JLPOULSON

JAMES L POULSON, AIA

James L Poulson, AIA7335 SummitKansas City, MO [email protected]

James Poulson has over 30 years of experience in the design and construction industry, and for the last 23 has focused primarily on medium and large scale sports and recreation projects. His experience within the sports design and construction industry includes new build and renovation of both major and minor leagues, as well as numerous civic and collegiate clients.

Mr. Poulson’s primary role and responsibility within Ellerbe Becket/ AECOM has been to lead the project team’s design efforts on large, complex and highly visible projects, starting in 1989 with the $350M renovation of Madison Square Garden completed while keeping the arena open for over 300 events per year. In 1996 Mr Poulson assumed the additional responsibilities of Marketing/Sales and Business Development. In this role he has honed his skills in assessing new project opportunities; building consensus with multiple stakeholders; and satisfying the expectations of multi-layered organizations.

His leadership with Ellerbe Becket/AECOM resulted in the acquisition and completion some of the firm’s most notable sports projects including; Conseco (now BankersLife) Fieldhouse in 1994; Qwest (now CenturyLink) Field in 1998 and most recently the new Barclay's Center which is to be the new Brooklyn home of the NBA Nets due to open this September.

Over the last three years Mr Poulson has been very actively pursuing major league arena work in addition to developing a specialty providing concept studies for new practice/training facilities at the professional and collegiate levels. These are two areas that have been his strong suits over his sports facility design and construction career.

Recent wins that he played a key lead role in include:

• The new home for the NBA Nets at Barclays Center, Brooklyn,NY; • A $50M renovation to the New Orleans Arena, home to the NBA New Orleans Hornets;• A $50M renovation study of the Energy Solutions Arena, home to the NBA Utah Jazz;• A $150M renovation study of the Target Center, home to the NBA Timberwolves. 

Over his long and distinguished sports design career Mr. Poulson has developed, nurtured and maintained long standing relationships with builders, developers, feasibility and financial consultants, program managers, sports team executives and owners and governmental entities. All of which have played key roles in the development, design and construction of sports projects and continue to be sources of invaluable project leads.

Having led the design teams for enduring industry benchmarks such as BankersLife Fieldhouse and CenturyLink Field, Mr. Poulson is now looking for the opportunity to utilize his outstanding business development, team leadership, and communication skills to generate and influence new business opportunities.

CENTURYLINK (QWEST) FIELD, NFL SEAHAWKS, SEATTLE, WAJames has emerged as a master of maximizing home field advantage. At Qwest Field in Seattle, the Wall Street Journal noted that James’ design “made sure the wind and rain would disproportionately hit the visitors’ sideline.” Mr. Poulson placed the cheapest endzone seats (where, he says, the ‘crazies’ sit) atop steel risers that send thundering noise to the hard

surfaces on the overhangs and roof, redirecting it back to the field. The Seahawks are among the NFL’s leaders in false-start penalties called against the visiting teams.” James puts the same kind of intense research and understanding of the client’s needs into every project.

Role: Design Director

James L Poulson,AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

BANKERS LIFE (CONSECO) FIELDHOUSE, NBA PACERS, INDIANAPOLIS, INBefore he ever sketched a concept for Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse, James Poulson set off on a mission of discovery to truly understand the Indiana basketball mystique. The game may not have been invented in Indiana, but it was the state's high school and college teams that brought basketball to life. So Poulson drove the state's back roads, stopping to study and

admire the small-town field houses that dot the Indiana countryside. His "Hoosier Odyssey" was well worth it. Conseco Fieldhouse today is regarded as the world's greatest basketball arena, an honor befitting basketball-mad Indiana.

Role: Design Director

James L Poulson,AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

FEDEX FORUMNBA GRIZZLIESMemphis, TN

The new Memphis Arena Complex anchors the redevelopment of the legendary Beale Street entertainment district at the south end of downtown. Restaurant and food service includes a “Courtside Club”, “Sports Bar”, “Club Restaurant”, two upscale concessions areas and a “Carvery Bar”, and both fixed concession stands and portable concession carts. The project also includes administrative offices, box office, a practice facility for the Grizzlies, the Rock and Soul Museum, and a branch of the Smithsonian.

Role: Design Director

MADISON SQUARE GARDENNBA KNICKS NBA RANGERSNew York, New YorkThe complete refurbishing of the New York City landmark included the addition of luxury suites, a new scoreboard system featuring a new video screen, new directional and information graphics throughout the building, and improved promenades. Located directly over the New York City Subway System, the 5,600-seat Paramount Theatre, as part of the renovation of Madison Square Garden, includes a fully operational flyloft and theatrical production facility. This provides Madison Square Garden with one of the most flexible venues for a wide variety of events from sophisticated theatre to concerts to boxing.

Role: Design Director

James L Poulson,AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

HSBC ARENANHL SABRESBuffalo, NY

HSBC Arena, home of the NHL Buffalo Sabres, is located in the Buffalo Central Business District. The entrance hall serves as a festival market space that takes on the unique character of each special event held in the arena. HSBC Arena incorporates a variety of dining and shopping opportunities. The facility features two restaurants, clubs, and food courts. Club level seating incorporates elements of baseball stadium design. A fan buying a hot dog on the concourse will be able to see the action in the arena.

