Raths, Raths & Johnson, Inc. (RRJ), an architecture, engineering and forensics consulting firm headquartered in Willowbrook, Illinois is pleased to announce the promotion of Lurita McIntosh Blank, NCARB, RBEC, REWC, RRC, RWC to Associate Principal.  In this capacity, she will be responsible for project leadership, practice development, and client development leadership across RRJ's consulting practice.

"Lurita is an expert architect with exceptional problem solving and leadership skills.  Her passion for historical preservation continues to expand RRJ’s architectural offerings," said Kurt R. Hoigard, P.E., SCEB, F.ASTM. "We greatly value her contributions to the success of our firm and are proud to promote her to Associate Principal."

Lurita joined RRJ in 2018 as a seasoned architect with 14 years of architectural experience specializing in building enclosure consulting in the areas of masonry conservation, facade restoration, roofing and waterproofing investigation and repair design, and enclosure consulting and commissioning for new construction.  She also consults on related enclosure performance issues involving historic restoration design, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation.

Lurita’s architectural career began in Kansas City in 2007 with an inter-disciplined forensic engineering firm.  She later moved to  New York City to  engage her passion for historic preservation in a broader forensic practice where she specialized in the project management of historic restoration, enclosure, roofing and waterproofing consulting. 

Lurita is an active member of the Association for Preservation Technology International where she is currently the Treasurer for the association and the Vice President of the Western Great Lakes Chapter.  Most recently, Lurita received the CAC-IIBEC, 2020 Presenter of the Year Award for her presentation on "Mid-Century Thin-Stone Veneers: Balancing Preservation and Public Safety."