Our People

With more than 36 years of architectural leadership and design experience, Cory Creath, AIA, LEED AP, President and CEO of AXIS/GFA, brings to the team an impactful vision that empowers everyone to always strive for their best. Based out of the San Francisco office, Cory perfectly captures the spirit of what AXIS/GFA is all about, working closely with each member of our talented team to help advance both personal and professional growth. He was instrumental in the merger of AXIS and GFA into one firm, and is actively engaged in all aspects of daily operations. Day in and day out, Cory strives to lead with ingenuity and passion, as well as an uncompromising commitment to building beautiful and productive places where people can truly live their best lives.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
No Plan B, but I suppose traveling the world could easily replace work—and hopefully will one day.

What’s your favorite word in your native language?
“Yes!”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you aren’t uncomfortable, you aren’t growing.

Gene Fong, AIA, is one of AXIS/GFA’s Founding Principals, with nearly 50 years of experience blending design and functionality to create stunning spaces. Gene works out of the Los Angeles office, where he puts his leadership skills to work guiding the team toward successful project completions. Over the course of his established career, Gene has picked up a few major lessons that he imparts to the rest of the AXIS/GFA staff, including that the best way to be a role model is to lead by example, and that lines of communication should always be open between team members and between architect and client. Gene’s investment in the ideas and culture that drive AXIS/GFA has been a guiding force since day one, especially when it comes to ensuring that our team always meets—and exceeds—client expectations.

What are you best known for amongst the AXIS/GFA team?
My “Gene-isms,” such as saying “Hey, where are you going?” every time someone is just stepping out of the office. Having a good sense of humor is what it’s all about.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have and why?
To be a super multi-tasker and be able to work on several projects at once while still having time to travel and play golf.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
It’s always worth putting in the extra quarter to avoid another parking ticket.

Rory Carroll, AIA, LEED AP, is a Principal and Senior Project Manager out of the San Francisco office, where he’s spent his entire professional career helping craft the innovative working environment that drives our progress. His primary role at the firm is to work with team members on their professional growth, ensuring they have new opportunities and challenges and supporting them along the way. Rory oversees all renovation work for the firm as the Principal-in-Charge. A true people-person, Rory helps get the best out of everyone he works with, whether it’s AXIS/GFA’s architects and designers or the clients, consultants, and contractors we partner with. It’s all centered on the belief that when you smooth out the rough edges of a team you can get a whole lot more accomplished.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Food, gardening, art, and making things, as well as spending time exploring with my wife and two daughters.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
I would make ceramics. I’ve worked with clay for more than 20 years, and the gratification is so quick.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have and why?
I’d have the ability to shoot a positive vibe force field from my hands. Making buildings and helping people grow in their career can be stressful, so some sort of way to bring immediate calm would be great.

To his role as Principal and Project Manager at our Los Angeles office, Kevin Sund brings 18 years of professional experience and a steadfast devotion to simple and elegant solutions. He finds fulfillment in seeing the reflection of his ideas and knowledge in a project’s evolution, and is driven by the same thing that got him into this career in the first place: the love of creating something new.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
My weekends are often spent either competing in or watching beach volleyball.

What’s your favorite word in your native language?
“Ubetchya,” if Minnesotan counts as a native language.

What is something else that’s interesting about you?
My wife and I have a silly goal of seeing all states before turning 50. She’s a few years younger than me so we may still make it.

Ivan Ivanov, RA, is an Associate Principal out of AXIS/GFA’s Los Angeles office. Ivan is an adept problem solver who’s proud of his work untangling tight budget constraints and complicated site conditions on a variety of projects, and who firmly believes that the more complex the problems you overcome, the more exciting the building you end up with. He enjoys the collaborative nature of architecture, and hopes that in 10 years he’ll still be on the ground helping overcome whatever hurdle gets thrown his way.

What are you best known for amongst the AXIS/GFA team?
Having the same pizza every single day from the same place downstairs.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
A shepherd high up in the Bulgarian mountains.

What’s the one song that should play every time you walk into a room?
“Good as Gold” by The Beautiful South.

