Meet the brains behind our work

Ted Williamson, original founding partner of Williamson Design Associates (opened as Williamson Dacar Associates in 1994) , brings 38 years of experience and serves as the President of the firm. Ted is a leader in the design of public facilities that enhance the experience of the users and provide value to our clients. Ted’s unique background and degrees in architecture and structural engineering, ensures a strong integration of both disciplines in every project and is an advantage in WDA’s design approach and methodology. Ted  has led the design of new and renovation projects for K-12, Higher Education, Library, Government and Religious clients throughout Florida for nearly four decades.  Day to day, he oversees the operation of the firm and is responsible for the design process and delivery of goals for projects. Ted is also committed to serving his community and has been as a member of the Safety Harbor Rotary Club for over 20 years. Outside of the office, Ted can be found spending time with his family, skiing the slopes of Colorado, hitting the golf course, or traveling.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Ohio State University

Jessica Sumner Wells joined the WDA team in 2016. She is a licensed Architect and graduated from North Carolina State University. As a member of WDA’s senior leadership team, Jessica’s role is to enhance client relationships in South Florida and explore new project opportunities that align with the team’s overall goals.  With nearly 18 years of industry experience, Jessica can provide the technical guidance required on projects and offer innovative solutions related to project design and execution.  Jessica has a natural ability to focus on fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment, and she strives to develop operational strategies that enhance efficiency and project delivery. Jessica is an active member of AIA and recently graduated from the AIA, Jacob Leadership Institute’s Leadership Program. Outside of the office she can be found with her children and enjoys traveling, as well as photography.

Bachelor of Architecture
North Carolina State University

Bachelor of Science: Architecture
Ball State University

Teddy Williamson is a Professional Engineer (PE) and is providing project management and engineering design at Williamson Design Associates. Teddy provides structural analysis and design under the direction of our structural engineer. He develops plans and coordinates the design projects with the project architect. Teddy will work closely with our team in evaluating the existing structure and provide cost-effective solutions to achieve our design ideas.

Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering, Specializing in Structural/Geotechnical Engineering
University of Florida

Samantha joined WDA in 2018, as a marketing professional for architectural and engineering services in the built environment. She is proficiently skilled at client relationships, team-building, proposal management and public relations. Samantha is actively involved in the community where she lives and works, serving on the Manatee Education Foundation Board of Directors for nearly a decade, and volunteering on committees for other local non-profit organizations where her fundraising and event planning skills are appreciated.

She attributes her ability to connect and collaborate with a diverse range of professionals to her experience relocating to Sydney, Australia while in high school and then returning to the United States to complete her post-secondary education. When not networking or planning her next project pursuit, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family outdoors and exploring the far corners of the globe.

Bachelor of Science in International Business – Marketing
San Francisco State University

Michael Pruitt brings over 20 years of architectural and engineering experience and currently serves as a project architect in the Clearwater office. His experience spans new construction as well as renovations for K-12 and Higher Education campuses and sports facilities to Religious projects. Mike is proficient in Building Information Modelling (BIM) using REVIT software. Pruitt is a fourth generation Floridian who works to protect the natural environment through architecture and innovative design.

Masters of Architecture & Community Design
University of South Florida

Peter Thomson has provided a full range of architectural services to a wide variety of clients for more than five decades in South Florida, New York, and Washington, DC. He has served as a client representative for educational projects for the last ten years in his role as an Associate Director at an Florida Atlanitc Universitie’s (FAU) Harbor Branch campus and a Project Manager at the main campus. During his time with FAU, Peter was responsible for educational projects that ranged from simple summertime upgrades at FAU’s K-12 school to a new sixty-two million dollar educational and athletic facility. Peter also served as an “in-house” architect on smaller projects and provided turnkey services to the FAU user community.

Bachelor of Architecture
Case-Weston Reserve University

Jeff Cassianis is a licensed Architect in the state of Florida with 20 years of expertise designing and managing local government and civic projects as well as specializing in high-occupancy and community-focused developments. Jeff has a proven track record of delivering innovative, functional, and sustainable solutions for municipal buildings and larger-scale infrastructure projects. Jeff is skilled in all phases of design and construction, including project management, team collaboration, code compliance, and stakeholder engagement and is known for his ability to balance aesthetic, functional, and regulatory needs while ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. His experience further strengthens WDA’s reputation in navigating the complexities of local government requirements and delivering designs that enhance the community’s infrastructure and quality of life.

B.S in Architecture, Norwich University
Master of Architecture, Norwich University

Jeff Jenner joined WDA in September of 2022.  He is a registered architect and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee holding both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Architecture. Jeff brings over 25 years of experience to the WDA team and is experienced in all phases of a project.  He has substantial experience in higher education, multifamily, mixed-use, religious venues, historic preservation/renovations, hospitality, and senior living.   Jeff has had the pleasure of working on several notable design projects that have been recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) through various chapters including Tampa Bay, Washington DC, and the Northern Virginia. Jeff has excellent communication, management and the technical skills that ensures that our clients projects are guided to a successful completion.

Brian Lapointe is our team’s Senior Roofing Project Manager, and Engineering Associate.  When it comes to a project’s roof system, Brian is our go-to guy.  He is responsible for the in-depth review of existing conditions, investigative testing, roofing designs, and construction administration as it relates to all roofing projects. Brian’s ability to evaluate onsite conditions, coupled with his understanding of various roof types, materials, and installation methods have been a key component of WDA’s success over the past 23 years.  He utilizes a collaborative approach on each project and provides recommendations based on research, experience, and knowledge.  Additionally, Brian is an active member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). When he is not in the office, or out in the field,  Brian enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and bowling.

