Two Leaders, One Vision: Alyson Sternquist and Troy Kerr Step into new Roles in FGMA’s Chicago Region

FGMA is proud to announce the promotion of principals Alyson Sternquist and Troy Kerr to the roles of PK-12 Chicago Region Practice Leaders.

This pivotal leadership move marks a major milestone in the evolution of the firm’s educational practice in this region, which includes Northern Illinois and Wisconsin, positioning FGMA for even deeper market influence and strategic growth in the PK-12 sector.

Shared Leadership with Distinct Strengths

The appointment of Sternquist and Kerr represents a deliberate and strategic step in reinforcing FGMA’s presence in the Chicago region. Together, they will assume broad responsibility for the health and performance of the PK-12 practice — from regional leadership and strategic goal setting to marketing and project delivery execution.

Alyson Sternquist, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has 25 years of experience and joined FGMA’s PK-12 Education practice in 2020. Alyson made an immediate and lasting impact through her leadership and client-centric approach to creating powerful learning environments.

Since joining FGMA, Sternquist has developed strong relationships across numerous school districts and educational organizations. Her ability to communicate FGMA’s value and connect with stakeholders has made her an influential presence in marketing, business development, and external partnerships.

“Alyson has been very well received — our clients enjoy working with her,” said Ron Richardson, Director of the PK-12 Education Practice for FGMA. “She brings a natural presence to the marketing and outreach side of the business.”

Troy Kerr, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has been with FGMA since 2015 and offers over two decades of architectural experience, with a deep focus on educational facilities. As Principal and Project Manager, Kerr has led major PK-12 projects for school districts across Northern Illinois.

His reputation for driving efficient, quality-focused project delivery makes him well-suited to lead FGMA’s operational execution in the region.

“Troy brings the technical and operational horsepower to the table,” Richardson added. “With both of them in these roles, we’re better positioned to expand our market share and increase our PK-12 leadership across the region.”

A Strategic Shift for FGMA

While FGMA’s PK-12 efforts have had regional leaders in Texas and in the St. Louis region under the helms of Stephen Hafer, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, and Emily Spindler, AIA, NCARB, respectively, this new level of leadership in FGMA’s Chicago region marks an evolution in Richardson’s focus as FGMA’s firmwide PK-12 practice leader.

As Sternquist and Kerr step into these expanded leadership roles, Richardson will shift his focus toward building FGMA’s education practice nationally, including Texas and the Mid-Atlantic states. This transition signals a maturing regional structure for FGMA — one that continues the geographic expansion that began a decade ago.

As new pursuits and operational decisions flow through Sternquist and Kerr, the firm anticipates a more agile, strategically aligned PK-12 practice in the Chicago region — one that’s responsive to client needs and deeply connected to the communities FGMA serves.

Looking Ahead

With Sternquist and Kerr leading the charge, FGMA’s Chicago region is poised for growth, innovation, and deeper engagement in the PK-12 arena. Their combined leadership reflects a broader commitment to strengthening FGMA’s role as a trusted partner in educational architecture, and a clear signal that the future of the practice is in capable, visionary hands.