Role: Design Director

ROSE GARDENNBA TRAILBLZERS Portand, OR

The Rose Garden Arena serves as the centerpiece of The Rose Quarter, an extensive mixed-use development just east of downtown Portland. Home of the NBA Trail Blazers, the arena provides luxury suites, club seating, bars, restaurants, private clubs, and concession areas on seven primary levels. The facility has earned accolades for innovations in sustainable practices in design, construction, and operations.

Role: Design Director

James L Poulson,AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

BARCLAYS CENTERNBA NETSBrooklyn, NY

Barclays Center was designed in collaboration with SHoP Architects for Forest City Ratner Companies to be a galaxy-class sports and entertainment arena and the new home to the NBA Nets at the heart of the Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn, New York. There will be 18,000 seats for basketball and up to 19,000 seats for concerts. The arena will feature 100 luxury suites including 12 Backstage suites, 63 Standard suites, 30 Loft suites, 40 Loge boxes, and six clubs and restaurants. The facility will also include a practice facility for the Nets and an assortment of retail spaces at grade.

Role: Design Director

TARGET CENTERRENOVATIONNBA TIMBERWOLVES Minneapolis, MN

The proposed renovation will drastically alter the look and feel of the arena while providing patrons with a new state of the art facility. The new Target Center will have a new glass atrium lobby and entrance making a better pedestrian friendly urban neighbor.

Inside visitors will enjoy new public bars that overlook the arena seating along with new premium clubs. Expanded concourses will ease traffic flow and improved concessions will provide customers better food and beverage options.

Role: Design DirectorJames L Poulson,AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

CLEVELAND CLINIC COURTSNBA CAVS PRACTICE FACILITYIndependence, OH

The Cavaliers’ new practice facility has set a new standard, incorporating the best components of NBA and NFL training facilities from around the country. The building materials of stone, wood and glass create a rustic contemporary image similar to a national park center or a mountain lodge. The new facility includes two full practice courts with ample run off space on the end lines and side lines; a team meeting room for up to 25 players that is linked electronically to a state-of-the-art coaching video system; a players’ locker room that includes custom lockers with integrated shoe storage towers; an athletic training room that features a hydrotherapy area; a weight training area; and a players’ lounge.

Role: Design Director

JQH ARENAMISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY Springfield, MO

The new home of the Bears and Lady Bears basketball teams, the arena was named in honor of Missouri State alumnus and Springfield, Missouri-based hotel developer, John Q. Hammons. The facility was constructed just east of Hammons Student Center with a connecting corridor between the two buildings. In addition to 11,033 seats for basketball, the arena also includes a grand entrance, a Hall of Fame, a team store, and a 4,500-square foot club.

Role: Design Director

James L Poulson,AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

James L. Poulson, AIA7335 SummitKansas City, [email protected]

From higher education to government and professional sports, James’ commissions earn recognition from clients and peers alike. His secret? Tireless research, fresh ideas and incredible attention to detail.

Education Master of Architecture, University of Nebraska, 1981 Bachelor of Architecture, University of Nebraska, 1979

AccreditationsRegistered Architect, Missouri and Nebraska

AffiliationsAmerican Institute of Architects

Awards + HonoursCharles Evans Whittaker United States Courthouse, Kansas City, Missouri2000 Construction Excellence Honor Award - U.S. General Services Administration1999 Crafts Honor Award - Metal Grillwork, American Institute of Architects, Kansas City1999 Crafts Honor Award - Stone Work, American Institute of Architects, Kansas City1999 Arts Honor Award - Sentinels of Justice, American Institute of Architects, Kansas CityClay County Courthouse Annex, Kansas City, Missouri*1983 Central State Regional AIA Award for Excellence in Design; Pre-stressed Concrete Industry Award for Excellence in

Design and Interior Magazine National Interior Design, Institutional CategoryThe Cohen Center, El Paso Sports Complex for the Diablos, El Paso, Texas1990 American Institute of Architects, Texas Chapter1989 Award for Outstanding Architectural Design, El Paso Chapter of the Texas Society of ArchitectsBankers Life (Conseco) Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana2000 Accessibility Design Award - Mayor’s council on People with Disabilities2000 Facility of Merit Award - Athletic Business Magazine2000 Honor Award - National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association1999 Design Award - Twin Cities Section, Illumination Engineering Society1999 Design Award, Twin Cities Section, Illumination Engineering Society

Century Link (Qwest) Field, Exhibition Center and Parking Garage, Seattle, Washington2003 Most Innovative Structure Award - Structural Engineers Association of Illinois2003 Grand Award - Building Team Project of the Year - Building Design & Construction2003 International Illumination Design Award, Section Level and Exterior Lighting - Illuminating Engineering Society of

