Tag

Chris Huckabee

Aug 15
0

IEG Partners with Huckabee

By | News

Huckabee is excited to announce the addition of MEP engineering to our suite of education-focused services with the acquisition of IEG, the state’s leader in sustainable and cost-effective design strategies for school facilities.  

Huckabee has provided in-house structural engineering services for two decades and, with this acquisition, can now provide clients with an even more integrated and holistic design approach.  

Founded by Don Penn over 30 years ago, IEG has been dedicated to educating school districts and other specialty clients in ways to become more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in their mechanical, electrical and plumbing design. IEG has created some of the most energy-efficient facilities in the country, designing over 25 million square feet of geothermal heat pump systems and the first Net Zero middle school in Texas.   

Together, Huckabee and IEG have completed 150 projects together over the past 20 years for school districts across Texas. Don Penn and his staff of talented engineers and other professionals will remain in the company and continue to serve current and future clients.  

“We are excited to partner with IEG,” said Chris Huckabee, CEO. “We have always been like-minded in our commitment to excellence and client service – we knew joining forces would enable both our organizations to bring even MORE value to our clients.”  

For more information about IEG, please visit https://www.iegltd.com/. 

Jun 28
0

Uvalde CISD Foundation

By | News

As the nation continues to mourn the 21 innocent lives that were lost at Robb Elementary School, the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District has announced it has secured support from donors for the construction of a new elementary school.

We stand with other generous donors who are also committed to helping Uvalde move forward. To join our efforts, donations can be made to the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, a nonprofit charitable foundation established to raise funds for this meaningful project. Learn more at UvaldeCISDMovingForward.org.

Among the donors leading the way for this project are the Butt family and H-E-B. Huckabee and Joeris General Contractors are donating our services for this effort and would like to thank our consulting partners who are doing the same:

  • Alpha Testing
  • Baird, Hampton & Brown
  • Crux Technologies
  • Engineered Exteriors
  • FDP
  • Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc.
  • Studio 16:19
  • Waddell | Serafino
Apr 13
0

Huckabee’s Future Vision

By | News

For 55 years, Huckabee has solely focused on serving educational clients in Texas through the design of innovative learning environments. Our team passionately believes you can change the world through education, and we have continually evolved to find new ways to support our clients in this incredibly important mission.

At our core, Huckabee is a design firm, but as teaching and learning continues to evolve, so too have our services. The phrase “More Than Architects” isn’t just a slogan—it’s our commitment to provide our clients with the diverse range of services needed to prepare students for the future. This approach has been the catalyst of our sustained growth into one of the largest educational firms in the nation, without ever leaving the State of Texas.

For the past several years, Huckabee’s leadership team has been strategically focused on growing our impact and is excited to announce two new partnerships that will launch our next phase of growth.

Huckabee is welcoming a new investment partner, Godspeed Capital, to bring strategic relationships, substantial investment capital and impressive experience in building premier professional services companies. In partnership with Godspeed, Huckabee has acquired the California-based firm, Rachlin Partners, who is aligned with Huckabee’s educational focus and our commitment to being MORE for our clients.

Rachlin is a fully-integrated architecture, planning, interior design, program management and construction management firm that was established in 1982 in Los Angeles. Since its inception, the firm has grown and established a reputation for imaginative and innovative solutions for education and government clients.

“I couldn’t be more proud or more excited. My father founded this firm in 1967 with a single focus on education; we have built upon his legacy and are now poised to impact students, educators and communities across the country,” said Christopher M. Huckabee, Chief Executive Officer of Huckabee. Chris will maintain his current position as CEO, and the firm’s leadership team will remain in place. “Now, we can have an even greater impact with our new partners. The future is incredibly bright for our clients and employees, and I look forward to sharing our continued story of success.”

Apr 21
0

Josh Brown Named President

By | News

Huckabee, a 54-year-old firm exclusively committed to educational planning and design, is excited to announce a new President to help lead the company into the future.

