Next Panel
North Texas and The World Cup
(1994 and 2026)
Panel Discussion
April 30, 2026
Thursday, 7 pm
Check-in and Reception 6:15pm
Free and Open to the Public
Angelika Film Center | Mockingbird Station
AIA CES Credit Available
Dallas hosted part of the 1994 World Cup, which increased awareness of soccer, both in Dallas and across the US. The 1994 Cup was also one of the most financially successful World Cups in history. The games were very well-attended at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, increasing enthusiasm for soccer in the North Texas community and resulting in the formation of FC Dallas and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco.
Thirty-two years later, the World Cup is coming back to North Texas. Nine matches will be played here. Much has changed in North Texas over these three decades, including major growth in population and the building of the AT&T Stadium. Join us for this informative and important Panel Discussion about North Texas and the World Cup.
Attendees will hear from Trey Yelverton, City Manager of Arlington, and Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FIFA Committee. Facilitated by Moderator Noelle Mook, they will discuss the planning that is being done in North Texas to welcome international teams and crowds. What lasting effects will this event have on the future of North Texas and the economy? How will the tournament affect interest in Soccer and other Sports in the community? How will the North Texas infrastructure be tested during this time and what are lessons to be learned for future growth? Please join us on Thursday, April 30th!
Moderator
Noelle Mook is a senior project architect with more than twenty years of experience in strategic planning, project design, construction administration, and client relationship management. Her work spans a wide range of project types, including corporate office build-to-suit developments, government projects, transportation and sports facilities, hospitality projects, and complex mixed-use environments. She is known for her detail-oriented approach and her ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through all phases of a project while maintaining alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
Throughout her career, Noelle has focused on delivering thoughtful, well-coordinated design solutions that result in lasting client satisfaction and meaningful built environments. Raised in a military family, she spent her childhood traveling, which sparked an early appreciation for architectural history and international design influences. While studying abroad in Rome, her exposure to historic architecture and local culture also ignited a lifelong passion for soccer, or football, and she is especially excited to see FIFA come to North Texas. Beyond architecture, Noelle has a deep passion for music, photography, and dance; creative pursuits that continue to inform her design perspective.
Moderator
Noelle MOOK
Senior Associate and Senior Project Architect
BOKA Powell Architects
Panelists
As the Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission, Monica Paul plays an essential role in implementing bid strategies and marketing programs that enhance Dallas’ acquisition of sports competitions and events, including solicitation of Olympic, professional, collegiate and amateur sports. Paul also works closely with professional leagues, the NCAA, Olympic National Governing Bodies and amateur sports federations, promoting Dallas as a premier destination for events, conventions and meetings. Paul’s efforts proved instrumental in Dallas being named a Host City for FIFA World Cup 26 and securing nine matches during the tournament, more than any other market in 2026.
Prior to joining Visit Dallas in 2008, Paul was the Associate Director of Events at USA Volleyball, where she oversaw the international events for the USA Women’s and Men’s National Teams. Before that, Paul served as Director of International and Domestic Events for USA Taekwondo, and Director of Events, Marketing and Sponsorships for the Junior Volleyball Association of Austin. Paul earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. She currently serves on the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors, Cotton Bowl Classic Board of Directors, the Jason Witten’s SCORE Foundation Board of Directors, Women in Sports & Events (WISE) DFW Chapter Advisory Board, and the University of North Texas Sports Entertainment Management Industry Advisory Board. She was selected as the D CEO Non-profit and Corporate Citizenship Award Winner in Leadership Excellence in 2023, D CEO’s Dallas 500, Women in Business honoree by Dallas Business Journal.
