Welcome to Godfrey's Associates

For more than four decades, Godfrey’s Associates, Inc. has served as a trusted partner to libraries across the United States. As a full-time, full-service consulting firm, we have successfully completed public library planning projects in 47 states and the District of Columbia, demonstrating both our national reach and our depth of expertise.

The firm traces its roots to 1979, when three former Dallas Public Library professionals—David Hennington, Lee Brawner, and Richard “Dick” Waters—established HBW Associates, Inc. as one of the first firms dedicated exclusively to library consulting. Their combined knowledge and forward-looking approach quickly earned the confidence of library leaders nationwide.

In 1986, Dick’s eldest son, architect and fellow DPL alumnus Brad Waters, partnered with Willis C. Winters to form PROVIDENCE Architecture, Inc. By 1992, as Hennington and Brawner retired from full-time consulting and Winters transitioned to a leadership role with the City of Dallas, Dick and Brad created PROVIDENCE Associates, Inc. The addition of Laura Isenstein in 2002 further strengthened the firm’s expertise and capacity.

A new chapter began in 2006, when Dick sold PROVIDENCE Associates to Isenstein and established Godfrey’s Associates, Inc., incorporated in Arizona. Brad retained PROVIDENCE Architecture as a Texas corporation. The firm’s distinctive name honors Godfrey, the 25-pound tabby cat who famously patrolled the bed and breakfast Dick and his wife once operated in Denton, Texas.

From 2006 to 2008, Dick guided both PROVIDENCE and Godfrey’s through a seamless ownership transition. From 2008 until his passing in 2023, he led Godfrey’s Associates exclusively as Principal Consultant, assembling a strong team of Associate Consultants to provide comprehensive, innovative solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.

Following Dick’s death, Brad Waters assumed leadership of the firm, ensuring continuity of its mission and values. In 2025, Brad welcomed Natalie McAdams as a consultant. With more than 13 years of professional library experience, Natalie brings fresh insight, deep field expertise, and a commitment to advancing the next generation of library services.

Today, Godfrey’s Associates is recognized for its longevity, integrity, and results-driven approach. With more than four decades of experience, we continue to help libraries plan for the future, optimize resources, and design services that enrich communities nationwide.