Meet the Team.

GLENN BIRX Executive Principal-in-Charge Ayers Saint Gross “I was born, raised, and still live in Baltimore. I want nothing more than to use my experience to engage the communities where I work, to create projects that enrich the people living in those communities, and to make Baltimore and Maryland proud of the long history and future of its horse racing industry.”
TODD GRALLA Project Executive Populous “I am a life-long equestrian and I have dedicated my professional career to improving the quality of equine competition and racing venues. Together, we have challenged conventional thinking and developed a vision which will forever change the community and horse racing for the better. This project is part of my legacy to that which has provided me with so much, yet asked so little: the horse.”
JOEL FIDLER Executive Project Manager Ayers Saint Gross “I'm a Baltimore native, who, when I was little, looked forward every year to seeing Eddie Murray play first base and the horses race at Pimlico. I'm excited to be part of the team to bring world class racing facilities and renewed racing enthusiasm back to the State of Maryland.”
MEG MCWILLIAM Senior Racing Overlay Advisor Populus “Since first visiting Pimlico in 2016, I have daydreamed about its potential. Bringing the project through to fruition is the kind of project you always hope for as an architect and event designer. I love the passion around horseracing, and having worked on these projects around the world, it would be an honor to bring my expertise to the oldest sporting organization in the United States.”
MATT BREEST Designer Populous “Great designs start with a moment of inspiration. At Pimlico and Laurel, there is an abundance of story that we will transform into a place that will inspire communities near and far for generations to come. Most importantly the local community will finally have a place to call home and Maryland will have an icon deserving of this great state."
BILL BOURNE Architect, Equine Specialist Populous “As much as people are social animals, the bond between horse and human is inseparable. Whether in the stable, or at the fairground, a lifelong trainer, or a child seeing livestock for the first time, the interaction of people and horses teaches responsibility, pride and a set of values that is inspiring.”
AMELLE SHULTZ Principal Landscape Architect Ayers Saint Gross “Pimlico is an iconic piece of Baltimore City heritage and I am excited for the opportunity to work on such a transformative project for my hometown. Imagining the revitalization of the facility and the impacts for what that can do for the community is deeply motivating. This project will reestablish Pimlico and the Park Heights neighborhood as a destination and we will create something distinctly Baltimore.”
MICHAEL HALCHAK Event Overlay Advisor Populous “Bringing people together, along with creating unique and special environments, has been the focus of my career for over 35 years. By being a part of the core team in exceeding the aspirations of global events including the Olympic Games and World Cups, I will bring to this unique project the latest trends in hosting and operating sports and special events.”
FAGAN HARRIS Community Engagement Community Action Partners “I've spent my career uplifting Baltimore and its residents by connecting its historically disconnected and disinvested communities to opportunity and investment. A redeveloped Pimlico is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen the communities in and around Park Heights and I am excited to be a part of its economic development."
CHRIS KRUPINSKI Civil Engineer RK&K “Working on iconic Maryland projects that help bring positive change to our communities inspires me. I love being able share these finished experiences with my family who have strong ties to Baltimore. I’m inspired to find new ways to engage with project stakeholders in a way that helps them achieve their project goals."
HARVEY HELM Racetrack Designer GRW “The horse racing industry is at a critical moment. As a lifelong enthusiast and 45-year track designer, I want to be a part of providing the best entertainment venues to bring back younger audiences and provide the safest possible tracks for horses and jockeys.”