Josh Brown, AIA, was named President in April. He has provided 18 years of leadership and innovation to Huckabee, helping position the firm as a trailblazer in educational design. Josh joined Huckabee in 2003 as an Intern Architect, later serving as a Project Leader, Associate Principal, Principal and Office Director. His experience provided him a well-rounded perspective of the people, industry and clients we serve; and it is complemented by his deep belief in the firm’s mission and commitment to the success of all students.

“On many occasions, Josh stepped up and answered the call to do very difficult work in the company,” said Christopher M. Huckabee, AIA, Chief Executive Officer. “Moving Josh into the role of President recognizes his contributions and represents an exciting transition toward the next generation of Huckabee’s leadership group.”

Among his accomplishments, Josh has designed and managed more than a billion dollars in educational projects for the firm, he has provided mentorship to many current and future leaders, and he has supported strategic growth as a Shareholder of Huckabee. Notably, Josh played a critical role in the development of Huckabee’s educational research lab, LEx Labs at Baylor University, a facility where clients explore the connection between the learning environment and student engagement. He also opened Huckabee’s Dallas office and has led the team to increase its client base in a rapidly-growing market. Most recently, Josh served as Office Director for the Dallas and Fort Worth offices, leading the development of solid relationship with clients, new business opportunities for the firm, and the growth of internal team members.

“Integrity is the foundational principle of this organization,” said Josh. “And, it will continue to drive us into the future, along with our commitments to ‘collective wisdom,’ empowerment, mentorship and continuous improvement. I am humbled and excited to lead this next chapter of the Huckabee story.”

Josh graduated from Texas Tech University in 2003 with a Master’s in Architecture and has spent his entire career at Huckabee. He and his family live in Prosper, Texas. He currently serves on the PISD Education Foundation Board and is an active member of the Prosper community.

Jul 01
0

Investing in Public Education

By | News

Texas public education matters, and Huckabee continues to actively support and advocate for our partners in education as we collectively address critical needs. As a Board Member of the North Texas Commission, our CEO, Chris Huckabee, has joined numerous business and education leaders across the state to ask our elected officials to address public education recovery in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Huckabee firm is supportive of this initiative.

Nineteen major business and education associations, backed by hundreds of public education advocates, signed a letter on June 29 urging elected leaders to enable a statewide task force to assess the challenges posed by COVID-19 to public education in six key areas:

  1. Maintenance of funding
  2. Connectivity, access to technology and contingency planning
  3. Professional development
  4. Assessment and support for students
  5. Health and safety
  6. Acknowledgement of the economic cost of inaction.

Read the letter here.

Through the North Texas Commission, Chris was also asked to join Dr. Susan Bohn, Aledo ISD Superintendent, to co-chair the Education & Workforce Task Force. The group has been charged to develop a list of legislative priorities that require action in the 87th Texas Legislative Session. The success of the previous legislative session brought finance reform to public education, yet, it remains critical that these reforms remain part of a long-term strategy to invest in Texas school districts.

“Together, we made great progress for public education in 2019, but COVID-19 will certainly create budget challenges for the legislature,” said Chris. “We will need a solid and unified voice in Austin this January to keep the ground we have gained and prevent challenges that a lack of funding will create.”

Jul 01
0

MORE Momentum: Construction

By | News

Part three of Huckabee’s MORE Momentum market update series focuses on the Texas construction market. We discuss the current construction market, what’s changed in the past few months, what school districts can learn from the current state of affairs and the pro/cons of pre-design before passing a bond.

Our guests include:

  • LaShae Baskin, Huckabee’s Austin Office Director
  • Kevin Byrd, Central Texas Vice President of Operations for Bartlett Cocke
  • Dennis Yung, Vice President and General Manager for the Houston and Dallas areas for Skanska
  • Chris Huckabee, CEO of Huckabee

We’ve broken out each question for MORE Momentum #6: Construction Market below. You can view the webinar in its entirety by clicking here.

Austin / San Antonio Market

What is driving the market right now in the Austin and San Antonio areas?

For the first time in 10 years, we are seeing a pricing correction in the market. In recent months, 9/9 project bids have come in significantly under budget, including prototype designs. Factors contributing to savings opportunities include: subcontractor backlog, the supply chain and availability of manpower. If you’re ready, it’s a great time to build.

