leads the Core Job Shadow Program for secondary school students in Northwest Arkansas interested in the field of architecture. He plays music professionally and has been an ASCAP member for 15 years.
casey B. hoffman, AIA, leed ga
PROGRAM MANAGER
Casey attended Oklahoma State University and received a Bachelor of Architecture in 2010 with a minor in Architectural History Theory. In 2011, she moved to Arkansas and quickly fell in love with the Northwest Arkansas region. Her can-do attitude, attention to detail, and capacity to work on every aspect of all project types make her an integral part of the team at Core Architects.
Along with the practice of architecture, Casey is passionate about her community. In 2018 Casey was re-appointed to the Board of Adjustments for a second term with the City of Fayetteville. She has served on multiple boards and committees including the American Institute of Architects Arkansas Board of Directors and most recently the Partners for Better Housing.
holly strother, AIA
PROJECT ARCHITECT
A Missouri native, Holly received her Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the University of Missouri in 2007. She then earned her Master of Architecture at the University of Kansas in 2011. She had the opportunity to travel around Europe during school, visiting several cities within Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and England. She also had the opportunity to travel and design two projects in New York City and New Orleans with studio classes during graduate school.
After graduation, Holly moved to Little Rock to work with Fennell Purifoy Architects. She gained valuable experience in a various range of project types, including residential, public works, and university. Holly was licensed in 2015 and joined the Core Architects team in the fall of 2016. She enjoys running and staying active with her husband and two children. Throughout her time at Core, Holly has worked on a verity of project types, with university and healthcare work being her main focus. Two prominent projects are Delta Gamma Women's Fraternity at the University of Arkansas, completed in 2019 and Highlands Oncology Cancer Center in Mountain Home Arkansas, completed in 2022.
caity malloy, aia
project ARCHITECT | administrative and marketing director
Caity graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2017 magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Architecture and double minors in planning and marketing. She received many honors and recognitions, including the Joy of Architecture Award for her graduating class. She was also selected as 1 of 71 Seniors of Significance among the entire University of Arkansas Class of 2017.
Caity joined the Core team upon graduation, with an interest in both the design and business aspects of architecture. Aside from project management duties, she aids in office management and leads marketing efforts, wearing as many hats as needed.
Many of the projects Caity has managed have been designed partnered with classical design firms, so she is no stranger to collaborating on complicated projects with large teams - she has found that strong project coordination is key to the success of these types of projects.
Jason boze, Aia, ncarb
project architect
Jason was born and raised in Central Arkansas’s river valley area. He has 23+ years of experience in construction and architecture, having worked both as a draftsman and estimator for a general contracting firm, as well as a draftsman for a small architecture firm prior to architecture school. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas in 2009 Magna Cum Laude. In Spring of 2008 he studied urban form at the University of Arkansas Rome Center in Rome, Italy. He was involved in extensive hands-on learning for two semesters through the UofA School of Architecture Design Build Program as Project Captain and Teacher’s Assistant, furthering his knowledge of construction management, techniques, and detailing. His honors thesis “Transfor[M]obile” focused on transforming the negative stigma associated with manufactured housing. He also received multiple awards and scholarships for design and academics while attending the UofA. Upon graduation he gained 9+ years experience as a designer, project manager, and program manager for a national architecture and engineering firm in Northwest Arkansas. Work travels included field analysis, construction administration, and AHJ/variance meetings to 20+ states. He became a licensed Architect in 2014.
Jason joined Core Architects as a Project Architect in 2018. He is working on the design, documentation, and administration for multiple exciting projects. He enjoys shepherding, collaborating, and working with clients, consultants, and contractors to build strong relationships; with the goal of providing fulfilling and successful projects for all involved.
TJ Glasse
Project mANAGER
TJ is a Wichita, Kansas native who received his Master of Architecture from Kansas State University in 2019. His desire to work in the profession began with drafting classes in high school, which then led him to the nationally ranked College of Architecture, Planning, and Design at KSU. He had the opportunity to travel throughout Spain during his final year for his master’s thesis based in Granada, where he engaged with students at the University of Granada and a Madrid-based architecture firm to expand his knowledge and appreciation of architecture. He believes in a built environment that is respectfully designed for its place and culture.
