Austin, TX — FGM Architects, Inc. (FGMA), an employee-owned firm with 200+ professionals in eight offices across five states, announced today that Jaime Palomo, AIA, has been promoted to managing director of the firm’s Central and North Texas region. With over 35 years of innovative design experience and a track record of changemaking leadership in the Texas architectural community, Palomo’s appointment brings transformative value to FGMA’s continued evolution.
“Jaime has delivered a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion for design to our mission of building community,” said FGMA President Tim Kwiatkowski. “I’m happy to have him join the management of the firm. Under his guidance, I’m confident that FGMA’s growing practice in Texas will continue to thrive.”
Since joining FGMA’s Austin office as a principal in 2022, Palomo has utilized his extensive expertise in local markets to spearhead growth, particularly in the PK-12, municipal and higher education practices. He currently oversees the renovation and expansion of facilities for the Austin Independent School District, a multi-year initiative with a projected value of $100 million. Palomo also takes over leadership of key regional projects, including a new public safety building for the City of Victoria, a multi-generational recreation center for the City of Pflugerville and the new Pinnacle Campus for Austin Community College in southwest Austin.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the legacy of design excellence that our team has developed here in Texas,” said Palomo. “This region is growing more quickly than ever before, so the need for high-performing, sustainable solutions is urgent. FGMA’s commitment to enhancing people’s lives through the built environment is one that I look forward to continuing here with our clients.”
Palomo’s distinguished career includes work on projects for the City of Austin, Texas Facilities Commission and the University of Texas at Austin. In 2017, he was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office as expert panelist to assist the Texas State Preservation Board and the Joint Oversight Committee on Government Facilities during the master planning phase for the Texas State Capitol Complex Project. He has been selected to continue representing the State to ensure that Phase II meets the framework established by their current Master Plan Design Guidelines.
Palomo served as Austin Director for the Texas Society of Architects (TxA, 2016-2018) and has long been active with the Austin Chapter of the AIA (AIA Austin). Originally from El Salvador, his investment in diversity within the profession led him to co-found AIA Austin’s “Latinos in Architecture” (LiA) committee and establish scholarships to provide opportunities for Latino high school students to attend the University of Texas at Austin’s Architecture Summer Academy. He also contributes his time through philanthropic commitment to Mobile Loaves and Fishes, United Way and Habitat for Humanity. Palomo received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Louisiana State University and Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Palomo's entrance into the role takes place as Joe Chronister starts a well-deserved retirement after more than sixteen years serving FGMA in a variety of leadership capacities. Chronister began his career with the firm in 2007 as the Director of the Higher Education practice and joined the FGMA Board of Directors in 2014. In order to support the acquisition of Jackson Galloway Architects in 2019, Chronister relocated to the FGMA Austin office, becoming its Managing Director in 2021. At the end of 2023, FGMA Texas staff gathered to express their gratitude for his leadership and wish him a happy new chapter in retirement.
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