SBTM Apr. 2014 | Page 8

Lisa Roth & John Montgomery Montgomery Roth Architecture & Interior Design A Breath of Fresh Air from Katrina By Barbara R. Davis W hen John Montgomery and Lisa Roth decided to combine their talents and create the unique concept of Montgomery Roth Architecture & Interior Design in 1998 in New Orleans, they projected that it would take their new firm several years to build up a reputation that could catapult their growth. To their pleasant surprise, inside their first year of inception, Montgomery Roth experienced great success and grew at a rapid pace. With a focus on the hospitality industry specializing in the design of hotels, casinos, and restaurants, New Orleans was a perfect place to start their company. After years of establishing a now successful business in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina was heading their way and they had no choice but to find temporary refuge in Houston. Who would have ever thought that Montgomery Roth would ride in on the last big gust from Katrina and turn into such a breath of fresh air! Lisa, who is a licensed architect and interior designer, has an undergraduate degree in interior design and a master’s in architecture from Tulane University and John, who is licensed as an architect and studied at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, first met at Perez Ernst Farnet, APC, Architects. They both had a passion for hospitality design and worked together on exciting hotel and casino 6 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ APRIL 2014 ]