Corgan Announces Strategic Leadership Moves for Growing Education Practice
Global architecture and design firm, Corgan, is pleased to announce four strategic leadership appointments across its education practice: Sylvia Cancino, Principal, will lead the San Antonio Education studio; Simon Martinez joins the firm as Vice President in Atlanta; Lance Melton, Associate Principal, will lead the Austin Education studio; and Ed Napier, Vice President, will lead the Orlando Education studio. The leadership appointments reflect Corgan's continued investment in educational design excellence and position the firm to strengthen client relationships and deepen expertise across the U.S. — all with the goal of creating learning environments and design solutions that elevate student experiences.
Corgan's Education design expertise ranges from elementary, middle, and high schools to career and technical institutions, as well as community colleges and universities. In addition to architecture, the firm offers master planning, facility assessments, and specialized offerings such as bond planning and community engagement.
"Corgan has enjoyed many decades-long relationships with school districts and higher education institutions, assisting them with growth strategies and designing schools that reflect the evolving needs of modern education and learning communities. We are in an exciting period of growth, and Sylvia, Simon, Ed and Lance are well-positioned to guide the creation of innovative campus designs that deliver engaging learning environments with flexible and vibrant spaces to support student well-being and success," said Susan Smith, Principal and Education Sector Leader at Corgan.
ATLANTA
Simon Martinez has joined Corgan's Atlanta office to spearhead the growth of the firm's K-12 practice across the Southeast. Martinez brings more than two decades of experience across a variety of project types, including a proven track record of experience with Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County School Districts. In this role, he will focus on driving strategic business development, deepening the Atlanta team's design capacity, and cultivating lasting client relationships throughout the region.
AUSTIN
Lance Melton has been appointed Austin Education Studio Leader, where he drives business development and accelerates the growth of Corgan's K-12 practice across Central Texas. Bringing three decades of specialized experience in educational architecture, Melton returns to the Austin market, where he previously spent five years, following an impactful eight-year tenure at Corgan's Dallas office. His deep regional roots and proven track record of delivering high-quality educational facilities, while maintaining exceptional fiscal stewardship for taxpayers, uniquely position him to expand Corgan's regional footprint, secure new opportunities, and cultivate lasting client relationships.
ORLANDO
Ed Napier has joined Corgan to lead the Orlando Education studio and grow the firm's practice across Central Florida. With more than two decades of experience in K-12 and higher education, Napier is recognized for building high-trust client partnerships and delivering impactful community facilities. His extensive portfolio features some of the region's most significant education projects, including Innovation High School, the largest high school ever constructed in Orange County. In his new role, he will focus on driving business development, expanding Corgan's regional footprint, and maintaining partnerships with key clients, including Orange County Public Schools.
SAN ANTONIO
Sylvia Cancino has been appointed San Antonio Education Studio Leader, leveraging more than three decades of experience in education design projects across Central Texas. A firm principal deeply rooted in the region, Cancino has been instrumental in expanding Corgan's local footprint by building high-trust partnerships through new construction, renovations, long-range facility planning, bond planning, and facilities assessments. In her new role, she will utilize her expertise in efficient project delivery and strategic business development to guide the studio's work, strengthening existing partnerships with districts such as Judson ISD, New Braunfels ISD, Marion ISD, Navarro ISD, San Antonio ISD, and Boerne ISD while driving growth and cultivating new relationships throughout the region.
Corgan ranks No. 4 for education design in Interior Design's Giants of Design and the No. 6 education design firm by Engineering News-Record. Established over 70 years ago, the firm's growing Education sector supports K-12 and higher education institutions across the U.S. with studios in Amarillo, Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and San Antonio.
Corgan's acquisition of New York-based Cooper Robertson in 2025 further expanded the firm's education expertise, bringing experience guiding high-profile higher education projects such as the Princeton University Art Museum and the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
