Our Team - oysk3 architects

Jim Odle

Principal Architect

REGISTERED ARCHITECT IN: Tennessee, Virginia and Utah

EDUCATION: The University of Tennessee, School of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, 1973 with Honors

First in line being ‘o’, Jim represents half of the original partnership of Odle & Young Architects. With 30+ years of design and architecture experience, there’s not much Jim hasn’t seen or dealt with. You’ll love having him as part of your team and are certain to learn a thing or two along with way from his depth of product knowledge.

Jim enjoys pulling all the pieces together, investigating options, and presenting a final design that meets all expectations and needs of each individual project.

Steve Young

Principal Architect

REGISTERED ARCHITECT IN: Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina

EDUCATION: The University of Tennessee, School of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, 1976 with Honors

As Mr. ‘y’, Steve completes the original partnership of Odle & Young Architects, the creative to Jim’s more technical approach. Steve’s 30 + years in design and architecture will add to the success of any project sent his way. Mr. ‘Y’ has a long standing and deep passion for thinking about and drawing every detail. When anyone on our team comes up against a design block Steve is our ‘go to’ for brainstorming solutions.

Steve will not rest until he finds a solution and goes above and beyond what the client needs to present a solution guaranteed to exceed any expectations.

Cara Knapp

Principal Architect

REGISTERED ARCHITECT IN: Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina

EDUCATION: Norwich University, School of Architecture; Private Military College in Northfield, Vermont, Bachelor of Architecture, 2001 with Minor in Engineering

Cara strives to bring everything she can to each client, providing the same level of direct, individual service no matter the scope or size of the project. She has a passion for design, creating a space that is specific to her client’s needs and conscious of constraints outside the scope of the project. There is no design problem she can’t solve!

Whether an interior tenant remodel or a new church Family Life Center, Cara is ready and excited to partner with you and pull together the best team possible.

Sherry G. Roop

Office Manager & Accountant

EDUCATION: University of Maryland, University College, European Division

Sherry has been working in accounting for over 35 years. Managing accounts and personnel throughout her career. Sherry keeps everything running smoothly in the office so that oysk3 architects can perform at their best.

A military expat from childhood through her career has taught her much through both cultural and professional experiences. Working for multiple international companies overseas, gave her valuable experience to better manage all aspects of the business life. As an accomplished expert photographer she enjoys composing the perfect shot. It is family first for her, and now considers oysk3 architects as an extension of her family.

S.B. Spencer

Associate Architect

EDUCATION: The University of Tennessee, School of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, 1996

Seeking a career change, Spencer moved his family to Alcoa, Tennessee, and entered the UT architecture program in 1991, ultimately coming to the former Odle & Young Architects in 2000. He has contributed to projects of all kinds in his tenure here. In his off-time, Spencer enjoys hiking, working

Katie Goethert

Interior Designer

EDUCATION: East Tennessee State University, Bachelors of Science in Interior Architecture, 2021 with Honors

Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude from ETSU, and began her career working for a contract furniture dealership in Knoxville. She joined oysk3 in September of 2021 and has enjoyed working on a variety of projects, including treehouses, hotels, custom homes, and daycares.

Katie discovered her passion for design during an 8th grade STEM class, where she used Autodesk Revit to design and model a shipping container house.

Katie is from Oak Ridge Tennessee, and enjoys cooking, photography, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Matthew Baumgartner

Intern Architect

EDUCATION: The University of Tennessee, School of Architecture and Design, Bachelor of Architecture

Matthew is a recent architecture graduate with a background in real estate, entrepreneurship, and engineering. At his time in school, he was passionate about the integration of computational design and additive manufacturing. He has received many awards and publications for his innovations in implementing 3D printing into architecture.

Tommy Wade

Project Manager

EDUCATION: The University of Tennessee, School of Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, 1986

After practicing architecture in his hometown of Memphis for 8 years, Tommy and his wife moved to the mountains of east Tennessee to pursue their love of the Smoky Mountains. Tommy brings 35 years of work in commercial architecture to the firm, where he both produces drawings and manages the daily tasks a project requires. He approaches architecture as a team endeavor and enjoys coordinating the efforts of multiple parties in the construction process. He and his wife still enjoy hiking in the hills of east Tennessee.

Megan Conner

Administrative Assistant

The first person to greet you at our office is Megan. She is originally from Lakeland, FL, and has been living in the East Tennessee area for three years now. Megan is an active volunteer in her church and enjoys cooking for and hosting friends. She is excited to be joining the oysk3 architects family and is looking forward to learning all about our architectural industry.