Kristofer is a licensed Architect in the State of Washington with over 17 years experience in the Architectural field. Originally from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, he received his Master's of Architecture at the University of Utah Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning. He previously worked at 3form, Inc. in Salt Lake City, Utah as a Project Manager for large scale Architectural installations around the U.S. and Canada. Since joining Forte Architects in 2012 Kristofer has quickly developed a capable and responsive team of consultants to effectively deliver projects in the Wenatchee area and beyond.

Ellyn is an architect with over 10 years of experience in the Architecture field that spans from New York City to Washington State. Ellyn is a Wenatchee native who returned home after years away to add her diverse portfolio of architectural work to the Forte’s expertise.  She received her Bachelor’s in Architecture in 2012 from the University of Washington and has since worked with a large collection of architecture and design firms in developing over 400K of commercial work-space projects NYC. She has since focused her design acumen on commercial adaptive reuse, multifamily and public projects here in North Central Washington. Ellyn enjoys being a steward of design and development progress in downtown Wenatchee and is excited to be making an impact in the town she loves so much.  Ellyn and her dogs Carol and Whistle enjoy trekking many miles in the surrounding mountains. She is also an avid skier, cyclist and enjoys being outdoors every moment that she can. Ellyn’s passion for the outdoors informs much of her design direction. She appreciates smart, intentional change and development in her field to protect and celebrate our unique environment.

Brandi was born in Missouri but moved to Wenatchee in 2nd Grade and has grown up in the Wenatchee Valley ever since. She is a graduate of Central Washington University with a bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Business Administration. For over 13 years Brandi has been the friendly face when walking into Forte Architects. She loves running the business side of Forte and working with clients. Her years of experience in Office Management, Payroll, Taxes, Business Management and Bookkeeping has helped Forte build a successful business in this community. Brandi is truly the life force that keeps Forte operating every day. She continues to learn and grow in her field and gain expertise through collaborating with others in the industry and business development opportunities. Brandi enjoys staying active in her community and spending time with her son, husband, family and friends.

Fun fact about Brandi: she’s an identical twin. And when we say identical, we mean identical – the entire staff has definitely messed this up a time or two!

Originally from the Yakima Valley, Tom has worked on public works projects since receiving his architectural degree from the University of Washington in 1986. Tom started his career in Everett and in 1992 he moved to Wenatchee. There he took an architectural position and in 1996 he became a principal architect and owner. In 2006, Tom and Lenka Slapnicka established Forte Architects.

Tom served on the ad hoc committee that produced the Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol, which is now the standard for all K-12 schools in the state. He has been a LEED accredited professional since 2006. Tom served as Principal-in-Charge for all of the Wenatchee and Omak School District’s projects since 1998 as well as for the Wenatchee Police Station.

Taking a step back from ownership, Tom is now a consultant for Forte Architects and still an integral part of the Forte family! His focus is on education and Housing Authority projects, and we are very fortunate to have him on our team.

It was in the Czech Republic, where Lenka gained a strong architectural education at the University of Brno. The life experiences that followed enriched her professional career and developed her multi-faceted perspective on architecture. In 1989 Lenka and her family moved to Canada where she joined LeBlond Partnership, Architects, and Planners. Before relocating to Wenatchee, Lenka was practicing architecture in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In Wenatchee, she was responsible for several large public and private projects throughout Washington State. Developing her career to new heights, in 2006 Lenka and Tom Bassett established Forte Architects.

Taking a step back from ownership, Lenka is now a consultant for Forte Architects and still an integral part of the Forte family! Her focus is on custom residential, multifamily and new commercial projects and we are very fortunate to have her on our team!

Chyanna joined the Forte team after graduating from the University of Washington with her Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design.  She is a Pacific Northwest girl, born and raised on the west side of the Cascades in the greater Seattle region.  Growing up, she spent many summers camping at Confluence State Park so when a job opportunity presented itself in Wenatchee right after college, it was a perfect fit!  Since moving to the valley, Chyanna met her husband and together they enjoy spending time in the great outdoors hiking, camping, and fishing.

During her time at Forte, Chyanna has worked to develop her design and project management skill set in the public and private sector of architecture.  She is cultivating her artistry in both public-school composition and custom residential design, while continuing to branch out into various aspects of commercial design as well.  Architecture has been a lifelong passion and to be able to use this passion daily to transform the dreams and visions of others into a reality is a gift.

