ABOUT US
Our people bring extensive knowledge, experience and talent to the table. But even more important, we bring you big ideas, enthusiastic service and true partnership. We are your go-to turnkey resource for broadcast studios, corporate interiors and signage, multifamily signage and trade show exhibits. We have 326 collective years of experience here, and 96 years working on the client side.
Craig Koopersmith, CEO
Length of Service at IE: Craig started with IE in 2017 as a founder, and started the Sabre Companies in 1995.
Favorite IE project and why: JP Morgan Chase headquarters in Dallas. The defining make/break project for IE. The first few weeks were a disaster, and the client was about to fire us. We made a lot of changes to get things on track, and by the time the project was completed, we had made fans of JPMC and Balfour Beatty.
Professional Affiliations: American Marketing Association, Houston Business Marketing Association
How would others describe you: Zen-like leader who makes the tough CEO decisions
First paying job: Newsday paper delivery when I was 11 years old.
Best advice ever received: The culture of the organization is defined by the worst behavior the CEO will tolerate.
What was the first concert you ever experienced? Or what concert would you like to go to? – For my 60th birthday, we had front-row seats for Carlos Santana. Couldn’t hear for a week, but what an experience!
Autumn Thompson, Director, Multifamily and Creative Signage Division
Length of Service at IE: 4 years
Favorite IE project and why: It is tough for me to pick a favorite project – that is like asking me to pick a favorite kid! But, if I had to choose one, it would be one of our repositioning projects. Helping a community turn into something completely different with curb appeal and bright, fun signage is very rewarding!
How would others describe you: Energetic, Fun, Warm, Thoughtful, Caring, Spiritual
Best advice ever received: Remember that not everyone is just like you and won’t react to things as you do.
Words to live by: Whatever you give out will always come back threefold.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Houston? – Toulouse
Where would you be right now if you had zero obligations and money didn’t matter? – Reading a book on the beach.
If you could see one move again for the first time, what would it be and why? – A Beautiful Mind. It reminds me of my grandfather.
If you could change places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? – Camila Alves. I mean, come on – she’s married to Matthew McConaughey!
What is your fondest childhood memory? – Spending the summers with my grandmother.
Anything else about yourself that you would like to share with our audience? – Super passionate.
Isaac Lupovitch, Director of Corporate Interiors
Length of Service at IE: with Sabre since 2013
Favorite IE project and why: Child Advocates of Fort Bend (CAFB) – This was a great project for a great cause. It included graphics, signage (interior and exterior) and custom millwork. CAFB is a nonprofit that works to protect children from abuse and neglect. We were honored to be a part of this project that provided a safe space for children.
How would others describe you: Genuine, laid back, and an overall mensch
First paying job: Lifeguard
Best advice ever received: Slow is smooth and smooth is fast – Navy SEALS
Words to live by: “It’s usually more important to be in the right room than to be the smartest person in the room. A person with great judgement and average intelligence will usually beat someone with great intelligence and average judgement. Judgement is knowing what room to be in.”
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be? Piano
What book did you read that changed your life the most? Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Andres Acosta, Senior Estimator
Length of Service at IE: since early 2021
Favorite IE project and why: One of my favorite IE projects was Cloudflare in Austin, Texas. The project had common materials incorporated in the design of the elements, such as Lego® blocks, circuit boards, boots, guitar picks, etc. Moreover, the most interesting element to fabricate was a rotary pendant fixture mobile with long horizontal rods that needed to spin on vertical tubes in different height sections. As an estimator, part of my job is to find the most feasible method of fabrication with the preliminary concepts or designs. This project challenged me to leave my comfort zone and think in new ways.
Certifications: Full-stack web development certificate from the University of Texas.
How would others describe you: My family and friends describe me as serious and responsible. Whenever I give my word, I will do anything in my power to keep the promise.
Best advice ever received: Always finish what you started.
Chris Brast, Director of Corporate Signage
Length of Service at IE: since 2017
Favorite IE project and why: Our exhibit displays at the Vereins Kirche Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas. I have visited this site numerous times over the last 15 years and always admired the historic value that building brought to the town of Fredericksburg and the German emigrants who settled in that area. My family emigrating from Germany made the renovation of this historic building a personal favorite and was our company’s first full-fledged museum project. Getting to work with Chris Frison and DG Studios and bringing his design “to life” was very satisfying and seeing the smiles on the faces of the museum curator and staff made this a very memorable project.
Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP)
Professional Affiliations: Project Management Institute (PMI), Society of Experiential Graphic Designers (SEGD), Association of Building Contractors (ABC)
First paying job: Stocking grocery shelves and sweeping for $0.50 an hour at age 7.
Words to live by: No matter how good you think you are, there is always room for improvement.
Laura Hendrix, Sr. Project Manager
Length of Service at IE: with Innovative Environments since 2020 and previously with Sabre Companies for 10 years
Favorite IE project and why: Amazon Houston HQ – I thought it was well suited to our capabilities and each element was its own piece of art. We incorporated several interesting materials unique to this project.
