Adam Krason

Photo by Jessica Wolfe.

By Ken Magill

According to Adam Krason, architect and principal at ZMM Architects & Engineers, his driving philosophy is summed up in a quote that is often attributed to President Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Though he was surely unaware of that quote as a young boy, he has lived it throughout his entire life, beginning with his first job delivering newspapers with his siblings for The Marietta Times in Ohio, where he grew up. As a teen, Krason worked as a lifeguard, and he worked alongside his father as a pharmacy technician at Nelson’s Drug Store in Belpre, Ohio.

Krason’s passion for art, math and science led him to pursue a degree in architecture. He graduated from The Catholic University of America with bachelor’s degrees in architecture and civil engineering in May of 1998.

In the fall of 1998, he joined architectural and engineering firm ms consultants, Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio. He has been an architect ever since.

Krason joined ZMM in 2003, and in 2007, he joined the board of directors. When ZMM principals Steve Branner and Rod Watkins retired in 2008, Krason became one of three ZMM principals and owners, alongside David Ferguson and Bob Doeffinger.

Krason describes architecture as a never-ending series of obstacles.

“Design is a problem-solving profession by nature, and we are challenged to overcome obstacles daily,” he says.

According to Krason, the new Clendenin Elementary School has presented the greatest combination of challenges of his career. The ZMM designed 65,000-square-foot elementary school is currently under construction and will replace the previous elementary school, which was destroyed by the 2016 flood. The school is expected to be finished in time for the 2023-2024 academic year.

“I could write an entire book dedicated to just the obstacles that project has encountered,” Krason says. “These obstacles are compounded due to the tragic events that led to the need for a new school, and I am very empathetic to
the frustrations of a community that just wants to see the school completed to bring some normalcy back to the lives of the students and communities impacted.”

When he is not working diligently on projects for ZMM, Krason donates much of his time to helping improve the surrounding community for his fellow West Virginians. He serves on the West Virginia Board of Architects, the City of Charleston Planning Commission and the Charleston Historic Landmarks Commission. He also serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Main Streets, Charleston Area Alliance, the Strategic Council and Government Advocacy Committee for the American Institute of Architects, The Education Alliance and Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley, Inc.

Krason and his wife, Sara, moved to Charleston in 2001 to be closer to their families while they were expecting their first child. Their family now includes four children: Sam, Zach, Elijah and Lillian.

“I could not be more proud of the wonderful people they are becoming,” Krason says.

He credits Sara with giving him the support he needs to pursue his profes­sional and volunteering activities.

“We only live once, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow,” he says. “I am motivated by a desire to accomplish as much as I can in the time that I have personally and professionally.”

After 22 years, Charleston is home for Krason.

“We love the people, neighborhoods, schools, activities and West Virginia’s culture,” he says. “One of the great benefits of living in West Virginia is the ability to spend more time with family because of the slower pace of life. I can’t think of a better place to raise a family.”