New principals and studio directors reflect the firm’s ongoing investment in talent and leadership to ensure sustainable and collaborative growth.
LPA Design Studios has promoted a diverse group of four designers to leadership positions, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to distributed ownership and developing the next generation of design leaders.
Landscape architect Rich Bienvenu, architect Denise Mendelssohn and Design Director Jim Oppelt have been named principals, becoming part-owners of the firm and key voices in its strategic direction, while Eric Jones, principal, has been promoted to studio director in San Diego, taking over for Dave Gilmore. Mendelssohn also has been named studio director of the Irvine Urban Design Studio (UDS), succeeding Jim Wirick. Wirick and Gilmore will remain active in the firm as principals in advisory roles.
“Denise, Rich, Jim and Eric are excellent examples of leaders who believe in a collaborative spirit and the understanding that we don’t do this alone,” says LPA CEO Wendy Rogers. “I’m excited to see where they take us next.”
All four leaders have played an integral role in the growth of the firm, which was recently recognized with the AIA National Firm Award, the highest honor in the United States for an architecture firm. While they come from vastly different backgrounds and experiences, each has been instrumental in developing the firm’s culture of shared responsibility, focused on a multi-discipline, informed approach to designing high-performing facilities.
Denise Mendelssohn
Principal, Studio Director
Irvine UDS
With more than 20 years in architectural design, Denise Mendelssohn has led teams on a wide variety of corporate, civic and developer projects, from tenant improvements to high-rise construction. She excels at uniting multidisciplinary teams to execute complex projects and has been a driving force behind LPA’s sustainability initiatives. In her new roles, she will continue shaping firmwide sustainability efforts while helping to mentor the next generation of leaders in the Irvine Urban Design Studio.
"Denise has been a driving force in sustainability at LPA from the start,” Rogers says. She’s earned the trust of our toughest clients and built teams that deliver outstanding work."
Rich Bienvenu
Principal, Director of Landscape Architecture
San Antonio
Since joining LPA in 1998, Rich Bienvenu has led landscape design for higher education projects across the country, creating sustainable outdoor environments that connect people and elevate communities. He collaborates closely with architects and engineers to seamlessly integrate landscape into broader design strategies that reduce water use and enhance outdoor learning environments. He was recently elevated to a new role, leading the expansion of LPA’s landscape team in Texas.
"Rich is a champion of integrated design,” says LPA President Keith Hempel. “His approachable, collaborative leadership is already having an impact on Texas projects."
Jim Oppelt
Principal, Design Director
San Antonio
Jim Oppelt has spent the bulk of his career designing K-12 educational environments that foster collaboration and enhance student experiences. He brings experience from nonprofit public interest design to his work, taking an inclusive, community-first approach to every project. For Jim, great design starts with listening—understanding stakeholder needs and translating them into spaces that serve students, teachers, and neighborhoods. His commitment to San Antonio builds on a family legacy of shaping the region’s educational and cultural landscape, including his father Mark’s influential work in K-12 design and advocacy for environmental literacy and sustainable practices. In his new role, Jim will expand his influence as a leader in educational design across Texas.
"Jim brings the whole package — designer, architect and project manager,” Hempel says. “He leads with a quiet strength that earns trust from teams and clients alike. His relationships with school districts like Austin ISD and East Central ISD speak to his impact, and we’re thrilled to see him shape the future of our education teams in Texas."
Eric Jones
Principal, Studio Director
San Diego
Eric Jones leads many of LPA’s most complex projects, bringing clarity and precision to every phase of design. With experience spanning higher education, K-12, commercial, healthcare, and science & technology, he is known for his strategic approach and ability to align teams around a shared vision. His portfolio includes award-winning life science and corporate campuses, as well as innovative learning environments like E3 Civic High, a prototype urban charter school within San Diego’s Central Library. As Studio Director, he will oversee operations and strategic growth for the San Diego studio, fostering collaboration across disciplines and supporting teams in delivering high-performance, forward-thinking design solutions.
"Eric manages complexity with precision while keeping teams forward-thinking, focused and engaged,” says Gilmore, the outgoing Studio Director. “He knows the science and tech industry inside and out and will be a great mentor and problem-solver in San Diego.”