DFW / Houston Markets

Does this differ from what is going on in the DFW and Houston areas?

In the DFW/Houston markets, commodity prices are favorable. Supply chain updates predict that for the next 6 months, pricing on construction materials and equipment will remain flat and even potentially decrease. This creates ideal conditions for construction projects.

In Houston, 15-20 percent of projects have been delayed, suspended or canceled. Companies are looking to rebuild their backlog. This competitive environment, when combined with favorable commodity prices, creates an ideal time to start construction projects.

Dallas is one of the fastest growing construction markets in the country and is expected to be the second busiest construction market in 2020. However, like other areas throughout Texas, companies, including subcontractors, are looking to fill their backlog.

Impact to School Districts

What are some things that school districts need to be on the lookout for or aware of?

Be diligent when selecting contractors. The K-12 construction and subcontractor market will be flooded with businesses stepping outside their primary sectors. Make sure firms are qualified and capable to deliver K-12 projects. Evaluate their experience and qualifications related to your scope of work.

We have a new normal in the construction industry with new standards for safe work environments. Requirements for social distancing, safe work practices and personal protective equipment all have an impact on productivity. As you build schedules for your projects, make sure they account for these changes.

How Can School Districts Take Advantage of Market Changes

Work with your construction manager and architect to understand the opportunities in your region. While we are not able to see if the price correction will last beyond six months, we see real opportunity right now. If you can take advantage of the current market, do it.

Shovel Ready Pre-Bond

What is critical for school districts to understand about the process of design before a bond is passed? 

The concept of shovel ready pre-bond essentially means getting your project ready to bid so that you can capitalize on a favorable market as soon as funding is available. Districts have adopted the process to help save on inflation. Today, we are looking at a favorable climate where districts can take advantage of the lower prices in the construction market over the next six months.

There are several considerations to determine if this approach is right for your community, including:

  • Mental shift
  • Availability of design funds
  • Community support for this approach
  • Scheduling and time-lost due to COVID-19

It’s critical to ensure that your stakeholders are on board. Your administration, school board and bond steering committee should all be involved in the conversation. Help them understand the pros and cons of this process so you can make an informed decision.

Pros and Cons of Pre-Bond Design

Pre-bond design requires design fees upfront. If this seems like a risk to your community, then this process might not be a good fit. Your decision should be based on data-driven information and what is most logical for your community.

One major benefit of pre-bond design is the ability to keep your projects on schedule. Right now, we are also looking at the opportunity to take advantage of a narrow window for optimum bids. The current market also gives districts the chance to more accurately align costs with contractors, which results in a positive impact on the bottom line.

Final Takeaways

The construction market is very competitive right now, which is driving prices down. Districts can take advantage of this within the next 6 months, because beyond that, we don’t know what pricing will look like. If you have never gone through the process of pre-bond design, and this is something that feels viable for you, start having the conversation with your stakeholders and talk with your architect on what the process looks like for your district. You don’t need to rush anything, but if you are in the position to take advantage of the market right now, you should.

About MORE Momentum

Huckabee’s MORE Momentum series highlights how our educational partners are investing their time, energy and focus to keep the momentum going during this unprecedented “pause.” We will explore themes related to bonds, planning, design and safety and security, among other topics that impact Texas public education. Follow us @HuckabeeInc on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linked In, or complete the form below to get a first look as new content is released. 

For the full webinar, click below

Keep the momentum going!
Reach out to our Huckabee Communications team to learn MORE.

More Momentum
Sending

Sep 05
0

#3 in Giants 300

By | News

Building Design + Construction’s “Giants 300” list was released, and Huckabee was named #3 K-12 architecture / engineering firm in the nation. We are thankful for the recognition, but even more thankful for the relationships we have with our clients and the incredible work they invite us to be a part of.

Education has been our purpose, our sole focus for over 52 years, and we are proud to be recognized for work that we find so meaningful. Our firm has experienced incredible growth over the past decade, in direct response to the needs of our clients and the trust they’ve bestowed on us. It is our honor and privilege to serve the educational community, and we extend our thanks to our partners across Texas. We wouldn’t be here with you!

