Our Story - Who We Are

“We put a high value on cultivating teams that are committed to the success of our clients and projects – and* to each other. Excellence is not a zero-sum game.”*

GIL MAY | FOUNDING PRINCIPAL, MAY ARCHITECTURE

Integrated Arounda Common Mission

Cross-Generational Mentorship

From fresh out of school to forty years of practice, every member of our staff has both the opportunity to teach, to learn, and to contribute to everything that we do. The May Architecture team is integrated and shares camaraderie – with a common vision of providing exceptional professional service for our clients.

LEADERSHIP

Relationship-building is in our DNA.

We develop long-lasting relationships by bringing a collaborative approach to every project. In addition to innovative hands-on problem-solving and team management throughout the design and construction process, our firm leaders play a pivotal role in creating and implementing May Architecture’s strategic vision.

Gil May

AIA, IIDA, LEED AP

Founding Principal

“I have always been committed to the principle of “Best Idea Wins.” It’s not where an idea comes from – a recent graduate, a firm principal, or a construction partner – it’s the quality and potential of the idea that should win the day.”

who we are

Gil May

AIA, IIDA, LEED AP

Founding Principal

May Architecture’s founder is the son of educators. His family’s love of learning nurtured Gil’s ever-present curiosity and desire for continuous improvement. Gil’s drive for combining both design and technical excellence sets the overall tone for the firm. With almost 30 years of professional experience across a broad variety of award-winning projects, Gil’s aptitude for communication and problem-solving skills are especially helpful within today’s fast-paced construction industry where immediate responses are required for complex issues.

Jay Jenkins

BBA, MBC

Principal: Higher Education, Director of Operations

“It is inspiring to see our team lead the creative process to develop a shared solution – with input from many stakeholders, including students, and across consulting disciplines.”

who we are

Jay Jenkins

BBA, MBC

Principal: Higher Education, Director of Operations

Jay wears multiple hats for May Architecture. With degrees in Business Management and Building Construction, Jay is well-suited to manage the firm’s contracts, operations, and strategic planning, as well as frequently working directly with clients. Prior to joining May Architecture, Jay was Capital Projects Director for Georgia Tech Campus Services. His extensive experience in planning and managing projects in both the higher education and private sectors has led to highly developed organizational, problem-solving, communication, and consensus building skills.

Shelly Attila

AIA, IIDA, LEED AP

Principal: Design

“Through design, we are bestowed with the gift of touching thousands of lives by creating environments that evoke healing, learning and joy.”

who we are

Shelly Attila

AIA, IIDA, LEED AP

Principal: Design

Both a licensed architect and a registered interior designer, Shelly offers the extraordinary combination of excellent design eye and strong technical and coordination expertise. Shelly’s project experience ranges from higher education and healthcare, to hospitality and retail, and to high-level bio-containment facilities. Regardless of the project type, Shelly’s clients appreciate her quick problem-solving, detailed responses, clear communication, and strong professionalism. As our Principal of Design, Shelly is responsible for overseeing the creative integrity of every project before it leaves the office - at every phase of design. There is never a “one style fits all” approach. Shelly’s tenacity for client-focused design results in materials and form best suited to the individual project.

Emily Marvel

AIA, ACHA

Principal: Healthcare

“We aspire to deliver healing spaces for patients, their medical teams and their caregivers. Ultimately, our goal is to work as an extension of our client’s team.”

who we are

Emily Marvel

AIA, ACHA

Principal: Healthcare

Driven to improve healthcare facilities and delivery models, Emily’s creative problem-solving skills and analytical design approach result in spaces that are innovative and functional for medical professionals and inviting and comfortable for patients. Clients appreciate that Emily blends her technical and design skills with a strong ability to build stakeholder consensus. She is committed to developing a customized collaborative process that is unique for each client and focused on that client’s specific project goals. As one of May Architecture's two ACHA board-certified architects, Emily’s expertise addresses not only healthcare design best practices, but focuses on current healthcare regulations and process improvement as well.

Bill Alexander

AIA, ACHA

Healthcare Practice Leader

“A baby is born, or someone is seriously ill - some of our most pivotal moments are spent in healthcare settings. We design spaces that help the healing process.”

who we are

Bill Alexander

AIA, ACHA

Healthcare Practice Leader

With more than 40-years of healthcare-focused architectural practice, Bill is one of May Architecture’s ACHA board-certified Healthcare Architects. As a result, he is well-informed with current healthcare-related topics, delivery models and regulatory requirements. Bill recognizes the importance of our long-term client relationships and, consequently, takes a hands-on approach with each of his projects. At project kick-off, Bill works directly with each client stakeholder group to establish project-specific goals and objectives. Maintaining open communication through regularly scheduled meetings, Bill oversees project implementation at each phase of development, and continues his support through field observation during construction, all the way through to ribbon-cutting.

Dawn Mixon Bennett

AIA, LEED AP, EDAC, ACHA

Director of Healthcare Planning

“Our work is like solving a complex three-dimensional puzzle. It is deeply satisfying to see staff and patients use their new space when the puzzle is complete.”

who we are

Dawn Mixon Bennett

AIA, LEED AP, EDAC, ACHA

Director of Healthcare Planning

With nearly 30-years of professional practice, Dawn has extensive experience working with clients in hospitals, clinics, and academic medical centers to plan and implement complex healthcare projects across the country and around the world. Dawn spends time listening carefully to facility managers and user groups to understand their current building’s operational and aesthetic challenges. Using this feedback as a guide, she initiates a collaborative process for helping clients develop a vision for their new facility. Throughout the design process and through construction completion, Dawn remains a client advocate, working hard to make sure the finished project reflects our client’s original intent.

Susan Milton

Associate IIDA

Director of Finishes & Furniture

"Finishes and furniture are so important– as they are what the users see and touch, thus shaping their experience."

who we are

Susan Milton

Associate IIDA

Director of Finishes & Furniture

Susan has a passion for making people feel welcome and inspired in their surroundings. Working closely with our Principal of Design, Susan leads May Architecture’s interior design practice. Her keen understanding of interior furniture and finish options, durability, and availability helps clients make informed choices. Prior to joining May Architecture, Susan spent nearly 10 years working with Emory University’s Interior Design Group in the Campus Services, Planning Design and Construction unit. Before Emory, Susan spent 5 years in furniture procurement with Ivan Allen. In addition to her professional expertise, clients appreciate Susan’s friendly demeanor and likeable personality.

98%

REPEAT CLIENTS

2006

YEAR FOUNDED

500+

COMPLETED PROJECTS