The Firm

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  William Heyer

  Principal

  William Heyer has been in practice since 1997. He opened his own office in 2002. From historic renovations and beautifications to new churches, residences, and furniture, William’s knowledge and skills in the classical language for contemporary architecture form the foundation for his practice.

  Education

  • Bachelor of Architecture, Pratt Institute, New York (1993)
  • Master of Architecture, University of Notre Dame (2001)

  Memberships

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Catholic Art Institute
  • City of Bexley Architecture Review Board
  • Society for Catholic Liturgy

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  Reed Thompson

  Associate Architect

  Reed Thompson has been part of WHA since 2017 and became a registered architect in Ohio in 2022. Reed is a member of the Catholic Art Institute and an instructor with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art’s traveling workshop program. Outside the office, he enjoys pilgrimaging to see church architecture, drawing and painting, and spending time outdoors camping.

  Education

  • Master of Architecture, Ball State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Ball State University

  Memberships

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Catholic Art Institute

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  Nicole Creehan Angle

  Associate Designer

  Nicole Angle began as an intern with William Heyer Architect in 2013 and joined full time in 2014 following her graduation from Notre Dame. Now a mother of three, she feels blessed to be able to balance her focus on her growing family and her love for beautiful church architecture. When not in the office, or caring for her family, Nicole enjoys volunteering with Mommies Matter, being a part of her daughter’s American Heritage Girls troop, reading, sewing, and knitting.

  Education

  • Bachelor of Architecture, University of Notre Dame
  • Minor in Theology

  Memberships

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Catholic Art Institute

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  Joshua Vietas

  Intern Architect

  Joshua Vietas joined WHA in 2024 as an intern architect. Complementing his work in sacred architecture, he actively participates in the life of the Church by composing sacred music, choral singing, and serving as a member of the Angelico Project in Cincinnati. In his leisure time, he is most content enjoying good conversation with a pipe or playing a game of soccer.

  Education

  • Bachelor of Science in Architecture, The University of Cincinnati

  Memberships

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Catholic Art Institute

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  Elizabeth O'Loughnane

  Intern Architect

  Elizabeth O’Loughnane joined the WHA team in February of 2026. Prior, she worked in high end residential architecture directly after graduating with her BArch from the University of Notre Dame in 2024. Elizabeth is a member of the ICAA and won a Trumbauer Award in 2025 for her Thesis Project “Winchester Care Home.” In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys traveling to her family farm in Missouri, traveling to the United Kingdom to visit her in-laws, and spending time with her husband and baby girl. Elizabeth is found happiest when designing a beautiful church, painting, gardening, cooking, reading a good book, or sipping a good cup of tea.

  Education

  • Bachelor of Architecture, University of Notre Dame
  • Minor in Theological Studies

  Memberships

  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art
  • Catholic Art Institute

Consultants to the Firm

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  Drew Burgess, RA, NCARB

  Consultant

  Drew Burgess is a licensed architect with thirty-six years in practice, most of them in Columbus at NBBJ, AECOM, Trinity NAC and Moody Nolan, where he led design and planning within their healthcare studios. His work has ranged from project design and design team leadership to master and strategic facilities planning and project management. He has served as a guest juror at The Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture since 1999.

  Education

  • Bachelor of Architecture, University of Cincinnati (1988)
  • Associate of Engineering Technology, Sinclair Community College (1982)

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  Melissa Shanks, RA, LEED AP

  Consultant

  Melissa Shanks is an architect based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She developed much of her architectural experience at Schooley Caldwell Associates in Columbus, Ohio, where she served as a project manager and design architect on civic and traditionally focused architectural projects. Her clients at SCA included the City of Columbus, Franklin Park Conservatory, and The Ohio State University. She also oversaw special projects associated with the firm’s role as Architect of the Capitol. Earlier work at Urban Design Associates and Meyers Welsh Architecture & Design provided a foundation in traditional architecture and urbanism, collaborative planning, and public design processes. In 2024, she established Saint Barbara Studios, where she collaborates with Catholic parishes and other architectural firms on parish master planning, fundraising concept design, and architectural services.

  Melissa values balancing architectural practice and family life with her husband, Jason, and their five children. Raising a child with significant disabilities has deepened her awareness of accessibility in her professional work.

  Education

  • Bachelor of Architecture, cum laude, University of Notre Dame

  Memberships

  • Catholic Art Institute
  • Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, Sacred Art and Architecture Review Committee
  • Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (former regional board member)
  • Legatus