Dionne Darling

VP of Brand Partnerships

The Architect’s Newspaper

Dionne Darling has been with The A|N Media Group for over six years. As VP of Brand Partnerships and Associate Publisher, she manages A|N’s Texas headquarters and handles accounts in the West, Southwest and Europe territories. Dionne has over 28 years of direct B2B sales, management and business development experience.

Kevin Heinly

Co-Regional Managing Principal, Southwest

Gensler

Kevin, Co-Managing Director at Gensler San Diego, brings 30+ years of experience across office, mixed-use, higher education, retail, and entertainment projects. He works with clients ranging from private REITs to federal institutions, providing strategic direction, client development, and project leadership. Known for his hands-on approach, Kevin builds high-performing teams, ensuring projects are well-designed, technically sound, and sustainably executed. His expertise spans all design phases, driving the success of the San Diego office.

Michael Strohmer

Regional Practice Director, Hospitality, Partner

HKS

With over 20 years of experience in architecture and design, Michael Strohmer serves as the Regional Director for the Hospitality Practice at HKS and is based in Los Angeles. A recognized leader in the design of luxury hotels and resorts, Michael has shaped high-profile properties across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, including the recently opened Gaylord Pacific, which is the topic of today’s conversation.

Throughout his career, Michael has collaborated with globally renowned brands, operators, and developers to deliver distinctive, world-class experiences. From urban boutique hotels to expansive beachfront resorts, his work blends innovative design solutions with a deep understanding of the hospitality industry.

Ryan Markgraf

Lead Project Engineer

Novum Structures

Ryan Markgraf is a Lead Project Engineer for Novum Structures LLC. For over 16 years at Novum, Ryan has been responsible for providing technical services on projects ranging from glazed entrance canopies to atrium facades and skylights for buildings in the medical, education, and corporate sectors. Ryan recently worked on the Gaylord Chula Vista Atrium enclosure which includes a point-supported glazing façade and ETFE air-filled pillow skylight that is supported by Novum’s nodal space truss system.

Michael Zanotelli

Facade & Curtain Wall Specialist – Western US & Canada

STI Specified Technologies

Michael has over 20 years of real-world experience on many of largest, high profile projects throughout the Western United States. Through his knowledge and expertise, Michael developed a solid reputation working closely with inspectors, glazing contractors, and curtain wall consultants as a trusted resource on a wide range of curtain wall projects.
Michael is committed to ensure your project stays on budget and gets done right the first time from conception to close out. Prior to his role as Façade and Curtain Wall Specialist for the Western US and Canada, Michael was the Western United States and Hawaii Regional Manager.

Ryan Bussard

Design Director

Perkins&Will

Born and raised in the Midwest, Ryan was introduced to art and architecture by his grandparents’ frequent trips to Europe. This dichotomy of urbanism and pastoral landscapes inspired him to wonder at an early age how architecture, space, and landscape interact to create the cities, places, and environments people inhabit.

Ryan’s designs continue to be influenced by these early questions and by his client’s visions and aspirations. Drawn by the natural beauty of the Northwest, and the opportunities within a rapidly growing Seattle, Ryan and his family moved to the city to become one of the core team members for the once newly opened Seattle studio. He continues to balance both passions—visiting cities and cultural institutions around the world with his family, and in the Northwest—hiking and taking bicycle trips to explore the landscape.

Bryan Macias

Project Manager

UC San Diego

I am an architect by trade and training and worked in private practice here in San Diego for almost 15 years working with clients such as Jack in the Box, Solar Turbines, La Jolla Country Day School, and Karl Strauss. Six years ago, I made the transition to UC San Diego’s Capital Program Management team.

To date, I have managed over $500M worth of capital improvement projects with the University. 3 Major Projects to date with the University have included the Design and Innovation Building, Epstein Family Amphitheater, and Pepper Canyon West student housing. The ability to be part of an amazing transformational initiative that positively impacts he lives of students has been the most fulfilling professional achievement to date.

