Wheeler & Goodman Architects is founded by Howard Wheeler and Chuck Goodman as a division of John E. Harms Jr. & Associates. One of the firm’s very first healthcare projects is the renovation of a floor of North Arundel Hospital (Baltimore Washington Medical Center) for use as a surgical pre-op and phase II recovery unit. Immediately following the successful completion of this project, the firm is given additional projects by North Arundel and other medical clients soon followed. During this timeframe Howard Wheeler retires.
1987
Chuck Goodman and Ed Masek purchase the architectural division from Harms and name the new firm Wheeler Goodman Masek & Associates (WGMA). Over the next eighteen years, Chuck continues to grow the healthcare studio. During this period the firm’s largest project is the design of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s new replacement hospital on their Jennifer Road Campus.
2005
Chuck and Sandy Goodman form CR Goodman Associates, comprised of WGMA’s healthcare studio staff and healthcare clients. The strategic move allows the firm to focus on their true passion - healthcare design.
2015
Sandy Goodman purchases the controlling interest of the firm and CR Goodman Associates earns distinction as a federally certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), an MBE/DBE/SBE certified by the State of Maryland Department of Transportation, and a Women-owned and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certified by the State of Virginia.
2017
Recognizing commitment to staff and equally important to the firm’s clients, the process of placing the firm in the hands of the next generation begins. As part of this successful transition, Rolf Haarstad, AIA, LEED AP, ACHE joins the firm. Rolf has been a healthcare architect for the past twenty-five years, working on projects at both a regional and national level. Rolf now serves in the capacity of Senior Vice President as a partner to Sandy, the firm’s President, to manage the firm. As part of the transition to the firm's next generation, the current name, CR Goodman Associates, was replaced with a shortened name, CRGA Design, reflecting the firm’s heritage with Chuck's initials, but also reflecting a future of broader employee ownership. It is the sign of a successful firm that can make this transition and continue to provide the same high standards and quality services to our clients.
2018-2019
As the firm continues to grow in both staff size and project volume, CRGA executives make a commitment to the future of the company by recognizing key leadership and appointing several minority owners: Juan Cardenas, Robyn Dubick, Usama Hassanein, David Peabody, Marcus Wiles, and John Zierdt.
2020
CRGA expands into Baltimore City by opening a new office location in the Federal Hill, Baltimore area. This strategic move serves as an opportunity for the firm to continue to grow their connections within the community and open doors for new and exciting healthcare projects. Finally, while this expansion effectively relocates the company’s main headquarters, CRGA will continue to maintain presence in Annapolis to continue building on the relationships they’ve created with clients in the Anne Arundel County/Southern Maryland area. Read more about CRGA’s Baltimore HQ here.
"As we look ahead, our new brand, CRGA Design, will help elevate the next generation of leadership, while continuing the same philosophy and expertise for which our firm has come to be known."
-CHARLES R. GOODMAN, AIA, EDAC, FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
