BusinessBriefsNews Makers in Design Alfonso D'Elia, AIA, has been named the new managing principal of IA's New York, NY, office. D'Elia joins IA from Mancini Duffy, where he was president since 1989. As managing principal for IA, he will be responsible for directing the design, management and marketing activities of the New York office.
Gruzen Samton LLP, New York, NY, has promoted six of its senior professional staff members to the position of partner: Cathy Daskalakis, AIA; Susan Drew, AIA; Geoff Doban, AIA; Ivan Ilyashov, AIA; Alfreda Radzicki, AIA; and Tim Schmiderer, RA. Additionally, Jackie Hill, the firm's comptroller, has been named a principal in the firm.
Gina Zastrow, ASID, has relocated to the Chicago, IL, studio of TVS Interiors, Inc. She joined TVS in Atlanta, GA, in 1996; as a project manager her portfolio includes projects of all sizes, scale and budget.
Ewing Cole Cherry Brott has added Francisco H. Laurier, ASID, as director of interior design. He will provide design leadership for all projects and mentor design staff, as well as apply creativity to some of Ewing Cole's signature projects, including several raceway casino designs.
Jeffrey Knoll, AIA, has joined Butler Rogers Baskett, an architecture and interior design firm with offices in New York, NY, and South Norwalk, CT, as an associate and senior designer. The firm also has promoted Joseph Omole (New York) and Gareth Tseng (South Norwalk) to associates.
Marci Scronic, IIDA, joined RNL Design as the interior design lead for the firm's Phoenix, AZ, office. She will be responsible for providing design guidance to interior projects as well as for developing and maintaining commercial and corporate interior projects and clients.
A. Epstein and Sons International, Chicago, IL, has promoted a number of employees to senior level positions: Michael Blumenthal to executive vice president and director of project management; Scott Marker to senior vice president; Mark Streetz to senior vice president and director of design/build; Noel Abbott to vice president of marketing; and Christine Paccione-Anderson to vice president of human resources.
Nan Richardson has been named vice president, marketing and business development, for H. Hendy Associates, Irvine, CA. She is charged with increasing the firm's business relationship with Fortune 500 corporations, hotels, restaurants and medical facilities.
Jossy+Carrier Design Group, San Diego, CA, has named John Pohling as associate. He is charged with overseeing the firm's production, which involves selecting project teams, planning project schedules, monitoring productivity, providing quality control, managing business development and overseeing overall work flow.
Taylor & Associates Architects, Newport Beach, CA, has promoted Damon Barda, AIA, to associate. A member of the firm since 1996, Barda is responsible for taking projects from preliminary design through construction documents. He also participates as a commissioner on the California Board of Architectural Examiners' administration of licensing exams.
Lichten Craig, New York, NY, has hired Sara Ridenour, who will design and manage both residential and institutional projects for the firm. She was previously a project architect with Robert A.M. Stern Architects. The firm also has promoted Margaretta Alfonso to
associate. She is responsible for all phases of project design and construction, including high-end residential residences in Manhattan and upstate New York.
Pam Maynard, CID, has been promoted to senior associate at the California-based HMC Group. As director of the interior design division, Maynard brings 25 years of design experience to the firm.
Hiller has added five new professionals to its staff of preservation architects: Richard I. Ortega, PE, RA, as director of preservation technology; Gretchen K. Pfaehler; Leslie Kahn, AIA, as operations manager of the historic preservation practice group; Elisabeth Dubin; and Carrie Rothfeld.
Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. has promoted two Milwaukee, WI, employees to associate vice president: architect Russell Drewry, who works with both the Corporate and the Arts, Community and Education practice groups; and Annmarie Wittig, ASID, CID, a 10-year veteran of the firm who manages the Milwaukee office's interior design group and specializes in healthcare and wellness facilities.
Jeanne Lynne Starling, ASID, has been tapped as director of interior design in the Orlando, FL, office of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo. Starling's experience includes the design and management of a wide range of projects, including hotels and resorts, vacation ownership properties, restaurants and mixed-use projects.
Deborah J. Hodges is a new vice president for Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP, Northbrook, IL. She will focus on developing its healthcare studio through strategic planning and project development.
The Boston Architectural Center (BAC), Boston, MA, has appointed Lisa M. Whited, ASID, IIDA, as director of interior design. Whited, who previously served as interim director of interior design and as a former board member of BAC, has assisted in preparing the college for accreditation by FIDER and in strategic planning for the evolution of BAC's interior design program. Whited is an NCIDQ-certified and Maine-certified interior designer and served as president of NCIDQ in 2000. She has been involved with national legislative activities for interior designers; owned a commercial design firm in Portland, ME for 15 years; and served on the Maine State Regulatory Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers.
