Principal, Partner and Treasurer, Edward Tucker Architects, Inc., and Member, BOWR, LLC
By Samantha Cart
Nate Randolph, AIA, NCARB, principal at Edward Tucker Architects, Inc. (ETA), isn’t just an architect. He’s also an Eagle Scout, an excellent marksman, an aspiring pilot, a proficient heavy equipment operator, a former member of the band Trunk Monkey and a karaoke legend.
This jack of all trades had big dreams as a child before he decided to pursue architecture.
“When I was very young, I wanted to be a ninja who rode a motorcycle and fought crime,” says Randolph. “After I figured out there wasn’t much of a career for ninjas, I determined I would be either an artist or a priest. By the age of 12, I had narrowed my career path down to architect.”
During college, Randolph was turned down for an architecture internship in Knoxville—an event that changed his life.
“It really bothered me that I was passed over for a position I felt I had more experience for than the candidate who got the job,” he recalls. “I decided to work harder. Instead of interning at an office, I worked construction during the day renovating old buildings and at a liquor store in the evening. I poured myself into maximizing my time. As a result, I never had to stay up all night to finish a school project, and I managed to win every design competition offered by the University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Planning from that day forward.”
Randolph has been with ETA for 19 years under the mentorship of Edward Tucker himself. Despite its small staff, the firm grew organically and now works on a variety of projects in the tri-state area.
“We perform all of our own production work for drawings and project manuals, and that has helped us become what I believe to be the finest firm in the region,” says Randolph. “We’ve also managed to acquire the finest people. The turnover rate for our staff is ridiculously small compared to others. Once a person starts working here, they’re family.”
Randolph was deeply impacted by his own family. His father started an engineering firm out of the family’s basement, and he helped his dad on development projects on the weekends.
“My parents are the hardest workers I know,” he says. “When they were growing up, physical work was expected and necessary, and they passed those values on to me and my siblings.”
The values Randolph inherited from his family are evident in his commitment to his community. He currently serves as the vice chair of the West Virginia History and Archives Commission; a review panelist for West Virginia Survey, Planning and Development Grants; a member of the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing’s TEN50 Business Accelerator advisory board; and chair of the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority and Huntington Land Reuse Agency. He also volunteers with Cliff’s Closet and the Midland Trail Friends of NRA annual fundraiser.
In the past, Randolph has served as a judge for RCBI’s West Virginia Makes Festival, chair of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Committee, reserve officer for the Huntington Police Department and board member for the Huntington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, St. Joseph Central Catholic High School and Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless. He has also worked on pro bono house designs for the Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity and served as a camp counselor for the Cub Scouts of America and NRA Youth Day Camp.
“So much has been given to me, and it genuinely feels good to do things that have a positive impact for others,” he says. “Being helpful has the greatest influence. A person may be facing severe adversities in their life and still choose to be helpful to others.”
At the end of the day, Randolph is motivated by a love for West Virginia and its people.
“I worked in Pittsburgh for exactly one year before moving back to West Virginia,” he says. “I came back specifically for the people. Within the first few minutes of meeting someone, as West Virginians we will ask where they are from or if they know someone we know. We want to make those connections. I’ve traveled a little and can attest that we have the finest people in the world.”
1992 Earned the rank of Eagle Scout
1998 Graduated from University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Planning
2000 Joined Edward Tucker Architects, Inc.
2004 Received licensed architect certificate
2005 Received National Council of Architecture Registration Boards certificate
2006 Formed Commodore Holding LLC
2008 Elected to the Huntington City Council
2009 Named the founding chair of Land Bank
2014 Named principal and partner at Edward Tucker Architects, Inc.
2015 Formed BOWR, LLC
2017 Joined RCBI TEN50 Business Accelerator’s advisory board
2018 Named vice chair of the WV History and Archives Commission
