RUSSELL ERVIN LEED AP
PRINCIPAL

Russ is a gifted designer with more than 34 years of project experience across multiple disciplines, including architecture, planning, and urban design. He has worked on a broad variety of projects throughout the southeastern United States and the Caribbean.
Russ has a keen understanding of the relationship between the buildings and site. He provides valuable insight into the integration of specific elements of the built environment into their context, which enables well-conceived resolution of complex project assignments and design issues. His understanding of architectural design elements and interpretation of regionally specific architectural typologies are important in the development of creative design solutions which reinforce an appropriate sense of place.
Russ has extensive experience in sustainable urban design and redevelopment, destination resort and community planning, mixed-use planning and design, and retail/commercial development. He is a LEED-Accredited Professional (LEED-AP) and a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the Institute of Classical Architecture (ICA), the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) North Florida Chapter, and the Cornerstone Commercial & Industrial Development Task Force (CIDTF) for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. He also is an active participant with the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Steve Lovett, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP - ELM Principal

STEVE LOVETT ASLA, PLA, LEED AP
PRINCIPAL

Steve Lovett is a planner and landscape architect with more than 30 years of experience working with a broad range of projects and clients in diverse environments throughout the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America including: Private Clubs and Destination Resorts, Master Planned and Golf Course Communities, Recreational and Aquatic Facilities, Open Space and Landscape Master Planning, and Urban Design.
A west-coast native, his career has included experience in the Pacific Northwest, the Desert Southwest, and the southeastern United States. This understanding of diverse geographies and urban settings has reinforced his appreciation of the unique qualities of every individual place, and the importance of expressing innovative and collaborative solutions which embody and sustain those values.
Steve earned his degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington State University, where he pursued a diverse field of study emphasizing park and recreation planning, sustainable urban and community design, and interdisciplinary studies. He is active in the community, having served on the boards of the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, JaxPride/City Jacksonville Beautiful, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, Timuquana Country Club, the property committee at Riverside Presbyterian Church, and professional advisory council for the College of Design at Washington State University.

JEFF GIBSON MBA, ASLA, PLA
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Jeff Gibson serves as the Director of Operations at ELM, Inc., bringing over two decades of landscape architecture expertise and a solid business acumen to our operations. With advanced degrees in Landscape Architecture from Auburn University and an MBA from Jacksonville University, Jeff’s role is pivotal in guiding large-scale development projects to success. His analytical skills, combined with a collaborative approach, enable him to effectively manage project challenges and expand our market presence.
Jeff’s leadership extends beyond traditional operations; his registered landscape architect status complements his creative and operational oversight, ensuring projects meet the highest standards of excellence and innovation. His mentorship of emerging talent within the firm underscores his commitment to professional growth and excellence in design. He is always focused on the future and likes to integrate emerging technologies into the company’s workflow.
Outside the office, Jeff is devoted to his family, enjoying outdoor adventures, trips to Disney World, and supporting his daughter’s cheerleading pursuits. His creativity in his professional endeavors and personal interests, making him a dynamic and integral part of the ELM, Inc. team.

Jeni Lassley, AIA, LEED AP - ELM VP/Senior Associate

JENI LASSLEY AIA, LEED AP
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | VP

Jeni Lassley is a talented architect with more than 35 years of experience leading all aspects of design, documentation and administration serving a diverse spectrum of clients and project types. Following earning her Bachelors Degree at Kansas State University, Jeni moved from the midwest to Jacksonville, Florida, where she has remained throughout her career. As a vice president at ELM, Jeni helps lead the day-to-day architectural design efforts as well as mentoring the architectural talent within the Jacksonville studio.
Jeni’s skills have been applied to many project types including recreation and club facilities, healthcare, urban retail and mixed use projects, churches and schools. Jeni is very technically proficient and is an effective leader, successfully directing many comprehensive multiple-disciplined teams on very large, complicated project assignments. As a seasoned project manager, Jeni has a proven track record of collaborating with owners and consultants throughout the design process to help ensure that the concept is retained and developed through the design process and the construction documents are technically sound. Similarly, she works intentionally and diligently with general contractors throughout the construction phase, resulting in successful end results and happy clients and user groups. In addition to her project management role, Jeni is a dedicated mentor within her architectural firm, where she shares her knowledge and experience with younger architects and designers.
Jeni has her architectural license in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina and is a member of NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) and AIA (American Institute of Architects). She also has a LEED AP credential (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Outside of the work environment, Jeni loves to travel and spend time outdoors in nature, either hiking or bicycle riding. She has 5 adult children and 2 grandchildren and many weekends are spent either traveling to new and exciting destinations, or traveling to see family. When she has weekends at home, she enjoys spending time with her husband, quilting and gardening.

