Our Team
Your vision, brought to life by experts.
At Design Minds, we believe that full-service design is more than just a beautiful layout — it’s more than 25 years of proven expertise in planning and content development tailored to your specific goals. Our team stays ahead of the curve, studying the latest audience behaviors to ensure your project is relevant today and will remain a benchmark for years to come. We don’t just solve problems—we find opportunities to elevate your story.
Design Minds Principal Lonny Schwartz works in tandem with clients, sub-contractors, and our in-house team to develop a strong and consistent look and feel for each exhibition. With a background in fabrication, Lonny interacts well with builders and detailers, allowing him to ensure that design plans remain realistic throughout development and that they are executed properly.
Outside of Work
As a native Annapolitan, Lonny loves crabs and all other kinds of seafood. He would love to take more vacations, but he has a hard time turning off his busy Design Mind!
+ LONNY SCHWARTZ
Principal, Design Director
Mike has an extensive background in exhibition development for art museums, national parks, nature centers, and other cultural sites. As a project manager, he collaborates with clients to meet deadlines, remain on-budget, and oversee the launch of successful projects. Mike has researched and written exhibits on many topics, with a focus on United States history.
Outside of Work
Mike listens to goofy podcasts, logs movies on Letterboxd, and enjoys cooking new recipes with his wife. He loves trying new breweries and weekend getaways.
+ MICHAEL LENAHAN, NAI CIP
Senior Associate, Interpretive Planner
Jeremey manages, plans, and develops projects for a wide array of clients. He is adept at transforming a central theme into a dynamic and engaging exhibit, with a focus on natural and cultural history. Jeremey's familiarity with each step of the exhibit development and design process informs his ability to manage projects during all phases.
Outside of Work
Jeremey enjoys hiking, watching movies, and spending time with family. He's a lifelong fan of Detroit sports and the University of Michigan. Go blue!
+ JEREMEY KING, NAI CIP
Senior Associate, Interpretive Planner
Mike has long been a leader in the field of exhibit development, master planning, and interpretation. As a founding principal of Design Minds, he shares responsibility for all aspects of our projects. In addition to facilitating community outreach and stakeholder participation, he assists clients and designers with developing story lines, themes, and content.
Outside of Work
Mike enjoys travel, gardening, Boston sports teams, and interacting with the next generation of museum professionals!
+ MICHAEL LESPERANCE, NAI CIP
Founding Principal
As Business Developer, Hannah manages proposal development and maintains strong industry relationships. She has a well-rounded understanding of what makes exhibits successful, helping to define messaging and goals that guide visitor experiences. Her organized approach, combined with a love for learning and problem solving, enables her to run projects smoothly while advocating for the client's vision.
Outside of Work
Originally from New Hampshire, Hannah likes to spend most of her time outdoors hiking, kayaking, biking, or walking her dog, Rue. She also loves to cook, read, and travel.
+ HANNAH SULLIVAN
Business Developer + Interpretive Planner
Mike designs exhibits that engage all audience levels and abilities. He is a strong advocate for the reluctant reader, Universal Design, and ADA compliance. Involved in all phases of design, Mike ensures each exhibit retains the visual identity and content themes established from the onset of a project. Mike also specializes in architectural coordination, graphic production, and installation oversight.
Outside of Work
When he's not designing, Mike spends as much time outside as possible. He enjoys long nature walks, acting like a kid with his nieces and nephews, and waiving his Terrible Towel!
+ MIKE SPEC
Associate, Graphic + Exhibit Designer
Steve works closely with the other designers and interpretive planners to create, conceptualize, estimate, and detail exhibits — a crucial step in the transition from schematic design to tangible fabrication. Steve specializes in CAD drawings and architectural coordination, with expertise in both hand drawn and computer renderings.
Outside of Work
Steve spends his free time on the water as an avid sailor and volunteer boat safety inspector. He also enjoys woodworking.
