TOM WEBER

PRESIDENT

Mr. Tom Weber has over 30 years experience in design and construction in a variety of environments from multi-family housing and commercial construction to highly branded and themed environments for clients such as Nickelodeon, Mercedes Benz, Paramount and Six Flags Parks, and Great Wolf Lodge. An architect by training, he began his career in commercial construction and continued with gentrification and renovation and building for New Directions Housing Corporation in some of Louisville's poorest areas. Leading building efforts for Kentucky Kingdom in the 1990s, Mr. Weber and his team expanded the park from 10 acres to 60 acres building all ride structures, water facilities, and buildings.

DONALD WEBER, AIA

VICE PRESIDENT

Mr. Donald Weber has over 30 years of design, build, and fabricating experience in conventional as well as “experiential” environments, including indoor water parks, amusement parks, museums and hotels. He has served as Principal Architect and Project Manager for such projects throughout the U.S. and abroad. He is currently leading the design for a one-of-a-kind water adventure resort in Arizona as well as hotel/waterpark facilities in Texas, Washington, and Georgia and theme park projects throughout the U.S. He has received wide recognition and awards for his work making architecture entertaining and delightful from IAAPA, the AIA, and various trade publications. He is a frequent lecturer on the return on investment value that branded and themed environments can bring to a facility.

> View a video interview with Donald Weber
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JOE ARGABRITE

DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE

Leading Weber’s team of architects, Mr. Argabrite oversees and implements branded environments in all public spaces for hotel projects such as Great Wolf Resorts. His 30-year career spans a variety of industries including museum and exhibit design, commercial construction, hotel and resort development, luxury and TIF credit multi-family housing and gentrification of the urban core. His experience leading Metro Louisville’s Office of Planning and Design helped shape many significant Louisville developments. His work has been recognized by the University of Kentucky, Louisville Historical League, the Preservation Alliance for his work on the renovation of Union Station and with the Commercial Renovation Preservation Award.

> View a video interview with Joe Argabrite
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DAN SHEHAN

DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION

Mr. Shehan has worked with the Weber Group for 25 years, rising from the role of Job Superintendent to Director of Construction. His work includes a variety of retail, restaurant, commercial, historic renovation, amusement, recreation, leisure and entertainment projects. Mr. Shehan and his staff are responsible for on-site construction for all lines of business including the Fabrication Shop. Construction management, scheduling, supervision and coordination of all subcontractors, demolition, site-work, filing daily reports, managing employees, interpreting blueprints and construction documents, site and building layouts, and shipping, and installation are all part of his scope of oversight.

PENNY PEAVLER

DIRECTOR OF BRAND DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

Ms. Peavler has nearly 20 years of attractions experience in the amusement and water park and museum industries. As Director of Brand Development and Marketing, she is the keeper of the Weber Group brand and assists in bringing clients’ brands to life. Ms. Peavler has served on numerous industry association board and has presented seminars at the prestigious "Museums and the Web Conference" as well as IAAPA and the Center for Non-Profit Excellence. Ms. Peavler is a regular guest lecturer in the departments of marketing and museum studies at the University of Louisville and the arts administration programs at the University of Kentucky and Bellarmine University. She is featured in the book Diversity Among Non-Profit Arts Organizations by the Cultural Policy Center at the University of Chicago.

ELLIS PATE

SHOP MANAGER FOR 25 YEARS

Mr. Pate has been a proud employee of Weber Group for 25 years. His considerable experience includes working as a Master Carpenter for American Commercial Barge Lines and Weber Group. His current title is Shop Manager. While at Weber, Mr. Pate has served as Project Manager, Process Designer, and/or Master Carpenter for many exciting projects, including the Wild Thornberry's River Adventure for Nickelodeon and Paramount Parks, Boyne Mountain Resort, Zehnder's Splash Village, and Abercrombie and Fitch/Hollister.

KATRINA PATE

SHOP ART DIRECTOR

Ms. Pate has served as Shop Art Director since 1998. She received her Bachelor's in Fine Art from the University of Louisville and attended Yale's Summer Studio. Her experience includes working as a Scenic Charge for Actors Theatre of Louisville and as a Costumer for Louisville Ballet. During her time at Weber, Ms. Pate has created numerous memorable sculptures and fabrications, including Toy Soldiers for Christmas Across America and the Normal Rockwell Museum Traveling Exhibition Model (both done for the Becker Group), Scooby Doo Adventure for Paramount King's Island, and many more.

STEVE BAGINSKI

SCULPTED CONCRETE SPECIALIST

Steve specializes in managing the construction of multiple themed concrete features. His zoo exhibits are featured in the nation’s top zoos and botanic gardens including the Denver Glacier Run Exhibit and the Botanical Gardens Conservatory Banyan Tree.

Steve has over 18 years in sculpted concrete both as an independant contractor and with Colorado Hardscapes, Site Development Studios, Di Giacomo, and Silver Cloud Construction Company.

His experience as a subcontractor with the Weber Group spans throughout his career and includes many water and theme parks. In 2009, Mr. Baginski associated with the firm and sculpted concrete became an in house department at Weber Group.

Steve is responsible for the overall satisfaction of the client and assures that all design criteria are met. In addition he oversees constructability concerns with regard to efficiency and budget. He has 18 years experience with Themed Rockwork and zoo exhibits, and 16 years of Construction Management experience.