Panelists
Monica PAUL
Executive Director, Dallas Sports Commission
President, North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee
Trey Yelverton has served as City Manager of Arlington, Texas since 2012. During that time he has spearheaded transformative projects in the state’s seventh largest city, including the Levitt Pavilion, College Park District, Downtown City Center, AT&T Stadium, Texas Live!, Loews Arlington Hotel & Convention Center, Globe Life Field, D.R. Horton Headquarters, GM expansion, Six Flags and Forum 303 mall redevelopments, the Arlington Highlands, and city-wide Via Ride Share. Founding Director of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, Yelverton has also led the Housing Authority and Sports Facilities Development Corporation. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master’s from the University of North Texas, and executive education certificates from Texas A&M’s Bush School and Harvard’s JFK School.
Under Yelverton’s leadership, Arlington received AAA bond ratings from public ratings agencies, Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities Gold Certification, all six Transparency Stars from the Texas Comptroller, as well as numerous corporate accreditations and Dallas Business Journal Best Real Estate Deals.
Trey YELVERTON
City Manager
Arlington, Texas
Panels Already Presented
COMMON GROUND
MAX LEVY and Colleagues
In Conversation..
..
Panel Discussion
Presented in Memory of
Ron Wommack, FAIA
March 25, 2026
Wednesday, 7 pm
Check-in and Reception 6:15 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Angelika Film Center | Mockingbird Station
AIA CES Credit Available
COMMON GROUND is a curated panel series of The Dallas Architecture Forum developed by Andrea Alvarez and Martin Medina, Assoc. AIA. The Panels in this series will bring together emerging designers, seasoned professionals, and the broader community to engage in meaningful conversations with locally recognized architects and designers. Through candid dialogue, storytelling, and shared experiences, this series offers an inside look into the journeys of established voices in the field—bridging generations between experience and curiosity, celebrating local talent while nurturing the next generation of designers. Join us as architect Max Levy and some of his colleagues (and former studio team members) discuss their work and how their lives intersect.
Max LEVY, FAIA
Max Levy, FAIA, grew up in Fort Worth, graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, and in 1984 established his studio in Dallas. Over the years the animating principle of his work has been this: that architecture has a marvelous capacity to reframe our awareness of nature in ways that can bring a bit of relief to our hectic lives. Working in this manner his projects have been recognized by local, state, and national design awards, including The O’Neil Ford Medal, Texas’ highest commendation for design achievement. Through it all he has maintained faith in the power of drawing, writing, and model-making to deepen one’s work.
Moderator
Martin MEDINA, Assoc. AIA
Martín Medina is a Design Director at OMNIPLAN Architects. With more than a decade of experience, his work is defined by clarity, restraint, and a strong understanding of use and context, viewing architecture as a framework for everyday life. He is known for building meaningful relationships with clients and collaborators, listening carefully and translating complex ideas into intuitive, well-resolved design solutions. His approach balances design rigor with sensitivity to place, resulting in disciplined and cohesive work. Martín serves on the board of the Dallas Architecture Forum and actively contributes to the city’s ongoing dialogue on architecture, design, and the public realm.
Panelists
Tom MANGANIELLO
Tom Manganiello grew up in South Florida and spent formative years in rural Pennsylvania. He graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design and studied under Glenn Murcutt before joining Max Levy’s office. Tom currently runs his own practice, focusing on small projects on previously built land and dividing his time between architecture and construction. He makes architecture that inhabits a human-altered world, shaping spaces attuned to time, nature, and impermanence.
Marc McCOLLOM, AIA
Marc McCollom AIA was born in rural Illinois and raised in Houston. He studied Chemistry at Rice University before earning a BFA in Sculpture. After designing and building custom furniture for several years, he studied Architecture at UT Arlington. Upon graduation he worked for Frank Welch FAIA and later with Max Levy FAIA. Marc began his solo practice in 2006; aspiring to produce a quiet Modernism that engages the senses, expresses its construction, and connects with nature.
D’J PERKISON AIA
D’Jelma “D’J” Perkison, AIA has managed Studio Perk since 2008 with a focus on adaptive re-use of residences originally built from 1920-1970. She frequently collaborates with other architects, builders, subcontractors and developers, providing resourceful solutions for a variety of design and construction challenges. She also builds (Perk Homes), is a licensed CPA, and has taught courses in professional practice at UT Arlington. D’J is driven to create stronger and more resilient connections to nature and the community in every project.