Associate in Architectural Engineering Technology
New Hampshire Technical Institute

Michaela brings 15 years of architectural experience to WDA. She is experienced in design implementation of client requirements, coordination with engineering consultants, development of construction documents on CADD and construction contract administration. Michaela works closely with our project architects and consultants in completion of the project design, managing complex addition and renovation projects from the initial design through closeout.

Masters in Architecture
University of South Florida

Jinky Abanilla, brings 27 years of experience to her role as Senior Architecture Associate and Project Manager at WDA. She oversees the day to day management of the projects and coordinates our design team and consultants from conceptual design through construction administration. Her extensive portfolio includes high-rise multifamily, education and healthcare projects. Jinky brings experience and understanding of the complexities of project management as well as a commitment to provide a high level of service to our clients and projects. She is currently pursuing licensure. Jinky spends free time outdoors with two daughters and a dog. One of her bucket lists is to drive cross-country from east to west.

Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Mapua Institute of Technology (Philippines)

Master of Science, Project Management
National University of Singapore

Lidia Ruiz brings to the Boca Raton office over 30 years of experience in the programming, design, production coordination, and management of interior and architectural projects. Her diverse experience includes guiding commercial, educational, civic, and transportation projects through all phases – from schematic design through to construction administration, as well as specification coordination and code compliance reviews. Lidia’s focus is to exceed the client’s expectations by delivering a quality project, on time and within budget.

Master of Architecture
State University of New York at Buffalo

Bachelor of Science: Architectural Technology
New York Institute of Technology

Executive Certificate in Project Management
Florida Atlantic University

Sarah Hodges has been practicing Interior Design since 2005. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Harrington College of Design in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, she worked at a firm that specialized in Prairie School Architecture. Being surrounded by the history and diverse architectural styles in Chicago was one of her favorite experiences. Sarah still enjoys visiting Chicago whenever possible. Sarah’s role as Interior Designer at WDA involves collaborating with the rest of the team and learning from those around her. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Growing up in Homosassa, gave her an appreciation for Florida’s natural wildlife and she loves visiting state parks whenever possible. Giving back to the community is also very important to her and she has volunteered with Big Brother’s Big Sisters and the Humane Society over the last few years.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
Harrington College of Design – Chicago, Illinois

Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts
Central Florida College – Ocala, Florida

Yvens brings over four years of architectural experience and currently serves as Architectural Associate for WDA. His experience includes producing construction documents and production systems (Autodesk Architecture / REVIT / etc). Yvens also prepares design development drawings of residential and commercial structures from sketches.  He works closely with the entire design team to ensure projects run smoothly.

Bachelors of Architecture
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida

Devin is a graduate architect, serving as an Architecture Associate in our Clearwater office. His responsibilities include producing concept sketches, space planning, proposal coordination and the creation of design development drawings.  He works closely with the entire team on redline corrections, the production of construction documents and can be found onsite at OAC meetings.  Devin enjoys working in REVIT, Bluebeam, Lumion and other AI rendering software programs.   In his free time, he can be found participating in outdoor activities with his dog, playing sports and spending time with family and friends. He’s also extremely involved when it comes to serving in various ways at his local church.

Bachelors of Architecture
Florida A&M University – Tallahassee, Florida

Quenton joined our team in 2024 as a Design Associate. He works closely with our studio team and is focused on gaining technical experience working in both AutoCAD and REVIT.  Quenton frequently joins WDA team members for site visits, helping to ensure the knowledge he learns in the office is appropriately applied and understood in the field.  Prior to joining WDA, he served in the U.S. Navy and was responsible for supervision of Naval aircraft as well as performing rescue duties, as necessary. In his free time, he can be found spending time with his family and watching sports.

Architecture Student
St. Petersburg College – St. Petersburg, Florida

Kayce has been practicing Interior Design since 2020. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Kayce’s role as Junior Interior Designer at WDA involves collaborating with the rest of the team and learning from those around her. In her free time, Kayce enjoys spending time with her family and friends and trying new coffee shops. Growing up in Rhode Island, gave her an appreciation for Florida’s beautiful coastline and she enjoys going to the beach to watch the sunrise whenever possible.

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
New England Institute of Technology – East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Allison has worked in the accounting field for over 25 years, most recently with experience in the construction industry. Allison has held leadership positions in a diverse range of industries including Hospitality, Civil Engineering and Electrical Contracting. She brings her talent and experience to WDA serving as our Business Manager, responsible for the financial and human resources aspects of the company. In her spare time, Allison loves to spend time with her family, two dogs and tending to her vegetable garden.

Associates Degree in Business Administration
St. Petersburg College

Certification in Accounting Principals and Practice
Pinellas Technical Institute

Carrie joined the WDA team as our Contracts Manager in 2024. She brings with her a combined 11 years of experience working in accounting and construction. Carrie’s career has been heavily focused on deliverable preparation, contract administration, and project coordination. She works alongside WDA’s Project Managers in both office locations, and maintains consistent communication with our clients and consultants to ensure financial needs are being met and projects are running smoothly. In her free time, Carrie enjoys relaxing at home with her boyfriend and their two cats, watching her favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Most of her out-of-state travels involve going to Atlanta to visit her young niece and nephews, but seeing more of Europe is on her bucket list.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Old Dominion University

Certifications in Project Management and Business Contracts
eCornell

Jessica joined the WDA team in 2023. She is the first person that many of our clients interact with when they call or visit our Clearwater office. She keeps our team members organized by performing various administrative duties that makes our office run smoothly, with a smile.

St. Petersburg College
Business Management