The Design And Construction Team

Rick Swisher Architect, AIA Rick Swisher is a well-known regional architect with more than 29 years of experience.  His exceptional approach to church design - combining liturgy, function and art as one - has earned him many awards and national recognition. Swisher has been in in private practice since 1977, heading a talented team of architects and design associates.  His personal involvement with each project makes Swisher well-suited to design and oversee all facets of the project, including art and liturgical issues.

Larry C. Gaskins President, L. C. Gaskins Construction Co., Inc. General contractor for the new St. Joseph's Church is the L. C. Gaskins Construction Co., Inc., owned by president Larry C. Gaskins. The company has successfully completed over 200 projects in the past 20 years for private and public owners and maintains offices in both Jacksonville and Warner Robbins, Georgia. The building of the new St. Joseph's Church has been a special project for Gaskins, as his family has been parishioners for 20 years. Gaskins has served on the School Advisory Council and president of the Men's Club. His wife, Maggie, is a Eucharistic Minister and all four of his children are graduates of St. Joseph's School. Gaskins is a graduate of Heald Engineering College in San Francisco, California.  The Associate General Contractors of Greater Florida recognized his work on the new church by presenting him with the Horizon Award.

Frank Tally Project Manager Frank Tally has been an invaluable asset of St. Joseph's parish for more than two decades.  Through the years, Frank has offered his construction and management expertise in each o the church's six major building projects. Working with contractors, architects and parish committees, Frank has acted as an unflagging facilitator, always looking out for the best interests of the church. From the first feasibility studies and construction bids, through the land acquisition, zoning and permitting, Frank has attended to the details of building the new church on a day-to-day basis. At 81, Frank sees the project as one for the entire community. "We have to see that we're building it for our current parish community but also for the families that are still to come," Frank reflects. "I am grateful that the good Lord has given me an opportunity to do this at this point in my life.  It's been a blessing."

David A. Ponsler Designer/Artist Blacksmith, Jacksonville, FL David A. Ponsler, a blacksmith artist from Jacksonville, is the designer and creator of the church's wrought iron pieces located on and around the altar, as well as the Marian Center. He is vice president of Wonderland Products, Inc., his family's company owned business that specializes in the design, engineering and fabrication of architectural and sculptural metalwork. Ponsler's love for the craft and the business started early when at the age of eight he worked with his father side-by-side on his father's welding projects.  In addition to his professional affiliations, public exhibitions, awards and work for private collections, Ponsler was the recipient of the highest honor bestowed by the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals Association for metal and craftsmanship and design.

Jim Piercey Stained Glass/Mosaic Artist, Orlando, FL Jim Piercey is the artist who designed and created the stained glass windows, the Apostles Mosaic and the Stations of the Cross for St. Joseph's Church.  The award-winning artist is a veteran of scores of liturgical projects in Florida and throughout the Southeast.  He founded J. Piercey Studios Orlando in 1981. Piercey studied under international artists such as glass designers Ludwig Schaffrath and Johannes Schreiter of Germany, and worked in the studio of Italian mosaicist Gino Barsanti of Italy.  He is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Interfaith Forum of Religion, Art and Architecture (IFRAA) and the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA).  He was appointed to the Art and Environment Committee of Orlando's Diocesan Liturgical Commission by Bishop Norbert Dorsey. The artist is noted for his sensitive presentations of works that inspire the mystery and awe necessary for worship. With each of his liturgical pieces, it is Piercey's goal to glorify God.  With his special training and expertise in stained glass, Piercey is especially sensitive to the effect those creations have on not just the sanctuary, but on the congregation as it gathers for worship. And that has a great effect on him. "My wife and I don't have any children," said the artist. :So these windows are our legacy; they will live on after us.  They should last 500, even 1,000 years, as long as this church is here."

Steve Rogero Furniture Maker and Craftsman, Jacksonville, FL Steve Rogero, a parishioner of St. Joseph's for nearly 25 years, has strong roots in the Mandarin community.  His rich family history in North Florida spans nearly 250 years and it is through this lineage that he draws inspiration for the original wood pieces which he creates for his profession and pleasure. An auspicious 28-year career with Prudential took Rogero from Mandarin to Memphis to New England and back, finally settling within a couple of miles of his boyhood home.  In retirement, he now enjoys the trade he learned as a youngster from his father. When Father Cody and Frank Tally approached Steve to build a few key pieces for the entryway of the New Church, they had in mind the idea of continuing the strong family tradition already a part of St. Joseph's.  Steve's father, Edward Rogero, remodeled the sanctuary of the Old Church in 1936, and was widely known throughout his career as a Master builder. The New Church project grew into a major undertaking, with Rogero completing more than 25 different pieces. While creating them has been a full-time pursuit since May 1998, Steve feels grateful to have had the freedom to design as well as build the pieces.

Kenneth C. Pacetti Sculptor, St. Augustine, FL Ken Pacetti of St. Augustine created the sculpted art works in the church including the Risen Christ, Joseph and Mary. Pacetti is well-known throughout the Southeast region as being one of the area's finest wood sculptors.  In fact, his reputation was firmly in place when, in the mid-1970s, he and his wife sold their possessions, save their home on Anastasia Island, and moved to Germany where he studied at the Sculptors and Woodcarver's school in Oberammergau. The city, located in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, is considered the wood sculpting center of the world. During his three-year apprenticeship, Pacetti studied drawing, painting and art history in addition to wood artistry.  He returned to Anastasia in 1976 with hopes of garnering major church commissions.  Today, having accomplished this goal, the is proud of his distinctive style which blends European influences with his understanding and love of Americana.

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