Our Team

Jesse Schwartzberg | Principal

M. Arch., U. of Oregon
B.S., U.C. Berkeley
LEED AP

Jesse Schwartzberg returned to his hometown of Saranac Lake, NY to found Black Mountain Architecture, PLLC in 2011. While earning his Master of Architecture degree at the University of Oregon Jesse acquired a comprehensive understanding of contemporary green building techniques and honed his understanding of modern building science principles.

A native of the Adirondacks who worked as a finish carpenter for six years before attending architecture school, Jesse is uniquely suited to work within the existing Adirondack architectural vernacular. By combining his local experience with the knowledge he acquired outside the Park, Jesse takes a fresh approach to architecture in the Adirondacks. Jesse is deeply passionate about the future of the Adirondacks. He is particularly interested in net zero energy, local materials, and sustainable design.

Kimberly Schwartzberg | Communications Director

BS, Summit University

Kim manages the office so the designers can design. She fell in love with an architect (Jesse) before architecture, and now she’s attached to both. She brings her office expertise from several years at the nonprofit College for Every Student and Essex Farm, a diverse CSA, to Black Mountain Architecture.

Kim loves to be outside in the woods and waters of the north country with her friends and family. She is the mother of three and passionate about encouraging others adventuring through motherhood, because it really does take a village.

Betsy Davison | Office Manager

M. Library Science, University at Buffalo

Betsy took the road less traveled to BMA.  She earned a Master’s in Library Science from the University at Buffalo, following a Bachelor of Arts in History from SUNY Geneseo.  Betsy has enjoyed a varied professional career working in public, academic, medical, and school libraries.  After taking a hiatus from the working world to grow her family she is excited to enter a new frontier at Black Mountain Architecture.

As the granddaughter of a Saranac Lake native, Betsy grew up listening to the stories of her grandmother’s legendary Adirondack adventures.  When the opportunity arose to move here in 2022, Betsy leapt at the chance to raise her three children among the natural wonders of the region.  

Betsy loves to spend time with her family and friends in the fresh mountain air.  When she is not in the office you are likely to find her biking, hiking, cheering on her children at the sports fields, or simply enjoying the chaos of life.

Kristen Starheim | Project Lead

M. Arch, Northeastern University

Kristen joined the BMA team in September 2021. She holds a bachelor and masters degree in Architecture from Northeastern University. As a student, she consistently wove a passion for ecology into studio projects and was awarded honors for her thesis exploring the relationship between humans and nature. After graduating, she spent three years at Ann Beha Architects, where she worked on several academic buildings and museums.

Exploring diverse American landscapes is central to Kristen’s lifestyle. She revels in immersive adventures on foot and by bike—having completed the Appalachian Trail and Transamerica Bike Trail in recent years. She looks forward to connecting with the unique culture of the Adirondacks and contributing to the place-based design that drew her to BMA.

Michael Laramee | Project Lead

Architectural Technology, SUNY Delhi

Michael was born in Saranac Lake and has lived here his whole life. He began his architectural career in 1985 as a draftsperson and gained extensive experience in both residential and commercial projects. He joined BMA in June 2023 as a project lead, bringing with him a wealth of technical knowledge gained over almost 40 years of architectural experience.

In addition to his architectural career, Michael worked as an ice hockey referee for 32 years. He also played on a local bowling league and traveled around the country to compete in the National Bowling Tournament. In his free time, Michael can be found spending time with family and pursuing a passion for cooking.

Katie Culp | Project Lead

M. Arch, University of Oregon, LEED AP

Katie holds a Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Pacific Northwest College of Art. She works toward creating beautiful, meaningful spaces for people; spaces that can improve our physical and mental health as well as our relationships with those we share our spaces with.

Katie is a native of Oregon and works out of her home office in Vancouver, WA (or Black Mountain West, as she likes to call it). When not working, she can be found in her studio playing with yarn, paint, or clay, on the ball field with her three adorable kids and awesome husband, or tending her garden where there always seem to be weeds to pull.

Therese Kowalczyk | Project Lead

M. Sustainable Design, Boston Architectural College

Therese earned a Master’s in Sustainable Design from Boston Architectural College in the Spring of 2023 following a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Environmental Science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. During her studies, she developed a passionate interest in biophilia and biomimicry, exploring the intricate relationships between people and nature, and how these principles can be applied to the spaces we live and work in. Before joining the Black Mountain Architecture team, Therese spent a year with JMZ Architects and Planners, working on several higher education campuses in the Northeast.

As an Adirondack native, Therese has always enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle. Depending on the season, you can find her skiing, hiking, or guiding whitewater rafting adventures, often accompanied by her two dogs. Her deep connection to the region informs her design philosophy, as she strives to preserve and enhance the unique character of the Adirondacks.  With the team at Black Mountain Architecture, she is committed to creating spaces that reflect the area’s natural beauty, while supporting sustainable growth and environmental stewardship.

Oliver Holmes | Architectural Designer

BS, Keene State College

Oliver was born in Saranac Lake, and he has lived here his whole life. He took full advantage of the surrounding area as a kid, hiking and canoeing all over the Adirondacks. The surrounding mountains inspired his interest in skiing, and it eventually led him to compete around the northeast, as well as in Colorado.

While studying architecture at Keene State, he spent a summer abroad studying architecture in Paris and Prague, and he did some traveling of his own through Europe after the semester ended. Growing up in the Adirondacks instilled in him an appreciation for the natural world, and he is particularly interested in environmental consciousness as it relates to architecture.