Six Former Students Honored as 2025 Outstanding Alumni

Kamal Ariss brings more than 40 years of experience to the construction industry. As president and CEO of Woodway Enterprises, he has overseen the planning and execution of major projects across government, commercial and higher education sectors.

His decision to attend Texas A&M was influenced by his grandfather, a prominent builder in the Middle East, whose legacy sparked Ariss’s passion for the built environment. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology (1984), followed by a master’s in land development (1987) from Texas A&M.

A lifelong advocate for the university, Ariss currently chairs the College of Architecture’s Dean’s Advisory Board (DAB 12). He has also served on the Association of Former Students Board, is a trustee of the Texas A&M Political Action Committee (A&M PAC), former chair of the Chancellor’s Century Council and a board member of the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts. Most recently, he joined the advisory committee for Texas A&M’s 2040 Vision, a strategic initiative launched by the university president.

Ryan E. Bricker is an award-winning designer whose multidisciplinary career spans urban design, landscape architecture, product design and fine art. In 1999, Bricker founded the Dallas urban design practice for HNTB, where he has led efforts to integrate landscape architecture with large-scale transportation initiatives across the country. His work has helped state transportation departments adopt more context-sensitive, community-focused design processes.

Bricker is also one of the nation’s foremost experts in national military cemetery design. For more than a decade, he has provided planning and design leadership at Arlington National Cemetery, one of the country’s most sacred sites. He led the Southern Expansion project, a landmark effort that will extend the cemetery’s lifespan, enhance the visitor experience, and preserve its historic character. The project is one of the most significant in HNTB’s century-long history in terms of national importance and design impact.

Bricker earned a bachelor’s in landscape architecture (1997) from Texas A&M. A dedicated supporter of his alma mater, Bricker has served on the College of Architecture’s Professional Advisory Board for more than 20 years. He played a key role in working with the Texas A&M Foundation to grow the Landscape Architecture Development Fund, enabling more flexible departmental support.

Bricker is passionate about supporting the next generation of Aggie landscape architects. He has served as a mentor, guest lecturer, design charrette coordinator and studio juror within the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning.

As Texas Main Street Architect for the Texas Historical Commission, Jamie Crawley leads preservation-based economic development consulting for 80 cities across the state. A frequent speaker on preservation, sustainable design and drawing, he has taught as faculty at Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M and UT Arlington and previously led an award-winning design studio.

Crawley is a first-generation college graduate and naturalized Texan originally from Montreal. He earned a bachelor’s in environmental design (1996) and a master’s in architecture with a historic preservation certificate (1998) from Texas A&M. He credits his upbringing and education for shaping his path as an artist, architect and advocate for underrepresented communities.

Crawley is an accomplished illustrator and brings art into all aspects of his work. His large-scale, illuminated installation for Creek Show debuted over Waller Creek in Austin (2017) and was later reimagined at the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum (2018–19). He also co-founded Coffee Sketch, a podcast launched in 2019 with more than 180 episodes exploring art and architecture.

In 2018, the AIA named Crawley its National Young Architect of the Year. His commitment to service began as a student when he co-founded the Texas A&M Architecture Career Fair, an initiative that continues today. Over the years, he has taken on key leadership roles, including National Co-Chair of the AIA Leadership Institute and Vice Chair of the NCARB Experience Advisory Committee. He has also served on the National Main Street Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Advisory Committee, the National Young Architects Forum and as an ally on the Texas Society of Architects’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, Crawley led the Austin Soccer Foundation as board president. Currently, he serves as a 2025–27 At-Large Representative to the AIA National Strategic Council.

Crawley lives in Austin and is the proud father of his daughter, a fellow Aggie. Outside of work, he enjoys illustration, mentoring and watching soccer pitch-side with friends and family.

Liz Miller Grindstaff is the Client Services Leader at Freese and Nichols, Texas’s oldest civil engineering firm. Based in Austin, she helps Central Texas cities and counties manage growth while preserving their unique character and historic assets.

Grindstaff has more than 25 years of municipal experience focused on historic preservation and downtown revitalization. She launched Bryan’s Main Street Program and secured a developer for the long-vacant La Salle Hotel. In Abilene, she oversaw historic building rehabilitations, park projects and streetscape improvements that helped restore a sense of place downtown. In San Angelo, she implemented the city’s first Capital Improvement Program, created a downtown TIRZ District and managed multimillion-dollar landmark restorations.

Before joining Freese and Nichols, Grindstaff worked for Texas-Pacifico Railroad and served on San Angelo’s City Council, including a term as Mayor Pro-Tem.

She earned a bachelor’s in environmental design (1986) and a master’s in urban planning (1988) from Texas A&M University.

Born in Dallas, Grindstaff now lives in Calvert, in a home built in 1873. She is a past president of Preservation Texas, a former board member of the Texas Downtown Association and currently serves on the board of the Texas Historical Foundation.

Gracie Arenas Strittmatter leads technical operations for EA SPORTS at Electronic Arts (EA), overseeing more than 350 global developers behind flagship franchises including Madden NFL and College Football. Based in Austin, Texas, she plays a key role in the operational success of some of the industry’s most recognized video game titles.

The first woman in her family to graduate from college, Strittmatter earned a bachelor’s in computer science (2004) and a master’s in visualization sciences (2008) from Texas A&M. Her Aggie education launched a career as a technical artist and leader on titles such as Tiger Woods PGA Tour, NBA Live, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Anthem. In 2022, she received EA’s highest internal honor, the Purpose & Belief Award for Culture Impact.

Committed to supporting future creatives, Strittmatter and her husband, Willem Strittmatter ’02, have established three scholarships for Aggie students in gaming and visualization — including the university’s first alumni-endowed scholarship in visualization. She has served on the Visualization Industry Partners board since 2012 and frequently returns to campus to mentor students. In 2019, she was named to the Association of Former Students’ 12 Under 12 Young Alumni Spotlight.

Inspired by her parents’ example of service, Strittmatter has volunteered for over 20 years with ACM SIGGRAPH and mentors early-career professionals through technical and diversity-focused organizations. She also serves as a global advisor for EA’s Hispanic/Latinx Employee Resource Group. Her contributions have been nationally recognized, including honors as a HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever and a Hispanic Executive Latinos in Sports Honoree.

Strittmatter credits Texas A&M’s core values — and the leadership lessons she gained on campus — with shaping her path. She lives in Austin with her husband and their two young sons.

David Flores Treviño, FAIA, currently works as a project and program management consultant. His passion for architecture began in seventh grade when a drafting class set him on his career path. Despite financial challenges, he worked through high school and started college at a junior college before earning a bachelor’s in environmental design (1973) and a master’s in architecture (1974) from Texas A&M.

While still a student, Treviño gained experience with established architects, which led to a partnership in a small firm soon after graduation. He later became a partner at HT&T Architects and Tricorp Construction Company, gaining a rare dual perspective in both design and construction. This broad expertise paved the way for his role as Senior Program Manager for the City of Dallas, where he managed city facility projects funded by bond programs and collaborated with leading architects, including AIA Gold Medalist Ricardo Legorreta.

David’s combined experience as a private architect, contractor, and public-sector leader inspired him to mentor the next generation. He has guided many architecture students and continues to serve on nonprofit boards that support his community.

In recognition of his professional leadership and service, he was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. He has contributed to numerous award-winning projects and served as a juror for prestigious national AIA honors, including the Thomas Jefferson Award, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, and the Edward C. Kemper Award.

David credits much of his success to the dedication of his wife, Christina, who supported him tirelessly during his college years.