In a quarter century of design work, Bruce has earned the trust and respect of countless clients, colleagues and industry peers. Along the way, he’s amassed a portfolio of high-impact sports projects across the United States including the likes of Twin City icons Target Field and Allianz Field. He’s a sought-after source on stadium design, having guest lectured at New York University and been interviewed by national and industry media alike.
Recruited to Populous upon his graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture, Bruce’s dedication to the firm has spanned the entirety of his career to date. Early in that journey, Sports Business Journal named him among the best young talent in sports business. His ability to manage complex projects showed in endeavors like Target Field, a beloved ballpark sitting on one of the smallest and most complex urban sites in baseball. More recently, he led the design of Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field, a stunning soccer-specific stadium that raised the bar of the Major League Soccer match day experience.
Throughout his work as an architect, Bruce has shown a keen ability to motivate staff to excellence, both as a mentor to others and as a member of Populous’ regional and global leadership teams. He’s an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
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In a quarter century of design work, Bruce has earned the trust and respect of countless clients, colleagues and industry peers. Along the way, he’s amassed a portfolio of high-impact sports projects across the United States including the likes of Twin City icons Target Field and Allianz Field. He’s a sought-after source on stadium design, having guest lectured at New York University and been interviewed by national and industry media alike.
Recruited to Populous upon his graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture, Bruce’s dedication to the firm has spanned the entirety of his career to date. Early in that journey, Sports Business Journal named him among the best young talent in sports business. His ability to manage complex projects showed in endeavors like Target Field, a beloved ballpark sitting on one of the smallest and most complex urban sites in baseball. More recently, he led the design of Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field, a stunning soccer-specific stadium that raised the bar of the Major League Soccer match day experience.
Throughout his work as an architect, Bruce has shown a keen ability to motivate staff to excellence, both as a mentor to others and as a member of Populous’ regional and global leadership teams. He’s an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
CJ O’Brien is the co-owner of the Chicago Union, a professional ultimate frisbee team competing in the Ultimate Frisbee Association. A lifelong athlete with roots in football, CJ discovered ultimate frisbee while attending the University of Illinois, where he became a standout player and competed at the national level. After college, he entered the consulting world but remained closely tied to the sport, ultimately transitioning from player to part-owner of the Chicago franchise.
Since 2016, CJ has been instrumental in transforming the Union from a niche club team into a growing professional sports organization. He has worn nearly every hat—player, marketer, operations manager, and community builder—investing both time and resources into the long-term vision of the sport. Under his leadership, the team has focused on grassroots fan engagement, youth programming, and creating a family-friendly, hyper-local game day experience. CJ also works full-time in consulting, leveraging his skills in project management and strategic communication to support the Union’s growth.
A passionate advocate for emerging sports and community-based entertainment, CJ is committed to expanding the visibility of ultimate frisbee while building a sustainable and inclusive model for professional sports. He lives in the Chicago area with his family and continues to champion the values of accessibility, participation, and purpose-driven growth in sports.
Revenue Above Replacement
In a quarter century of design work, Bruce has earned the trust and respect of countless clients, colleagues and industry peers. Along the way, he’s amassed a portfolio of high-impact sports projects across the United States including the likes of Twin City icons Target Field and Allianz Field. He’s a sought-after source on stadium design, having guest lectured at New York University and been interviewed by national and industry media alike.
Recruited to Populous upon his graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture, Bruce’s dedication to the firm has spanned the entirety of his career to date. Early in that journey, Sports Business Journal named him among the best young talent in sports business. His ability to manage complex projects showed in endeavors like Target Field, a beloved ballpark sitting on one of the smallest and most complex urban sites in baseball. More recently, he led the design of Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field, a stunning soccer-specific stadium that raised the bar of the Major League Soccer match day experience.
Throughout his work as an architect, Bruce has shown a keen ability to motivate staff to excellence, both as a mentor to others and as a member of Populous’ regional and global leadership teams. He’s an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
