Our Greatest Strength is our People

“Yes…and?”

Dwayne Brown earned his Master of Architecture from Montana State University and has been President and Principal Architect of Slate Architecture since its establishment in 1997. He, his wife, and two daughters reside in Omaha, Nebraska where he gained a love for architecture through art and science! Dwayne leads all aspects of the project design at Slate and is an amazing communicator and activator of creativity. His spare time is spent enjoying improv comedy, providing service through Rotary club, and project restoration.

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” ― Michael Jordan

Originally from Flaxville, Scott works as Vice President and Principal Architect at our Helena, MT location. He earned his Master of Architecture degree from Montana State University. Scott is an incredible listener, great problem solver, and always finds creative solutions to help our clients reach their goals and fulfill their visions. After hours you can find Scott geeking out over Dodge trucks, camping with friends and family, and playing the drums! He and his wife, Tana, have a son who is currently attending Montana State University. Go Cats!

“Be the type of person you want to meet.”

Jacob is a Principal Architect for our Helena, MT office, by way of Greeley, Colorado. He earned his Master of Architecture from Montana State University, inspired by creating functional, beautiful spaces. His strength lies in his positivity, consistency, and passion for achieving goals. When he’s not achieving greatness with Slate, you can find him skiing, golfing, camping, and spending time with his beautiful wife and three amazing children.

“The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.” - John Wooden

Jeremy is a Principal Architect, working in our Omaha, NE office. He enjoys overseeing and being involved in every aspect of the process, from initial client meeting to schematic design, all the way through the construction process. Jeremy earned his Master of Architecture degree from University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He was inspired during high school to pursue architecture, after working with a local architect on a special design project, he’s been hooked ever since. When he’s not working with Slate you can find him spending time with friends and family, playing golf, and “sampling” beer and whiskey.

“Make it simple, but significant.” - Don Draper

Originally from Fort Benton, MT and located at our Helena, MT office, Kelly Axtman earned his Master of Architecture from Montana State University-Bozeman. His greatest strength is communication and working with contractors and clients. He grew up around construction, inspiring to pursue this path, joining his family of designers and architects. When he’s not designing with Slate, you can find him golfing, hunting, and helping his family and friends with farming and ranching.

“Enjoy every day to its fullest.”

Riley is an Architect from our Helena, MT office. As a young lad he was enamored by the big machines in the construction industry, inspiring him to earn his Master of Architecture from Montana State University. His biggest strength is his determination, and although he doesn’t get to play with big construction equipment on the daily, he has combined his passion for computers and construction to pursue his interest in building design. When he’s not designing, find him playing table-top games, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his gorgeous wife and beautiful baby daughter.

"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone." – Pablo Picasso

Warren, based in our Omaha office, is a passionate architect who thrives on the seamless integration of design and technology. His fascination with problem-solving and his eagerness to acquire new skills have made him an invaluable asset to our team. Warren's computer savvy nature enables him to explore innovative solutions in his architectural projects. Beyond the drafting table, Warren finds his inspiration in the world of music, where he plays in a rock band, and his love for the great outdoors fuels his adventurous spirit. His multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication make Warren an integral part of Slate Architecture's diverse and creative team.

“A short pencil is better than a long memory.”

Originally from the Detroit area, Tim works as an architect in our Helena, MT office. Influenced by a childhood of playing with Legos, he chose to earn his Masters degree and follow his career path to becoming an architectural designer. His greatest strengths lie in his organizational skills. When he’s not at Slate, you can find him racing Formula 1, playing soccer, or traveling with his wife and two sons Levi, and Ollie.

“You gotta do, what you gotta do, if you wanna do what you wanna do.”

Originally from Pierre, South Dakota, and located at our Helena, MT location, Seth Varty earned his Master of Architecture in 2020. He is very detail oriented and passionate about building assemblies and means of construction. His love of visualizing and creating all things, leading him on his design/architecture journey. In his spare time, you can find him hunting, fishing, or camping.

“Do Your Own Think” – Harold Harris

Alyssa is a designer at our Omaha, NE office. She earned her Master of Architecture degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where she cultivated an appreciation for sustainable design, and creating spaces that inspire joy and connection. Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, embarking on travel adventures, soaking in the energy of live music events and building a brighter future for her family.

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible!” – Audrey Hepburn

Originally from Shenandoah, IA and located in our Omaha, NE office, Natalie Gilbert earned her Bachelor's Degree at Kansas State University with minors in Business and Gerontology. Inspired to make a difference, Natalie believes in the impactful role of color, material choice, and spatial planning on the mood and well-being of users, crafting environments that foster positivity and harmony while reflecting functionality, enhancing lives in the process. Natalie is passionate about giving back to her hometown community, and enjoys playing tennis, being outdoors, indulging in baking, or spending time with her friends, family, and pets.

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hofmann

Hailing from the beautiful state of Montana, Elizabeth Gordon brings a passion for inspired design cultivated from all aspects of life. With a bachelor’s degree in interior design, she has over 20 years of award-winning experience in residential and commercial interior design. Elizabeth's strategic vision has guided her own decisions to create stunning spaces that marry functionality with elegance. As a proud mother of two boys with her husband Andy, she finds joy in family time (Catan), caring for her beloved vizsla, climbing mountains, and creating art.

“The way we do small things determines the way we do everything.” – Naval Ravikant

Josiah’s upbringing in the military exposed him to diverse architectural styles across various regions and cultures. His passion lies in designing practical, nature-inspired structures that enhance people’s lives.

When he’s not immersed in architectural projects, you’ll find him at live music events, or rock climbing, drawn to the physical and mental challenge of the sport.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

Originally from Conrad, Montana and now based out of our Helena Montana office, Morgan earned her Master of Architecture from Montana State University-Bozeman (Go Cats!!). She enjoys enhancing the aesthetic appeal of buildings and tackling drafting challenges. Outside of work, Morgan channels her creativity into constructing various DIY projects. In the winter, she can be found skiing or snowmobiling, while in the summer, she enjoys golfing and relaxing at the lake with her family.

“If not now, when?”

Devinn is an undergraduate architecture student at Montana State University. Hailing from Montana, Devinn has a deep appreciation for the great outdoors and enjoys exploring it from the sky in a small Cessna.

With a unique background that includes spending time abroad in South America and adapting to various cultures and environments, Devinn brings a fresh perspective and a rich diversity to our team.

“Woof!”

Dixie, from Shenandoah, Iowa, located in our Omaha office, is an Interior Bark-itect who combines her love for open spaces and cozy corners to create environments that are both functional and welcoming. With a nose for good design, she’s responsible for sniffing out the best layouts; ensuring every space is optimized for comfort and play. When she's not inspecting floor plans or testing the durability of office furniture, Dixie enjoys hunting, playing fetch, swimming in her pond, and chasing her friends, all while making time for belly rubs and cuddles.