Chris Ogunrinde moved to the United States in 1985 from the western region of Nigeria. He is a founding partner of Neighboring Concepts and has earned a stellar reputation as a designer and project manager with the intrinsic ability to hear with an inner ear. This ability enables him to realize the client’s objectives into a design that incorporates quality, innovation, functionality, and that intangible “wow” element. His work represents the expert weaving together of sound planning and creativity to produce environments that are functional, safe, exciting, and economical.
Manufactured toys weren’t a part of his childhood so Chris has always relied on his personal knowledge and experiences to create solutions. Part of his success in the architectural arena is due to being able to envision what is not. His work reflects his visionary ability and consistently exhibits an unparalleled level of talent, quality, and expertise.
Chris strives to give more than he receives; he currently serves on the boards of the Nigerian Community of Charlotte and Axxis Investment Group.
• Passions: Building communities and people
• Favorite book: As a Man Thinketh by James Allen. “This was the first book that made me realize how powerful the mind is.” CO
• Greatest lesson learned: "The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, this you will become." James Allen
Luis Tochiki, a native of Lima-Perú, joined Chris Ogunrinde and Darrel Williams as a firm principle in 2003. He has garnered more than 25 years of professional experience in a variety of markets including transportation, healthcare, correctional, commercial, mixed-use, and multifamily projects. During the last 10 years he has led design teams on the design of civic and higher-education projects.
Luis is committed to giving back to the community and is currently serving on the boards of the Charlotte Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Charlotte Chapter of ACE, a non-profit organization that works with high school students to promote careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. Luis also serves as a mentor for the College of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and on the Design Awards Committee for the Charlotte Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
In his spare time it is very likely that you will find him cooking or coaching youth soccer teams for the Siskey YMCA.
• Greatest lesson learned: “Act on your dreams without the fear of failing or making mistakes.” LT
• Favorite childhood and adulthood toy: Soccer balls
• Favorite book: In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters. “This book fosters the idea that through values and coaching, you can empower average people to achieve extraordinary things.” LT
Darrel Williams is a founding partner of Neighboring Concepts with extensive experience leading project teams on large-scale projects with multiple disciplines. He served four terms as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner (from 1994 through December 2002) and is currently serving as President of the Charlotte Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Chair of the Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Board of Trustees. Darrel also serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for both Charlotte Center City Partners and Preservation North Carolina.
Darrel is very successful at bridging the gap between the physical and social challenges facing urban communities. He is an organizer and facilitator, committed to using his experience to influence the design of sustainable, urban environments. Darrel has particular interest and experience in community revitalization, transit planning/architecture and adaptive-reuse of historic structures.
• Greatest lesson learned: Despite what people and places may appear to be on the surface, there is always something good that can be discovered and used for the better.
• Favorite book: In Pursuit of Purpose by Dr. Myles Munroe. “This book helped me to clearly understand my purpose and how to focus on goals and strategies in pursuit of this purpose while avoiding distractions.” DJW
• Motivated by: Desire to influence positive change for all and help my family and those less fortunate.
Frank DeBolt brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction and design industries to the Neighboring Concepts team. His training began at an early age; he is a fourth generation craftsman and he learned the trade working alongside his father. Frank also spent a summer in Japan training Japanese workers in the art of construction while building three small log homes in the Japanese Alps.
Frank earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His project experience ranges from the Charlotte Bobcat Arena and Victory Junction Gang Camp to college and university master plans to housing and design-build projects. Many of the projects in which he has played a major role have been recognized for design excellence and have won state and local design awards.
Frank is an Eagle Scout and currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster. Like most lifelong scouts, in his spare time he can be found enjoying nature, hiking or camping. Other hobbies include volleyball and spending time with family.
• Motivated by: My family and the potential of people and situations.
• Dream job: Owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and/or to design their new stadium.
• Greatest lesson learned: “It is not what you do, but the level of craft at which you do it that is the measure of a person.” FD
Toni West moved to Charlotte in 1997 from her native Clinton Township, Michigan. Prior to joining Neighboring Concepts in June 2000, she acquired more than seven years of experience in the general construction industry and 15 years of experience in the administrative/assistant field.
Toni is responsible for all human resource and accounting functions for Neighboring Concepts. She loves cats and is a very active volunteer in the community for the feral cat population. Toni also enjoys running, hiking, and shopping in her spare time.
• Dream job: Ensuring all stray/feral cats have the quality of life that they deserve by providing housing, care, love and attention.
• Would love to lunch with: Toss-up between Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, Chauncey Billups or Joe Dumars from the Detroit Pistons, and Madonna.