DONNY PODANY ASLA, PLA
SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Donny Podany, a seasoned landscape architect, brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for creating vibrant, sustainable spaces. With a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida, Donny has over 22 years of experience in the field.
Donny's skill set spans all facets of landscape architecture, with a focus on community master planning, community park and recreational amenities, urban planning and design. His multidisciplinary approach allows him to seamlessly integrate various elements into his projects, creating cohesive and functional environments.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Donny finds solace and inspiration in outdoor adventures. He is an avid surfer, scuba diver, and hiker, with a deep appreciation for the natural world. His travels have taken him to remote corners of the globe, including serving communities in Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. In his travels, Donny has immersed himself in the cultural richness of Italy, having lived in Vicenza and Florence.
Driven by a core value of considering others more important than himself, Donny approaches every project with passion and a commitment to community well-being. His dedication to creating inclusive and sustainable spaces reflects his belief in the transformative power of landscape architecture to enrich lives and foster connections. At ELM, Donny continues to leave a lasting impact on the built environment, shaping spaces that resonate with authenticity and purpose.

Michael Schiebe, ASLA, PLA - ELM Senior Associate

MICHAEL SCHIEBE ASLA, PLA
SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Michael Schiebe is a Senior Associate and licensed Landscape Architect in the State of Florida who has worked at ELM for over nine years. Born and raised in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Studies from Minnesota State University Mankato and master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota.
Over the course of his tenure with the ELM team, Michael has utilized his skills to provide design direction and documentation in planning studies, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and presentation graphics for various ongoing projects. His passion within landscape architecture has focused on crafting thoughtfully designed spaces that connect people with both the natural and built environments. During his time with ELM, he has worked on numerous projects throughout Florida ranging from large master-planned communities such as Two Rivers near Tampa, local recreational club amenities for Timuquana Country Club and Florida Yacht Club, and urban design-centric renovations to commercial properties such as Neptune Plaza.
Away from the office, Michael enjoys traveling around the country and world with his husband, hiking and spending time in nature, and searching out the best local food spots. Highlights of travel adventures include his Graduate study abroad experience in the Netherlands and Italy, frequent trips to San Francisco and North Carolina, and exploring the coasts and islands of Thailand and Croatia.

Mark Klone, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP - ELM Associate

MARK KLONE ASLA, PLA, LEED AP
ASSOCIATE

Mark is a licensed landscape architect with a unique, multidisciplinary understanding of the intersection of buildings and landscape. He earned his architectural undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Kansas State University.
Mark has over 18 years of professional experience delivering high-quality services for projects of varying types and scales. His versatile expertise and commitment to emerging technologies brings value to ELM’s clients, along with his familiarity working on a wide variety of project types, such as parks and recreation, golf course planning, community planning, urban design, amenity design, landscape architecture, and graphic design. Whether it’s a large development project or a small garden, he enjoys working on a variety of scales to deliver projects that respond to the unique site conditions and client expectations.
Mark and his wife have two daughters and a feisty chiweenie. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, taking on home-improvement projects, and experiencing the world through travel.

ASTI JOY AIA, NCARB
SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Asti Joy is an architectural designer that received a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University and a Master of Architecture with a focus on Architectural Acoustics from Virginia Tech University.
Contributing to an array of projects since joining the ELM team in 2022; Asti has worked on Residential Amenity Centers, Commercial Retail Buildings, and Healthcare Imaging Facilities. Her previous work experience covers a wide spectrum of projects comprising of K-12 Classroom Buildings, Residential Remodels, Public Amenities Centers, Bars and Restaurants, Office Tenant Improvements, Technical Research & Development Labs, and Fitness Facilities.
As a licensed Architect, Asti has become a impactful mentor to her team members and successfully collaborates with multiple consultant disciplines, with projects in various locations such as California, Florida, Hawaii, South Carolina, and Texas. Beyond their professional achievements, Asti enjoys exploring personal interests like woodworking, painting, skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, embodying a commitment to a well-rounded life.

