Meet the team we have chosen!

selected as Owner's Rep for Renovation

Founded in 2003, Wember Inc is a full service Owner’s Representation company that focuses on the planning, design, and construction of building projects. Having considerable public sector, and specifically, library experience, Wember Inc. serves as an experienced and informed extension of their clients, successfully guiding them through all aspects of the project process.

Representing ECLD will be Paul Wember, Justin Sager and Dane Patunoff:

Paul Wember has extensive depth-of-experience across a wide range of project types, giving him the necessary background and capabilities to effectively manage all elements of challenging projects from start to finish. While working closely with owners, he has been able to build strong working relationships that are based upon open communication and trust. Having a technical design-based background, combined with a Master of Business Administration, Paul brings a powerful combination of skill sets that enables a comprehensive understanding of delivering successful, client-focused projects.

Justin Sager has worked on a variety of project types and has been involved from the earliest planning stages through project close-out. Working as an Owner's Representative, Justin's diverse project portfolio and experience allow him to effectively optimize the balance between the constraints of time, money and quality, and the functional requirements of his client's projects.

Dane Patunoff comes from a diverse background of estimating, construction, and green building. As an Owner’s Representative, he’s specialized in hospitality, renovations, and libraries. In addition to working for Wember Inc., Dane is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sustainable construction management from Colorado State University. Dane’s technical skills and multi-disciplinary background make him a valuable resource on a wide range of projects.

chosen by ECLD

Humphries Poli Architects is widely recognized as one of the Western United State’s premier library architecture firms. Having completed more than 50 library planning and design commissions for facilities ranging from 2,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet, the firm has a track record for creating community specific solutions on commissions of any scale.

Previous work by Humphries Poli Architects in Elbert County includes the restoration of the Kiowa Library, the Elbert County Justice Center, and the restoration of the Elbert County Courthouse. HPA’s library projects have been acclaimed nationally and include the transformation of a bowling center into the Parker Library, the transformation of a former Safeway store in Castle Rock into the P.S. Miller Library, as well as new library construction for the Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch Libraries, all located in Douglas County.

Working on our project will be Dennis Humphries, Ryan Wallace and Ozi Friedrich:

Dennis Humphries will lead the team efforts on this project and assume final responsibility for HPA's work on this commission. Mr. Humphries has been actively engaged in the design and execution of some of Colorado's most dynamic libraries for more than 20 years. Since co-founding Humphries Poli, Dennis has made libraries a focus of the practice and has authored dozens of contextually integrated designs in communities across the state. He is personally invested in the successful design, execution and sustained efficient operations of public libraries including previous work for the Elbert County Library District.

Dennis will actively monitor and fine tune team efforts including the project budget, schedule, control, estimates and communication throughout to ensure architectural excellence and unilateral satisfaction. Working in unison with the Elbert County Library District's leadership personnel, the design team will articulate the District's vision, creating a building that enhances its surroundings, and fosters imagination and civic pride.

Ryan Wallace has gained a very high level of responsibility as leader of HPA's efforts on award winning library commissions, including a leadership role on 23,000 sq. ft LEED-Silver addition/renovation to the Pueblo West White Branch Library and the renovation of 14,000 sq, ft of library space for the Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs. Ryan is a licensed architect who works cohesively with Dennis Humphries to produce library designs that respond to client, community and context driven concerns. Ryan will maintain a constant awareness of all HPA project components including, but not limited to schedule, budget, quality, and client and contractor driven concerns.

Ryan is a leader in HPA's efforts to infuse their forward-thinking library design process with a strong environmental ethic. He is in tireless pursuit of systems and design applications that lead to practical, environmentally friendly library solutions which extend financial resources in both the short- and long-term.

Ozi Friedrich Prior to pursuing his interest in architecture, Ozi Friedrich spent three years as a librarian and five years as a library services staff member at several libraries in New York and Portland, Oregon. In 2004 he earned a Master of Library & Information Science degree from Pratt Institute. His participation provides the HPA team with expert knowledge of the functional requirements of a public library. Ozi has been instrumental in numerous HPA library commissions since joining the firm, including a Facility Master Plan for the Boulder Public Library System, a long-range strategic plan for the Normal, Illinois Library, and the Bennett Library for the Rangeview Library District. Ozi developed a new programmatic service model called "Language and Learning" for the Denver Public Libraries. Ozi will support Dennis and Ryan in many ways. He will be charged with coordination of changes within design documents, researching materials and systems, and supporting management tasks as required.

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