Click here to see the full list. “Giants 300″ ranks architecture, engineering and construction firms across 20+ building sectors and services.

Mar 25
0

C. Huckabee Elected TTUS Chairman

By | Higher Education

Christopher M. Huckabee, AIA, Chief Executive Officer of Huckabee, was elected Chairman of the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents on March 21. Chris, a graduate of the Texas Tech College of Architecture, was appointed to the board in 2015 by Gov. Greg Abbott. He was named Vice Chairman in October 2018 and previously served on the Facilities and Investment Advisory committees.

He is joined by the new Vice Chairman of the Board of Regents, J. Michael Lewis, in addition to three new appointees (Ginger Kerrick, Mark Griffin and Dusty Womble).

“Congratulations to Chairman Huckabee and Vice Chairman Lewis on being elected by their fellow board members,” Texas Tech University System Chancellor and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center President Dr. Tedd L. Mitchell said. “I look forward to working closely with these outstanding leaders as we advance the Texas Tech System and each of our institutions. I would also like to thank Regent Tim Lancaster for his leadership and service to the board as chairman. I am grateful for all of our regents’ commitment to serving their alma maters.”

Both personally and professionally, Chris is an advocate for all students. He has served on multiple boards and committees to help further initiatives focused on education and youth. Prior to being named a regent, Chris was twice appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by Gov. Rick Perry, where he chaired the Agency Operations Committee. He also served as a board member of Cook Children’s Health Foundation and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Currently, he is Chair Emeritus of the Board of the North Texas Community Foundation.

As CEO of Huckabee, an architecture / engineering firm, Chris further imparts a deep commitment to education. Under his leadership, Huckabee has become one of the top educational design firms in the nation. The firm focuses exclusively on learning environments and serves clients in the areas of early childhood, K-12, higher education and community-based education.

Chris will begin his work as Chairman of the Board of Regents immediately. Of his appointment, Chris said: “There’s a lot of work left to do, and we need to put our heads down and do that. I’d like to say thank you to the governor for naming three great regents that are going to add to us immediately and excel us down the road.”

Feb 06
0

Hammerlun Center Dedication

By | Clients

February 5 was a celebratory day for Georgetown ISD as they officially “opened” their new administration and training center in one of the district’s historic buildings. Huckabee team members joined the Georgetown community for a ribbon cutting, tours of the campus and one very special dedication.

GISD’s administration center is named after Jerry Hammerlun—an icon in the Georgetown community, a beloved former colleague of the Huckabee team and a fierce advocate for education. Jerry was passionate about mentoring future leaders and ensuring his community embraced the future while honoring the past. He played a critical role in the vision of the new administration building before his passing in June 2017.

Photo credit Jerrod Wittman, “The Bearded Wonder”

The Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning serves as home-base for more than 100 district employees. It is a collaborative and innovative learning space for educators, featuring office space plus a state-of-the-art professional development center that emphasizes flexibility, choice and collaboration. District employees have access to maker spaces, professional learning labs, planning rooms and more. Their space mimics those that are found in their schools.

From the start, GISD wanted to preserve the history of the building. The Hammerlun Center was built in 1924 and was the original home to Georgetown High School, later serving as the district’s middle school, and most recently, Williams Elementary School. Huckabee worked diligently to pay respect to the architecture of the period while reflecting the current culture of learning in GISD. The exterior remains largely unchanged while the interior blends a more industrial and professional aesthetic.

The opening of the Hammerlun Center represents the culmination of a years-long effort to redefine learning in Georgetown ISD. It’s a one-of-a-kind campus that is truly reflective of the way GISD wishes to engage students, educators and administrators within an exciting and supportive learning culture.

  • GISDAdmin_38

Photo credit Jerrod Wittman, “The Bearded Wonder”

May 21
0

Huckabee Profiled by AIA

By | News

AIA National featured Huckabee in its most recent newsletter, interviewing our CEO, Chris Huckabee, about how our focus on education led to record growth over the past couple of decades. In the article entitled, “This Texas firm survived a downturn by solving problems beyond design,” Chris shares about Huckabee’s culture of learning, our commitment to Texas education and how innovation in our service offerings led to more opportunity. Read the article, here.

