Our Team
Verdant Studio is fond of Arthur Gensler’s “constellation of stars” approach to team-building. Our successes are collective, and our projects reflect the diverse expertise of our team. We value strong client relationships, we enjoy creating together, and we live deliberately. Meet our team of brilliant stars!
Jessica Hester - CEO + Principal Architect, AIA | NCARB | LEED AP
A native of Northwest Arkansas, Jessica loves shaping the built environment in ways that elevate the quality of life for the many communities Verdant Studio serves. A Placemaker at heart, she is a licensed Realtor and an active member of the NWA chapter of the Urban Land Institute focused on building a Women’s Leadership Initiative. In the studio, she thrives at the collaborative intersection of research, analysis, design, and technical expertise.
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Architecture she earned a Master of Science in Design Research at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Design. She co-founded an architecture practice in Rome, Georgia selling that in 2016 to return Northwest Arkansas. After a brief stint as the University of Arkansas Community Design Center's staff architect, she founded Verdant Studio.
Jessica’s creative entrepreneurial vision is driven by her love of critical thinking, organizational management, and the communication strategies necessary to deliver superb, on-budget solutions for Verdant Studio’s clients. Jessica is a registered architect in Arkansas and Oklahoma and her professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), The National Association of Realtors, The Urban Land Institute (ULI) - NWA Board Member, and the Congress for New Urbanism.
When she’s not at the office you can find her on the back porch with her dog Lucy, drinking wine and listening to folk music, or cooking dinner with her husband Chris.
Dayton Castleman - Director of Creative Placemaking + Artist Lead
Dayton loves spaces where humans, art, and built environments interact, and he enjoys discovering ways to amplify those interactions and deepen their meaning. Growing up in New Orleans he enjoyed the urban theatricality of the Crescent City, and since then his educational and professional pursuits in visual art have taken him to Mississippi, Philadelphia, Chicago, and finally to northwest Arkansas.
Dayton holds his Bachelors of Art in Art with a painting concentration from Belhaven University and a Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. While in Philadelphia he founded a collective studio space for artists, and he was on the art and design faculty at a small suburban Chicago college for four years following grad school. In 2012 he moved to Bentonville, Arkansas, working in a bike shop, as a museum educator, museum manager, independent curator, and artist. His artwork and installations in both galleries and public spaces have been presented across the United States and in Europe.
He brings a keen historical knowledge, an interest in research, and wide-ranging experiences is the visual arts ecosystem to the integration of art and architecture, as well as the application of creative thinking strategies to site-branding, experience architecture, visual design, and art consultation.
An avid cyclist, Dayton lives in Rogers Arkansas with his wife of 21 years and their three children.
Chris McCray - Director of Architecture + Greenville Office Lead, AIA | NCARB
Chris loves the creative process and the synthesis of art and science within the discipline of architecture, citing inspiration from the process-driven monumental installation artworks of artists Christo and Jean Claude.
A native of Tyler, Texas - Chris received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin focused on management and economics, and his Master of Architecture from UT Arlington. His areas of study included sustainable architecture, renewable technology, urban design, and the history of art and architecture.
Chris leads Verdant Studio’s Greenville, SC office. He enjoys working with clients, designers, and builders to create places of lasting beauty as one of our Senior Architects and our BIM Manager - training the Verdant team in BIM based workflows, construction best practices and building systems. Chris recently completed his BIM Manager certification from Graphisoft in 2020 and is currently working toward his certification as a Passive House Consultant.
He and his wife Pauline have been married for 36 years. They love their grandchildren Zane, Rylie, and Ford. He enjoys hole-in-the-wall eateries, bike riding, playing guitar, classic jazz, military history, and every Denzel Washington movie ever made.
Casey Weatherford - Director of Marketing
Casey is an Arkansas native whose work connects people to stories, ideas, and each other. She is interested in creative pursuits that make space for all people. Leading with curiosity and wholeheartedness, Casey’s marketing prowess lies in her keen ability to use the power of images and words to activate people around things that matter. She is a design thinker who enjoys solving human-centered problems, as well as a writer and avid reader who loves a good story.
After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication from Lambuth University, Casey held a rewarding marketing role at an architecture firm in Memphis, then set off on an adventurous few years as a touring singer-songwriter, transplant to Edinburgh, Scotland, and creative freelancer. Her agency Kind Creative Co. worked with companies and organizations on brand strategy, messaging, identity design, and web design until she joined the Verdant Studio team in 2024.
Casey is also co-founder of Beer & Hymns, a nonprofit that brings people together to raise their glasses, raise their voices, and raise money for Northwest Arkansas charities.
She is a born optimist who sees the good and imagines the best. She loves gathering around a table, singing, cycling, sunny days, and traveling to new places. Casey lives in Bentonville with her husband Ken, two blue-eyed boys, and the friendliest Goldendoodle on the planet.
Kevin L. Cooper - Program Lead, Proto, AIA | NCARB
Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science and Architectural Studies from Oklahoma State University, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Texas.
