News
Date: April 23rd 2007 Subject: Duo Bring Three Decades of Arena, Fair and Equestrian Experience to HOK
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – HOK Sport Venue Event announced today that Charlie Smith and David Forkner have joined the firm.
Smith and Forkner each have more than 30 years of experience in the planning and design of fairgrounds and exhibition centers. They join HOK Sport Venue Event from Bullock Smith & Partners, where Smith was chairman and Forkner served as director of planning.
“Charlie and David are known around the world for their experience in fairground and exhibition center design,” said Rick Martin, HOK Sport Venue Event senior principal. “Their specialized knowledge and experience, joined with our design leadership of sports facilities and convention centers, creates a perfect marriage of what HOK does best – bringing people together.”
HOK Sport Venue Event is internationally known for projects such as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the new Wembley Stadium and Heinz Field. Regionally the firm has completed such projects as the Nashville Arena, Autzone Park and LP Field. HOK has more than 400 employees worldwide, with offices in Kansas City, Denver, Nashville, London and Brisbane.
Smith and Forkner will open HOK/Smith+Forkner’s Knoxville, Tennessee, office, and will add Gail Carr to their staff as office manager. As principals of the firm, Smith and Forkner will continue within their realm of expertise in multi-purpose arenas, sports facilities, Olympic venues, fair and equestrian complexes and mixed-use entertainment complexes. The duo has worked together for almost 33 years at both Bullock Smith & Partners and at MHM Architects.
“Joining the HOK family will allow us to continue doing what we do best and expand our capability to deliver comprehensive design services,” said Smith. “We’re excited and proud to be a part of the world’s most prolific design firm.”
For further information please contact
Gina Leo at HOK Sport (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
Email media@hoksve.com