Jason Tankersley is a licensed architect with ELM

JASON TANKERSLEY AIA
ASSOCIATE

Jason Tankersley is an experienced designer and licensed architect with more than a decade of professional experience spanning all phases of architectural project execution; from preliminary design, to detailed design documents, and construction administration. His extensive experience in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and a strong technical background, together with a collaborative spirit serves ELM well for the firm’s unique and often-complex multidisciplinary projects.
Jason earned his professional Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Southern Polytechnic State University (c. Kennesaw State University), and brings a diverse background of project types including hotel/resort, office, retail, government, industrial and more.
His passion for creative design and interests extends beyond the practice of architecture. Jason is a devoted husband & father with a love of photography, music, movies, reading, writing, woodworking, gardening, cooking, hiking, fishing, surfing, kayaking, playing & coaching sports, and relaxing.

JENNIFER CHRISTOPHER
ASSOCIATE

Jennifer Christopher is an experienced architectural designer with over 10 years of experience working for various firms across the country. A native of Clewiston, Florida, Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Design in Architecture, Construction and Planning from the University of Florida, and her Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.
Well-versed in educational, religious, historical, transportation and other commercial design genres, Jennifer worked as one of the primary designers for a home on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Pocatello, Idaho. In Jacksonville, she has completed new and renovated commercial retail center projects at Gateway Village at Town Center, Wildllight, Nocatee and College Park. In addition, she has worked on amenity centers such as Alluvium at eTown.
Outside the office, Jennifer serves as a teacher for her church’s youth organization and is the PTA treasurer for her child’s school. She enjoys pickleball, good food (especially dim sum and boba), nature walks, and spending time with her husband and two young children.

BERNIE DIOGUARDI
ASSOCIATE

Bernie Dioguardi is an architectural associate with a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from Politecnico di Milano in Italy. While on track to earn his license, Bernie serves as a project manager on architectural projects where he expertly manages the progression from the initial design to construction completion. His talent and skills go beyond pen and paper by bringing ELM’s design projects to life through 3D modeling and realistic visualization.
Outside the office, Bernie, a native of Arequipa, Peru, loves to travel with his wife, hang out at the beach, and spend time with his family, especially his niece and nephews. On the weekends, you can find Bernie working on various carpentry/remodeling projects, staying fit while exercising at his neighborhood amenity center, fine-tuning his musical talent, and playing the guitar and piano for his cats and dog.

KARISHMA KAULIGE
ASSOCIATE

Karishma Kaulige is an architectural associate who received a Bachelor of Architecture from Bangalore, India. After nearly 4 years of practice in India, she relocated to the United States and now resides in Jacksonville, FL with her husband of 17 years, their two sons aged 13 and 10 and their dog Obi.
Over a span of 12 years, she has worked with various firms in Pennsylvania and Florida contributing to projects in housing, commercial, hospitality and Industrial design and build. Her architectural inspirations – Ar. Frank Lloyd Wright and Ar. Laurie Baker (India)- with their passion and creativity, have had a profound influence on her since school days. One of her most memorable experiences was visiting the Falling water house three times while living in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She also credits her first mentor, Arun Nalapat from Arun Nalapat Architects (Bangalore, India), for instilling confidence in her talent by giving her the freedom to explore her potential.
Karishma’s skill set includes hand sketching, design, collaboration, visualization and proficiency in Revit BIM. With a keen eye for design and a holistic approach, she strives to create spaces that can transform and enhance human experience. As part of ELM, she hopes to contribute in creating architecturally appealing structures that leave an impact on the community in a positive way.
Outside of Architecture, she enjoys planning hiking trips with her girl group, photography, singing, yoga, gardening, travel, visiting India to meet family and friends and spend time with her husband, their boys and Obi.