Dec 20
0

Inaugural WHOA Award Presented

By | News

At this year’s Christmas party, our leadership team presented the inaugural WHOA Award, a recognition created in memory of our friend and colleague, Jerry Hammerlun. Jerry joined Huckabee in 2001 and served our firm, our team and our clients with integrity, focus and enthusiasm. He was an incredible man whose legacy lives on in so many ways.

The WHOA Award is a special distinction that recognizes an individual who “took hold of the reins” and expertly guided the team with wisdom, integrity and spirit—in the same way that Jerry guided our team throughout his tenure at Huckabee. The honor was bestowed on Larry Cousin in our Fort Worth office. Larry was critical to our team this year, and we were pleased to recognize his contribution, commitment and wisdom.

The award was originally presented to Jerry many years ago by Chris Huckabee in the form of actual reins. Our founder, Tommie Huckabee, felt the reins needed a place to rest, aptly, a horse. Tommie, a skilled woodworker, sculpted the piece as a gift to Jerry. The reins were a perfect fit, and the award became a legacy, referred to as others at Huckabee exhibited similar fortitude and ingenuity. Its resurgence is one of the many ways that Jerry continues to touch our lives.

Dec 19
0

Huckabee Achievement Awards

By | News

As our 50th year came to a close, we took one more opportunity to celebrate as a family at our annual Christmas party. More than 350 people gathered for the celebration, which brought together employees and their loved ones from each of our five offices. It’s one of our favorite events of the year, a time when we reflect on the incredible people we’ve met, projects we’ve embarked on and experiences we’ve shared. 

During the event, our team honored employees for years of service and achievement. Notably, Huckabee recognized Daren Kirbo for 20 years of service. Daren joined the firm in the summer of 1997, working first in Stephenville and later in Fort Worth before opening our Austin office in 2011. He is beloved by our team and clients, and he is known for his spirit and deep care for each of the communities he serves.

Congratulations to Daren and all of our colleagues who were recognized for their years of service!

  • Erin Evans, five years of service
  • Courtney Foster, five years of service
  • Brian Green, five years of service
  • Lauren Hoyle, five years of service
  • Laura McCollum, five years of service
  • Megan Smith, five years of service
  • Levi Swinney, five years of service
  • Roberto Zuniga, five years of service
  • Jay Graham, 10 years of service
  • Pam Riley, 10 years of service
  • Daren Kirbo, 20 years of service

During the event, our team had the privilege of recognizing a dear colleague and friend who left us too early in 2017. In memory of Jerry Hammerlun, we established the WHOA Award, a special distinction that recognizes an individual who “took hold of the reins” and expertly guided the team with wisdom, integrity and spirit—in the same way that Jerry guided our team throughout his tenure at Huckabee. The honor was bestowed on Larry Cousin in our Fort Worth office. Larry was critical to our team this year, and we were pleased to recognize his commitment and wisdom.

Other employees were honored with the Huckabee Achievement Award and the Best Practices Award. The prestigious Achievement Award recognizes an individual who is characterized by their commitment to excellence and dedication to our clients and to our team. It was presented to Les Reddin from our Austin office, an individual who represents all of these attributes and more. The Best Practices Award was given to Javier Rosero in Houston for taking an innovative approach to establishing new ideas and processes.

Dec 05
0

Huckabee Wins Trifecta Award

By | News

Huckabee was one of only nine firms to accept Zweig Group’s esteemed Trifecta Award at the 2017 Hot Firm Conference. This distinction recognizes companies that have received Best Firms to Work For, Hot Firms and Marketing Excellence awards within the same year. We are happy to share this special honor with every member of our team.

Notably, Huckabee was proud to rank as the #1 Best Firm to Work For in the architecture category. A combination of employee surveys and corporate evaluations were conducted to determine rankings for the award. Huckabee is continuously dedicated to being more than a workplace, and you can learn more about what this award means to us here.

