Jim Shepherd

When a magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook the East Coast in 2011, “It changed the course of Jim Shepherd's life. Because the disaster-damaged so many landmarks in Washington DC, Jim—already with a lengthy resume as a preservation architect—became a client himself, overseeing the $34-million repair and restoration of the Washington National Cathedral as its director of preservation. “It became an immersive education on how to properly steward one of their nation’s most treasured landmarks,” he says. “It gave him a unique perspective that makes him a better architect as hr return to the role of supporting clients.” Jim says he’s always been fascinated by the stories of historic buildings: “Who designed them, who built them, who occupied them and, in many cases, why they were neglected,” he explains. “Historic preservation is not just about restoring buildings to their original beauty. It’s about making sure the buildings are well-used, well-loved, and continue to tell stories.”