John Conrad Schiess
Architect
After completing Architectural Technology undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University in 1981, Mr. Schiess managed construction for Leaf, Inc. a manufacturing company in Chicago. In 1983, Mr. Schiess returned to the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Architecture to complete his professional degree in Architectural Design. While at the UIC, Mr. Schiess received many awards and honors for his designs for urban housing. His homes were featured in "Architecture " and "Inland Architect" magazines. After completing his studies in 1985 Mr. Schiess worked as Project Architect for Nagle Hartray and Associates. While at Nagle Hartay he managed the design of Girabaldi Square Townhomes, a 128 urban townhouse development in Chicago's near west side. In 1987 Mr. Schiess was hired by Hemphill, the developer of Garibaldi Square, to manage the construciton of Garibaldi Square. In addition to several suburban developments, Mr. Schiess also successfully developed a program to build 23 affordable homes in Chicago's Pilsen ans Humboldt Park neighborhoods for the Chicago Department of Housing.
In the spring of 1990 Mr. Schiess joined the faculty of Triton College in River Grove. He continues to teach Architectural Design Studions and Construction Project Management courses.
In 1992 Mr. Schiess turned his attention full-time to setting a course for Metropolis Architects and Builders. Since then, Mr. Schiess has designed and built over 50 homes in the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The Kenwood Home, designed and built by Mr. Schiess for the 1994 City of Chicago Parade of Homes won the Home Builders association of Greater Chicago's Bronze Key Award for excellence in architectural design. More recently, Mr. Schiess has been concentrating his efforts on designing and building numerous townhome developments in Oak Park and River Forest.
From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Schiess served on Oak Park's Historic Preservation Commission where he worked with owners and developers within Oak Park's historic districts. He also sits on the peer design review board at the City of Chicago's Department of Housing.
Mr. Schiess lives in Oak Park with his wife Ronda and their two sons, JB and Alec.
Our Design Team
On the design side of the Design + Build process, Mr. Schiess is assisted by a talented and committed staff. Take some time to review who makes the difference at Metropolis.
Manuel "Manny" Ganaden
Mr. Ganaden is pursuing a Business Management degree at North Central College. He completed an Architecture degree at Triton College. While in attendance, Mr. Ganaden was elected to the Dean’s List for two semesters.
Since joining Metropolis, Mr. Ganaden has worked on numerous projects such as The Oak Park Opera Club, Madison Square Townhomes, Maple Square Townhomes, and Euclid Square Townhomes.
Mr. Ganaden resides in Bolingbrook with his wife Janet and his daughter Mia Isabel.
Bridget Galvin
Ms. Galvin is a graduate of Chicago’s UIC where she received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology. She is currently pursuing her Associates of Arts at Triton College where she majors in Interior Design. Ms. Galvin’s strengths are praised as seen in her ability to maintain a 4.0 and hold a spot on the President’s Honor List.
Since joining Metropolis, Ms. Galvin has worked on many projects including the design of the Opera Club sales center in Oak Park and various projects for the Oak Park Residence Corporation.
Ms. Galvin resides in her hometown, Chicago.
Edonna Chilsen-Ojeda
Mrs. Ojeda completed her studies at Robert Morris College in 2000 and graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a Bachelor in Business Administration. While in attendance, she was elected a member of Robert Morris’ Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society.
Currently she is pursuing a MBA in Project Management at Keller Graduate School.
In 1995 Mrs. Ojeda joined Metropolis as Office Manager. Recently, she has been promoted to Project Coordinator and will administrate Metropolis’ Building division.
Mrs. Ojeda resides in the Western Suburbs with her husband of 9 years, Alfonso, and their Amazon Congo Grey Parrot, Mya.
Natalie Gail Stubbs, Office Manager
Ms. Stubbs is working to complete her Bachelors degree at Columbia College Chicago in Marketing Communications, with a concentration in Advertising, and supportive minors in theater and creative writing.
Ms. Stubbs joined the Metropolis team in 2004 with a background in real-estate sales and commercial development. In addition to her communications and marketing skills, Ms. Stubbs brings extensive executive management experience to Metropolis. Her current title is that of Office Manager and Personal Assistant to the president.
Ms. Stubbs resides in Chicago with her two cats, Iggy and Bowie.