Damien T. Schlitt

Occupation: Licensed architect and associate director of Education Design Studio, BLDD Architects

Family: Wife, Carly Schlitt; son, Austin (13); daughter, Addison (8).

Career highlights and/or accomplishments:

Graduated from University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign with Master of Architecture 2007. Joined BLDD Architects as an intern architect with a passion for K-12 educational design. Licensed architect in 2013. Promoted to associate in January of 2019. Projects recognized at the Joint Annual Conference for Excellence in Educational Environments: 2012 Award of Distinction (top honor) or Washington Community High School Addition and Renovation. 2019 Award of Distinction for Okaw Valley Agricultural Complex and Award of Merit for Waltham CUSD 185 New Elementary School.

Community involvement: Vice president of Mahomet Mavericks baseball organization board, and head coach of current 13u team. Fifth year coaching this team.

What should the community do to attract

more young people to the area? I strongly believe, that the continuation of the revitalization of the downtown area is a vital component of attracting young people, particularly young professionals, to the area. The development of the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, and the continuous e orts to support small business are vital to this e ort. These types of e orts are critical in the creation of a local, walking community, provides for an environment that supports a sustainable, socially conscience community to which, young people will be drawn. These communities will then also become the hubs for creativity and engagement, leading to re-investment of time and future earnings. Young people are fl ocking to urban centers where services, and culture are available at every turn. The next step to supporting those values and that group of future leaders, is to provide opportunities for residents close to the action where this walking, sustainable, and locally sustained environment can fl ourish.

SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY

I think this management of expectations is something that can also move into one’s personal life. Saying yes to everyone is easy, until the proverbial “bill” comes due. Those people closest and most important to you will understand when you have to say no. They will understand that if something is important enough for you to prioritize, then it is important enough for them to support.

Worst Advice: Always look out for yourself. The advice itself wasn’t terrible, it just misses the second part… ”as long as looking out for yourself doesn’t put someone else in harm’s way.” When told to look out for yourself, you are never too young to understand the implications of what that might mean. Looking out for yourself is often possible while also looking out for those that cannot look out for themselves.

If you were a fi ctional character, who would

you be and why? Jim Halpert, “The O ce.” Fun loving, successful, witty, and has a relaxed demeanor. I try to enjoy the simple things and keep an even demeanor as much as possible. Who wouldn’t want to be Jim Halpert?

2. I collect sneakers 3. I was a drummer when I was a child.

What is the best and worst piece of advice you have ever received?

Best Advice: Manage expectations. This is a piece of information that gave me the clearest understanding of what being an architect, in full service to my client, means. Being open and honest about what is possible, and as importantly, not possible is critical to supporting the success of your client and their project. This type of honesty, the cold hard truth at times, leads to a stronger more enduring relationship with that person than simply being a yes person.

What are your three favorite movies? This is really an impossible question to answer, as the variables are far too great to pick JUST three, however, here goes: “Big Lebowski” – it’s a classic, and reminds me of some of my best most formative years at the U of I. “The Goonies” – it reminds me of being a kid, and still helps me to drift back to those much simpler times. And lastly, “Star Wars” (The Saga). The story, the universe, the timeline, the fact that they made that fi rst one in the 1970s with not much more than a lamp, pre-release plastic toys, and cotton balls… unless you are a “Harry Potter” person, or “Lord of the Rings” fan, these have to be on your list!

What would your perfect Saturday be like?

We would wake up and watch my daughter play soccer, starting at goalie. That would be followed by my son and my baseball team, playing an afternoon home double header, including fi eld preparation. Dragging and lining a baseball fi eld is something everyone should get to enjoy. Day would end with most of the team, and their families coming to the house for a fi re, s’mores and time to connect outside of the game. Connecting around the greatest game in the world, with