Jennifer Fujishima is a Senior Associate and Project Manager out of the San Francisco office with more than a decade of professional experience. Jennifer offers a calm, thoughtful, and open-minded approach to problem solving that makes her a leader and mentor among her colleagues—a role she’s honored to take on. Her career is centered around making a positive impact with the spaces she creates, and she appreciates the ability to influence the human experience through design.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Spending time with my family, cooking and baking, cake decorating, crafting, gardening, and drawing.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
Operating my own café and bakery… or protecting pandas in China.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have and why?
Super-human speed would be awesome! There’s never enough time in the day to get everything done.

Marsha brings 20 years of professional experience (including a previous 10 years earned with CARON prior to their acquisition by AXIS/GFA) as our new Associate Principal in our Seattle studio. Having chosen a career in architecture as a means to fulfil her dream of contributing to the built environment in a creative way, Marsha will be key in supporting our Seattle studio’s leadership with her proven project management expertise.

What’s the most inspiring/fulfilling aspect of your job?

“One of the reasons I find myself drawn to project management is the opportunity to work within a team structure where we are stronger together, achieving impressive feats that we can all be proud of.”

Considering AXIS/GFA’s Vision statement to “Shape the best human experiences,” how do you see yourself helping AXIS/GFA’s clients?

“Endeavoring to create quality spaces that provide communities with a safe, inviting and inclusive place to find joy and comfort is paramount.”

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?

“I’d be a starving artist.”

Matt Soisson, AIA, LEED, AP is an Associate Principal and Project Manager based out of AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco office. Matt has a B.S. and Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan, plus more than 12 years of professional experience and a passion for helping people turn their ideas into realities. He believes that a building best engages and inspires its users when its design is tied to the story of its place and people, and that it’s important to take a step back sometimes and consider a structure’s greater purpose and the experience it provides for those who use it.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Obsessively collecting points and miles to travel the world.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Surround yourself with people who appreciate what you bring to the table.

What’s something else that’s interesting about you?
Madonna and I have gone to all of the same schools, so I’m basically a pop star.

Roberto Vazquez focuses on some of the most significant adaptive reuse and new construction projects in downtown Los Angeles and throughout Southern California. He has successfully managed various projects, from large-scale, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse projects to historic renovations and tenant improvements. He is currently involved in numerous projects, including converting existing office and commercial space into multifamily housing.

He enjoys blending his creativity and design talents with his strong technical skills. His experience with existing buildings and Los Angeles City, County, and California codes has made him one of the most knowledgeable resources. In addition, Roberto has a long history of advocacy efforts tied to adaptive reuse policy. Roberto has led those efforts with legislators, developers, planners, engineers, and fellow architects.

Roberto is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Ruari O’Connell is an Associate Principal and Design Director out of AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco office with a B.Arch from the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art. He got into the field because he’s “not smart enough to be an astronaut and too altruistic to be an attorney,” and feels that good design—like good writing—is only obvious when it’s complete. Ruari approaches all projects from an angle of environmental, programmatic, and operational pragmatism, and delights in helping facilitate AXIS/GFA’s collaborative studio culture. His plan for the next ten years is to continue doing great work for our clients—and to maybe get a bit more sleep in, too.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Things with wheels: bicycles, motorcycles, and cars. I use them to explore the best of Northern California with the wind in my hair and tinker with them to restore or improve them.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
Accept defeat and go to law school.

What is something else that’s interesting about you?
I spent a year answering 999 (911) calls on the night shift in college. I was on the other end of a line from all manner of mishaps, tragedies, and other human moments. I like to think it left me with a well-calibrated sense of what constitutes a crisis.

Dan Padgett is a Senior Associate out of AXIS/GFA’s Hawaii satellite office, where he’s continually reminding himself that everything he does as an architect helps shape a better human experience. By focusing on that vision he’s able to fully utilize his talents and abilities in order to turn ideas into realities—and to overcome the challenges that often stand in the way. His favorite part of the job is working with his team members to find beautiful and simple solutions to complex problems, as well as witnessing projects materialize into physical structures that can be experienced and enjoyed with all of the senses.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Being in the ocean, whether it’s surfing, diving, swimming, or kayaking.

What is your favorite word in your native language?
“Crisp.” I’m not a fan of soggy, wrinkly, or crinkly.

