OKLAHOMA CITY — (February 5, 2018) — FSB, Oklahoma’s largest locally owned, full-service architecture and engineering firm, has hired fourth-generation Oklahoman John Semtner to lead its civic market. As Civic Market Principal, Semtner will bridge between the complex design work and FSB clients from this sector. Active FSB civic projects total over $300 million in construction. Some past and current projects include the interior renovation of the Oklahoma State Capitol, Bennett Event Center, MAPS Senior Center #2, and the office relocation for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.
“Bringing John onto the executive team as Principal over our Civic Market has set the stage to further deepen our firm’s focus and investment in this important sector,” FSB President and CEO Gary James said. “Civic architecture projects entail working alongside community, state and municipal leaders to shape the public spaces that all Oklahomans use and appreciate. I look forward to seeing our clients benefitting from John’s expertise and passion for this work.”
John Semtner
Semtner’s nearly two decades of experience includes a diverse background of complex projects, including data centers, historic high rise renovations, energy management and sustainability projects, medical facilities, laboratories, and iconic architectural projects. This work has required building teams of diverse experts and aligning them to achieve the client vision. With a background in mechanical engineering, Semtner’s strength is his ability to sift through complex options, while helping clients work through tough choices.
“FSB has a long history of producing a high level of design work for this community and state,” Semtner said. “I am honored to be in a role where I will be leading a team in the planning, design, and construction administration of these civic buildings that my grandchildren will use. As civic market principal, I look forward to continuing our firm’s trajectory of taking on high-visibility and innovative projects for our clients. Our firm’s broad scope of expertise and deep level of talent make accepting this new position as market principal all the more exciting. I began my career at FSB as an intern and have long appreciated the firm’s high quality product and team-driven culture.”
Previously, Semtner served as Principal and Director of Engineering at the architecture and engineering firm ADG in Oklahoma City, where he was responsible for starting the firms engineering practice. Prior to this role, Semtner was the lead mechanical engineer on the SandRidge Commons projects for FSB. While working at Lockheed Martin from 2004 to 2008, he pursued advanced studies in Aerospace Engineering and Business from Stanford University. Semtner received a Bachelor of Science from Lehigh University, and obtained his Master’s of Science degree from the University of California at Berkeley, where he focused on computational fluid dynamics.
Semtner is a fourth-generation Oklahoman who is active in the greater Oklahoma City community. He currently serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County, the Santa Fe Family Life Center, and the Arts Council Oklahoma City. In addition, he is an active member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, and the United Way of Central Oklahoma. Semtner is past president of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of ASHRAE, a professional organization representing building system design and industrial process professionals. Semtner is a graduate of the Leadership Oklahoma City LOYAL program.
“We’re glad to be welcoming John home,” James said. “He comes to the position with a deep understanding of FSB’s history, values of high-quality and client service, and culture of teamwork. It’s an exciting time to work in civic design, and John is emblematic of a generational shift in leadership that is currently underway in Oklahoma City. Through John, we look forward to continuing to deliver innovations in architecture and engineering that our community needs to move our state and city forward.”
About FSB
FSB is an Oklahoma City based, full-service, nationally recognized architectural-engineering firm that has been a leader in the delivery of quality services for over 70 years. FSB’s in-office team of award-winning architects, interior designers and landscape architects are joined by an equally talented, full spectrum group of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, civil and fire protection engineers. With more than 150 awards and four AIA “Firm of the Year honors,” FSB prides itself in providing clients end-to-end service.
