Team

Dan Earles

Principal

Describe yourself. “With me, the glass is always half full, never half empty. It’s a philosophy that guides everything I do – helping clients create solutions, and directing the ongoing evolution of EAA. That’s who I am, always looking for the best qualities in everyone. “

Pencil and paper in hand, Dan sketched his first floor plan in 5th grade. That early love of drawing and defining space would quickly become his passion. After more than 30 years in the architectural field and a business owner for more than 20 years, he brings that same inquisitive mind and love of architecture to every project.

Through extensive work with Chicago’s premier landlords and businesses, Dan has helped shape interiors for many of Chicago’s treasured architectural buildings. That knowledge base is invaluable when helping clients define, adapt, reuse, and reconfigure their spaces.

The environment at EAA is one of collaboration, openness and trust. Dan sets that tone. His caring, trusting personality and his ability to listen to what people say, is part of the reason why employees stay for many years and clients return with more business.

Education:
Lawrence Technical University – B.S. in Architecture

Licensed Architect  IL, IN, WI, AIA Member

LEED AP ID+C, ALA Member

• phone: 312.768.4211
• email: dearles@eaachicago.com

Bill Rossi

Chief Financial Officer

Best part of your job? “The challenges, the variety, and the opportunity – and seeing it all come together as we build and grow an extremely talented firm that clients have ultimate faith in.”

A quick mind and a strong background in business operations and marketing makes Bill ideally suited to this multi-dimensional role at EAA. His responsibilities cover a wide range, from overseeing the financial and accounting operations to providing strategic direction on long term company growth initiatives.

Bill has an uncanny ability to see the big picture without losing sight of the day to day. He has a sixth sense about him, a unique vision and business sense which allows him to seize opportunities and motivate others to move toward their goals.

Education:
DePaul Graduate School of Business—Master of Business Administration

• phone: 312.768.4227
• email: brossi@eaachicago.com

Ilana Sepiashvili

Business Development Manager

What’s your favorite building in Chicago? “The Historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., an overlooked architectural gem with a fabulous view of the lake.”

Ilana enjoys Interacting with people and helping businesses understand the many benefits of applying the right architecture and design elements to their spaces. As Business Development Manager, she puts her optimistic outlook and warm personality to work, helping to expand the firm’s reach throughout Chicago and Northwest Indiana. She thrives on the creative freedom of her job and the many opportunities to think outside of the box and brainstorm ideas with colleagues and clients. In her spare time, she likes to travel, read and spend time with family.

Education:

Harrington Institute of Design—Bachelor in Interior Design

Tel-Aviv University—Business and Communications

• phone: 312-768-4224
• email: isepiashvili@eaachicago.com

AJ Finn

Senior Project Manager

Your best qualities? “I thrive on discourse and the exchange of ideas. Luckily, this translates well when working with colleagues and clients to solve space-related challenges and create opportunities.”

AJ is an intuitive person who loves to face challenges and solve problems. He enjoys guiding the overall architectural process, from interpreting client needs to creating space plans to implementing the finished architectural design plan. When he’s not at work, he likes hiking, biking, camping and skiing–anything to be outdoors. His favorite spot in Chicago is the Ando Gallery at the Art Institute.

Education:
Tulane University School of Architecture—Master of Architecture

• phone: 312.768.4229
• email: ajfinn@eaachicago.com

Frederick Christiano

Project Manager

Why architecture? “I think a lot of it stems from the love of playing with Legos when I was younger.  They give you the ability to follow the plans to build something but at the same time you had the creative freedom to come up with something completely original which could be equally as awesome.”

At EAA, Freddy utilizes this same creativity when solving design problems, always keeping the client’s needs top-of-mind. His goal is to design a space that inspires its occupants to be creative and generate new ideas. He is involved in the complete design process, an expert in concept and schematic design, design development, code and zoning knowledge, 3D modeling and visualization, and construction administration. Seeing designs and ideas move from paper and images to their built form is his favorite part of the work.

Outside of the studio, Freddy spends his time looking for new street artwork around the city, and designing soccer jerseys.

