John is passionate about creating memorable places that inspire learning and has spent over thirty years as a practice and thought leader focused on K-12education, higher education, athletics and recreation projects and clients. Prior to joining GFF, John spent his professional time leading his own firm for twenty years as well as serving as practice and market leader at large global and national firms as Practice Leader, Market Sector Leader and Managing Principal. John has extensive experience in the planning and design of large complex projects and working with multiple stakeholders that include boards, administrative teams, staff, and community groups.
John is passionate about building relationships and assisting clients in defining their vision and goals then delivering the projects at the highest level possible and exceed expectations. He helps foster a culture of excellence in the pursuit of work, design and execution of the work by leading teams, mentoring staff and contributing thought leadership to the education sector. John is regularly engaged top write, present at conferences and recently served on the Texas Association of School Administrators Committee on Facilities Standards, serving on the Learning Environment Sub-committee where he helped write the new standards for the State of Texas that went into effect in 2021.
John Currently serves as Director of Education Practice at GFF design which is a large Texas based firm with offices in Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin. In his role he leads the Education Practice as well as firmwide efforts with strategy, marketing and business development.
Mr. Shiver received his Bachelor of Environmental Design Degree from Texas A&M University in 1990 and his Master of Architecture Degree from Texas A&M University in 1992.