Working as a licensed architect across the country for over 28 years, he has a wide array of experience on thousands of projects. This time in the field has allowed him to gain an excellent working knowledge of the IBC and ADAAG. He is highly skilled in the design process, from residential alterations to moderately sized commercial and institutional ground-up buildings.
Kevin holds licensure in every state excluding Alaska but including Washington D.C., and his professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and The National Council of Architectural Review Board (NCARB).
His love of architecture was born helping his father design and build an addition on their Ozark cabin that would become the family home. Kevin still loves looking and listening carefully in order to apply thoughtful solutions to project design challenges. He is a gardener, an amateur landscaper, enjoys hiking, looking at maps, sports, and doodling, among many other pursuits.
Christy Hall - Senior Project Designer
Christy is a multi-disciplined designer with nearly three decades of experience. Her expertise spans architecture, graphic design, branding, and product design.
She embarked on her career journey at Rabun Architects, where she dedicated over 15 years honing her skills and becoming a Senior Project Designer. Notable projects in her portfolio include the Westin Birmingham, Marriott Buckhead, Emory Conference Center Hotel, and St. Regis Atlanta. Throughout her career, Christy has worked on schematic design of hundreds of hospitality projects and been a hands-on design/build lead for several residential renovations.
In 2017, Christy discovered a newfound passion for knitting as a means to quiet her busy mind. Despite initial skepticism, her knitting endeavors evolved into a successful knitted accessory brand. From initial concept to the first sale, she personally crafted every aspect, including designs, packaging, promotional materials, and establishing a strong social media presence. Along the way, Christy delved into raw material sourcing, collaborated with factories, and innovated communication strategies to overcome language barriers.
While her heart remains devoted to architecture, Christy finds inspiration drawn from her extensive design background. In her free time, she has discovered a passion for digital arts and created a series of characters that represented her emotions in 2020. She is also working on a series of historic maps of intown Atlanta neighborhoods.
Christy’s online portfolios:
Maggie Rogers Dillard - Director of Interiors,
RID | IIDA | ASID | Assoc. AIA
Maggie Rogers Dillard has been drawn to the complexity of design, craftsmanship & fabrication since early childhood. Following this passion, she attended Oklahoma State University & received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture & Design with a Minor in General Business & Marketing. She holds her NCIDQ certification, is licensed in multiple states and is an IIDA, ASID, and Allied AIA member.
Maggie’s passion for travel, music, dance, culinary art & exploring different cultures has led to an eclectic collection of experiences. These experiences, paired with her work history over the last 12 years, have enhanced her design aesthetic and lend a unique perspective to her projects. She strives to create designs that not only fulfill the client’s visual desires but offer timeless, fundamental, economical & functional design solutions that present life-enhancing experiences. Her portfolio consists of projects ranging from high-end hospitality and entertainment to municipal, industrial, healthcare, and higher education.
Outside of the office Maggie enjoys live music, cooking, fishing, hunting, traveling & spending time with her husband, their children, family, and friends.
Randy Gentz - Senior Project Manager
Randy Gentz is a native of Minnesota, but has called Northwest Arkansas home for nearly 30 years. He has over 24 years of experience in project management in the architecture / retail design industry.
Randy started his career in engineering, but was drawn to the creative, fast-paced side of architecture project management. He enjoys thinking on his feet and problem-solving. One of Randy’s strengths is juggling many things at once, and he is fueled by the challenge of overseeing multiple projects at different stages.
Randy and his wife Karen have a blended family of five adult kids. He enjoys running, biking, hiking, hunting, and working outdoors with family and friends.
Abby Critselous - Project Manager
Abby grew up in Memphis, Tennessee where historic sites, live music and great food were the backdrop to her childhood. Through sitting at the dining table drawing houses in her neighborhood and rebuilding homes affected by Hurricane Katrina one summer, her mind was set on pursuing an education in Architecture. This brought her to the University of Arkansas where she graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the Fay Jones School of Architecture & Design. There, she evolved her passion for emergency architecture and cultivated an appreciation for regionalism and implementing inclusive practices in the design world. She strives to utilize sustainable practices in her designs and is constantly looking towards new and innovative ways to produce new ideas.
Her love for design expands beyond the realm of Architecture and bleeds into any creative form possible: fabrication, art installations, drawing & painting, graphic design, cinematography, and music. In her free time she is usually reading, baking, or starting another design project for her home.
In the summer of 2020 she joined Verdant Studio, where her primary tasks are design and documentation of projects, ranging from single-family residential to commercial projects, and coordination with clients and consultants. She also works on competitions and installation/placemaking projects, and when she can, helps with marketing and graphic design for the company.
Edgar Betancourt - Project Manager
Edgar’s enjoyment of architectural design is rooted in his observations of the way that design effects our daily lives both on monumental scales, as with buildings and cities, and on more personal scales in everyday life.
From Carpinteria, California, Edgar earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, where he focused on sustainable architecture, and doors.
