Leadership Changes Signal New Era at Knit

Eric M. Roberts, AIA, appointed president and chief executive officer of Knit; John Anderson appointed vice president and chief operations officer

John Anderson, who has served as Knit’s president and chief executive officer since 2007, announced today that Eric M. Roberts, AIA, has been appointed the firm’s new president and chief executive officer. Roberts has served since 2016 as vice president of Knit and director of its Las Vegas office.

Anderson will move to Seattle to direct Knit’s office there, which opened in 2017. He will continue in leadership as the firm’s vice president and chief operating officer.

These leadership appointments are part of a continuing strategic repositioning and rebranding effort by the 34-year-old regional architecture and community-design firm.

“I believe it’s the right time to bring a fresh perspective and strategic leadership to the firm,” said Anderson. “I’m very confident that this change will provide great opportunities for the firm, the people of Knit, and the communities we serve.”

Anderson’s leadership at Knit throughout his career has been critical to developing and growing a strong firm. In 2016 the firm was awarded AIA Nevada’s prestigious Firm of the Year award.

“I am most proud of our strategic growth from a single office in Las Vegas to a regional firm with offices in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Seattle,” he said. “This leadership transition will allow me to focus on operating the firm as a cohesive whole, encouraging interdependency, and leveraging the talents of our people in each location. Thanks to technology, we are operating seamlessly as a large, regional firm with work across the country.”

Speaking of Roberts as the new CEO, Anderson was excited about the firm’s future possibilities.

“I congratulate Eric on his new role. He has been a remarkable partner over the past years, and I look forward to providing him with the same dedication and support he has given me. Eric is a charismatic and outstanding leader and I envision great things in the years to come.”

Anderson has been with the firm for 25 years, serving the last 11 as chief executive officer. Roberts, 43, joined the firm in 2005 and has held various leadership positions there since 2007. In 2019, the American Institute of Architects recognized him with its national Young Architects Award.

“I am honored and excited to head the third generation of leadership for this firm,” Roberts said. “I believe we have the opportunity to elevate and transform people’s lives through the architecture we create with them.”

Roberts had high praise for Anderson’s tenure as CEO.

“Under John’s guidance we’ve grown from a homegrown local firm into a larger regional firm without losing the passion and ability to connect with people on the community and personal level,” he said. “Having John in Seattle full-time is critical to serving our community mission; just as having our team in Salt Lake City is critical for that market and continued strategic growth of the firm. Our business still boils down to people helping people, and that is most often done face-to-face.”

Roberts holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in architecture from the University of Idaho. A recipient of AIA Nevada’s prestigious Silver Medal in 2015, he serves on several organizational boards, including the Las Vegas chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, and the Nevada Outdoor Business Coalition. He was president of AIA Las Vegas in 2012 and AIA Nevada in 2013. He is also the founding director of Urban Sketchers Las Vegas. He and Cathy, his wife of 22 years, have five children.