Five Team Members Elevated to Principal Leadership Roles at Cushing Terrell

Learn More About Cushing Terrell’s New Principals

Kara Eberle-Lott  |  Architect & Director of Architecture & Seattle Location Director  |  Seattle, Washington

Kara serves as director of architecture at Cushing Terrell and the firm’s Seattle location director. In her role as Architecture Director, she leads efforts to advance design excellence and innovation while supporting the professional development of approximately 200 architects firmwide. As Seattle Location Director, she guides the growth of Cushing Terrell’s multidisciplinary team in the region, strengthening both industry presence and community engagement. Additionally, Kara is a design leader within the firm’s Retail market sector, specializing in work for specialty grocery industry clients which has contributed to one of the firm’s highest revenue-earning sectors. Beyond her retail and grocery expertise, Kara has developed an impressive portfolio of workplace design projects for high-profile, Fortune 500 clients. She is known for her strategic leadership, design rigor, and a client-centered approach that consistently drives successful project outcomes.

“Stepping into the role of principal at Cushing Terrell is both an honor and an opportunity to deepen the way I contribute to our clients, teams, and partners,” Kara said. “What I’m most focused on bringing to this role is a strong sense of connection — between people, disciplines, and ideas. Our best work happens when we listen well, collaborate openly, and stay aligned around what matters most to our clients. I’m passionate about developing strong teams and creating space for others to lead, and I see that as a core part of this next chapter. When people feel supported and empowered, the quality of the work naturally follows. I look forward to continuing to build trusted relationships across the industry and helping shape projects that are thoughtful, responsive, and built to last.”

Josh Hersel  |  Architect & Director of Residential Design  |  Boise, Idaho

Josh is an architect and director of Cushing Terrell’s multifamily residential design group. Josh has more than 20 years of experience supporting residential clients and projects in addition to leading commercial and hospitality design work. He’s adept at melding best practices from across these markets to develop innovative environments where people can live their best lives. Josh is known for managing strong teams and developing beneficial relationships with industry partners to realize successful projects that have long-term benefits for our cities and communities.

“Becoming a principal at Cushing Terrell is an honor as we’ve had a great leadership team since 1938 who have pioneered new environments in many regions,” Josh said. “I look forward to expanding our residential presence in all of our locations along with mentoring the next generation of leaders to further Cushing Terrell’s legacy. The future is bright for Cushing Terrell and all of our team members.”

Anthony Houtz  |  Architect & Project Manager  |  Great Falls, Montana

Anthony is a design strategist and architect, working where architecture, applied research, emerging technology, and human experience all bump into one another at the same cocktail party. As a senior design leader at Cushing Terrell, he explores how systems thinking and design intelligence are reshaping the built environment. Anthony helps organizations translate emerging ideas into practical, research-informed outcomes without losing the spark that made the idea interesting in the first place. His areas of focus include AI-enabled practice transformation, next-generation learning environments, adaptive organizational models, and future-focused design strategy. His work and ideas have been recognized by the AIA and featured in publications including World Architecture News, Montana Architect, and Signature Montana. Anthony holds a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University.

“I aim to bring a little productive friction (the useful kind). The kind that asks why, connects dots that do not usually sit next to each other, and turns ‘That’s how we’ve always done it’ into ‘What could this become?,'” Anthony said. “My goal is to create movement: smarter tools, braver ideas, clearer strategy, and better outcomes for the people we serve.”

Shawn Pelowitz  |  Architect & Director of Government Design  |  Minneapolis, Minnesota

Shawn is an architect and director of Cushing Terrell’s government design team. Shawn has more than 30 years of experience in federal design and construction, and he has established himself as both a trusted technical expert and a strategic business leader. He has played a key role in expanding Cushing Terrell’s work with federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and the General Services Administration. Shawn has also been instrumental in advancing the firm’s regional growth, including establishing Cushing Terrell’s Minneapolis office. His leadership in pursuits, proposal development, team building, and project execution continues to strengthen the firm’s portfolio and deepen client relationships. Shawn brings previous experience with the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in aligning teams to deliver high-quality, compliant, and mission-focused solutions.

“I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity and humbled by the confidence my colleagues and leadership have shown for me. I recognize that nothing is completed in a vacuum. I’ve been shaped by the mentors, collaborators, and teams who believed in me and challenged me to grow,” Shawn said. “As I step deeper into this role, I’m committed to honoring that investment by creating pathways for others to discover their own potential and by approaching this responsibility with the same curiosity and dedication to ensure the firm continues its amazing growth. This promotion represents more than a title, it’s a responsibility to steward the talent and vision that help our firm thrive. I hope to unlock potential — in people, in projects, and in the firm itself.”

Alex Russell  |  Mechanical Engineer & Director of Energy Services  |  Bozeman, Montana

Alex is a mechanical engineer and director of energy services, as well as principal in charge of Cushing Terrell’s sustainability service sector. Alex brings 20 years of experience to his work leading teams focused on delivering efficient, reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective energy solutions for a wide range of project types — from individual buildings to campus- and community-wide energy master plans. The groups under his leadership include commissioning, rebate and procurement, alternative energy, and medium voltage and distribution. Alex is known for building strong, resilient teams that provide critically important, in-demand services for the firm’s clients and their projects. Alex helped establish Cushing Terrell’s mentorship program while serving as co-chair of the Equity by Design mentoring task force. Additionally, he serves on the board-appointed vision committee and as chair of the advisor sub-committee.

“I want to start by acknowledging how honored and humbled I am to serve in this role,” Alex said. “I’ve personally benefited from strong mentorship and support throughout my career, and in my new role as principal, I’m committed to paying that forward. I’m focused on supporting our teams, creating an environment where people can do their best work, grow in their careers, and step into leadership roles themselves. I look forward to helping make our firm stronger, more collaborative, and better positioned for the future. I also believe in using data to guide our decision-making and continuously improve how we deliver value to our clients and our firm. I’m excited to see the future we build together as a team.”

About Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell was founded in 1938 on the belief that integrating architecture, engineering, and design opens the doors for deepened relationships and enhanced creativity. This foundation continues to define the firm and its multidisciplinary team today. Driven by empathy, the team works to design systems and spaces that help people live their best lives and enjoy healthy, sustainable built environments. With more than 500 team members spanning 30-plus disciplines and expertise across the commercial, education, government, healthcare, infrastructure, residential, and retail markets, the firm has offices in Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. For more information about Cushing Terrell, visit cushingterrell.com.