By Lindsey Coulter

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), headquartered in Scottsdale, and the Education Market Association (EDmarket), based in Gaithersburg, are joining forces, forming one entity that will “create a powerful new association dedicated to reimagining where and how students learn” according to a joint statement. By uniting their expertise, A4LE and EDmarket hope to “accelerate innovation and expand opportunities to design learning spaces that inspire, engage and empower every student.”

The organizations together serve a global network of planners, designers, educators, industry experts, manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers working to create high-quality, sustainable and innovative learning environments. This merger will create a single, global community committed to designing dynamic, sustainable, and student-centered learning environments that prepare the next generation for success.

“Together, we have the power to reimagine learning environments worldwide, strengthening our voice, expanding impact, and enriching the knowledge that shapes spaces where students learn,” said Darlene Akers, EDmarket Chair, in a statement. “By uniting our leaders, members, and staff, we can inspire greater success for every student.”

Following joint analysis, strategic alignment, and financial review, the boards of both organizations unanimously agreed that combining strengths will create a stronger voice for the industry and deliver greater value for members worldwide. While both organizations report strong financial health, joining forces will allow both entities to maintain stability and create new opportunities to reinvest in the programs, events and professional development.

“By uniting A4LE and EDmarket, we amplify a shared mission to create exceptional learning environments for every student-strengthening our voice, combining our resources, and expanding our impact so that educational spaces everywhere truly inspire learning and success,” added Ryan Bultena, A4LE Chair.

The merger will further allow the organizations to:

• Expand opportunities for global connections and learning.
• Lead the way in learning-environment design.
• Provide more value through integrated events, credentials, and professional growth.
• Bring together the voices of both professionals and industry partners to strengthen our impact on the K–12 community.

The two organizations will continue to operate independently through 2026, during which time membership, services and events will remain unchanged. The organizations’ upcoming flagship events — LearningSCAPES, held in Phoenix Oct. 29-Nov. 1, and EDspaces, held in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 5-7 — will continue as planned for 2025 and 2026. Additionally, both ALEP® and ECLPS credentials remain valid and will continue to be supported, with opportunities for broader recognition and career growth.

Legal consolidation will begin Jan. 30, 2026, and integration and planning related to staff, services and governance will continue throughout the year. Full integration and a permanent governance structure are expected to be established by early 2027. This will include a unified mission, vision, and values dedicated to serving the needs of all stakeholders, advancing high-performing, sustainable and innovative learning environments everywhere.

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RALEIGH, N.C.—faulkner edc and JDS Consulting & Design, two leading companies in engineering, design and consulting for residential, commercial and industrial markets, recently announced they are merging into a new dynamic firm, JDSfaulkner. At the helm of the newly formed JDSfaulkner brand are Tommy Faulkner, Elijah Smith and Robert Murray, three industry experts with a combined 75 years of proven experience. Backed by this expertise, the JDSfaulkner team bridges in-depth technical knowledge with creativity to solve engineering problems and implement sophisticated solutions.

With an emphasis on providing advanced technical expertise, creative excellence and cutting-edge solutions, the merger positions JDSfaulkner to provide an even broader scope of services to clients across residential, commercial and industrial projects. The combined JDSfaulkner team has extensive experience in engineering design, including civil, geotechnical, renewable energy, structural, environmental, and roofing and waterproofing design. For planning needs, the firm provides land planning and development and environmental planning. Inspection and testing services include third-party building inspections, structural inspections, geotechnical inspections and special inspections, as well as construction materials testing for soils, concrete, asphalt, wood, steel, fireproofing and aggregate.

“Eli, Robb and I formed a natural partnership, with our people at the center,” said Tommy Faulkner, CEO of JDSfaulkner. “Our team delivers creative and sophisticated solutions that are backed by hundreds of years of combined technical experience. This merger only further solidifies the resources, knowledge and service we can provide to our clients throughout the Southeast.”

Tommy Faulkner, founder of the former faulkner edc, has more than 25 years of experience leading growth and development of technical expertise at North Carolina’s top engineering firms. Faulkner is a trusted engineering and inspections expert across industries including educational institutions, medical centers, government facilities, military vessels and weaponry, residential development and a range of commercial projects from energy and hospitality to real estate and manufacturing. Notable projects include North Carolina State University’s Carter-Finley Stadium renovation in Raleigh; Duke Gardens visitor center and Durham County Justice Center in Durham, North Carolina; New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina; and University of North Carolina’s Cancer Research Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Faulkner is a licensed professional engineer in North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina, and has been recognized with numerous awards for his professional contributions, including the President’s Award from the Construction Management Association of America and the Chairman’s Award from the American Counsel of Engineering Companies. He was also selected to serve on the International Code Council Structural Code Development Committee, helping to develop building code standards used today.

In 2008, Eli Smith founded JDS Consulting & Design, providing structural engineering consulting, design and inspections to clients in the Triangle region. Partnering with Robb Murray in 2012, Smith grew JDS Consulting & Design into a multidisciplinary engineering firm offering design, special inspections and construction materials testing services. JDS Consulting & Design has served clients for tens of thousands of engineering projects, from Big Bend Solar Array in Apollo Beach, Florida, to retaining walls and structural design and inspection projects throughout the Southeast. Smith, now COO of JDSfaulkner, earned his professional engineering licensure and worked at several prestigious North Carolina engineering firms before founding JDS Consulting & Design. Prior to partnering with Smith, Murray served as a project manager building more than 25 years of experience in engineering design and inspections across residential, commercial and industrial projects. Murray now serves as CAO of JDSfaulkner.

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