Welcoming John Quinton to the CTGO Board: Designing a More Nourishing Future

Central Topeka Grocery Oasis is proud to welcome John E. Quinton, Jr., AIA to our Board of Directors. A seasoned architect, community-minded designer, and passionate advocate for better built environments, John brings a rare combination of professional expertise and personal heart to our mission of restoring access to healthy, affordable food in Central Topeka.

John’s connection to Kansas runs deep. Though born in Brockton, Massachusetts, he grew up in Northeast Kansas and graduated from Holton High School before earning his architecture degree from Kansas State University in 1990. His journey from small-town Kansas to national leadership in architectural design equips him with a unique understanding of both rural values and urban possibilities.

For over 25 years, John played a pivotal role at BRR Architecture, a Kansas City–based firm that grew under his leadership from a team of six to a nationally recognized company with over 250 employees and ten offices across the U.S. BRR became a top firm in retail architecture, with particular strength in grocery store design—experience that makes John’s voice especially valuable to CTGO as we move forward with building a full-service grocery store in a food desert.

Throughout his career, John has believed in architecture’s ability to strengthen communities and enrich lives. That belief continues to guide his work through his own company, Studio Q, LLC, where he offers design consulting with a mission to positively impact others. He also shares his creativity through architectural photography, traveling the country to capture the unique spirit of cities—often out of a converted stepvan turned mobile art gallery.

John’s commitment to philanthropy and community service aligns perfectly with our values. He volunteers his time to support nonprofit initiatives and uses his skills to help build not just structures, but opportunities. His experience in grocery design and deep roots in Kansas will help guide our efforts to create a space that is functional, beautiful, and welcoming for all.

Please join us in welcoming John Quinton to the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis Board. We’re thrilled to have his insight and leadership as we work together to build a more equitable and resilient food system for our community.

New CTGO Board Member John Quinton