Zweig’s Hot Firm Award recognizes the fastest growing companies in the architecture, engineering and planning industry. This year, Huckabee was ranked #8 out of 100. 

Huckabee also entered into the Special Event Category for the Marketing Excellence Award, submitting our campaign for the internal launch of our 50th anniversary celebration. The event was recognized for its “outstanding and effective” marketing effort. It featured spontaneous launch parties at each office with a “swag grab” and branding campaign focused on the meaning of 50 years. The campaign continued throughout the year, culminating in a 50th anniversary celebration, Huckapalooza, for our employees and their families.

Chris Huckabee, Chief Executive Officer; Kim Hopper, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Kenny Martin, Director of Project Practice, travelled to Seattle to accept the awards on behalf of the team.

“Receiving the Trifecta Award in our 50th year is the icing on the cake. This kind of recognition is the perfect way to kick off the next 50 years,” said Kim.

Jun 13
0

A celebration of #50more

By | News

Huckabee is midway through a yearlong commemoration of our 50th anniversary. Our team marked the occasion Saturday with an employee + family celebration, which brought together more than 300 people from across the state. The event, aptly named Huckapalooza, featured food trucks, lawn games, kids activities, dancing, a performance by Wade Bowen and Huckabee’s signature swag. It was an opportunity to celebrate together as a family and with family—something that has been important to us since day one.

For five decades, Huckabee has served Texas students, educators and communities with an exclusive focus on education. We started as a small architecture firm in West Texas and have grown into a multidiscipline A/E firm with offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston, as well as an educational research center in Waco at Baylor University. We’ve been around for 50 years, and we can’t help but look forward to 50 more!

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Jun 07
0

#1 Best Firms to Work For

By | News

Huckabee was named the #1 Best Firms to Work For by Zweig Group—a ranking that recognizes outstanding work environments and company culture. Huckabee is dedicated to workplace excellence and our firm is excited to share this honor with our entire team! 

“This recognition is about our people and our shared passion for design, engineering and education. We place great emphasis on excellence in everything we do, and this means investing in our team, our offices and our culture,” said Chris Huckabee, Chief Executive Officer. 

Chris often works in the coffee bar or common areas of each office, using the time as an opportunity to engage with employees and enjoy the vibrant work environment. Over the past few years, Huckabee opened offices in live-work-play communities and transitioned to a more open, collaborative and flexible work space that better reflects the culture. Sit-to-stand desks, soft seating, technology-friendly meeting spaces, informal lounges, focus rooms and coffee bars are a few of the features employees enjoy.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into what our team needs to succeed. Each of our offices reflect our corporate culture as well as local personality. When you walk in, you know you’re in a Huckabee office,” he said.

Kim Hopper, Huckabee’s Chief Human Resources Officer believes our firm is consistently recognized as a best place to work because of our ongoing commitment to opportunity and family. “I knew from day one this was a special place. Opportunity is everywhere, and we have so many inspirational people on our team that provide ongoing mentorship to their colleagues each and every day.”

Family is key to Huckabee’s culture of excellence—whether at work or home. Our employee engagement coordinator plans culture-focused activities that bring small and large groups together in meaningful ways. An emphasis on work-life balance is also prevalent. Other programs and perks include professional development; wellness initiatives; employee-driven committees focused on culture; and great coffee.

Notably, Huckabee is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is commemorating the occasion with several employee-focused programs, including an employee scholarship program for personalized professional development; a limited-edition flair / swag program; and a firm-wide family day and anniversary party. 

“There is so much opportunity at Huckabee for any number of professionals in the architecture, engineering, design and support fields,” said Chris. “Huckabee’s culture is the result of 50 years of practice and focus in the educational market. We are life-long learners, and we hire people who bring passion, innovation and integrity to our team. We are proud of our firm and the reputation we’ve established as a great company to work for and with.”

For more information about Huckabee’s culture or career opportunities, visit www.morethanaworkplace.com.