Education:
University of Illinois at Chicago, Masters in Architecture
University of Illinois at Chicago, BA in Architecture
Moraine Valley, Associate Degree in Science
NCARB

• phone: 312-768-4244
• email: fchristiano@eaachicago.com

Chris Lozano

Senior Interior Designer

Why a career in interior design? “As a child I was very much intrigued with drawing.  As I continued with my love of the fine arts, I wanted to blend art with a profession that could create a lasting impression on the world and make people feel inspired.”  

What better way than interior design?

Chris brings a fascination with drawing and design to her role at EAA. She is a dedicated team member who is persistent and resourceful in identifying creative design solutions and meeting client needs.

She hails from Northwest Indiana, but has always felt a connection to Chicago and its architecture, business culture, and fun social scene.

When she’s not working, she loves to watch movies and play the ukulele.

Education:

Indiana University of Bloomington—Bachelor of Science, Interior Design

• phone: 312.768.4220
• email: clozano@eaachicago.com

Katrina Rice

Senior Interior Designer

Why architecture and design? “It’s amazing how design can completely transform a person’s experience in a space. I love that I can be part of creating beautiful spaces for people to enjoy.”

Katrina is passionate about interior design and brings a natural sense of curiosity to her work with clients. She has a strong work ethic and loves to learn and add new perspectives to a project, making her a great fit for the EAA team. In her spare time, she likes to travel and explore new places, particularly the many outdoor walking trails connecting Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Education:

Illinois State University—Bachelor’s of Interior and Environmental Design

• phone: 312-768-4215
• email: krice@eaachicago.com

Thomas (Trey) Byrom III

Project Manager

Best part of the job?  “Seeing your concept/vision come to life. It’s a very rewarding part of the job, seeing it all come together and in the end, seeing a smile on the client’s face.”

Trey’s fascination with drawing and design began during his teen years in Texas, where he spent summers helping relatives on residential construction sites. He once spent two months in Colorado building a log cabin with his uncle. When he wasn’t pounding nails on a roof, he would sketch out futuristic subdivisions, complete with streetscapes and exterior housing elevations. One such sketch was a prominent showpiece on his great grandmother’s dining room shelf.

Today, when he’s not designing interior spaces for office clients, Trey enjoys landscaping and traveling to warmer climates, such as Florida and California.

His most famous moment? Landing in Time Magazine as a kid in 1984, watching the summer Olympics’ torch move through Collinsville, TX.

Education:

Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago  B.F.A. Interior Design

• phone: 312-768-4232
• email: tbyrom@eaachicago.com

Lucio Garcilazo

Architectural Associate

Favorite place in Chicago. “The lakefront. The summers here are short, so it’s always nice when we get to enjoy the lake.”

Lucio entered the architectural field by happenstance in high school, selecting a drafting class that would eventually lead to a more involved drawing requirement. Those early years were instrumental in moving Lucio toward a career in architectural drawing and CAD design.

At EAA, Lucio is an invaluable team member, always willing to jump in on a complicated project or help out another employee who is working through a challenging assignment.

While CAD design challenges are always welcome, Lucio also likes to take a little downtime outside of work to move plants around and redesign the garden; enjoy a little music and soak in all that Chicago has to offer.

Education:
Robert Morris College—Associate Degree in Applied Science

• phone: 312.768.4230
• email: lgarcilazo@eaachicago.com

Isabel Moreno-Garcia

Architectural Associate

Why I enjoy traveling? “There is something special about going to a new place, particularly far away from home, and soaking in all the cultural and architectural details. It adds a richness to my life and inspires me.”

Isabel enjoys architectural design and the creativity it nurtures. She is highly skilled at evaluating client work space and helping to transform not only the functional flow, but the aesthetic quality of the space.

She studied abroad during college in France and The Netherlands, has visited India and South Korea, and still enjoys traveling in her free time. She also is a photography buff who enjoys documenting the art and culture of the places she visits. She likes attending concerts and, in fact, attended more than 30 shows in a recent year.

She comes from family of 5 children and enjoys using photography to capture major events and simple life’s moments.

Education:

Illinois  Institute of Technology, Bachelor’s Degree

• phone: 312-768-4231
• email: imorenog@eaachicago.com