Jackson Galloway Architects Joins FGM Architects
Austin, Texas – Jackson Galloway Architects (JGA), based in Austin, announces that it has been acquired by FGM Architects, headquartered in Oak Brook, IL. The two award-winning architecture firms share core cultural values as well as practice areas that focus on enhancing the environments where people live, learn, worship, work, play, and gather. These include schools, police and fire stations, recreation centers, city halls and worship facilities. Both firms are well-known for working collaboratively with community partners, fostering enduring client relationships, and designing buildings that have a positive impact on the people who use them.
JGA will maintain its current office in Austin. The merged firm will conduct business as Jackson Galloway FGM Architects. John Jackson, one of JGA’s founding principals, will be the Managing Director of the Jackson Galloway FGM Architects Austin office.
John Jackson and Bob Galloway, founding partners of JGA note, “We’re excited and energized by the opportunities that this merger creates. The qualities of integrity and commitment to high standards we find at FGM are those we aspire to at Jackson Galloway. Our mantra is “live inspired” and we strive to create designs that are beautiful, authentic, and timeless. FGM has the same commitment, evidenced by their design work in multiple practice areas as well as the lasting partnerships they have with such a range of community partners.”
FGM Chief Executive Officer, John Ochoa adds, “Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country with a dynamic culture and business climate. As the region grows, there’s a corresponding need for schools, municipal, public safety and other kinds of buildings which offers a compelling opportunity for FGM. Our strategic business plan focuses on growth through market diversification. As we explored expanding our practice to Austin, JGA quickly emerged as a natural partner. Their distinguished body of work and outstanding team are a great match for FGM’s strengths and the spirit we bring to our work.”
Strategic Growth & Market Diversification
FGM’s acquisition of JGA is key to the firm’s strategic plan for continued growth through market diversification. FGM is an employee-owned firm that has been in existence since 1945. FGM’s acquisition of JGA is the second in the firm’s history. In 2011, FGM strengthened its municipal and recreation practices with the acquisition of SRBL Architects, a Chicago-area firm known for its expertise in public safety, recreation and civic design. In recent years, FGM has opened offices in St. Louis, MO and Milwaukee, WI to create a durable base for the continued expansion of its business in those states.
Austin and its surrounding region consistently top “Best Of” lists in terms of jobs and population growth, quality of life, entrepreneurship, education and many other measures. In December 2018, Money magazine rated Austin the best city in America to live in, “…because of the thriving job scene, coupled with memorable food, music, and a startup culture.”
FGM President John Dzarnowski says, “We’re excited to join forces with JGA and join Austin’s vibrant business ecology. The entrepreneurial energy, spirit of innovation and expanding horizons there are a perfect match for FGM’s expertise and commitment to building resilient communities. We’ve already built a sound foundation for integrating our operations and are actively pursuing design projects in Austin and the surrounding region.”
John Jackson and Bob Galloway agree, noting that “FGM’s deep portfolio combined with our track record and network of robust relationships ensure that our combined firm will be a competitive force. We feel confident that this partnership ensures the continued strength of our work now and in the future. We are definitely better together.”
A Merger of String Partners
Jackson Galloway Architects was founded in Austin, TX in 1997 by John Jackson and Bob Galloway, partners who began working together as aspiring architects at the University of Arkansas’s renowned Fay Jones School of Architecture.
JGA operates throughout Central Texas and is well-known for its expertise with faith-based clients. JGA has also completed designs for schools, municipal facilities as well as corporate and residential clients. Recently, JGA designed the new City Hall for the City of Hutto, a fast-growing community north of Austin. Other notable projects completed by JGA’s 14-person staff include the Special Olympics Headquarters of Texas, Grace Bible Church in Houston, Greater Mt Zion Baptist Church, the Regents School of Austin, as well as numerous projects for Austin Independent School District.
Founded in 1945, FGM Architects currently serves communities in Illinois, Missouri and Wisconsin from its offices in Oak Brook, Chicago, O’Fallon, St. Louis and Milwaukee with a staff of 88 architecture, design, technical and administrative professionals.
FGM’s core practice areas are: PK-12 schools and higher education; public safety, including police, fire and emergency operations; municipal and recreation facilities. Architectural Record has consistently ranked FGM Architects within the Top 300 Architecture firms; Building Design and Construction magazine ranks FGM among the top 25 firms nationally for the design of PK-12 schools. In 2018, FGM received the “Outstanding Firm of the Year” award from AIA-Northeast Illinois, an association whose membership encompasses the “Chicagoland” region. In 2017 and 2018, FGM was named an “Outstanding Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm,” one of four firms in five states given this designation by the Central States Region chapter of AIA.
Notable recent and current projects FGM is responsible for include J. Sterling Morton HSD Freshman Academy (IL), Cicero School District 99 Sherlock Elementary School (IL); Lombard Park District Madison Meadow Athletic Center (IL); Wheaton College Armerding Center for the Arts (IL); St. Peter’s Golf Club Banquet Center (MO); and the Ledgeview Town Hall and Fire Station (WI). FGM is District Architect for over 90 school districts throughout Illinois; many of these relationships have endured for several decades.