Witcher Promoted to Partner At ADG

ADG, a building design, program management, landscape and urban planning firm, announces the promotion of James C. Witcher, AIA to partner of the firm. Witcher joins firm president, Tom Wilson, AIA and Scott Dedmon, AIA, LEED AP+ as the firm’s third partner.

Mr. Witcher serves as one of ADG’s project managers. In this capacity he is responsible for coordinating work within the project team and making sure that project goals are achieved. He is currently overseeing the design and construction of the largest historic preservation projects in Oklahoma: the exterior renovation of the Oklahoma State Capitol and the First National Center, downtown Oklahoma City’s Art Deco jewel. He is also coordinating several design and construction projects for churches, including the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in south Oklahoma City. He and his team recently completed three large multifamily projects in the Oklahoma City area, two hotels in Bricktown, St Luke’s Methodist Edmond Campus and renovations to an existing office building to become the new headquarters for NewView, a non-profit providing services for vision impaired Oklahomans.

In talking about his association with Mr. Witcher, Gary Brooks—co-developer of First National Center—spoke in glowing terms: “JC has been spectacular in his role leading the entire architectural and engineering team on the redevelopment of First National Center.  This is a well-deserved honor, and I’m excited for him and the entire ADG team.”

His prior experience includes nearly all building types in new construction, renovation and adaptive reuse. He portfolio has special emphasis in healthcare, churches, multifamily and senior living. Working on projects of every construction delivery method, he is particularly gifted working with fast-track projects and is ADG’s most experienced architect in design-build. Mr. Witcher has worked with ADG for over 11 years and has been a registered architect in Oklahoma for over 21 years. He holds degrees from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma.

Scott Dedmon, fellow ADG firm partner and architect leading the design division shared his respect for Witcher’s skills, “I’ve known and worked with JC for over 25 years. I know he is responsible, worries the details, is always searching for how to improve things and make each project better than the last. He likes the art and craft of our profession which means he is an artful problem solver.”

Witcher has been instrumental to the growth of the firm. He has championed ADG’s integration of 3D design technology into nearly all current construction documents, creating a platform for communication with owners, contractors and specialty consultants; leading to a more nimble creation process. He has also initiated programs to facilitate the development of ADG’s young architects and interns aspiring to become architects through learning sessions and a mentoring program for those striving to become licensed architects.

Tom Wilson, ADG president said he values the skill set and passion for design details and construction methods, “Our buildings are better because of the care he takes and the attention he gives. And, clients seem to really respond to the way he shepherds their projects through the design process.”

Witcher also recently tackled the challenge of designing Oklahoma’s first hotel designed using modular construction. He and his team worked with Marriott Hotels, multiple consulting engineers and a modular building manufacturer to design a product that was manufactured in a plant in Idaho, trucked to Bricktown and became Newcrest Image’s AC Hotel.

The modular design and construction process shaved months of construction time. Recently commenting on the quality of the modular construction Witcher said, “While we knew that the hotel guest rooms would arrive fully completed, ready for linens and towels, we were nonetheless astounded at the quality of the shop-constructed units. Even after having been shipped 1,500 miles, picked off a trailer with a crane and set into place, there were no cracks, no signs of stress and no damage. Even the art was solidly in place on the walls.”

In 2016, needing a much larger space to accommodate continued growth, ADG moved to the Fred Jones Manufacturing Building at Main Street and Classen Boulevard. The firm, which now numbers over 70 employees in three offices, is once again a pioneer in a district on the cusp of exciting growth. ADG’s offices are surrounded by neighbors 21c Museum Hotel and The Jones Assembly. It is surrounded by the construction activity of West Village, a neighborhood on the edge of downtown that is poised to be a vibrant live/work/play community.

ADG began in 1975 as an interior design firm. The rapidly-growing company now provides architecture, planning, interior design, engineering, program management, landscape architecture and urban planning services throughout Oklahoma and the nation, creating successful projects for government, corporate, healthcare, education, housing and religious clients. With over 70 employees, ADG consistently ranks as one of the largest design firms in Oklahoma. Firm projects have won design and community awards, including the Oklahoma Urban Land Institute’s Large Commercial Development award for the University of Oklahoma’s Residential Colleges, opened in fall 2017.