150-Person California Firm Recognizes Exemplary Employee Performance
CO Architects recently promoted 16 team members, including Associate Principals Liz Wheeler and Chikara Inamura.
Photos courtesy of CO Architects.
LOS ANGELES — CO Architects, a leading national design firm specializing in healthcare, education, and research facilities, announced the promotions of 16 “COworkers.” These elevations reflect the firm’s commitment to mentorship, staff development, and employee retention. The promotions span several titles and levels of experience.
Associate Principals
Director of Digital Technology Chikara Inamura brings more than 20 years of experience combining design, engineering, and technology. Leading CO’s digital technology practice since 2021, he employs tools such as AI, data analytics, virtual reality, and gaming engines to elevate architectural design, often with proprietary programs he develops. Chikara holds a Master of Media Arts and Sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge) and a B.Arch. from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (Los Angeles).
Marketing Manager Liz Wheeler has managed the firm’s proposal and qualifications processes and marketing initiatives since 2016, while supporting firm-wide business development. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Fordham University (New York City) and a Master of Arts in American and New England Studies at Boston University.
Senior Associates
Barbara Abecassis, LEED AP BD+C, joined CO in 2023 as a senior designer specializing in complex science and technology laboratories and higher education facilities. She earned an M.Arch. from L’École Normale Supérieure Paris-Sacaly and a Bachelors degree in Environmental Science from Sorbonne Université (both in Paris).
Aaron Horst, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, brings broad experience across higher education, healthcare, and medical education projects such as the Wichita Biomedical Campus. Since joining CO in 2018, he has applied his design expertise and team-focused approach to delivering highly functional environments. Aaron holds both M.Arch. and BA degrees from Virginia Tech (Blacksburg).
Stephen Maher, AIA, NCARB, plays an integral role on several of CO’s large-scale healthcare projects, including UCI Health – Irvine, the country’s first all-electric healthcare complex. He helps keep teams aligned while navigating complex project delivery methods. Stephen joined CO in 2020 and holds a B.Arch. from the University of Oregon (Eugene).
Virginia “Vicky” Ramirez, IIDA, NCIDQ, has played a key role in CO’s recent medical and health-sciences education projects, ensuring that design intent and quality are maintained. Her recent projects include buildings for Texas Christian University, UCLA, and the University of Texas. Vicky joined CO in 2019 and earned a Bachelor of Interior Architecture from the University of Oregon (Eugene).
Wynord “Wyn” Thomas, Jr., joined CO in 2019 and contributes to the firm’s medical education and K-12 projects. He is currently working on the new Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science building and a large, comprehensive K-12 modernization project, both in Los Angeles. Wyn earned his B.Arch. from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge).
Associates
Digital Fabrication Manager Saul Alvarez leads CO’s model shop, bringing more than 15 years of experience in fabrication, industrial design, and art to creating architectural models that support design exploration and client engagement. Saul holds an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts (Valencia) and a BA from University of California, Irvine.
Erik Annis, NCARB, LEED AP, brings more than 30 years of experience as a laboratory planner for higher education, healthcare, government research, and academic facilities. He applies extensive technical knowledge and strategic insight to deliver highly efficient laboratory environments. Erik holds a B.Arch. from Virginia Tech (Blacksburg).
Chun-Li “Julie” Chen, LEED GA, joined CO in 2022. She is currently working on higher education projects, such as the new engineering building for the University of Texas. Julie received her B.Arch. from Chung Yuan Christian University College of Design (Taiwan) and her M.Arch. from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor).
Kevin Colby, RA, specializes in construction documentation and administration. He is currently involved in the modernization of North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles. With CO since 2020, Kevin received his B.Arch. from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and holds a Computer Graphics Certificate from UCLA Extension.
Evelyn Ge, LEED AP BD+C, specializes in healthcare and medical education projects, supporting senior staff with presentations, project documentation, and other coordination. Evelyn joined CO in 2022 after earning an MS in Architecture & Urban Design from UCLA and a B.Arch. from Virginia Tech (Blacksburg).
Specializing in education and laboratory projects, Ramon Klein focuses on construction administration, ensuring projects move efficiently through every phase. Ramon holds an M.Arch. from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (Los Angeles) and a BFA from the University of Washington (Seattle).
Melissa Rico, Assoc. AIA, joined CO in 2021 as a laboratory planning specialist. She combines a collaborative approach with technical expertise to support a wide range of scientific disciplines, ensuring strong coordination. Melissa holds a B.Arch. from Woodbury University (Burbank, CA).
Lauren Shaifa joined CO in 2022 as a designer. She focuses on the firm’s higher education projects and participates in CO’s buddy program for interns and new hires. Lauren earned an M.Arch. from UCLA and a B.Arch. from the University of Kentucky (Lexington).
Kevin Staten, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, LEED GA, joined CO in 2024 as a medical planner whose work includes leading client user-group meetings. He also serves on the Steering Committee for AIA LA’s Architecture in Health group. Kevin holds an M.Arch. from the University of Kansas (Lawrence).
About CO Architects
Los Angeles-based CO Architects is nationally recognized for architectural planning, programming, and design in the higher education, science and technology, and healthcare sectors, working with leading institutions from coast to coast. The firm’s expertise includes transformative schools of medicine and health professions, advanced research and teaching laboratories, and innovative clinical facilities on higher education, healthcare, and urban campuses. CO Architects has received more than 260 awards for innovative design and project delivery, including the American Institute of Architects, California Council’s Architecture Firm of the Year Award.