Edgar joined Verdant Studio in 2020, and is focused on drafting, modeling, and rendering. He enjoys the diversity of expertise within the Verdant Studio environment, and notes the value of designing in conversation with multiple points of view.
He lives in Rogers, and his family has four dogs, one horse, and an abundance of chickens and sheep. In his downtime he enjoys rock climbing and bouldering indoors and outdoors, playing video games, cooking, and working on cars.
Ani Sudhakaran - Architectural Designer
Ani is a recent graduate of the Fay Jones School of Architecture + Design, Class of 2023, where she earned her Bachelor of Architecture with a minor Minor in Sustainability. During her undergraduate experience she also found a passion for education, and for her Honors Capstone Project, Ani researched, designed, and built an architectural building block activity for young children to exercise creative thinking and problem solving.
On the Verdant Studio team, Ani is excited to expand her knowledge of turning design ideas into resilient built environments for people to enjoy. She is interested in the human scale of architecture, including housing and community-based projects.
During her free time, Ani likes to cook and host friends to share food with – especially at outdoor venues such as Beaver Lake and Lake Fort Smith!
Garrett Grelle - Architectural Designer
As one of the newest Architectural Designers on the Verdant Team and a native of Bentonville, Arkansas, Garrett comes to us from the Urban Design Center at the University of Arkansas, and more recently from Emil Frei & Associates, a stained-glass studio in St. Louis. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Drury University in 2018, followed by his Master of Architecture.
While in school, he studied abroad in Venice and Amsterdam, as well as interning at an architecture firm in China. Additionally, he worked as a draftsman at engineering firms in northwest Arkansas.
Outside of his professional career, Garrett’s interests include reading, writing, and food, which developed through his travels, and by the excellent variety to be found in the Ozarks. He is excited to put his varied interests into practice at Verdant Studio. Furthermore, he enjoys making furniture, cutting block prints, and trying new restaurants in the area.
Kaily Tran, Director of Operations
Kaily, our Director of Operations, initially joined our team in January 2023 as our Executive Administrator. With a proven commitment to the growth and development of others, Kaily brings a unique mix of experience, including servant leadership, organizational management, process improvement, and change management. Kaily also lends her creative skills to the team to support collaboration and downright fun.
Originally from Phoenix, AZ, Kaily graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Before Verdant, she was in analytics at PepsiCo, where she gained extensive knowledge in Supply Chain, but learned that the corporate environment was not where she wanted her career to continue. At Verdant, she is most excited to learn more about design to satisfy her creative side, and to contribute to the team in a big way.
Recently married in October 2022, she met her husband in Phoenix, who convinced her that NWA was the place to be, so they relocated in 2019 and haven't looked back. Kaily enjoys NWA so much, she convinced her parents to retire here, with her siblings trailing right behind. Kaily and her husband welcomed their first baby girl in July 2023.
In her downtime, Kaily enjoys watching her daughter learn and grow, exploring all that NWA has to offer with her husband, hiking, reading, hosting themed parties, shopping, and enjoying a glass of mead. She also contributes to charitable events for such organizations as the NWA Children's Shelter and Junior League of NWA by providing her skills in bespoke balloon installations.
Ian Booth - Drafter
Ian Booth, Drafter, began his career in construction, building everything from concrete foundations, to wall-framing, roofs and interior finishes. This hands-on experience gave him a grounded understanding of the construction on process, terminology, and practices, something he brings to every project as a drafter.
Ian’s portfolio includes 3D Models, floor plans, and a variety of detail drawings, for both residential and commercial projects, including public and municipal buildings in healthcare, education, and stadiums.
Ian says he really enjoys being in the industry, particularly as a draftsman, because he finds fulfillment in contributing towards making a better community for others.
For fun, Ian enjoys travel with his wife, exploring around the United States and abroad. He is also working on becoming a certified personal trainer.
Vera McCray - Finance Administrator
Vera is based in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she has lived across the United States and abroad in La Rochelle, France, where she became fluent in French. Cantonese is her first language, learned during her upbringing. With a diverse background in retail, clothing, and costume design, Vera brings a wealth of experience to Verdant Studio. She holds a degree in Consumer Economics from Cornell University and a degree in Retail Merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Outside of work, Vera enjoys tennis, achieving State-level success with her team this past Spring, and recently took up Pickleball with her husband, Phillip. They also indulge in Shag dancing weekly. Vera is enthusiastic about collaborating with the talented team at Verdant Studio, aiming to inspire others with her positive outlook and attitude.
Kristopher Norris - Administrative Assistant
Kristopher is an Arizona native who recently relocated to Northwest Arkansas. He has 5+ years experience in administration, and many more in office and call center environments providing high-level technical, customer and leadership support. He is most excited about delivering world-class support to Verdant's team and operations, and learning the ins and outs of the organization.
Kris is an avid lover of music and art and in his free time plays guitar, sings, and writes songs. He enjoys performing music with others and playing open mic nights. Kristopher is also very excited about his relocation from Phoenix as he has a deep appreciation of nature and can't wait to explore all the hikes, trails, and lakes NWA has to offer.