How would others describe you: Adaptable, persistent, witty, reliable
Best advice ever received: Learn something new every day. Never think you are too old to ask questions or know too much to learn something new.
Words to live by: Those who want respect give respect.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Houston? – MAD, BCN, Uchi, Rainbow Lodge, Loro
Where would you be right now if you had zero obligations and money didn’t matter? – Napa
Alysia Lopes, Project Manager
Length of Service at IE: since 2021
Favorite IE project and why: Camden Atlantic – This was my first big new construction project here at IE. When I joined the team, we were already in design, and I was assigned to this project to get this moving forward into detailed drawing and fabrication with a very tight timeline. Our entire team was fabulous and very hard-working to have the entire sign package ready in time for their first big installation. We had an amazing install crew as well, that pushed forward to get everything installed. We had our own challenges with rush orders and last-minute requests, but in the end, it was worth it! This being my first project at IE – Camden Atlantic will always be dear to me. We are hoping to have this project wrapped up 100% by end of 2022.
How would others describe you: Human equivalent of a firecracker – loud, very high energy, and full of life
First paying job: Junior Account Executive at a packaging design firm
Words to live by: Be a dreamer, an explorer, a traveler, and a believer. Life is beautiful. I promise!
If you could see one movie again for the first time, what would it be and why? – The Guardian – it was just a beautiful movie!
Anything else about yourself that you would like to share with our audience? – Futball obsessed – I play, watch, read and love this sport! (It’s Futball – not soccer!)
Styve Luu, Director of Art Department
Length of Service at IE: since 2020
Certifications: Master of Architecture
First paying job: Architecture Agency in Paris for office space planning
Best advice ever received: Always keep learning.
What’s the top thing on your bucket list? Travel the world. Most realistically, Australia next!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why? Le Corbusier (architect) because the revolution of architecture has been centered by that person.
What is your favorite place you’ve ever visited? – Barcelona, Spain (the beauty of Architecture and Urbanism)
Michael Mann, Sr. Project Manager
Length of Service at IE: with Innovative Environments since 2020 and previously with Sabre Companies 8 years
Favorite IE project and why: Marathon Oil Headquarters – I enjoy working through a challenge. This project required some significant R&D in the fabrication phase, in order to meet the expectations of our client. Working through those challenges and seeing a successful project close is always a rewarding experience.
Certifications: OSHA 10 Certified
How would others describe you: Calm, easy-going, honest
First paying job: Camp Counselor in High School
Words to live by: Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
Where would you be right now if you had zero obligations and money didn’t matter? – Traveling the globe and trying to see as many concerts as humanly possible.
If you could see one move again for the first time, what would it be and why? – Reservoir Dogs. The scene with “Stuck in the Middle with You” left a….lasting impression.
What is your fondest childhood memory? – Remembering all the times I switched classes with my identical twin brother.
Terrance Rogers, Estimator
Length of Service at IE: since 2022
Favorite IE project and why: The DG Studio Garden of Hope project has been my favorite project so far. This project is in the early stages, but it combines so many different elements. Each element presents its own set of challenges since it is an outdoor display.
Certifications: State of Texas Sign Journeyman Electrician, Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician (CALT), ATSSA Certified Flagger
First paying job: Beaumont Chemical
Best advice ever received: Life is good, but it’s not fair.
What’s the top thing on your bucket list? – To tour the continent of Africa
What was the first concert you ever experienced? Or what concert would you like to go to? – Luther Vandross and Shania Twain together on the same stage. It was fantastic!
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why? – William Edward Burghardt Du Bois. I would love to be in his presence and see and hear him speak in person. I want to feel the energy in the room as he speaks to the crowd on a college campus.
Kate Truman, Jr. Project Manager
Length of Service at IE: since mid-2022
Favorite IE project and why: Bezos Academy Magnolia. The first larger signage project I have worked on. The process was more in-depth than the smaller projects I had worked on. IE fully designed the signs and they turned out very nice—second surface painted light blue with dark blue copy.
How would others describe you: Friendly, capable
First paying job: Swim instructor
Best advice ever received: Make time for yourself
How do you like to spend your time outside of work? I like to hike, read, and explore Houston.
If you could snap your fingers and become an expert in something, what would it be? Foreign languages
Tim Doyne, Field Manager
Length of Service at IE: I’ve been fortunate to work for Innovative Environments for 5 years now.
Favorite IE project and why: The Camden Buckhead project was among one of my favorite projects. This project consisted of an exterior projecting sign as well as a canopy sign. Even though there were a few issues during the installation process that required some last minute changes, we worked through them.
The Design, Fabrication, and Installation of this project turned out Awesome! It felt gratifying to hear from the client and others that “The signs look like jewelry hanging off of the building” and “These are the nicest signs in the city.”
It’s definitely a pleasure to work with a team who is so dedicated to excellence.
Certifications: OSHA 30 and CPR Certified. Safety First!
How others would describe you: Easy going, team player, hard worker
First paying job: At the age of 13, I enjoyed mowing yards for $10 a yard.
Best advice ever received: Nothing in life is free, but with hard work and dedication, anything is achievable.
Words to live by: Give it your all!