Russ McGillivray
President/CEO
From creating start-ups in new markets to providing senior-level leadership at a billion-dollar company, Russ boasts a wealth of business experience and expertise that guide him as he leads this award-winning team of professionals in producing exciting exhibits. Because Russ believes each project and each client is unique, he places a high value on listening to client needs and designing a custom plan for value-added services and strategies.
Fred Paris
Chief Operating Officer/Principal
As COO, Fred directs the strategic development, operations, and financial focus at Formations. A veteran expert with over 20 years of hands-on management experience, Fred is an insightful business strategist with an established leadership track record in film production, media, finance, and general contracting industries. He has worked in project management, channel sales, business development, and strategic alliances for companies including CBS Broadcasting, Merrill Lynch, and Pavilion Development.
Stephen State
Director of Design/Senior Exhibit Designer
Stephen has been an essential member of the Formations team for over 20 years and has had a hand in nearly every company project. The one responsible for overseeing all design drawings, shop drawings, and graphic elements, Stephen brings an eagle eye for the little details, ensuring that each exhibit is of the highest quality. Just as importantly, he brings an engaging sense of humor and a belief in open communication, which means the entire process—from design to final production—will be a smooth, enjoyable journey for every client.
Chad Jacobsen
Senior Exhibit Designer
Chad has been working as a designer on a wide range of museum projects for more than 20 years. He works with clients to transform their stories and ideas into engaging and memorable visitor experiences. It’s his superpower! Highly adaptable (mostly unflappable), Chad is committed to a project’s success from ideation to installation. He works to find solutions
when obstacles arise and implements those solutions quickly.
Phil Buettner
General Manager
In the machine of Formations, Phil keeps the cogs turning. As general manager, he is in charge of making sure each project stays on budget and on schedule. With nearly 20 years at the company, Phil is the go-to guy for many of the questions that arise during each project’s design. Phil’s vast experience and expertise in quality control help him tackle challenges of any size. And if he doesn’t know the answer off the top of his head, he’ll use his interdepartmental communication skills to find an answer.
Jeff Dowell
Graphic Studio Manager
In order to lead the graphics department, Jeff wears many hats— graphic artist, storyteller, and, sometimes, clairvoyant. Jeff has an uncanny ability—aided by decades of design experience—to design the look and feel each client wants, even when the client isn’t yet sure what that is. Along with a team of adept graphic designers, Jeff creates easy-to-read, attractive graphics that tell each client’s story and engages visitors of all backgrounds and interests.
Jeffrey King
Senior Project Manager
Christopher M. Smith
AV Producer/Engineer
Certified Technology Specialist