Cameron Kelly has been with Neighboring Concepts for more than 10 years. While with the firm, he has garnered an impressive array of experience working on various institutional, light commercial, educational, residential, and urban planning projects. Cameron was first introduced to architecture by his high school drafting teacher, Mr. Blaklock. At that time, everything was done by hand and Cameron quickly fell in love with the profession. Currently, his professional focus is on community facilities and college campuses.
• Favorite book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. “People tend to only think big when they are trying to increase their wealth. A lot of times people overlook simple ideas that can create the same amount of wealth.” CK
• Dream job: Custom furniture designer
• Greatest lesson learned: “Treat people the way that you would like to be treated.”
A graduate of the College of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech, Dan McNamee brings more than four years of design experience to the team. His project experience includes sustainable K-12 schools, museums and higher education work. Having studied abroad in eight countries while traveling through Europe, he has developed an interest in community design, sustainability and foreign missions. In addition to his architectural interests, Dan also enjoys spending time with his wife Virginia, hiking, playing soccer and photography.
• Dream job: National Geographic photographer
• Favorite childhood toy: Soccer ball and Lincoln Logs
• Greatest lesson learned: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
Eric is a recent graduate of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has designed and planned for firms in Austin, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts and Charlotte, North Carolina. At the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems in Austin, he researched the means to make education of environmentally sustainable building practices more accessible to the greater public. As a student of Kevin Lynch's City of Design and Development program at MIT, Eric had the privilege to participate in the planning of MIT's stretch of the Urban Ring Corridor by outlining strategies to create a community-friendly, business development zone along Boston's next major mass-transit project, the circulator of the subway system. Eric brings the rigorous observation and multi-disciplinary reflection of his school to bear in all of his endeavors.
• Dream job: Designing urban environments that create cultures of imagination, openness, and civic participation and foster social justice among residents.
• Favorite book: Jesus by David Flusser
• Greatest lesson learned: “Render to Caesar what’s made in Caesar’s image…Render to God what’s made in His.” Jesus
Jenn Scott is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she was on the Dean’s List and served on the Student Government Association. She joins the team with a degree in communications and varied experience in both the communications and marketing arenas. Jenn is an avid volunteer and contributes creativity, ideas and a “can do” spirit to the team.
• Favorite childhood toy: First Sony with the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack tape (of course!) or my New Kids on the Block gear
• Hobbies: running, reading, cooking, watching Duke basketball and Panthers football and anything that has to do with the beach!
• Quote to live by: "Do what you can with what you've got wherever you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Steven Sweat brings more than 10 years of experience in all phases of the design and construction process. He entered the field of construction at an early age by working for various trades ranging from brick masonry to custom marble countertops. While attending design school, he spent a semester designing and constructing a home for the Habitat for Humanity design/build studio. Steven received his undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was presented the Design Technology Award for his thesis on the Integration of Light and Architecture.
Steven has experience with a variety of design types including government, educational, religious, retail, and recreational projects. He has also assumed various project responsibilities including project designer, project manager, project architect, and construction administrator.
• Passions: Music, roller coasters, water skiing, camping, friends and family
• Words to live by: “Seek out your dreams regardless of the promise of success or fear of failure for we can never get back the time that we have lost. Finding a place in life where we are truly happy can only take place if we are not afraid to commit ourselves on a journey towards it.” SS
• Greatest lesson learned: “If we don’t change direction soon, we’ll end up where we’re going” Irwin Corey
Luke Volkmar is a graduate of the College of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech University. His educational background focused largely on the urban setting and includes development, planning, transit, and sustainable design. As a child, Luke displayed a passion for drawing and could often be found building things; this passion and talent was instrumental in helping Luke define his career interests as an architect.
Luke’s passion for architecture has taken him around the globe and he initially joined Neighboring Concepts in 2003. He returned to Virginia to work in 2006, but his dedication to the field has defined the Charlotte area as his home base and he returned to the team in 2008.
• Dream job: Designing private homes in the American Southwest.
• Favorite childhood toy: Erector set and soccer ball
• Likes most about Charlotte: Big city with small town feel
Darrel J. Williams, Jr. is a graduate of Appalachian State and has been a contract graphic designer with Neighboring Concepts since 2007. Prior to launching his own design firm, Dajo Studio, and sharing his talents with Neighboring Concepts, Darrel worked as a designer with a local firm for 2 years. With a broad array of clients and experiences, Darrel applies his creativity and graphic design expertise to helping clients define unique design solutions.
Darrel is motivated by the sole function of graphic design; he maintains a focused spirit as a catalyst to ensuring progress for the human condition.
• Hobbies: working out, keeping up with technology, vacationing, fishing, and trying new things.
• Favorite book: Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse. “It taught me as a teenager that experience is the best way to approach the understanding of reality and the attainment of enlightenment.” DJW, Jr.
• Greatest lesson learned: Everything happens for a reason.