After earning a BA in German from Texas A&M and an MBA from UT Austin, D’J enjoyed early careers as a manager at PwC, a dot.com entrepreneur and a financial advisor. She then obtained her Master of Architecture from UT Arlington and worked first with The Beck Group then with Michael Malone before heading out on her own. She lives in Dallas with her husband, Brannon, and their two kids.
Jason David SMITH
Jason David Smith was raised on the plains of Western Oklahoma, influenced early by the vast landscape, adventures as the youngest in a large family, and a serious pursuit of baseball. Later arriving in northern Texas to play the game at a local university, his life took a decisive and passionate turn toward art and architecture, setting his course as a lifelong maker. During this period, he also met his wife, who was raised in East Texas. Together – drawn by appealing work and the city’s energy – they landed in Dallas. Jason David Smith studied art and graphic design before becoming educated, trained, and registered as an architect. Since 2011 he has operated an eponymous studio practice in Dallas, Texas. The studio engages projects across numerous scales, disciplines, and media—pursuing work chosen for its potential to carry meaning beyond usefulness while revealing the essence of ideas, systems, and materials.
Panels Already Presented
New Children’s Medical Center Dallas
Cross-Discipline
Collaboration:
New Children’s Medical
Center Dallas
Panel Discussion
Chuck Armstrong, FAIA Moderator
March 5, 2026
Thursday, 7 pm
Check-in and Reception 6:15 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Angelika Film Center | Mockingbird Station
AIA CES Credit Available
The new Children’s Health pediatric campus in Dallas will be among the largest facilities of its kind in the U.S. The project is a collaboration between many entities. The new Dallas pediatric campus will be located in Dallas’ Southwestern Medical District, directly across from UT Southwestern’s William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. This project is a joint venture between Children’s Health and UT Southwestern. It will serve as a collaborative center for innovation, academic research, training and the advancement of lifesaving technologies.
Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical Center have selected HKS and Perkins&Will as the integrated design team to collaborate on the new campus. McCarthy Vaughn Partnership (MVP) – a joint venture of McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. and J.T. Vaughn Construction LLC – will serve as construction manager for the $5 billion project, which will include 552 beds and 4.5 million square feet of construction.
The new campus will replace the current Children’s Health hospital in Dallas. Children’s Health anticipates the hospital will open in 2031.
How are the various entities involved in the design and construction process? What is the communication and decision-making process? What new strategies have the teams developed for this enormous collaborative effort?
Moderator
Chuck ARMSTRONG, FAIA
Chuck Armstrong, FAIA, served as Design Director and Principal at Corgan, bringing nearly 40 years of architectural leadership across healthcare, aviation, corporate, retail, and institutional projects worldwide. Known for his thoughtful design approach and ability to lead complex teams, Chuck guided more than 40 award-winning projects from vision to reality.
His portfolio includes the New Parkland Hospital, DFW International Airport Terminal D, Toyota North America Headquarters, One Arts Plaza, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Sacramento International Airport. In 2015, he was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in recognition of his contributions to advancing the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession.
Chuck holds a Bachelor of Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin and has served as a visiting critic at several universities, supporting the development of future design leaders.
Panelists
Rachel KNOX, AIA
Rachel Knox has dedicated her 20+ year career to the design of healthcare facilities, including many notable projects in the DFW area. Serving as a Partner and Studio Practice Leader of the Health practice in HKS’s Dallas office, her diverse project portfolio includes master planning, greenfield replacement facilities, major expansions, and thoughtful renovations. Rachel is Principal-in-Charge of the Children’s Health Pediatric Campus.
Rachel is drawn to healthcare design due to its complex nature and ability to make a positive impact on society. She believes that project success is rooted in the adoption of a patient-first mentality and creating a culture that encourages respect and collaboration across all levels of the project team.