James Rimbakusumo is an Associate and Job Captain out of AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco office who has turned a childhood fascination with building and architecture into a burgeoning career. Rimbakusumo brings to the table a BS in Engineering and Architectural Design from Stanford University, and a dedication to communication, strong relationships, and teamwork. He’s been honing his skills on a variety of projects for AXIS/GFA in San Francisco. The most fulfilling aspect of his job? The day-to-day interactions with clients, consultants, and teammates, and the opportunity to work together with people from different disciplines and come up with inventive solutions. He wakes up every morning with a desire to rise up to the challenges and responsibilities imposed by the architecture field, and believes that architecture—and design as a whole—has an incredible impact on each and every person.

What are you best known for amongst the AXIS/GFA team?
Definitely my hair.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
I love to travel and consider myself a fairly gregarious and extroverted person, so I would probably be a travel blogger or social media influencer/content creator.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have and why?
I would love to be able to teleport. Travel can be so time-consuming and expensive, and this power would allow me to see more of our fascinating world. As a bonus, I could get to off-site work meetings without dealing with traffic!

John Skrivanich brings more than 30 years of experience to AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco studio.  A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Faculty of Architecture, John cheekily credits Mike Brady for inspiring his boyhood interest in joining the craft. Apart from contributing to AXIS/GFA’s architectural design bench strength, John embraces a personal mission to help develop AXIS/GFA’s developing talent by assisting the firm create a culture where young and intermediate technicians have the opportunity to flourish. In John’s own words: “The best places to work produce the best work.”

Outside of work, what’s your hobby/passion?
For decades I would have said playing softball. But that has been replaced by Pickleball. I’m a fanatic.

What’s your favorite word in your native language, and why?
Fraught. Because it sounds weird. And Tigger loves it.

What’s the one song that should play every time you walk into a room (your “walk on” song)?
Whiteout Conditions by The New Pornographers.

Katherine Bradley is an architect and Senior Associate who works remotely for our San Francisco team out of her home base in Boston. Katherine is driven by efficiency in all that she does, whether that’s thinking about how to make the best use of a space or overseeing the introduction of administrative tools that help the AXIS/GFA team improve office productivity. She is actively involved in keeping us up to speed with the latest design and construction software, and never tires of the fact that her job involves getting to draw every day.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Making pizza from scratch.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Try to be as efficient as you can, but stay focused on just a few things at a time.

What are your three favorite podcasts?
WorkLife with Adam Grant, Armchair Expert, and Safe for Work.

As a Senior Associate and Job Captain based out of AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco office, Matthew Johnston helps bring to life buildings that the world will ultimately get to use and interact with. Matthew, whose early interest in architecture started with watching This Old House episodes with his dad, has a BS and Master in Architecture from Northeastern University, as well as more than a decade of professional experience. He helps facilitate many of the steps that take a project from concept through construction, and finds the most fulfilling part of his job to be witnessing an idea that was put down on paper turn into something others can touch and enjoy.

What are you best known for amongst the AXIS/GFA team?
My research ability and coding knowledge, particularly regarding accessibility.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Playing the violin. I saw Itzhak Perlman on Sesame Street when I was three, and started playing when I was five. I’m currently a member of the Prometheus Symphony Orchestra, a local volunteer orchestra in Oakland.

What are your three favorite books?
The Lord of the Rings series and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, Byzantium by Stephen R. Lawhead, and Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

Stephanie Park, LEED AP, is a Senior Associate out of AXIS/GFA’s Los Angeles office. She received her academic training at the University of Washington, and has been with the firm for 17 years.

Yisan Tai, AIA, NCARB, LEED is the firm’s dedicated Technical Director. Bringing to the team a Master of Architecture and over 23 years of industry experience, Yisan supports AXIS/GFA’s architectural designers with his extensive expertise with accessibility considerations, building codes, compliance, and MEP and FP.

What is your design/practice ethos? To achieve the best interests for our clients and the members of the community that use their spaces, and to respect the surrounding natural environment and culture with our designs.

If you were a superhero, what super power would you have, and why? The ability to speak more languages. I like traveling and meeting new people from different cultures.

As an Associate and part of the firm’s Administration Group, Ada Tang is a member of our San Francisco studio.  Bringing energy, enthusiasm, and a detailed approach to her work which we are certain our clients and industry partners will surely appreciate, Ada is a valuable asset to AXIS/GFA operations.

With a Bachelor degree from UC Berkeley concentrated in environmental design, architecture, and city planning, Aileene Simbulan is also one of our Los Angeles studio’s newest Job Captains.