HANNAH MOORE AIA, NCARB
ASSOCIATE

Hannah is a dynamic and driven licensed architect associate with 4.5 years of hands-on experience at Ervin Lovett Miller. After earning her master’s degree in architecture at the University of South Florida, Hannah joined the team in 2021.
Hannah is committed to creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that enrich the lives of the end-users. With a passion for enhancing aesthetic value and serving the cultural well-being of her environment, Hannah leverages the collaborative spirit at ELM in every project.
In her spare time, Hannah loves exploring her artistic pursuits and spending time with her family, friends, and two cats.

Julia Young Architecture Associate at ELM Photo

JULIA YOUNG
ASSOCIATE

Julia is an Architectural Associate and a recent alumnus of Pratt Institute, where she received a Master of Architecture. She also holds a BFA in Fashion Marketing and Management with a double minor in Business and Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Her journey to Architecture is owed to her father, who is a planner, and the many hours she spent watching him work.
Julia’s experience includes freelancing for visual merchandising, which includes luxury store layouts and design, product design, and branding. She is dedicated to creating spaces that are experiential and user-centric while telling impactful stories. She enjoys working collaboratively and led many projects during her college and graduate school years. Her career goals are to continue designing for people so that they can enjoy the spaces and places they spend time in and to become a licensed architect.
When she’s not working, Julia enjoys spending time with her cat and playing video games. She can also be found at the pool or the beach when it’s sunny and on the hunt for the next best bite. She also enjoys traveling, something she accredits to her love of learning and exploring. Julia has lived in many places, from Arizona (her home state) to Savannah and Singapore to New York; she has also participated in studying abroad in Hong Kong and France, and she is looking forward to her next big adventure.

MARK A. SMITH AIA, NCARB
ASSOCIATE

Mark earned his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Florida - A&M University and has over thirty years of experience in the Architectural profession. He is adept in all aspects of building design and construction.
Mark has a diverse range of project management experience including Hospitality, Retail, Restaurant, Multifamily and Custom Residential design. He is licensed to practice in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and is a member of and AIA (American Institute of Architects) and NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards). Mark is passionate about mentoring upcoming architects and stresses the importance of becoming a licensed professional.
Mark enjoys spending time with family, biking, taking his dog to the beach and playing the guitar.

HOLLY POWELL PLA, ASLA
ASSOCIATE

Holly is a landscape architect with a multi-disciplinary approach to planning and design. After earning her Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University she began her professional career practicing in the southwest for nearly two decades before joining ELM Studio.
Holly has been involved in planning, entitlements, design, documentation, and administration multi-family for residential, commercial, education, religious institutions, and mixed-use developments.
When not in the studio she enjoys nurturing her passion for learning, writing, painting, and spending time outdoors.

SINEM BILGIN
ASSOCIATE

Sinem is a Landscape Architecture Associate at ELM, bringing over 15 years of design experience and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design from Bilkent University in Turkey. Her portfolio spans multifamily communities, city parks, and clubhouses, with a consistent focus on spaces that are thoughtful, sustainable, and visually engaging.
She enjoys guiding projects from early concept through construction, combining technical knowledge in landscape, irrigation, and hardscape design with a sharp eye for visual storytelling. Sinem has a passion for 3D visualization and animation, using these tools to help clients experience and connect with a design before it's built. Her background as a landscape plan reviewer for a municipality has further deepened her understanding of practical, community-centered design and the regulatory considerations that shape successful projects.
Outside the studio, Sinem centers her life around family, creativity, and the outdoors. She enjoys time with her husband, three children, and extended family—plus their dog and cat—and finds inspiration in traveling and exploring new cultures and cuisines. Her passion for photography and visual storytelling carries into her personal life as well, where she has developed her craft as a published photographer. Whether she's at the beach, camping, fishing, kayaking, or tending her garden, the outdoors keeps her grounded. She also stays active through fitness and tennis and has recently taken up golf.

MORGAN ISRAEL
ASSOCIATE

Morgan is an architectural associate with a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University. She has a wide range of experience, including residential, custom homes, retail stores, restaurants, interior office spaces, and even children’s homes in rural Thailand. She enjoys creating intriguing, effective, and efficient designs.
Outside of the office, Morgan enjoys reading, gardening, going to the beach, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. She and her husband have recently welcomed their first baby girl and look forward to continuing to grow their family.

