January 14, 2026
Wright Heerema Architects (WHA) announces that principal Roger Heerema is retiring and stepping away from daily leadership and operations, transitioning into an advisory role supporting long-standing clients and partnerships.
The transition marks a professional and personal milestone for Heerema, whose career spans over four decades of meaningful design across Chicagoland and nationwide.
“Looking back on my career, I’m proud of the work we built over time,” Heerema said. “The projects, the stories behind them, and the people I worked with are what made this career so fulfilling. As I transition into this next phase, I look forward to staying engaged in the creative process, while also pursuing personal passions.”
Heerema joined the firm in 1996 and became a name partner in 2007 alongside founder Stephen T. Wright. Since then, he has been a trusted advisor to owners, developers and investment teams, contributing to projects such as The Shuman, 500 W. Monroe and 225 W. Washington, among other workplace and repositioning projects. His ability to ask the right questions and uncover what truly mattered became a hallmark of his work and his leadership. In the firm’s early years, his contributions helped deliver more than 5 million square feet of work, establishing a strong foundation for the firm.
“Roger’s leadership and perspective have been foundational to how this firm works with clients and approaches design,” said Wright. “We are deeply appreciative of the role he has played in shaping our culture, our relationships, and our portfolio, and we value his continued involvement as he transitions into this next chapter.”
WHA will continue under the leadership of principals Stephen T. Wright, Kenneth R. Wardingley, and Daniel J. Elkins. As Heerema steps into this next phase, WHA remains focused on delivering client-centered service under its experienced team.