Hood-Rich leader set to retire

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Jim Lohmeyer, a principal architect at Hood-Rich Inc., is set to retire after a 40-year career in architecture.

Lohmeyer, 65, said June 28 is scheduled as his last day at Hood-Rich, a Springfield-based architecture firm.

"It's been a lot of fun. I've enjoyed what I've done," Lohmeyer said in an interview this morning. "I've been very lucky and blessed to have a good career ... and work with a lot of good people."

Lohmeyer said a transition plan worked out at the firm in 2019 will go into effect upon his exit. Principal architects Billy Kimmons and Larry Parke will continue as firm leaders along with Josh Livingston and Ryan Phillips, who are moving into principal positions, he said. Lohmeyer said his 51% stake in the company is transitioning to the other principals, with Kimmons and Parke holding the majority.

"The firm's in good hands," Lohmeyer said. "These guys are extremely talented and good at what they do."

Lohmeyer has most recently worked at Hood-Rich since 2010. After working at the company for 11 years starting in 1984, Lohmeyer said he co-founded Lohmeyer-Russell Architects and operated the firm until dissolving it during the recession.

Career highlights include a significant renovation at Springfield-Branson National Airport in the early 1990s and various projects at his alma mater, Parkview High School, such as a large-scale bond issue initiative in the early 2000s, Lohmeyer said.

"We've had a lot of great projects," he said, additionally citing hotel work for John Q. Hammons.

Hood-Rich ranked No. 10 on Springfield Business Journal's list this year of the area's largest architectural firms. The company reported 12 architects and architects in training, nine licensed architects and 13 total staff members, as well as a $57 million market value of projects in 2023. The company's largest client group reported for the list is health care, at 50%.