Bond Architects Welcomes New Leadership
Date Posted: January 17, 2023
Posted In: Organizations, People,
Bond Architects, a St. Louis-based architecture firm, is excited to announce the promotion of four key team members to Principals — Rebecca Kleba, Michelle Wells, Erik Wilson, and Andrea Giovando. Each of these new leaders brings valuable unique perspectives to the firm’s leadership, which will support the firm’s future growth and development. Susan Pruchnicki, FAIA LEED AP ID+C, will remain Principal-in-Charge. Art Bond, AIA, founder of Bond Architects, stepped down as Principal in 2022, but will remain on the team in an advisory role and to mentor the new Principals.
Rebecca Kleba, Associate AIA, has over 25 years of experience in diverse project types such as education, government, religious, hospitality and commercial. Her strengths include open communication, collaboration, and team building, which she uses to build and maintain excellent client and contractor relationships. She is a graduate of Ranken Technical College with a degree in Applied Science and Technology in Architecture and Design. Rebecca sits on the Architectural Advisory Board at Ranken Technical College and has served on the building committee with the MRH School District when her 2 sons attended school there. An advocate for women in the AEC industry, Rebecca has sat on a committee panel with the WIA (Women in Architecture) and spoke about Women in Construction and Architecture. When Rebecca isn’t working, she is traveling — her goal is to explore the world. Her favorite travels includes a long road trip into the mountains.
Michelle Wells, AIA, LEED Green Associate, has over 22 years of experience in a variety of market sectors. Her strengths in collaboration, problem-solving, and communication all contribute to her ability to deliver a design responsive to a client’s specific needs. Feeling that providing guidance and support for the next generation is extremely important, she has taken on the responsibility of developing a mentor program at Bond. She is a graduate of Washington University with a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. In her spare time, she designs & handcrafts jewelry, loves theater (both attending & performing), and road trips with her family.
Erik Wilson, AIA, is a hardworking team player with over 22 years’ experience as a Project Manager and Architect. He is highly knowledgeable in the design of schools, municipal facilities, mixed-use developments, government, and commercial buildings. Erik is also literate in real estate practices, code review, ADA compliance, school safety and specifications. He has a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Drafting and Design from Missouri State University. Along with being an avid basketball player, he has also coached 4 different sports over the last 10 plus years for a total of 29 seasons and growing.
Andrea Giovando, NCIDQ has over 15 years of experience in interior design. Listening to her clients and understanding their spatial needs is core to her design process. She has experience in diverse market sectors including municipal, education, commercial/tenant improvement, religious and hospitality. She delivers to her clients a full kit of parts, from programming, design, implementation, furniture and artwork. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior and Environmental Design from Illinois State University. In her spare time she enjoys her family and friends. Going to sports games is a regular weekend adventure but her happy place is her home on acreage in the country.
All four Principals will work together to develop and execute strategies to grow within the firm’s established market sectors and expand into new ones. Rebecca, Michelle, Erik and Andrea are all committed to continuing Bond Architects’ core values of authenticity, integrity, empathy and innovation. These promotions reflect Bond Architects’ commitment to developing the next generation of leadership within the firm, especially women in leadership roles.
For thirty years, Bond Architects has provided architecture, interior design, and planning services to clients across the Greater St. Louis region. Bond Architects is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and an independently owned firm based in St. Louis County.