Tom Spoja

PRINCIPAL, PARTNER

Tom Spoja is a Principal with Backen & Backen and one of the firms longest serving employees since joining the company as an intern in 1999. He has worked in every design role in the firm successfully supporting projects and clients at each step along the way.

He enjoys deeply understanding the needs of his clients and crafting a shared vision for a project that will support them and their legacies in the future. Thoughtfully considering each site and clients unique conditions while integrating beauty, sustainability, lifestyle, and wellbeing into the design with a grounded respect for the land.

During his time with Backen & Backen Tom has managed the development of some of the firm’s largest residential projects for select private clients on both the East and West Coasts of the country.

More recently, Tom has been guiding the progress of The Kenwood Ranch Resort and Winery development in Kenwood, California through a complicated entitlement journey to successfully start construction after 20 years in process.

Looking forward, Tom is leading a collaboration with an international private membership group to develop unique, destination properties melding wellness, agriculture, food, community, and design into the guest experience.

Outside of the office, Tom and his wife Sarah juggle keeping up with their young twin boys, traveling, and coming together around good food and wine.

NOTABLE PROJECTS

Ann Ernish-Backen

FOUNDING PARTNER

John Taft

AIA, NCARB

PARTNER

Tom Spoja

PARTNER

Tony Selko

AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

PARTNER

Stephanie Gerwin

AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

PRINCIPAL

Dusan Motolik

PRINCIPAL

Michael Boes

PRINCIPAL

Kevin Casey

NCARB, LEED AP

PRINCIPAL

Patti Baker

AIA

PRINCIPAL