Meet Our Team

Based out of Indianapolis and Atlanta, our team works with clients across the country.

Our partners choose us because we’re small enough to provide personalized, detail-oriented service (with a smile), yet large enough to cover every aspect of your project, from start to finish.

Lucas Rice

CEO

More about Lucas Rice

Lucas Rice

CEO
with Mitsch Design since 2022

Fast Facts

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE RECEIVED “What is the worse thing they can say? No……” – Mom

FAVORITE PLACE ON THE PLANET Though Aruba is always a relaxing option, my favorite place on earth is Chautauqua, NY. My family has been going there for generations, and it is one of the few places that I can truly relax and decompress.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU Vision. Without vision, you have no direction and are stagnant. One of my favorite movies is “The Greatest Showman” because it chronicles how P.T. Barnum had a dream, overcame challenge and rejection, but was eventually rewarded for his vision and hard work creating happiness and smiles all around the world.
Kristin Crotzer

Director of Logistics

More about Kristin Crotzer

Kristin Crotzer

Director of Logistics
with Mitsch Design since 2016

As Director of Logistics, Kristin brings ten years experience in project management, furniture specification and interior design to the Mitsch Design team. Once an order is placed, Kristin and her team ensures that all furniture arrives at the correct location and time, undamaged and ready for final placement. Her department will communicate with the client, the installation team and the project managers to correct any challenges that may arrive.

Fast Facts

MEMORABLE MITSCH MEMORY The weekend at Wasatch Lake hands down. Spending a whole weekend with the extended Mitsch family was so much fun!

FAVORITE PLACE ON THE PLANET It may not be as glamorous as Paris or an overwater villa in Fiji; my favorite place on the planet is quite simple. My favorite place is Lake Freeman in Monticello, Indiana. Since I was a kid and now as an adult/parent, I look forward to weekends at the lake with friends and family.

LEAST FAVORITE DESIGN TREND Not sure if it’s really a trend, but a pet peeve of mine is when design isn’t functional. Especially when it comes to furniture! If the furniture isn’t functional but it “looks good” then is it really the best piece for the project?
Katie Divine

Vice President of Business Development

More about Katie Divine

Katie Divine

Vice President of Business Development
with Mitsch Design since 2012

As Vice President of Business Development, Katie is responsible for seeking out new opportunities for Mitsch Design while growing the established client base. With her Interior Design and Project Management experience, she has the ability to partner with clients and understand their needs. She was the Director of our multifamily studio for several years. She can then recommend the best services from Mitsch Design’s depth of capabilities to help them achieve their vision and create high functioning aesthetically beautiful environments.

LinkedIn

Fast Facts

Favorite place on the planet Spending time with my family on our property in Southern Oregon

What inspires you? I’m inspired by others' creativity, hard work, and drive to be uniquely their own person.

Unknown fun fact My husband and I bought a 30ft school bus and converted it into a RV to travel the US with our daughter.
Erin Sanford

Regional Vice President Midwest, NCIDQ

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Erin Sanford

Regional Vice President Midwest, NCIDQ
with Mitsch Design since 2007

A tenured veteran of Mitsch Design, Erin is responsible for overseeing and managing the operations, performance, and growth of business in the Midwest region. She previously served as Principal of Design, where she was accountable for design quality and planning workflow, schedules and resources. She is skilled at leading and mentoring designers to achieve high efficiency, design excellence and professional development and growth. Her eye for detail and love of organization ensures that whatever she undertakes will be completed on budget and on schedule every time. Erin consistently puts client’s needs first and is highly praised for her integrity and thoroughness.

LinkedIn

Fast Facts

Best interior design tip Think about your designs in 3D, reflect on the experience your Client will have when they walk through the space. Knowing how the design features will impact the space help to enroll decision-makers and instill confidence.

