Sapp Design promotes 5 to partner amid succession planning

Sapp Design Associates Architects Inc. is introducing what design firm officials are calling its "next leadership team."

Employees Kristi Beattie, Brad McKenzie, John McNabb, Ben Sapp and Stephen Telscher have been promoted to partner, according to a news release. They were promoted by founder and President Michael Sapp.

"Michael Sapp is enthusiastically welcoming these valued colleagues as the next leadership team of Sapp Design," officials said in the release. "Their tenure at Sapp Design will ensure continuity of firm culture and the excellent partnerships our clients have come to expect."

Ben Sapp said this morning that the promotions are part of Michael Sapp’s succession plan, though the latter architect has not set a retirement date.

Combined, the new partners have more than 80 years of experience at Sapp Design, which was founded in 1986.

Sapp Design ranked No. 6 on Springfield Business Journal's list this year of the area's largest architectural firms. The company reported 15 architects and architects in training, seven licensed architects and 20 total staff members with recent projects including Springfield Public Schools' Reed Middle School and York Elementary.