James Walbridge

James A. Walbridge, FAIA, NOMA, Higher Education Market Leader for Shive-Hattery, is a nationally recognized and sought-after speaker, a premier voice in the AIA and the profession providing industry-leading leadership, business development, communication, and practice establishment training. His extensive career spans design leadership, business development, operations, logistics, collaboration building, and community engagement. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, into a multi-cultural & multi-lingual family, James moved to the United States at an early age. He grew up in Florida, where he attended the University of Florida Architecture Program, migrated west to Lake Tahoe, and ultimately landed in the Bay Area of California. James was the founder of Tekton Architecture, Inc. in San Francisco, an award-winning Architect-led, Design-Build Firm. For 22 years, Tekton and its construction arm, Artisan Builders Corporation, Inc., provided Architecture, Interiors, Project Management and full hands-on Construction Services for Residential, Commercial and Hospitality clients throughout the Bay Area and Wine Country. Moving to Nebraska in 2017, James shifted his career track with HDR as a Principal, then becoming the Director for Civic Architecture. After a successful tenure there, he joined Shive-Hattery, where he is currently building a national market in higher education for the firm with a group of talented, committed designers across the country. With his tireless passion for coaching, mentoring, and teaching throughout his career, James has helped thousands of architects and designers, from emerging professionals to the C-Suite, become more effective and influential project leaders, business owners, and industry peers.