Walter Crim

Operations Supervisor

Benson Industries

Walter Crim is the Operations Supervisor for Benson Industries’ southern California region.  Walter brings 23 years of experience in the building façade and curtainwall industry as a design build Project Manager. Highlighted projects include the SEC Headquarters in Washington DC, the L.A. Federal Courthouse, the Long Beach Civic Center Complex and the new UCSD Pepper Canyon West student housing.    Walter has a BS in Engineering and Applied Science (E&AS) from Caltech.

Stacey Hooper

Partner | Healthcare Market Leader

NBBJ

Stacey Hooper, AIA, LEED AP

Stacey helps guide the firm’s healthcare and academic science practices, bringing a research-driven approach that links a deep understanding of clients’ needs with design innovation and efficient project delivery. Working  with clients from concept through construction on projects that include some of the firm’s largest and most complex, she leads with a strong sense of collaboration, design leadership and technical rigor.

Stacey has worked with a range of preeminent institutions across a continuum that spans education, academic healthcare and academic research. She has worked with Cedars-Sinai and led pioneering projects at Westmark School and Montage Health’s Ohana Center, as well as two critical projects at UCSD—the Hillcrest Replacement Hospital and Viterbi Family Vision Research Center.

Passionate about education and the advancement of the profession, Stacey is a Fellow, board member and former Board Vice President of the Façade Tectonics Institute, which influences performative façade change within the industry. She is also on the Advisory Board of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas.

Stacey regularly lectures on façade design and other critical design issues, most recently presenting at the International Net Zero Conference on the link between carbon, façade systems and healthy buildings, and giving a collaborative AIA lecture with Cedars-Sinai and ARUP on pandemic response.

Kerry Hegedus

Principal

NBBJ

A seasoned architect with more than 30 years of experience, Kerry knows that building design derives directly from site demands and client requirements. He excels at identifying these issues early on and working the design to respond accordingly. With a deep understanding of how facade systems impact not just the buildings they serve but also the people that inhabit and visit them, Kerry excels at identifying complex issues, developing a facade from concept to detailing, and uniting clients and design teams around whole-building performance. Kerry’s creative approach to complex problems brings design solutions to clients all around the world. His project work ranges from local organizations including Seattle City Light and the Seattle Opera in the Pacific Northwest, to fast-growing tech innovators such as Tencent and Suning in Asia.

James Carpenter

President

James Carpenter Design Associates Inc

Studio James Carpenter / JCDA is a unique studio that grew out of the Environmental Art world of the 1970’s into an internationally recognized art/architectural design studio whose foundational principles place the presence of nature, environmental sustainability and the individuals deep experience of place at the center of each project. With the studio’s unique knowledge base of working with light, materials, structure and the craft of making, each project in its own unique way embraces and amplifies a site’s natural characteristics and a community’s traditions of use by connecting people to each other, to their history and to their ecology.

Justin Tien

Technical Director, Senior Associate

Gensler

Justin is a design-driven architect with 10+ years of experience in various project typologies. He is currently a Technical Director in the Aviation Practice Area. His background includes coordinating with multiple stakeholders, developing positive rapport with clients, and realizing design visions while maintaining quality standards and project costs. Justin’s experience includes leading the development of the facade and building envelope at the LAX West Gates at TBIT, and most recently at San Diego’s New Terminal 1.

Soheil Mohammadi

Principal

Walter P Moore

A Senior Specialty Structural Engineer for the firm’s Enclosure Practice, Soheil leverages his understanding of structures, architectural design requirements, and construction processes to deliver a collaborative approach to his projects. His comprehensive skill set allows him to provide structural engineering consulting to conventional as well as specialty structures.

Sanjeev Tankha

Building Technology | Facades Practice Leader

Starq Design Inc.

AIA Principal

Sanjeev brings 28 years of experience in design integration of innovative and advanced building technology with a focus in Facades and specialty structures.

Sanjeev has led the design and construction of the facades and specialty systems for several large aviation, sports, and commercial projects in the US and around the world. Sanjeev is recognized as a Subject matter expert and has lectured in national and international conferences about building technology and facades. Sanjeev is also a guest lecturer at Sci Arch and USC on building technology and facades.

Sanjeev has a Masters degree in Building Science from the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, India in 1990.