We are Huckabee Texas
happy hour Huckabee Texas

Zweig Group’s Best Firms to Work For honors outstanding workspaces in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, geotechnical, environmental and civil, structural, and multi-discipline engineering firms. Firms are ranked based on ability to create amazing workspaces through design, teamwork, benefits, amenities and work culture. They are scored on employee surveys and corporate evaluations. To view the full list, click here.

Feb 03
4

A Golden Anniversary

By | News

In 2017, Huckabee commemorates our 50th anniversary. We have proudly served Texas students, educators and communities for five decades. Our legacy is one we are honored to uphold.

We have a year of celebrations planned, and we look forward to the opportunity to reflect on the people, projects and moments that shaped our firm. Follow along at www.Huckabee50.com or #50more on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

From our roots as a small architecture firm in West Texas, to being named the #1 educational design firm in the state, it’s been an incredible journey. Here’s to 50 more years … we’re just getting started!

A FOUNDATION OF INTEGRITY

Fifty years ago, Tommie Huckabee saw an opportunity to bridge the gap in the architect and contractor relationship. He grew up working with his father, a general contractor, and knew the importance of a solid set of construction documents. As a result, he believed he owed it to his clients to do detailed drawings that bid more accurately and delivered more value. In 1967, Tommie and his colleague, Herman Riherd, opened Riherd & Huckabee in Andrews and Lubbock, Texas. The philosophy that inspired their vision is the foundation for what we still believe today—above all else: quality, integrity and service.

From the beginning, our work focused on education. We primarily served West Texas school districts, earning a reputation for excellence in the region. One of our first projects was a new gymnasium for Denver City ISD. More work followed, with Huckabee schools popping up across the plains. At the time, Riherd & Huckabee was designing some of the most innovative facilities in the region, including a new middle school for Andrews ISD that had a planetarium, three gymnasiums and an open concept learning environment. Another project, in Monahans-Wickett-Pyote ISD, was one of Tommie’s favorites; it was selected in 1976 to exhibit at an International Design Competition in Basel, Switzerland.

In the mid-70s, Riherd retired, and a new partner, Larry Donham, joined Tommie. Huckabee & Donham had 10 employees. For the next 15 years, they continued to build the firm’s legacy. During this time, Tommie opened an office in Stephenville, where the firm relocated after Donham’s retirement.

In 1989, Huckabee was short-listed in Mansfield ISD. The district was small, and they were looking for a partner to grow with. Huckabee fit the bill, and we kicked off a 28-year relationship that has resulted in more than $1.75 billion in school projects. It was one of the most significant moments for our firm. Today, Mansfield ISD serves more than 33,000 students. Their legacy is one we are proud to share.

In 1990, we became Huckabee & Associates. Tommie’s son, Chris Huckabee, graduated from Texas Tech University and joined the firm.

Chris had learned from the best. In second grade he attended his first board meeting with his father. Soon after, he started riding along to visit construction sites and meet with clients whenever the opportunity arose. He was entrenched in Huckabee, and when graduation came, eager to make his mark and work alongside Tommie.

A VISIONARY FUTURE

In 1995, Chris opened an office in Fort Worth, another significant move for Huckabee. It provided more opportunities for the firm to compete in a larger market. In 2000, Tommie passed the torch to Chris, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and a foundation that continues to sustain us.

Over the next nine years, Huckabee focused on the work, establishing a presence in new markets to the east, north and south. We developed new relationships and started working with school districts that remain our partners today.

When the recession hit in 2009, we doubled down on our commitment to Texas education. Huckabee invested in hiring talented leaders in the educational design field. We diversified our offerings and focused on being a trusted advisor for our clients. We took the time to reflect on our role in education and work with school districts to develop comprehensive plans for the future. We embodied the concept of being “More than Architects,” a vision that allowed us to do more, be more and give more to our clients. It was a defining moment for Huckabee, and it led to an incredible period of growth.

