Meet Ian Crawford, Architecture and Design Representative for Kansas City
At the beginning of 2023, through our network of community members and philanthropists, we were introduced to Ian Crawford. After a few meetings and plenty of sharing of pictures of his Australian Shepherd puppy, we were HOOKED. We knew Ian was a great fit for encompas’ culture and that his unique experience would bring value.
Ian received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Directing from Fordham University in New York City and comes to encompas from his previous position as Associate Artistic Director of Unicorn Theatre. Ian brings with him a passion for design, a love of art and fashion, and a talent for creating meaningful relationships. Other personal interests range from lighting and biophilic design, to old house restoration and gardening. Ian’s attention to detail, empathetic communication style, and knowledge of design has us confident that he will be a refreshing and positive addition to our team and to the Kansas City Architecture and Design Community. We are absolutely delighted to welcome him aboard.
”Ian brings so much vibrance and such a unique perspective to our team and to the industry. We’re excited to have him with us!
—Melissa Morley,
President and Principal, encompas
A little more about Ian…
What are some of your favorite entertainment pastimes?
I love Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles series and I am reading Circe by Madeline Miller and enjoying it. For music I love power pop and am excited to see the New Pornographers when they come to Kansas City in April. I love some good Prestige TV, Severance and The Last of Us are recent favorites and The West Wing is an old standby. Las Culturistas is a favorite Podcast.
Where is your Hometown?
Larkspur, CA in the Bay Area, just north of San Francisco.
What did you do before encompas?
I am a professional theatre Director and Designer by training, and I have spent my career in non-profit theatre management, working with major Off-Broadway theatres and most recently with Unicorn Theatre here in Kansas City as their Associate Artistic Director.
Have you previously worked in this industry? If so, what do you like about it? If not, why did you decide to switch, and what do you hope to accomplish here?
I am new to the industry and excited for this new challenge. I love working with designers and helping to create space that is beautiful, functional and also exciting and joyful to interact with. I hope I have the opportunity to help designers and architects find exciting ways furniture can help their projects really sing.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Playful, Creative, Caring.
How are you settling into the new position?
I have really been enjoying my first few weeks with encompas, it’s been both exciting and challenging so far. I have enjoyed learning new design software and been so impressed with my talented colleagues.
What is the one thing you cannot do without?
Coffee, my husband, my iPhone? That's three things!
What is your best habit?
Doing the hard things that are easy to want to skip. I like things done the right way.
If you had to admit to being “obsessed” about one thing, what would it be?
I love good craftsmanship and skilled artistry, I really like creative work where time isn't a prohibitive factor, I love seeing what unfolds.
Any pets? Favorite food(s)? Activities? Other hobbies?
We have a 17-month-old Australian shepherd puppy named Dot and a surly old kitty named Scroot. I love to cook, especially soups and stews!
What is (or has been) your favorite time? (Of day, of year, or of life in general!)
I love late summer nights outside. Kansas City has some incredible porches- that’s my kind of spot.
You’re at work. You look at the clock, and hours have gone by, but you haven’t even noticed, because you’re enjoying what you’re doing! …What is it that you’re doing?
Learning new skills, picking design swatches, making creative breakthroughs.
What is something you are proud of?
I am proud of my creative and artistic accomplishments like having my work on the cover of American Theatre magazine. I am excited to bring my creative knowledge and sensibilities to my work with encompas and the interior design community.
Contact Info:
Ian Crawford
Architecture and Design Representative
encompas
(816) 300-1122
ian@encompas.com
New Beginnings in 2023
Celebrating New Ownership on January 1, 2023
Left to right: Senior Associates Julie Sayers, Amy Wright, Melissa Morley, Susan Kidd
It’s official! The aqua torch is being passed! We are ecstatic to announce that on January 1, 2023 our new business owners will be Melissa Morley (President and Principal), Susan Kidd (Principal), Julie Sayers (Principal), and Amy Wright (Principal). Original founders Lisa Miller (President and Principal) and Herman Weist (Principal) will be stepping down from leadership and will remain with the company as advisory committee members to aid in the transition.
”We are absolutely thrilled with the business leaders these four ladies have become. It has been a pleasure working alongside of them for the past 15+ years. Our customers, employees and manufacturing partners are in great hands as these four continue to manage great furniture projects in the communities we serve.”
—Lisa Miller, President and Principal, encompas
Melissa, Susan, Julie, and Amy have all previously served as Senior Associates and leaders at encompas and currently manage both the business development and project management functions of the business. They are all degreed interior designers, have a combined 73 years of industry experience, and come from various backgrounds in local architectural firms and commercial furniture dealerships.
In their tenure, they have provided modular interiors and workplace strategy to such organizations as the Cerner Corporation, Yellow Freight, Russell Stover, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, JE Dunn Construction, American Century Investments, Sprint/T-Mobile, and Dairy Farmers of America, among others. With ownership their roles will expand to oversee Business Development and Marketing, Operations, People and Finance.
“We look forward to working with Melissa, Julie, Amy and Susan and the encompas team over the coming years. They all have unique abilities, and we can see how their skills will take encompas to the next level. Together, we can empower customers to help people do their best work. We look forward to a successful partnership with them moving forward.”
—Franco Bianchi, President and CEO, Haworth Inc.
encompas represents Haworth, a privately held, $2 billion global company in the contract furnishings industry, along with other elite manufacturers. Lisa Miller and Herman Weist founded encompas in 2006 a result of a merger of their previous company, The Contract Studio, with another local dealer. Under their leadership, encompas has gained recognition as a Best in Class Haworth Dealership for 12 consecutive years.
The elements that define encompas —our focus on design, our project management style, our commitment to our clients and partners, and our Women-Owned business model —will continue with Melissa, Susan, Amy, and Julie. On January 1, 2023 all four women will continue their existing roles with the addition of ownership responsibilities.
For more information, visit the below articles: