Thomas H. Moore, AIA, LEED

Principal

Co-workers call him "BTM" for "Big Tom Moore," an affectionate nickname that describes both his six-foot-plus stature and his generosity of spirit. Moore has a larger-than-life personality that embraces his clients and associates and was largely cultivated on a farm in Charleston, Arkansas, about 40 miles outside Fort Smith.

Moore received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arkansas. While Tom claims to be "St. Louisized," his work ethic, vision, and heart are rooted on his uncle's farm—and in his seventh-grade drafting class. "I'll never forget that class or my teacher, Mr. Israel," says Tom. "I loved all the tools—the pencil sharpener, the sandpaper, T-square. I liked the hands-on quality of it."

Along the way he has acquired big clients and a big following. Tom has a talent for making clients feel comfortable and that their projects are in good hands—from the FBI building he worked on several years ago to an elegant boat house for a private owner which appeared in a 2009 issue of "Architectural Digest." He believes working with giant government agencies is the same as working with any client. It's simply a matter of keeping the client's best interests at heart, trying to make the process understandable, and bringing all issues into the open.

Tom's accessibility and expertise have always drawn associates to him for help in technical specifications which led to his responsibility for the firm's project administration. "Putting a building together is really the most interesting thing for me," Tom says. Several of his projects have been recognized for design and craftsmanship excellence which attest to his skill in project delivery. "I enjoy making all the mechanicals work, and making the project functional," he says. "The process can be beautiful."