Jim Houk, ASLA, AICP
Managing Principal
As co-founder and managing principal of Bird Houk, a division of OHM, Jim Houk has more than 28 years of experience. A certified urban and regional planner and a licensed landscape architect, Jim is instrumental in concept design and project development for all land-based projects. He matches extensive knowledge of site design and planning with a solid economic understanding of land development and public processes. He is committed to creating holistically sustainable solutions through market-based planning practices and sustainable design initiatives. Jim is professionally licensed in multiple states and is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Urban Land Institute, and the Congress for New Urbansim. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Homeless Families Foundation, an Advisory Committee Member for landscape architecture curriculum at The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture, and a board member for the Rotary Club of Columbus.
Gerry Bird, AIA, MBA
Principal
As co-founder of Bird Houk, Gerry Bird has more than 35 years of architecture and real estate experience, and he is the leader of Bird Houk's Hospitality and Economic Consulting Studios. As both an architect and an MBA, Gerry understands both the creative possibilities of design and the realities of economics. His solutions are reflective of this ‘blended’ perspective, and are based on innovation and market feasibility. Prior to founding Bird Houk, Gerry was the Director of Development for a Midwest Development Company for seven years, a VP/Commercial Studio Manager at NBBJ and a Principal at Kellam, Bird Johnson. He is professionally licensed in numerous states and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Currently, he serves on the Board of Building Standards for the State of Ohio and First Lady Francis Strickland's Educational Task Force.
Gary Sebach, AIA, LEED AP
Principal, Director of Architectural Services
As Director of Architectural Services, Gary Sebach oversees Bird Houk's architecture studio operations and is responsible for design, project planning, and oversight of project execution. With more than 25 years of design and project management experience, Gary has led integrated teams in designing for office, education, mixed-use, retail, multi-family residential, and medical facilities. He is a LEED accredited professional with practiced knowledge of energy-efficient and green design practices. Gary is licensed in multiple states and certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Prior to joining Bird Houk, Gary built an extensive educational design portfolio while working as a Project Manager at Firestone, Jaros, and Mullin (FJM) and Richard Dittmar & Associates.
Tony Slanec
Principal, Director of Urban Design & Planning
As Bird Houk's Urban Design & Planning Practice Leader, Tony is committed to the enhancement of communities through high-quality urban design that builds on the character and positive qualities inherent to each place. His experience includes streetscape design, corridor plans, public space design, public visioning, overlay district regulations, and landscape architecture. With each project, he strives to push past standard solutions to achieve a higher level of design that addresses project function, neighborhood context, and construction budget. His commitment to the community visioning processs and to holistically sustainable development is the cornerstone of his professional goals that translates to an intense interest and experience in the urban environment. Many of the projects Tony has worked on have been recognized with design awards, including an Award of Merit from the Ohio ASLA in 2008.
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Tim Tallentire, MBA, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Tim joined Bird Houk in 2008 and has taken over management of the firm's financial resources, contracts, human resources, operations and facilities. Tim is an accomplished strategic and financial manager who joins us from The Longaberger Company, where he held leadership positions in Accounting, Financial Analysis and Construction & Facility Services. He is a CPA, and earned his MBA from Capital University. Tim's experience includes strategic and financial planning, multi-million dollar budget planning and management, financial modeling and reporting, risk analysis and mitigation, and business process improvements. He has conceived and implemented processes and controls to generate revenue increases, fuel bottom-line improvements, and to reduce costs in his field. Tim will be working to develop systems and practices that support the firm as it grows, ensuring that we remain an outstanding business partner in all aspects of our business.
Rhonda O'Connell, PE
Director of Engineering Services
Ms. O’Connell is the Director of Engineering Services of OHM’s Columbus Office of Bird Houk. Ms. O’Connell has more than 15 years experience in numerous phases of municipal engineering including the design and management of sanitary sewer systems, storm sewer, detention, water main, pump station, pavement, and grading design. She has been a project manager for dozens of municipal projects, has been the client representative for Scio Township, Michigan and is responsible for managing and mentoring project staff.
Ms. O’Connell has developed a specialty and expertise in sanitary collection systems and wet weather issues. She has presented this work to the Ohio Water Environment Association. She has conducted sanitary sewer studies for which she performed flow metering analysis, I/I studies and hydrologic and hydraulic models for some of the largest collection systems in the States of Ohio and Michigan.
