JOHN CRYER
CEO Page Southerland Page
Houston, TX

Provide an educational background including professional experience.

Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from LSU. (1971)
I began my career as a designer at Caudill Rowlett Scott (CRS) in 1972 and was quickly recognized for my leadership, project management, and team organization skills. While, starting as a designer, I realized my creativity in the comprehensive leadership of a project impacted the overall success and the design of projects in a much greater way. I embraced and promoted the “architecture by team” philosophy, believing that each individual’s talent should find a role in project delivery. I was promoted to Vice President of the Architecture Division in 1985 and in 1987 to Senior Vice President and Managing Principal of the Central region of CRS, which included the Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth offices. In 1987, I consolidated these offices into the Houston office as part of the new organization structure of CRSS. In 1990, I was named Executive Vice President of CRSS Architects, Inc. and one of the three partners of the Caudill Rowlett Scott Partnership.

Recognized as an emerging practice leader in Texas, I became the first outside professional to be offered ownership in Texas’ oldest architecture firm, PageSoutherlandPage, in 1993. I was given the mission to transform the 100-year-old firm and to position it for success in the future. I have reinvigorated the Houston operation, which had 26 employees in 1993, into a major architecture and engineering firm with almost 100 professionals. The firm focuses on multi-family, academic, research, healthcare and corporate facilities, and boasts specialization in historical rehabilitation and recycling architecture into new uses. Innovative business practices and market leadership in Houston have resulted in the reorganization of the entire company around the Houston office model.

In 1999, I was named one of the two senior owners of PageSoutherlandPage, now a 300-person firm with offices in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. As Chief Executive Officer, I lead the overall management and operations of the firm.

Why did you choose LSU for your education?

At the time, LSU was the only university in Louisiana that had an Architecture program, other than Tulane. LSU’s campus and curriculum were prestigious and exciting from an overall perspective, and its impressive Architecture program was a good fit for my goals.

How did your LSU degree help to prepare you for your profession?

Obviously, the skills and education I received at LSU have had a positive impact on my preparation and development as a young professional. Interestingly, many of LSU’s top graduates in Architecture during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s relocated to Houston. This small network of elite leaders has had a significant impact on architecture firms of Houston.