Favorite place on the planet Hawaii – the island lifestyle and Aloha vibe speak to the lake girl I am at heart

What inspires you? People, stories, experiences – I’m inspired by those I’m around every day and all they can do.
Kelly Slopsema

Controller
Mallery South

Director of Dealership

More about Mallery South

Mallery South

Director of Dealership
with Mitsch Design since 2017

As the Director of Dealership, Mallery brings creativity and a vast knowledge base of how to use furniture products, layout, and materials in order to bring a space to life, create solutions for a client all while keeping a keen eye on the budget. Mallery is very quick to connect with others through her enthusiasm and empathy that creates an understanding with the Client that she gets what they need quickly and effectively. She loves the opportunity to help employees create the most effective workplace possible that is supportive of their employees’ work styles.

Fast Facts

Favorite place on the planet The woods. Any of them. I love taking walks in the woods, whether by myself or with my family. It brings me back to my childhood, helps me disconnect with the world and recenter. My son and I take turns picking out new parks to drive out to and hike together for an hour or 2, and it has become one of our favorite things to do together.

Unknown fun fact I spent a lot of my childhood summers with hogs. 10-year 4-H-er showing swine 😊
Jill St. Claire

Director of Design NCIDQ

More about Jill St. Claire

Jill St. Claire

Director of Design NCIDQ
with Mitsch Design since 2012

As Director of Design, Jill is responsible for articulating and reinforcing a design vision and ensuring it is manifested in all project work and is consistent with the firm’s design standards. She oversees and serves as a valued mentor to the Mitsch Design artistic team while effecting and introducing new and innovative strategies and design concepts. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Jill’s talents extend far beyond interior design, space planning, architecture and project management. Longtime clients have cited Jill’s thorough communication style and attention to detail as being instrumental in creating a strong working partnership.

LinkedIn

Fast Facts

Certifications NCIDQ certified: This is the industry’s recognition of expertise and proficiency of interior design principles, codes, building systems and more.

Memorable Mitsch memory Spending an entire weekend at Wasatch Lake with everyone and their significant others. Relaxing, swimming, laughing non-stop and just being with friends outside of work life. Good for the soul.

What inspires you? People who aren’t afraid to throw out a thought or idea, even if it’s not fully developed yet. That vulnerability shows a desire to learn, to grow, and have others help build on that idea… Those types of people inspire me to do the same and spectacular design soon follows.
Ryan Bunnell

Architect + BIM Manager NCARB, AIA
Amanda Brooks

Senior Project Designer
Darin Claxton

Principal Architect NCARB, AIA

More about Darin Claxton

Darin Claxton

Principal Architect NCARB, AIA
with Mitsch Design since 2019

With more than 32 years of architectural experience across a variety of industries, Darin is a talented and tenured professional committed to innovative, quality design. He provides exceptional client service by maintaining close and communicative working relationships.

His thorough understanding of codes and architectural design come together to create beautifully executed spaces. Repeat clients always enjoy working with Darin because they know they will get a responsive, thoughtful, and client-focused architect.

Fast Facts

CERTIFICATIONS Licensed Architect in 17 states, American Institute of Architects, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, IHSAA official in basketball, softball, volleyball, Babe Ruth softball State Umpire in Chief

UNEXPECTED AREA OF EXPERTISE Sports trivia

WHAT INSPIRES YOU Problem solving which leads to happiness
Alison Duff

Purchasing Coordinator / AP Specialist
April Eldridge

Senior Project Manager NCIDQ
Maria Ellingwood-Crocker

Creative Manager
Colleen Gilroy

Project Designer
Hunter Hoyt

Dealership Designer
Michele Kelly-Nease

Project Coordinator
Natalie Linton

Senior Project Designer
McKenzie Martin

Dealership Design Manager
Jessica Matthews

Senior Project Manager
Alyssa Monka

Sales Coordinator
Emily Olguin

Graduate Architect
Courtney Roessler

Project Manager
Rustin Schambach

Graduate Architect
Chelsea Setliff

Dealership Designer
Anna Smith

Quality Analyst
Kara Yoder

Logistics Manager
Natalie Zwingers

Senior Project Designer

More about Natalie Zwingers

Natalie Zwingers

Senior Project Designer

Guiding principles

The integration of Architecture, Design, and Furniture is successful only when it works for the people using it, and we work hard to create amazing designs offering clarity and trust with our staff and clients.
Lucas Rice Owner, Mitsch Design

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