Frederick Braggs Joins LPA as Chief Financial Officer

Architecture industry veteran will provide financial leadership and strategic direction for integrated design firm setting new benchmarks for high-performance energy-efficient projects

IRVINE, CALIF. — JULY 20, 2022 — Integrated design firm LPA Design Studios has named architecture industry leader Frederick Braggs as Chief Financial Officer, where he will merge financial stewardship with the firm’s mission to “change lives by design.”

Braggs brings more than 20 years of experience in the architecture and engineering industry to the position, including leadership roles with Steinberg Hart, Gensler and HOK. With hands-on experience with complex projects and a career focus on maximizing operational financial performance, he has designed systems, built teams and strengthened the financial security on a wide range of projects and varied scale of practices.

Throughout his career, Braggs has built a reputation for collaboration, team management and moving beyond the customary accounting role to support project leaders and practice leaders in fostering informed and transparent relationships with clients.

“Frederick’s talents cross the traditional lines of a chief financial officer,” LPA CEO Wendy Rogers says. “He will influence how we work and serve clients, as well as the bottom line.”

Braggs replaces Charles Pruitt, who led LPA’s financial team for 28 years, helping to grow the firm from 40 employees to more than 400 with six studios in two states. In 2021, LPA earned the AIA California Firm Award, the top industry honor in the state, in recognition of its history of distinguished architecture, industry-leading results on building performance and unique collaborative culture.

“In many ways, Frederick is a perfect successor to Charles,” says LPA President Dan Heinfeld. “His deep understanding of the AE industry, dedication to education and leadership ability will help take the firm to the next level.”

Braggs will play a major role in connecting business priorities to the firm’s mission and larger goals. In LPA’s unique collaborative culture, which breaks down the barriers between disciplines, Braggs will focus on collaborative engagement that facilitates comprehensive and transparent financial performance management.

“The administrative process is an important part of the design experience for clients, and it can’t be overlooked,” Braggs says. “Our professionalism and the predictability of our processes play a large role in ensuring an enriched design experience and continue to differentiate LPA from other firms.”

Braggs’ experience includes financial oversight of several large-scale projects across the US, China and United Arab Emirates. He was part of a team that designed a scalable enterprise platform that standardized performance analytics and created dynamic operations output focused on highlighting key performance indicators at the project, studio and firmwide levels.

At LPA, Braggs will work with firm leaders to enhance the recruitment process, grow education programs and enhance the career experience for LPA employees.

“My most cherished career accomplishments have centered around creating well-deserved career growth opportunities for team members,” Braggs says. “The return from leadership development is a perpetual highlight of my career and my commitment to the future of the firm. This deliberate focus supports LPA’s organic growth and will ensure we have the talent and infrastructure that keeps pace with our design innovation.”

An associate member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects, Braggs grew up in Louisiana, where he completed undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University. He also studied at The Pennsylvania State University, where he earned an MBA degree. Early in his career, Braggs developed deep interests in the unique value of architecture and engineering.

“Working in a firm designing structures and spaces that could be monuments to generations — I was very stimulated by that,” he says.