The Cope Staff
With an experienced staff of 21 (six licensed architects, two LEED Accredited Professionals, two LEED Green Associates, two educational planners and a dedicated construction administration team), Cope Associates Architecture is prepared to meet any architectural need.
Biographies of Key Staff
Lanis L. Cope, AIA
Lanis Cope founded Cope Associates, Inc. in 1983 and has since served as President. Under his direction, Cope Associates Architecture has achieved honored distinction in commercial, institutional, and historical preservation works.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia
Affiliations:
- American Institute of Architects
- USGBC - US Green Building Council
- University Area Sertoma Club - Charter President
- University of Tennessee - Presidents Club
- National Roundtable of Architects
- Knoxville Heritage
- State of Tennessee Arts Commission Board Member
- University of Tennessee School of Architecture Board of Advisors
Grant Tharp, AIA
Grant Tharp serves as Principal/Vice President of the firm and has over 30 years managing and designing a wide array of projects. His project expertise includes historic preservation, urban housing developments, criminal facility design, commercial design and renovation, public facilities, and ADA instruction. His dedication to community development makes him a vital part of the Cope operation.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Tennessee, North Carolina
Affiliations:
- Tennessee Sheriffs Association
- North Carolina Sheriffs Association
- American Institute of Architects, East Tennessee Board, 1998-2003
- State of Tennessee Architectural Board, 2002
- American Corrections Association
- American Jail Association
- Knoxville Heritage, 2002 Board Member
- United Way Panel Board, 2000-2003
Jim Hinton, AIA, LEED AP
Jim Hinton is an Associate of the firm with over 15 years experience as a Project Manager and Project Architect on a wide variety of multi-disciplined teams performing conceptual planning, programming, master planning, design, and construction administration services for both new facilities and renovations. His experience includes evaluations of alternative approaches, cost estimating, and leadership of multi-disciplined teams of engineers in accomplishing the goals established by the company. Jim is a LEED Accredited Professional and holds credentials from the USGBC.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Tennessee
Affiliations:
- American Institute of Architects
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
- United Way of Greater Knoxville Investment Committee Member
Peter Ludman, AIA, LEED Green Associate
Peter Ludman is an Associate of the firm with more than nine years of professional experience in architecture, project management and construction administration for a wide variety of building types. He has managed multiple projects simultaneously, resolving issues with clients, contractors, engineers, etc., and has been involved in numerous multi-million dollar projects with personal dedication to ensure they are on time and within budget.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Tennessee
John Cheney
John Cheney provides project leadership and client liaison for Cope projects in the Central Tennessee area through our Nashville Office. He is a resident of Mt. Juliet and has 20 years of architectural experience covering a wide variety of projects and responsibilities. He has supervised, coordinated and directed project consultants, providing leadership and oversight of both projects and resources to successfully complete project goals and deliver projects on time and within budget.
Education: Auburn University, AL–Bachelor of Architecture
Darryl C. Gibson, AIA
Darryl Gibson is Senior Architect in our Nashville Office. He has more than 29 years professional experience providing architectural and facilities planning services on a large variety of project types involving automotive sales and maintenance facilities, military and government facilities, historic restoration and redevelopment, training and food service facilities, medical facilities, laboratories, manufacturing plants, storage and distribution warehouses, aviation hangars, training and office facilities, corporate wellness and fitness centers, athletic training and fitness facilities, retail and resort developments, specialty restaurants, performing arts theaters, hotels, and residential apartments, condominiums, and custom designed single-family homes.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Tennessee, Florida, New Jersey
Affiliations:
- Certified Member, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Aviation Section
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- Tennessee Society of Architects (TSA)
- International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
Charles Lindsey, Ph.D.
Charles Lindsey, our educational planner, has over 37 years of experience in education. As Superintendent of Knox County Public Schools, he was responsible for planning and overseeing construction projects in excess of $200 million. He oversaw an additional $500 million in construction projects as Superintendent of public school systems within Georgia, South Carolina, and Middle Tennessee.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Doctor of Education in Administration and Supervision, Master of Education in Administration and Supervision; Southern Adventist University, Collegedale Tennessee–Bachelor of Music Education
Awards: Tennessee Superintendent of the Year 1993-1994, PTA Outstanding Tennessee Superintendent of the Year 2002, TSPMA Superintendent of the Year 2006
George Whedbee
George Whedbee, our education ambassador and programmer, has over 45 years of experience in education, with 21 years of direct involvement with the City of Knoxville and Knox County School Administrations, managing over $100 million in construction projects. He has worked extensively for architectural firms in the planning and programming of educational projects worth more than $345 million for 13 years.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Master of Science in Industrial Education with Minor in Marketing, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Affiliations:
- American Association of School Administrators
- Association of School Business Officials
- Southeastern Association of School Business Officials
- Tennessee Association of School Business Officials
- American Vocational Association
- Tennessee Vocational Association
- State Advisory Committee for Vocational Education
- Southern Association Accreditation Advisory Committee
- Special Education Funding Committee Member
- School Finance Study Committee Member