Michael MALONE
Michael Malone is the McCarthy Vaughn Partnership Project Executive and Vice President of Operations at Vaughn Construction, a leading institutional contractor in Texas. With over 30 years of industry experience (29 years of dedicated service at Vaughn), Michael has held numerous positions within the organization prior to being appointed Vice President.
Michael’s passion for the built environment and his unwavering dedication to promoting a collaborative and supportive work environment have made him a respected figure in the industry. Under his guidance, Vaughn Construction continues to thrive, delivering high-quality, technically challenging projects in the healthcare market space and maintaining a reputation for excellence.
Ian SINNETT, AIA
Ian is a Board-Certified Healthcare Architect and Principal at Perkins&Will, where he serves as Southwest Regional Health Practice Leader and leads the firm’s largest health studio. He specializes in complex healthcare projects across Texas and the United States, guiding integrated teams in the planning and delivery of pediatric, academic medical center, for-profit, not-for-profit, and specialty facilities.
Ian is the Perkins&Will Principal-in-Charge for the $5 billion, 4.5 million-square-foot New Pediatric Campus for UT Southwestern and Children’s Health. Through his work and dedication, he is committed to advancing healthcare environments that improve access, elevate patient experience, and strengthen community well-being.
Design Inspirations Panel
Design Inspirations
Panel Discussion
Biff STURGESS, Moderator
November 13, 2025
Thursday, 7 pm
Check-in and Reception 6:15 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Angelika Film Center | Mockingbird Station
AIA CES Credit Available
Rizi FARUQUI
Rizi Faruqui, AIA is a founding partner, with Bang Dang, of the award winning, Dallas‐based modern practice FAR + DANG. The work of the firm is widely varied in typology and scale, but all the projects share a rigorous focus on making modern spaces informed by a study of context, structure, and materiality. The firm’s current work includes both custom and speculative dwellings within Dallas Ft. Worth and the surrounding regions alongside various commercial and institutional projects. A rigorous and proactive research agenda and a passion for exploring ideas of modern spaces and contemporary lifestyles are the foundations of the firm’s design process. Rizi is a native of Dallas and studied Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. He began his career in Austin, followed by formative years of experience in the Netherlands with the Office for Metropolitan Architecture and in Dallas with Cunningham Architects. Rizi and Bang are both Professors in Practice in the School of Architecture at UTA CAPPA, where they have led both Undergraduate and Graduate level design and design‐build studios.
Jacob GERBER
Jacob Gerber, IALD, CLD is a senior lighting designer at Essential Light Design Studio. In his over two-decade career, Jacob’s experience in hospitality, education, commercial, houses of worship and exterior environments has created many award-winning projects. In 2014, Jacob was awarded the IES Illumination Award of Excellence in Energy and Environmental Lighting Design for the colorful, programmable and maintenance friendly re-lighting of the Bank of America Tower in Dallas, Texas. Jacob’s creative problem-solving, management of complex projects and demanding schedules, as well as his technical proficiency produce outstanding results for his clients. Jacob is a Professional Member of the IALD and an active member in the North Texas section of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America (IESNA). His design work has been published in LD+A, Hospitality Design, Architectural Digest, Texas Architect, Modern Luxury Interiors Texas, and Elle Décor magazines. Jacob also teaches at the New York School of Interior Design. Jacob received his Bachelor of Science at the University of Oklahoma in Interior Design.
Katy MARTIN
As a Principal in the Dallas office of OJB Landscape Architecture, Katy Martin has cultivated a passion for solving urban challenges through landscape throughout her career. Her experience in both public and private practice informs a comprehensive and pragmatic approach to design. Having grown up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she is especially interested in how people use parks, plazas, and streetscapes to build connections and express civic pride. A collaborator and consensus-builder at heart, Katy is managing a wide variety of projects that feature sustainable practices. Her design work for complex, large-scale outdoor spaces prioritizes balancing ecological and humanistic layers. Martin joined OJB Landscape Architecture in 2021 after working for the City of San Jose on public space and park projects. She earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, and both a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Texas Tech University.
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