Mancini Duffy has hired John R. Sadlon as a senior project manager for the firm's New York, NY, office. Over the past 10 years, Sadlon has managed complex projects for leading law firms and clients in the financial services sector.
Jonathan Bailey Associates, Dallas, TX, has named Nestor Infanzon, AIA, as vice president and director of design. He will consult with design teams throughout the firm to ensure a unified design methodology and language, foster coordination between individual design teams and assist with staff mentoring and development. Additionally, the firm has also promoted Wes Garwood to vice president. In his new position, Garwood will be responsible for staffing projects firm-wide, employee development and directing the continuing education programs, as well as serving as staff liaison to senior management.Supplier Appointments Jennifer Allard has been appointed marketing communications manager and Anne Saliers has been named new business marketing manager, both for all three of American Seating's divisions:
auditorium/ stadium, office products and transportation. Allard will be responsible for maintaining the American Seating brand through the company's Web site, direct mail programs, showrooms/ tradeshows, public relations and collateral materials. Salier will oversee research and development of new business opportunities. Her background is focused on the office furniture industry.
In its efforts to continue to build its presence in the Midwest, Allsteel Inc., Muscatin, IA, has added a seasoned industry veteran to its sales organization in that region. Elizabeth Falk joined the company as an architecture and design specialist. She will be responsible for actively promoting the brand within the architect and designer community and is based in Chicago, IL.
Ralph Grogan has been named president of Monterey Carpets, a member of the Tandus Group. Grogan will be responsible for all business operations at the Santa Ana, CA-based floor covering manufacturer.
Harden Furniture has promoted Mary Oughterson to vice president of marketing. She has been with Harden for five years, and is now charged with developing, implementing and managing all aspects of the marketing, advertising and public relations programs for Harden's residential and contract divisions.
Omnova Solutions, Inc., Fairlawn, OH, has appointed Beth Kuzbek as national specification manager for the company's line of coated fabrics for the contract market, including Boltaflex and Endurion lines. An experienced contract designer, Kuzbek will interface with the A & D communities, as well as assist Omnova with the specification of its performance fabrics in both sales and training aspects.Milestones One of New York City's leading architectural firms has undertaken a new corporate identity program together with a name change that coincides with its 30th anniversary. The firm, Larden Shein Ginsberg Snyder (LSGS), was founded in 1972 and has since grown to a 75-person organization whose clients includes some of the most prestigious healthcare institutions and housing developers in New York and New Jersey. The new name acknowledges James C. Snyder's contributions to the firm he has been with since 1988 and his work on many of its most significant projects.Honors & Awards The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) recently presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Beverly Russell for her work in print media, on the Internet and through other education pursuits for "elevating the profession as much as she has innovated change and instigated discussion." An author, editor, educator and lecturer, IIDA honored Russell for "nimbly and ably crossing the many disciplines of design as well as she navigates the world of design organizations." Russell, who is based in Los Angeles, CA, is presently principal of Beverly Russell Enterprises. She has served as an editor for four national design industry journals and currently serves a contributing writer for three. She has written more than 2,000 feature articles, authored more than six books and directed numerous national design exhibits. Russell serves on numerous boards of trustees and advisory councils and is the host of the annual "Navigate with the Stars" seminar series at the NeoCon World's Trade Fair.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) recently inducted seven members as fellows, the highest honor the society bestows on its members. Honorees are: Shirley Hammond for her 20 years of outstanding leadership and service to ASID, NCIDQ and other organizations that support interior design registration and licensing; Jan Parker for her significant contributions to the society and its student members as chair of the ASID Student Chapter Task Form; Robin Schmidt, an ASID member since its inception, for active involvement in the society on both the national and chapter levels; Donna Vinning for serving ASID for many years as a member of the board, on its Future Task Force and Legislative Advisory Council and chair of the Chapter Support Team; Alene Workman, an active ASID volunteer for a many years, serving on its board as well as numerous committees and advisory council. In addition, ASID awarded Buie Harwood, FIDEC, and Robert Herring with honorary fellowships.
associate. She is responsible for all phases of project design and construction, including high-end residential residences in Manhattan and upstate New York.
auditorium/ stadium, office products and transportation. Allard will be responsible for maintaining the American Seating brand through the company's Web site, direct mail programs, showrooms/ tradeshows, public relations and collateral materials. Salier will oversee research and development of new business opportunities. Her background is focused on the office furniture industry.
