Jeffrey Meyers
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
PUBLIC SAFETY | CIVIC ADMINISTRATION STUDIO DIRECTOR
AIA | NCARB | LEED AP BD+C
“Jeff is one of the most tenacious and focused people I have ever met. He graduated near the top of his class with a master’s degree in Architecture with a Certificate of Urban Design while working multiple jobs, and upon joining me at David Sommers & Associates immediately went to work pushing himself as a professional and pushing the firm along with him. He has an innate ability to just know what task is required next. When I was 60 and he was 30 I asked him to become a partner not only due to his competence but his enthusiasm and drive as well. This was in 2010, a time of economic uncertainty in our industry, but we rode the wave of growth together by diversifying the type of work we did. He was fascinated by how some businesses succeed and some businesses fail, and set out to learn as much as he could by reading countless books and testing different growth strategies on the Kent Junior Chamber of Commerce. I introduced him to the Kent Junior Chamber of Commerce early on and he rapidly ascended the ranks to become president of the community organization, growing it from 6 to 30 members in a few years. In all his researching and experimenting he seemed to discover that culture was a primary factor in whether or not people enjoy and remain part of any group or company. Now majority owner of our firm, DS Architecture, Jeff has diligently maintained this value and grown our firm from half a dozen to 30 talented individuals, a thriving enterprise that has begun to earn regional recognition and awards for our work. I doubt that any of this would have been possible without Jeff’s intense dedication to not only his vision, but to the people who have been, currently are, and will become a part of DS Architecture.” – David Sommers
AWARDS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS
40 Under 40 Award 2019
Building Construction + Design
INTERVIEW
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
Sharon, PA
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOBBY OR PASTIME?
Ultimate Frisbee. I was on the first ever professional team and was paid $25.00 for home games and were not paid for away games.
IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?
Beaver, as it is the hardest working animal in the kingdom. Plus, how sweet is it that they make their own habitat that can only be entered under water but allows fresh air? Innovative!!!
WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU HAVE?
I would have the ability to be invisible. Obviously I would apply this power to hide from the staff and play pranks on them.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
Florence, Italy. The most inspiring architectural city in the world.
WHAT’S THE BEST HALLOWEEN COSTUME YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I have a lot of them that I am very proud of, but the top ranking one is the year I dressed as the Captain of the DS Architecture Titanic. Imagine a full boat hung from my shoulders while I am wearing a Captain’s outfit. The staff were a little worried about my subliminal message.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WORD?
I’d tell you but I’d have to draw it.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE 90S SHOW?
MacGyver
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?
Band of Brothers. Anything is possible when you believe in each other.
IF YOU COULD WIN AN OLYMPIC MEDAL FOR ANY SPORT, REAL OR FAKE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Your mama jokes.
CERTIFICATIONS + AFFILIATIONS
Registered Architect:
Ohio
West Virginia
Michigan
Pennsylvania
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
New York
South Carolina
American Institute of Architects
Akron & Ohio Chapters
Greater Cleveland Partnership
Diversity & Inclusion board member
GSI board member
UH Portage Medical Center Foundation
Board Member
HOLA
Board Member
Cleveland Twenty - Thirty Professionals