MARK PARIANI
ASSOCIATE

Mark Pariani is an associate architectural and graphic designer with over ten years of experience at ELM. A Florida born native, Mark earned his Master of Architecture degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). During his time at SCAD he also focused his studies on Art History and Photography.
A second-generation design professional, Mark hopes to continue a legacy of meaningful design that enriches our built environment. He lends his talents to a wide variety of projects and often touches on all design disciplines of the firm. Some of his favorite projects to work on have been large neighborhood developments like Shearwater and Tamaya as well as hospitality renewal projects like The Amelia Island Club and Timuquana Country Club.
In addition, Mark is an accomplished, award-winning photographer and is FAA Part 107 Remote Drone Pilot Certified. He uses his critical eye to document and capture compelling imagery of ELM’s projects from start to finish. Outside the office, Mark has shown his work in galleries both locally and across the country and is involved with several local institutions such as the Jacksonville Camera Club, Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP), and The Florida Theatre.

Landscape Architect Kristina Ho portrait

KRISTINA HO
ASSOCIATE

Kristina Ho, a recent alumna of Cornell University, holds a Master of Landscape Architecture with a minor in City and Regional Planning. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Providence College, specializing in Ceramics and Digital Imaging, and minored in both Art History and Asian Studies. She has joined ELM as an associate landscape architect.
Kristina is deeply passionate about delving into the intersection of history, culture, and art within the landscape through collaborative endeavors, with a particular focus on cultivating a strong sense of community and belonging. Additionally, her interests extend to hospitality landscapes, where she aims to bridge the gap between industries through thoughtful and innovative designs and programs.
Kristina has worked with the Cornell Botanical Gardens and Robert Treman State Park during her studies at Cornell. She has previously worked in Florida participating in the Disney College Program at The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
Outside the office, Kristina enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and rottweiler. She likes playing in theme parks, exploring new places, trying new recipes and food, taking photos, and spending time outside, especially by the beaches.

YVETTE POLLACK
ASSOCIATE

Yvette Pollack joined ELM after a year of working for an engineering firm working on municipal projects. She graduated from Cornell's MLA program in 2022 and received a Bachelor of Communication Cum Laude from Boston University (2017). In 2022. Yvette's research on equestrian landscapes was presented at the CELA conference and published.
At ELM, Yvette assists in schematic design, design development, construction documents, planning studies, and renderings. When she's not working, she's exploring the area, drawing, or crocheting.

KINSEY BULLOCK
ASSOCIATE

Kinsey graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 2019. After beginning her career as a landscape designer in southeast Florida, Kinsey joined the ELM team as an associate in 2024. As a registered landscape architect, her experience primarily includes site planning and landscape design, with an emphasis on improving user experiences through the development of creative solutions and enhancing of native habitat. As every project presents a new puzzle to solve, Kinsey enjoys the challenge of completing the puzzle to create sensible and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Her work history includes various types of development, including single and multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use developments.
When not in the office, Kinsey most enjoys traveling, reading, crafting, spending time with family and friends, and volunteering for various local organizations.

MICHELE DENIO
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Michele joined the firm in 2022 and quickly became a key part of ELM. She’s involved in many aspects of the business including accounting, HR, operations, contracts and keeping Russ/Steve on point! Prior to relocating to Jacksonville, Michele owned a South Florida business in the interior design field for 19 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge for executing the daily functions of ELM. When not working, Michele enjoys spending time with her husband Bill and their two rescue pups, Riley and Natty. She is also the reigning 2022 & 2023 ELM football pool champion!

JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ
CONTROLLER

Jonathan Rodriguez serves as Controller, bringing a strong background in accounting, bookkeeping, and financial analysis to the team. With a BA from Keiser University, he is passionate about creating clarity and accuracy in financial reporting—believing that doing his job well helps make everyone else’s job easier.
Jonathan draws daily inspiration from his faith in God and the support of his family. Guided by Christian biblical values, he approaches his work with integrity, diligence, and a spirit of service. One of his most memorable adventures was watching his two oldest children learn to ride their bikes during a camping trip that coincided with his birthday—an experience that reminded him of the joy in life's simple, meaningful moments.

MEET THE TEAM