Why did you choose this career?
I chose architecture because of the way it builds community – I hope to create spaces during my career where people are comfortable and make memories.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Good things take time.

With five years of design experience already earned, and with a stated design ethos of, “Create spaces that inspire connections,” Andrew Korik brings a Bachelor of Science in Architecture to the AXIS/GFA team.

What’s the biggest challenge in this industry, and what are you doing to solve it?
The biggest challenge I see in this industry is maintaining the quality of the space and reducing negative environmental impacts of construction while trying to keep costs low. It is important to me to learn new ways to create high quality designs and be environmentally conscious in a way that is manageable for a client.

Outside of work, what’s your hobby or passion?
Cooking and molecular gastronomy.

Arthur (Art) Berenguer is an Associate at AXIS/GFA’s Los Angeles office who thrives on the challenges posed by architectural projects. His design-centric approach is focused on helping create spaces that flow—and that inspire awe among those who experience them. He chose this career because of his love of drawing and the fulfillment that he saw his father—also an architect—get out of his work.

What would your teammates say is the most unusual thing in your desk or bag?
A plastic fork and a spoon. I’m always prepared!

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Collecting figures and go-with-the-flow cruising.

What’s the one song that should play every time you walk into a room?
“Déjà Vu” by Dave Rodgers.

Avani Sheth is an Associate and Job Captain out of AXIS/GFA’s Los Angeles Office who has been passionate about architecture from a very early age. She’s proud of her ability to set priorities and separate the relevant from the irrelevant in day to day tasks, and is a team player who is always happy to help out her peers both in and out of the office. Her discipline and creativity are critical to furthering AXIS/GFA’s mission, and her minimal approach to design can be found highlighted in the many projects that she’s worked on.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
I have varied passions that change with time. My most recent one, however, is being a mother.

What are you best known for amongst the AXIS/GFA team?
I love being able to leave the office every day with my desk cleaned out, so my desk always looks like no one sits there. My officemates find that unusual.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Sometimes you have to let go.

Chunxiao Wang, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is an Associate and Project Architect out of AXIS/GFA’s Los Angeles office. Chunxiao has a Master of Architecture from University of California, Los Angeles plus more than 8 years of experience.

Why did you choose this career?
I like the beautiful combination of art and technology in Architecture. Also, what I am doing really has a positive influence on people’s daily life.

Outside of work, what’s your hobby or passion?
Exploring delicious food, dancing, traveling, reading and watching movies.

Dan Fohn, AIA, brings 9 years of industry experience and both a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Studies from Iowa State University to our Seattle studio as one of the firm’s new Project Architects. Citing problem solving as one of the most fulfilling aspects of his job, Dan knew from an early age that architecture was his lifelong calling.

What’s the biggest challenge in this industry, and what are you doing to solve it?

“Designing for the future, and not just today. We need to think bigger as the largest waste producing sector in the world [construction]. We need to be intentional and purposeful with our designs. We want to create architecture to last and not only meet temporary demands.”

Outside of work, what’s your hobby/passion?

“Backpacking, hiking, and camping. I’m an avid lover of nature and the great outdoors.”

Dicle Roberts, LEED AP, is a Project Architect and Associate out of our Los Angeles office with a Bachelors in Interior Architecture and Environmental Design from Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, and a Masters in Architecture from California Polytechnic University Ponoma. Her design ethos is centered on simple, elegant, and functional spaces, with a diverse portfolio that speaks to her passion for optimizing the human experience. She started her Bachelors in Architecture when she was just 16 years old, and has spent the subsequent years putting her skills to work, along the way establishing herself as a true team player in every project she takes on.

What are you best known for amongst the AXIS/GFA team?
Laughing too loud.

What would your teammates say is the most unusual thing in your desk or bag?
Probably some sort of exotic fruit that I’ve snuck into the country.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
I love collecting mid-century modern art and furniture, and own a mid-century modern house that I am always doing restorations on.

Farooq Khayyat is an Associate at AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco office, where he regularly leads the way in designing practical and beautiful experiences for people to enjoy. His wide range of experience is put to task every day, both in his work and in his dedication to helping support and encourage his colleagues. His plan for the next decade is to continue doing what he loves, which includes a focus on producing more affordable housing projects.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have and why?
The ability to speak all languages in the world.