Although TJ grew up in Kansas, he has been familiar with NWA throughout his life and knew the vast opportunities this area provides. He lived here several summers while working at Camp War Eagle, where he discovered the natural beauty of Arkansas. Upon finding Core in 2018, he accepted a seven-month internship as part of his schooling. He loves the culture of the company and was welcomed back upon graduation. TJ has now been at Core for several years and has worked on exciting projects in the commercial arena. He enjoys the architectural process and building relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors as he understands it takes a cohesive team to create successful architecture.
colt malloy
Project Manager
Colt attended the Fay Jones School at the University of Arkansas and was welcomed to Core’s team upon graduation in 2019. He received his Bachelor of Architecture with triple minors in Sustainability, Planning, and History of Architecture. He has been drawn to architecture since toddlerhood because of its power to elevate people’s aspirations well beyond the everyday. Colt had the opportunity to further understand this ageless potential during his semester-long study abroad experience in Europe, where he traversed dozens of cities in preparation of his honors thesis, “Placescrapers.”
Colt is eager to further develop his design skills and knowledge of the profession through practical experience while contributing to the advancement of Northwest Arkansas’s potential as a growing metropolis.
Taylor Haden
Project Coordinator
Taylor is a Northwest Arkansas native who attended Oklahoma State University and received her Bachelor of Architecture in 2022 with a minor in Sustainability and a graduate certificate in Integrative Design. Upon graduation, Taylor returned to Arkansas and joined the Core team excited to grow and enhance the communities she grew up in. Taylor is eager to work on all stages of all types of projects as she grows her knowledge of the profession and works towards licensure.
In addition to her dedication to architecture, Taylor enjoys spending time with her dogs, exploring the outdoors.
KATIE BALDWIN, NCIDQ, LEED AP
interior designer
Katie has a passion for color and texture with a focus on durability and functionality of space, which brings a well-rounded viewpoint to her work. She has a background in healthcare design, creating spaces that are safe and hard-wearing, while simultaneously calming and welcoming. Katie worked for RTKL in Chicago, IL for 8 years before moving to Northwest Arkansas in 2015. Working for a large firm in a major metropolitan area allowed her many opportunities in locations all over the US and internationally. While her focus in Chicago was healthcare design, Core has enabled her to work on other project types as well, and she is loving it. Katie has experience designing both new construction and renovation projects and enjoys the challenge of bringing new life to older spaces.
corinne Johnson, asid
interior designer
Corinne graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2018 with a BA in Interior Design; she was also President of the student ASID chapter. She continued to work in the area to expand her design experience in healthcare, restaurant, corporate, and residential design. Travel experiences, industry connections, & client relations have been very beneficial in shaping her career. Through interior design, she merges the use of art, function, accessibility, and problem solving. This inspires her to design spaces that are functional while also being aesthetically pleasing; creating positive atmospheres and experiences for all end users.
Corinne, NCIDQ certified and a registered interior designer, having previously worked at another small firm, is familiar with all phases of a project, client relations, and a variety of project types.
Madelyn lewandowski
interior designer
Madelyn graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2022 with a BA in Interior Design and a minor in Sustainability. She is currently pursuing her NCIDQ certification and has enjoyed her time with Core, where she has had the opportunity to work on a variety of project types and sizes, ranging from the Bev Lewis gymnastics locker room at the University of Arkansas to Swetnam Cosmetic Surgery Center and the Donald W. Reynold’s North End Zone bar. She is passionate about creating beautiful spaces that are functional and inspire connection. By combining her interests in sustainability and interior design, Madelyn is excited to create spaces that support the flourishing of health and well-being at both the human and environmental levels.
jessie vines, NCIDQ, ASID
interior designer
As a 2005 University of Arkansas graduate with a double major in both Interior Design and Architectural Studies, Jessie places importance on the way the interior and exterior of a building inform one another.
Over her 15 years of professional experience in the design industry, she has worked for PB2 Architects in Rogers, AR designing the exterior architecture for a national retailer, in San Diego, CA for Tucker Sadler Architects overseeing the design of large scale interiors projects in an urban environment, as well as, establishing her own interior design business, 709 Design, where she specialized in small scale tenant improvement projects. Jessie has now embarked on her most challenging endeavor to date; motherhood. She is mom to two rowdy boys, and as a result has stepped back from business ownership and into a part time position with Core, allowing her to be equal parts designer and mom.