HMC Architects announced on Monday that its President, Randy Peterson, FAIA, LEED AP, is no longer with the firm. HMC’s 360 employee owners, its senior leadership, and Board of Directors commend Peterson on his achievements and legacy. He leaves the firm after 18 years of service, the last eight years as its president. HMC’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Staton will assume the role of Interim President.

“We are all extremely grateful for Randy’s 18 years of dedication to the success of the firm,” said HMC’s Chairman of the Board Jerry Eich, AIA, ACHA.

Peterson joined HMC Architects in 1994 as Sr. Design Architect. He was promoted to managing principal of the firm’s San Diego studio in 1996. In 2004 he was named President and CEO. Under his direction, the firm expanded to new markets and acquired San Francisco-based Beverly Prior Architects and later Phoenix-based Substance Architecture Collaborative.

During Peterson’s tenure as President, the 72-year-old planning and design firm experienced many operational changes, including a strategic focus on its four primary markets: healthcare, education, civic, and justice. This move resulted in wide recognition of the firm’s expertise and excellence in design, including a national healthcare design award from the American Institute of Architects in 2011.

In 2011, Peterson spearheaded an initiative to change the ownership structure of the firm to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This move transferred ownership from the firm’s previous 42 shareholders to its current 360 employee owners. Building Design + Construction magazine named the firm a “Best Firm to Work For” in 2012.

Staton, as CEO and Interim President and working with the firm’s Practice Leaders and Board of Directors, will lead the implementation of the next phase of the firm’s strategic plan, which continues HMC’s history of listening to client needs and partnering to create high-performance architecture.