Francis is a Design Principal in the Buildings + Places group at AECOM where he leads design for Metro New York, overseeing a team of 90 architects. With broad, international experience in architecture and urban design, Francis brings a global perspective to his work, which has been recognized with 11 international design awards. A native of rural Oklahoma who has lived in China, Francis has a keen sensitivity to what makes the built environment unique and compelling for its users and is inspired by both the practical and poetic aspects of everyday life. To address the unique needs of the 21st century, Francis seeks to integrate issues as diverse as sustainability, integrated delivery, social equity, and neuroscience in order to produce built works that address the immediate needs of the future and create lasting value.