+ STEPHEN LABAR, IDSA
Associate, Exhibit Designer
Rooted in the world of branding, Peter is now an exhibit designer and illustrator. Starting with a busy sketchbook, he has applied his design know-how to everything from napkins, to T-shirts, to buildings — even bobsleds for the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Team. Peter enjoys combining his illustration, design, and branding skills to enhance exhibit storytelling, while maintaining quality and clarity in all graphics.
Outside of Work
Peter likes to ski and ride his bicycle to work (when he's not feeling too lazy). He enjoys doodling in pen and ink while watching a lot of TV.
+ PETER BYER
Associate, Graphic + Exhibit Designer
As an exhibit and experiential designer, Alex has a passion for storytelling and specializes in using visual and spatial communication to bring exhibition concepts to life. His extensive knowledge of materials, finishes, and fabrication techniques ensure that designs remain practical and achievable.
Outside of Work
Alex is a cook, bonsai keeper, bass player, album listener, and Washington Wizards and Mystics enthusiast.
+ ALEX SOLECKI
Associate, Exhibit Designer
Dave's experience as an exhibit detailer and architectural engineer make him a crucial member of The Design Minds' team. He works closely with designers to create detailed, construction-ready drawings of all exhibit elements needed to bring the exhibit to life. Dave interfaces with fabricators during installation to ensure each aspect of the exhibit is built as designed.
Outside of Work
David is an avid illustrator who loves sketching live music acts. He's documented many local musicians and has become a part of that community. He also enjoys kayaking and exploring the world with his son.
+ DAVID OBERRIETH
Senior Exhibit Designer + Detailer
With a background in architecture and graphic design, Judy creates exhibits, environmental graphics, and branded spaces. She helps lead the development of immersive and visually engaging experiences.
Outside of Work
Judy is currently on a mission to edit life down to the good parts.
+ JUDY MONGES
Senior Graphic + Exhibit Designer
Bill leverages his creativity and problem solving to develop designs that achieve a healthy balance between aesthetics and functionality. He uses his skills and techniques to create efficient drawings (both by hand and digitally) throughout the design process, as well as realistic renders to help communicate concepts and ideas with clients. Bill considers the development of an exhibit from conceptual sketches to full renderings his passion.
Outside of Work
Bill enjoys working in the garage on his motorcycle and cars. He also coaches his sons' soccer team and loves keeping active.
+ BILL PIARD
Exhibit Designer + Detailer
With an emphasis on ideation and creative problem-solving, Sara works to transform content into an immersive exhibit experience. Sara guides projects from initial schematic phases through final production, with a keen eye for visual identity and storytelling.
Outside of Work
Sara is a fan of audiobooks at 1.5x speed, especially a cozy murder mystery with a dramatic final reveal. Pair that with a bagel and life's good; the deli by the office has her order on lock.
+ SARA SILVERSMITH
Graphic Designer
Carley has a diverse background within the museum industry, having worked directly with visitors and in collections management. This gives her particular insight into what stimulates and appeals to visitors, balanced with the practicalities of a site's operational needs. She excels at research, planning, and drafting narratives, with a strong background in material culture and a dedication to creating memorable, accessible learning opportunities.
Outside of Work
Carley finds pineapple on pizza disgraceful, but she hates that she don't actually hate it! Her favorite dinosaur is Spinosaurus.
+ CARLEY ELDER, NAI CIP
Interpretive Planner
Alexis assists with content development and conducts research. Her academic training in American history and museum studies helps her develop relevant and engaging exhibits for a variety of clients. Her experience assisting with the research and production of various projects enables her to develop thoughtful and compelling exhibits tailored to their intended audiences and subjects.
Outside of Work
You can often find Alexis in local parks taking pictures of birds and other wildlife. When the weather doesn't cooperate, she probably has her nose in a good mystery novel.
+ ALEXIS FRAMBES
Interpretive Planner
Thoughtful Interpretive Planning + Exhibit Design
10364 Main Street Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-246-9241
