Morgante Wilson Architects Names 3 New Partners as Firm celebrates 30th anniversary

Kandice Korte
Morgante Wilson Architects

Aug 21, 2017 - 5 min read

Morgante Wilson Architects Names 3 New Partners as Firm celebrates 30th anniversary

Evanston, Ill.-based Morgante Wilson Architects, a leading national residential architecture and interior design firm, has announced that long-time employees and associate principals John Potter, K. Tyler and Bob Zuber have been made partners. The announcement comes as Morgante Wilson Architects (MWA), which was founded by husband-wife team and co-principals Fred Wilson and Elissa Morgante, celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

“As Fred and I built our business over the last three decades, so much of our success has stemmed from our incredibly dedicated and talented team,” said Morgante. “John, K. and Bob, in particular, have all been tremendous leaders and instrumental in helping us become the company we are today. Naming them as partners as we celebrate our 30th anniversary is the perfect testament to the important role they have played in getting us here.”

“Thinking ahead to the future of Morgante Wilson Architects, it was a natural step for us to make some of our most trusted employees our first-ever partners,” added Wilson. “We are excited for our next chapter as we work together to grow our firm and continue our reputation for delivering excellent designs and a truly collaborative experience for our clients.”

According to Morgante and Wilson, the three new partners also represent the firm’s comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to design, which includes expertise in architecture, interior architecture, interior design and furniture design. All three have worked on not only the luxury private residences and vacation homes the firm is known for, but also commercial projects, including partnering with some of Chicago’s top developers such as Fifield Realty Corp. to design high-end multifamily interiors.

“In recent years, as John, K. and Bob have taken on additional leadership in their respective specialties, it has allowed us to pursue new opportunities for our firm,” said Wilson. “Their involvement will continue to be key in shaping the company in the years ahead.”

John Potter, 49, joined MWA in 1997 as a project manager. He has worked with clients on private residences located across the country, including in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as the Virgin Islands. He has also been involved with most of the firm’s commercial, multi-use and multifamily projects, and is actively involved in marketing the firm. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., and Boston, he earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Potter is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is licensed by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is also active with Inspiration Corporation, a group that helps people affected by homelessness and poverty, and was recently named to the organization’s board of directors.

A 10-year veteran of MWA, K. Tyler, 45, launched the firm’s interiors department with Elissa Morgante in 2007, expanding the richness and scope of the company’s work while also providing a valuable add-on service to clients. Tyler now leads interior design work spanning primary and vacation residences, private offices, and multifamily common areas, amenity suites and unit interiors. Prior to joining MWA, Tyler was a senior merchandise manager for Baker Furniture and a buyer for the home décor division of Neiman Marcus Direct. She transitioned to the interior design and furnishings industry after spending several years as a CPA/auditor for Price Waterhouse Coopers. Tyler received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Methodist University in 1994, and later went on to earn a degree in interior design from Chicago’s Harrington College of Design in 2007. An Allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Tyler is a new member of the Women’s Club of Evanston and is also the fundraising co-chair of the philanthropic arm of the Delta Chi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Bob Zuber, 44, has been with MWA more than 19 years, joining the firm in 1998 after moving to Chicago and following a short tenure with the architectural firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz. Skilled in a variety of design styles, Zuber, an AIA member, works closely with every architectural project manager and the associated project teams at MWA. In his role as senior designer, he collaborates on projects at all stages, from early schematic design on. He is also involved in hiring and employee professional development, and heads the company’s mentor/mentee program. A native of Assumption, Ill., Zuber attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural studies, and a Master of Architecture degree. He is active in volunteering, with a focus on organizations serving those impacted by AIDS/HIV.

About Morgante Wilson Architects:
Morgante Wilson Architects, Ltd. is an architecture, interior design and urban planning firm specializing in residential and commercial design, as well as LEED certification. Founded in 1987, Morgante Wilson Architects has designed innumerable projects throughout Chicago, the Midwest and the country. Morgante Wilson has received AIA Chicago’s prestigious “Young Architect Award,” AIA Special Recognition Award for Interiors, as well as awards for several historic rehabilitation projects. The firm’s work has been featured in an array of noteworthy publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Chicago Tribune to Traditional Home, while its projects have been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, The Chicago Architectural Foundation and the Chicago Athenaeum. Morgante Wilson Architects has a growing online presence with its highly read blog, “Show & Live Well,” and received the "Best of Houzz” award in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 in the design category.

Kandice Korte

Morgante Wilson Architects