The Cope Staff
With an experienced staff of 22 (eight licensed architects, an in-house food services designer, an educational planner and a construction administration team), Cope Associates 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, Inc. has achieved honored distinction in commercial, institutional, and historical preservation works.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia
Affiliations:
- American Institute of Architects
- USGBC - US Green Building Council
- Sertoma Learning Center – Past Board of Directors
- University Area Sertoma Club - Charter President
- University of Tennessee - Presidents Club
Grant Tharp
Grant Tharp serves as Vice President and has over thirty years managing and designing a wide array of projects. He brings project experience in 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, DOE “Q” Clearance
Affiliations:
- American Institute of Architects, 1998-2003
- National Council Architectural Registration Board
- East TN Board - Building Owners and Managers Organization
- Knoxville Heritage, 2002 Board Member
- United Way Panel Board, 2000-2003
- Nucleus Knoxville 1995-2002
- City of Knoxville Electrical Review Board
Charles Lindsey
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, has over thirty-three years of experience in education, with twenty-one 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 thirteen years.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Science in Industrial Education with Minor in Marketing
Affiliations:
- American Association of School Administrators
- Association of School Business Officials
- Southeastern 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
Dennis Ford, RA
Dennis has over thirty years of experience as an architect and food-service designer. While his experience runs the gamut from restaurants to prisons, his primary involvement has been in Educational Design for K-12 and Higher Education Facilities. Dennis has designed, as well as installed, hundreds of spaces serving to enhance the many facets of the dining experience.
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville–Bachelor of Architecture
Licensing: Tennessee