MBA Announces Four New Associates
"What makes this group so special is not just their design ability, but the way they show up for their colleagues and for the profession," said Ati Blackwell, FAIA, ASID. "Each of them has invested in the people around them, and that is the foundation of the kind of practice we want to build together."
In a manner that recognizes how the team has supported the founders and the firm as a whole, MBA is pleased to announce the promotion of four individuals to the level of Associate.
Carley Chastain, AIA, Katherine Lashley, AIA, Matthew Cadle, AIA, LEED GA, and Seth Spradlin, AIA have each demonstrated a deep commitment to design excellence, project delivery, and the culture of the firm. Their paths to MBA reflect a range of experiences — from Carley's design fellowship work in Rwanda and Montana before joining the firm in 2020, to Katherine's five years of practice in Little Rock followed by her return to Northwest Arkansas in 2021, to Matthew's eight years of practice across Missouri and Mississippi before coming to MBA in 2022, to Seth's nine years of progressive leadership at DEMX Architecture — including his role as Studio Director — before joining MBA in 2024. Together, they bring a breadth of perspective and professional investment that strengthens the firm's capacity to deliver work at the highest level.
"These four individuals represent exactly the kind of talent and character that define what MBA is and what we aspire to be." - Marlon Blackwell, FAIA.
Beyond their project work, each of the four has demonstrated leadership that reaches well beyond the drawing board. Carley has taken the initiative to develop a systematic, cradle-to-grave approach to healthy materials assessment across MBA's projects, bringing rigor and intention to a dimension of practice that matters deeply to the firm's values. She has also stepped up as a champion of MBA's own story, leading the firm's exhibition and awards programs with the same care she brings to project delivery, and has earned growing independence across all project phases as a key team member on Heartland Whole Health Institute, Greenfield Farm Writers Residency, and Srygley Townhomes.
Katherine has distinguished herself through excellence in professional engagement at the local, state, and national level — helping to launch both the AIA Arkansas MERGE Mentorship Program and an MBA-specific mentorship initiative that reflects the firm's commitment to the next generation of practitioners. She has also taken a lead role in developing the quality control procedures that underpin the firm's project delivery and sustainable practice, and has served as a key team member and leader on Simply Shenandoah, Walmart Campus Placemaking, and the 3D Printed Concrete Attainable Housing project.
Matthew brings a detailed eye and a relentless, all-in energy to every challenge he takes on — never approaching a problem halfway, and consistently delivering solutions that are thorough, thoughtful, and inventive. He has been a committed advocate for design's value in communities that are too often overlooked, engaging actively with ULI NWA toward that end, and has made the mentorship and hands-on training of less experienced staff a defining part of his role at MBA. His key project contributions include the Jones Center Pavilions, Columbus Air Traffic Control Tower, and Huffman Residence.
Seth arrived at MBA with deep studio leadership experience behind him and made the deliberate choice to step into the role of Architect — taking the time to absorb the culture and ethos of the firm before assuming a larger platform. He has approached every project asked of him with a positive, professional clarity that keeps teams aligned and work on track, and his leadership on the UAMS Orthopaedic Sports Performance Center in Springdale and the recladding of Montessori Elementary has been exemplary.
"These four individuals represent exactly the kind of talent and character that define what MBA is and what we aspire to be," said Marlon Blackwell, FAIA. "They bring rigor, curiosity, and genuine care to everything they do — and I am excited to have their voices more formally present in the leadership of this firm."
"What makes this group so special is not just their design ability, but the way they show up for their colleagues and for the profession," said Ati Blackwell, FAIA, ASID. "Each of them has invested in the people around them, and that is the foundation of the kind of practice we want to build together."
As Associates, Carley, Katherine, Matthew, and Seth will join MBA's existing leadership structure, supporting Partners and Senior Associates in the consistent growth and design excellence that define the firm's work and reputation.