Andrea was born and raised on the beautiful Camas Prairie of Idaho, surrounded by mountains, rivers and fields of golden grain. She attended the University of Idaho where she graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors in Clothing, Textiles & Design, with an emphasis in costume design. Before crossing over to Architecture, Andrea managed cosmetic, clothing and a global imports design store. She moved to Wenatchee five years ago to join her boyfriend. Andrea loves to travel and immerse herself in new cultures, cuisines and the arts. She is passionate about the natural world and the protection and conservation of all its beauty. Andrea’s extensive time in customer service drives her desire to bring the clients vision to life through the union of a cohesive collective team vision and an attention to detail.

Leslie grew up and went to school in Mexico City, Mexico. She moved to Wenatchee in 2020 to be with her husband and his family, and Forte was fortunate enough to bring her into our design family soon after. Leslie studied and earned her degree in architecture at the Autonomous Metropolitan University – Xochimilco in 2012. She has moved around with her family multiple times in her life given that her father is a pastor. Leslie is a fantastic modern design enthusiast and is always looking to push the boundaries and challenge convention in her work. She is also keenly interested in healthcare design. Leslie has incredible rendering skills and is a major asset to the Forte family.

Leslie currently works remotely with Forte from her new home in Virginia. She is not only passionate about architecture and form, but also loves to sing and play the violin. She is a woman of many talents and we appreciate that she is able to continue working with us, even if it must be from afar.

Keanna was born and raised in Alaska, the Land of the Midnight Sun. She attended the University of Idaho, graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture and Design. Her years in the Interior Architecture program ignited her passion for accessibility and inclusion as well as honed her skills for healthcare design. Her years of living in Alaska and spending the summers of her collegiate years interning in Anchorage molded her passion for sustainability. After graduation, Wenatchee soon became home as she and her husband moved to be closer to his hometown. During any season of the year you can find the two of them and their dog, Atlas, camping, hiking, paddleboarding, skiing, playing hockey, roller blading… you name it! She is thrilled to bring her enthusiasm for a better built environment to Forte and connecting with the community on a deeper level.

Jillian's spirit of adventure and commitment to authenticity have led her on a unique journey back to the Pacific Northwest, where she joined Forte Architects. Originally from Lake Chelan, WA, Jillian ventured to Southern California in the mid-2000s, dedicating 13 successful years to acting and modeling.

Sensing untapped potential, she sought a career change that could blend her artistic nature with her technical aptitude. Inspired by the meticulous world of set design and its ability to shape characters' realities, Jillian explored the idea of becoming a designer for real-world environments.

Her passion for architecture blossomed as she pursued an Associate of Arts in Architectural Technologies at Los Angeles Pierce College. She later transferred to the University of Idaho in 2020, earning a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and completing her MArch program by 2023.

Jillian's inner nerd and avid curiosity for cutting-edge advancements became evident throughout her education. She thrives on discovering innovative ways to enhance the design process and elevate architectural outcomes.

Among her notable qualities is a deep commitment to comprehending each project's physical and contextual intricacies. Crafting holistic responses tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by each site is at the core of her design philosophy.

Ruben Estrada, an Architectural Associate at Forte Architects, brings a fresh perspective and a fervor for innovative design to the collaborative workspace. A proud 2023 graduate of Washington State University with a master's degree in Architectural Studies, Ruben's journey in architecture is marked by an inherent desire to create and a curiosity for exploration and innovation.

Rooted in a holistic model, he leverages strengths in learning, inclusivity, and visionary thinking, appreciating the interdisciplinary nature of architecture and its profound societal impact. Committed to social change, Ruben aspires to create architecture with a reflexive connection to societal growth, empowering marginalized communities and advocating for environmental sustainability. His goal is to contribute to the design world with expert citizenship principles and a focus on humanitarian values.

Hailing from Cashmere, Ruben's love for the Pacific Northwest is not just a sentiment but a design ethos, making it a privilege to commence his professional practice in the Wenatchee Valley with Forte Architects.

Beyond architecture, you'll find him exploring the outdoors, trekking through the mountains, and embracing the beauty of the PNW, driven by a passion for environmental harmony. Ruben looks forward to making a meaningful impact in the Wenatchee community, contributing to Forte Architects' legacy, and being an agent of positive transformation in the field of architecture.

Brittney recently moved to Wenatchee from Seattle where she was born and raised. Brittney’s passion for architecture and interior design was ignited at a young age by playing the Sims. The early exposure to virtual design not only familiarized her with technology, but also allowed her to explore her creativity in space planning and develop a keen eye for detail, which she now brings to her professional work.

She received her bachelor’s degree in interior design in 2023 at Bellevue College. During her time as a student, Brittney worked as a residential interior design assistant who specialized in kitchen and bathroom designs. These avenues allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the principles of design and how to create spaces that reflect the needs and personalities of her clients.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Brittney enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, in which also serves as a source of inspiration in the design world. Brittney is thrilled to be a part of the Forte Architecture team and is excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share her passion for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.