North America (IESNA), Twins Cities Chapter2003 2003 Merit Winner - The Associated General Contractors of America2003 National Recognition Award - American Council of Engineering Companies2003 Paul Waterbury Award for Outdoor Lighting2003 Magnusson & Klimencic in collaboration with Ellerbe Becket - National ACEC Grand Award for Structural Engineering

Excellence2002 Distinguished Project Award - Northwest Construction Consumer Council

The Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon1997 Precast Prestressed Concrete Solutions Award for Broadway Parking Structure1996 Excellence in Construction - Specialty Commercial Finish over $500K Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

Pacific N.W. Chapter Oregon Arena Annex Building1992 Honor Award for Engineering Excellence - Consulting Engineers Council of Oregon1992 Merit Award - Kansas City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects1992 Chapter - Honor Award, Un-built CategorySouth Coast Plaza Pedestrian Bridge, Costa Mesa, California2001 American Institute of Architects Honor Award

Scholarships1979 AIA Langley Scholarship1981 Alpha Rho Chi, Leadership Service Merit1981 Nebraska Society of the American Institute Architecture Award1981 Nebraska Ready Mixed Concrete Association Design Competition Award1981 Tau Sigma Delta, Distinction in Architecture

Articles“Pay Attention”, PanStadia International, September 1996, Pages 38-41

Professional History2009 – 2012 Architecture at Ellerbe Becket, Inc., an AECOM CompanyAssociate and Design Director

2005 – 2009 Ellerbe Becket, Inc., Kansas City, MOAssociate and Design Director

1988 – 2002 Ellerbe Becket, Inc.

With other firms:BJSS – 2 yearsASAI – 7 years

Collegiate SportsDrury University, Fieldhouse, Springfield, MOWashington State University, Martin Stadium Renovation Phase III, Pullman, WAMissouri State University, JQH Arena, Springfield, MOGonzaga University, McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WACentral Washington University, Multi-Use Facility Strategic Plan, Ellensburg, WACentral Washington University, Student Union / Recreation Center, Ellensburg, WAGanado Pavilion Basketball Arena Study, Ganado, Navajo NationUniversity of Missouri-Kansas City, Swinney Recreation Center, Kansas City, MO

Civic SportsDCU Center Feasibility Study, Worcester, MAU.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IAConfidential, Sports and Entertainment Stadium, Las Vegas, NVDunkin’ Donuts Center, Renovation, Providence, RIIndiana State Fairgrounds, Pepsi Coliseum Renovation + New Ice Plant Feasibility Study, Indianapolis, INLee’s Summit, Harris Park, Summit Waves Aquatic Center, Lee’s Summit, MOEverett Events Center, Design/Build Design Competition, Everett, WALowell Arena, Lowell, MAMercer Arena Renovation Study, Seattle, WA

Professional SportsBarclays Center at Atlantic Yards, NBA Nets, Brooklyn, NYCleveland Cavaliers Practice Facility, Cleveland Clinic Courts, NBA Cavaliers, Independence, OHThe Cohen Center, AAA Diablos, El Paso, TXInternational Speedway Corporation, 2007 Meadowlands Masterplan, Daytona, FLConseco Fieldhouse, NBA Pacers, Indianapolis, INFedExForum, NBA Grizzlies, Memphis, TNHSBC Arena, NHL Sabres, Buffalo, NYJoe Louis Arena, Renovation Study, Detroit, MILee County Spring Training Facility for the Minnesota Twins, Fort Myers, FLMadison Square Garden Renovation, NBA Knicks and NHL Rangers, New York, NYQuicken Loans Arena, On-Call Renovation Services, Cleveland, OHCenturyLink Field, NFL Seahawks, Seattle, WAThe Rose Garden, NBA Trail Blazers, Portland, ORSeattle Seahawks Stadium Feasibility Study, Seattle, WAMinnesota Vikings Retractable Roof Stadium Study, NFL Minnesota Vikings, Minneapolis, MN

International SportsArena Pernambuco, Premium Spaces Interior Design, Recife, BrazilADNEC Arena Conceptual Design, Abu DhabiROK, Athletic Training Facility Study Competition, Republic of KoreaBangkok Domed Plaza Arena, Bangkok, Thailand Cologne Arena Study, Cologne, GermanyJeddah International Stadium Feasibility Study, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaSonas Centre Stadium and Arena, Dublin, IrelandAl Qudra-Al Ain Sports City, Master Plan and Concept, Abu Dhabi

Non-SportsCharles Evans Whittaker United States Courthouse, Kansas City, MOOccidental Life Corporate Headquarters Study, Overland Park, KSPlaza Steppes Office Building, Kansas City, MO93rd and Hillcrest, Office Building, Kansas City, MOBell Hall, Army Officer Training Facility, Fort Leavenworth, KSClay County Courthouse Annex, Kansas City, MOCook Composite, Corporate Headquarters Study, Kansas City, MODrury College, Walker Library Addition and Renovation, Springfield, MOOregon State Fair Pavilion Study, Salem, ORWhiteman Air Force Base, Gymnasium Expansion, Whiteman AFB, MOWhiteman Air Force Base, Recreation Center, Whiteman AFB, MOYellow Freight, General Office Expansion, Overland Park, KS