He is a licensed architect in the state of California.

David Aguirre

Engineer

Turner Construction

San Diego International Airport (SDIA) New Terminal 1, San Diego, CA The New T1 project will replace the outdated SDIA Terminal 1 with a more modern and efficient facility that will enhance the traveler experience. Scope includes upgraded amenities including 30 new gates and more security checkpoints and gate-area seating, new restaurants and shops, and a new connection to Terminal 2 post security eliminating passengers from having to go in and out of security for connecting flights. In addition to a new terminal, the New T1 will include an on-airport access road, bicycle lanes, a pedestrian path and a direct connection to public transit to reduce traffic and improve access to the airport. The goal is to achieve LEED Gold certification, with sustainable features to include expanded electric vehicle charging, solar power, hydrant fueling systems, electric shuttle service, and an expanded stormwater system.

Earl Patrick

Director of Design

Enclos

Earl Patrick is Director of Design and oversees Enclos’ design efforts in new and prospective work.

With over 22 years of experience in the facades industry, including 9 with Enclos, he has worked on monumental projects across the United States. Throughout his career, he has assisted clients with refining design alternatives and worked diligently to help architects achieve their vision while helping project teams meet their budgets.

Notable projects with which he’s been involved at Enclos include The Golden State Warriors Arena Complex, Raiders Stadium, The Australian Embassy, 415 Natoma, San Diego Terminal 1, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute, and the Sherwin Willams Headquarters.

Before facade work, his background included carpentry, cabinetry, welding, and residential construction. He’s also a musician and graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a degree in Classical Composition.

James Carpenter

President

James Carpenter Design Associates Inc

Studio James Carpenter / JCDA is a unique studio that grew out of the Environmental Art world of the 1970’s into an internationally recognized art/architectural design studio whose foundational principles place the presence of nature, environmental sustainability and the individuals deep experience of place at the center of each project. With the studio’s unique knowledge base of working with light, materials, structure and the craft of making, each project in its own unique way embraces and amplifies a site’s natural characteristics and a community’s traditions of use by connecting people to each other, to their history and to their ecology.

Justin Tien

Technical Director, Senior Associate

Gensler

Justin is a design-driven architect with 10+ years of experience in various project typologies. He is currently a Technical Director in the Aviation Practice Area. His background includes coordinating with multiple stakeholders, developing positive rapport with clients, and realizing design visions while maintaining quality standards and project costs. Justin’s experience includes leading the development of the facade and building envelope at the LAX West Gates at TBIT, and most recently at San Diego’s New Terminal 1.

Sanjeev Tankha

Building Technology | Facades Practice Leader

Starq Design Inc.

AIA Principal

Sanjeev brings 28 years of experience in design integration of innovative and advanced building technology with a focus in Facades and specialty structures.

Sanjeev has led the design and construction of the facades and specialty systems for several large aviation, sports, and commercial projects in the US and around the world. Sanjeev is recognized as a Subject matter expert and has lectured in national and international conferences about building technology and facades. Sanjeev is also a guest lecturer at Sci Arch and USC on building technology and facades.

Sanjeev has a Masters degree in Building Science from the University of Southern California’s School of Architecture, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, India in 1990.

He is a licensed architect in the state of California.

Nathan Ouren

Project Director & Senior Associate

Gensler

Nathan, Gensler San Diego’s Design Team Manager for the $3.4B San Diego International Airport New Terminal 1, brings 20+ years of expertise, defined by a People First approach and leadership in mentorship, culture, and resilience. Known for meticulous attention to detail, Nathan ensures client satisfaction while creating inclusive, meaningful architectural experiences from concept to completion. Notable projects include SDIA FIS, SDIA New Terminal 1, IQHQ RaDD, and Manchester Pacific Gateway and Navy GAF.

Dionne Darling

VP of Brand Partnerships

The Architect’s Newspaper

Dionne Darling has been with The A|N Media Group for over six years. As VP of Brand Partnerships and Associate Publisher, she manages A|N’s Texas headquarters and handles accounts in the West, Southwest and Europe territories. Dionne has over 28 years of direct B2B sales, management and business development experience.