What’s the one song that should play every time you walk into a room?
The Arabic version of “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanna Vega.

Also joining our Los Angeles studio in the role of Job Captain, Jacob Lick joins the team with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Iowa State University and eight years of experience.

Why did you choose this career?
Legos were probably the driving catalyst that steered me towards architecture. The idea of creating something from scratch, something that was solely within your own head, and then manifesting it, was always intriguing. Plus those Star Wars sets were awesome.

Outside of work, what’s your hobby or passion?
Outside of work you can find me playing guitar, woodworking, grabbing a drink, or watching TV.

Joseph Martins is an Associate and Job Captain out of the San Francisco office and has a B. Arch from the Academy of Art University. He has spent the majority of his professional career with AXIS/GFA, where he most enjoys solving problems and seeing work go from a vision on paper to a real world building. He first realized his interest in building and design after shadowing his father, a general contractor, along on job sites when he was younger. In 10 years he expects to still be doing what he loves, just with even more knowledge and experience.

Outside of work, what is your hobby/passion?
Traveling to new countries, exploring San Francisco, and catching small comedy shows in random bars throughout the city.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
Some other profession involving design.

What’s your favorite word in your native language?
I have several, mostly from where I grew up in the Azores Islands in Portugal. On the mainland they don’t speak the same language, so no one ever knows what they mean.

With a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Washington, and 10 years of industry experience designing high-end single family and multi-family residential projects, Kyle Francis’ approach to architecture is one where constraints aren’t barriers, but are opportunities. Joining our Seattle studio as one of our newest Project Managers, Kyle was the winner of the AIA Young Voices Award in 2019.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?

“Sneaker Designer, Tinker Hatfield is one of my heroes!”

What’s the one song that should play every time you walk into a room (your “walk on” song)?

“Little Red Corvette by Prince. May his Purple-ness rest in peace!”

With a Master of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, and a Certificate in Hospitality Design, Kyle Wild, Associate AIA, brings more than five years of practice to AXIS/GFA’s San Francisco studio. Crediting, “The ability to find creative solutions for design issues and then bring them to life,” Kyle chose architecture as a career for its ability to allow him to help make the world a better place for future generations.

What are your three favorite books, podcasts, or television shows?
Westworld, Game of Thrones, and True Detective.

Outside of work, what’s your hobby/passion? 
Working out and staying healthy.

Dealer’s choice – tell us something about yourself otherwise.
I am an identical twin who enjoys football, baseball and hanging out with friends and family.

Marina Tumas is an Associate and the Office Manager at our Los Angeles location, where she has been an integral part of the team for more than 13 years. She contributes to AXIS/GFA’s vision by looking for solutions to various challenges and inspiring others to go outside of their comfort zone in the pursuit of personal growth. She’s always available to provide positive encouragement to the team when it’s needed, and believes in finding as many opportunities for creativity as possible.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
Being a manager for my friend who’s a musician.

If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have and why?
I would be Cupid, helping people find love. I think we need more of that in the world.

What’s your best useless talent?
I can balance and walk on a slack line.

A California Licensed Architect with a Bachelor in Architecture from Cal Poly and experience through a full immersion exchange program at the L’Ecole Nationale d’Architecture Paris Val de Seine in Paris, Rachel P. F. Boswell is an Associate and one of our San Francisco studio’s Job Captains.

What’s the most fulfilling aspect of your job?
Problem solving, and achieving the best solutions for the client.

If you were a superhero, what super power would you have, and why?
I would love to teleport – it would really streamline travelling to see my family and give me more opportunities to experience different aspects of the world.

With a BArch from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and with several years of experience already, Sydney Jones joins the team as one of AXIS/GFA’s newest Junior Job Captains.

What’s the most inspiring/fulfilling aspect of your job?
I love being able to provide unique experiences for the users of our spaces. To me, it’s fulfilling when thoughtful collaboration leads to accessible spaces and unique experiences for our clients. I enjoy the process of seeing designs go from initial ideation through to final fruition.

If you weren’t so awesome at your job, what would be your “Plan B”?
I would most likely be an event planner. I enjoy bringing people together to celebrate an event. I love organizing, making decorations, and working with people on the theme of an event. When thoughtful collaboration creates a fun experience for the participants it becomes equally rewarding for the organizer of the event.