We are Huckabee Texas
happy hour Huckabee Texas

By 2011, Huckabee started expanding. We opened offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Notably, we also opened the Learning Experience Laboratories (LEx Labs) in partnership with ESC Region 12 at Baylor University. LEx Labs is an educational research center and test lab used by Huckabee, our clients and the university to explore 21st century classrooms and learning spaces. As education moves toward project-based learning and creating authenticity in the learning experience, we are standing beside Texas schools and helping lead the way for incredible facilities. LEx Labs represents this commitment, and it’s our way of investing in research and training that supports long-term student engagement and performance.

In 2016, on the eve of our 50th anniversary, Huckabee was named the #1 educational design firm in Texas by Engineering News Record. The recognition was a testament to our employees, clients and our commitment to education. Today, we have over 200 employees across the state, with more than 3,500 educational projects under our cap. We have worked with more than 150 school districts in the last few decades alone, and impacted thousands of students and educators throughout our shared journey.

Now in our 50th year, Huckabee still stands for the values that Tommie instilled: quality, integrity and service. We still stand for education and the success of all students. And we still strive to be more every single day, because education is worth it and our kids deserve it. As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we can’t help but look forward to 50 more years.

It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re just getting started.

Oct 09
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Chris Huckabee featured Huckabee Texas

Texas Tech Honors Chris Huckabee

By | Higher Education

Chris Huckabee has been named the 2015 Texas Tech University College of Architecture Distinguished Alumni. The Architecture Alumni Association presents the award annually to graduates who have clearly defined excellence in their profession, as well as shown dedication to the field of architecture.

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It’s truly an honor to be recognized by my alma mater. Texas Tech University’s College of Architecture has produced some of the best architects in the state, and I am proud to represent and support the program as a Distinguished Alumni.

Chris HuckabeeChief Executive Officer, Huckabee

Chris graduated from Texas Tech University’s College of Architecture in 1991. Upon graduation, he joined Huckabee full-time, having already spent the majority of his life learning about the field from his father, Tommie. Shortly after, Chris became President, and in 2001 took over as Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Huckabee has grown from a 5-person shop to a more than 180-employee, multi-discipline firm with offices across Texas. It is one of the fastest growing architectural / engineering firms in the nation.

In addition to his business acumen, the Distinguished Alumni award recognizes Chris’ leadership in the community and his belief in developing a firm-wide culture of philanthropy. As a community leader, Chris served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board where he worked to improve the quality and access of higher education to all Texans. He recently stepped down from his role, when he was appointed to the Board of Regents at Texas Tech University. Chris also serves on the Board of Trustees for Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth and as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of North Texas.

Through his family’s Huckabee Community Excellence Fund, Chris and the firm have given more than $1,000,000 to organizations that support education, health, community programs, arts and cultural affairs. Huckabee also routinely provides support to education foundations, local causes and continuing education opportunities, as well as encourages its employees to give back through volunteering and through the donation of goods and funds.

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Chris Huckabee color Huckabee Texas

Chris is one of the foremost CEOs in Texas, both within his field and as a business leader. His philosophy focuses on empowering employees and inspiring innovation, with the goal of providing the best-quality service to his clients. Chris also developed one of the top internship programs for recent college graduates, providing them with first-hand experience as they develop into successful architects and engineers.

As a testament to his leadership, Huckabee consistently appears on top industry lists for growth, workplace environment and innovation. In 2015, Zweig Group voted Huckabee the “Best Firm to Work For,” placing number three on the list for architecture firms and number one for structural engineering firms. Zweig Group also named Huckabee as a 2015, “Hot Firm.” Other recent recognitions include Engineering News Record’s “Top 500 Design Firms,” and Building Design + Construction magazine’s 2015 Giants 300 list as a “Top 10 K-12 School Sector” firm, among numerous school design awards.

The Architecture Alumni Association will make the announcement during a special presentation at the Texas Society of Architects Convention in November. Chris is the 34th alumni to receive the honor, joining a list of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of architecture.

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Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to learn from many great architects and business leaders. Passing that knowledge along and creating an environment that supports growth, mentorship and integrity in leadership is an important part of Huckabee’s success. We have recruited an incredible team that is playing an integral role in how instruction is delivered in Texas’ schools.

Chris HuckabeeChief Executive Officer, Huckabee