Leadership
Joel R. Bernard
Principal, CFO, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Serving on the PLI Board of Appeals is a way for me to give back to the Pittsburgh community. I have a voice in code approvals and the safety of the built environment in the City.
Joel R. Bernard
Principal, CFO, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Williams College
Bachelor of Arts
Studio Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Studio Arts
Boston Architectural Center
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
Snow bunny or aquaphile?
I’m a sinker, not a floater.
I’m a sinker, not a floater.
New York or Chicago?
Chicago
Chicago
Under or Over Toilet Paper?
As long as there is some…
As long as there is some…
Stairs or elevator?
Elevator. I’m saving my knees for tennis.
Elevator. I’m saving my knees for tennis.
White Water Rafting or Zipline?
Did I mention I’m a sinker?
Did I mention I’m a sinker?
Harley or Honda?
BMW Airhead
BMW Airhead
Mantra
"No" isn’t a conclusion, it’s the start of a conversation. Listen. Be kind.
"No" isn’t a conclusion, it’s the start of a conversation. Listen. Be kind.
Tami Greene
President, AIA, NCARB
I employ my talents in architecture, management and communications to support local nonprofit organizations. I believe strongly that building a respectful and caring community starts at home, so bringing our two children to volunteer events is very important to me. Every day is full of opportunities to make a difference; at work, home and everywhere in between.
Tami Greene
President, AIA, NCARB
Kent State University School of Architecture and Environmental Design
Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science
Cum Laude
Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science
Cum Laude
SCIARC Studies in Lugano Switzerland
KSU Study Abroad Program Florence, Italy
KSU Study Abroad Program Florence, Italy
Peanut Butter or Nutella?
Nutella
Nutella
Zumba or Crossfit?
Zumba
Zumba
Mimosa or Bloody Mary?
Mimosa
Mimosa
Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night Owl
Night Owl
Deep Ocean or Deep Space?
Deep ocean
Deep ocean
Leo DaVinci or Leo DiCaprio?
Da Vinci
Da Vinci
Mantra
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say ‘I used everything you gave me!’” -Erma Bombeck
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say ‘I used everything you gave me!’” -Erma Bombeck
Roger Hartung
Principal, CIO, AIA, NCARB
“We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” – Winston Churchill
Roger Hartung
Principal, CIO, AIA, NCARB
Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
Snow bunny or aquaphile?
Mud Puppy
Mud Puppy
New York or Chicago?
Chicago
Chicago
Jeep Wrangler or Tesla?
Bicycle
Bicycle
Stripes or Polka Dots?
Plaid
Plaid
Under or Over Toilet Paper?
In a zip lock bag for the back country
In a zip lock bag for the back country
Disney World or Universal?
Kennywood
Kennywood
Mantra
“The world is changed by your example not by your opinion.” – Paulo Coelho
“The world is changed by your example not by your opinion.” – Paulo Coelho
John Keelan
Principal, AIA, ACHA
We aren’t here to make each other’s life harder. To whatever degree possible, we’re here to make each other’s lives better and to ease the burdens that we all carry.
John Keelan
Principal, AIA, ACHA
Tie or Bow Tie?
Briefs
Briefs
Flowchart or Venn Diagram?
Work is a flow chart; life is a Venn diagram
Work is a flow chart; life is a Venn diagram
Yoga or Kickboxing?
Kickboxing in yoga pants?
Kickboxing in yoga pants?
Spongebob or Patrick?
Patrick. He works less and can regenerate his limbs.
Patrick. He works less and can regenerate his limbs.
Introvert or Extrovert?
Depends on time of day.
Depends on time of day.
Lead or ink?
Lead. I’m never that sure of myself.
Lead. I’m never that sure of myself.
Mantra
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” – Atticus Finch
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” – Atticus Finch
Jon Lusin
Principal, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
As architects, we hold a unique position in physically shaping the environments that society inhabits. This is both a blessing and a responsibility. Being an active citizen in my community through participation in various civic and neighborhood activities helps me to think about how to embody the human condition in our work.
Jon Lusin
Principal, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium
Focus on Urban Studies
Focus on Urban Studies
New York or Chicago?
New York!
New York!
Pandora or Spotify?
Spotify
Spotify
Country or Hip Hop?
Hip Hop
Hip Hop
BBQ or Mexican?
Mexican
Mexican
Running or Climbing?
Running
Running
Leo DaVinci or Leo DiCaprio?
DaVinci
DaVinci
Mantra
“If you want to kiss the sky, you better learn how to kneel.” – U2
“If you want to kiss the sky, you better learn how to kneel.” – U2
Christine Lyons
Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA
The work of architecture, family and community should be done with earnestness and zest. I hope to share this spirit with others.
Christine Lyons
Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA
Kent State University
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
In Store or Online?
Online- life is better when you are expecting a package.
Online- life is better when you are expecting a package.
Under or Over Toilet Paper?
There is no logic to under at all
There is no logic to under at all
Stick shift or automatic?
Stick shift-until we got the family car
Stick shift-until we got the family car
Pandora or Spotify?
Spotify
Spotify
Zumba or Crossfit?
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about?
Sushi or Spaghetti?
Sushi
Sushi
Mantra
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” -Nelson Mandela
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” -Nelson Mandela
Aaron Perelstein
Associate, Project Manager, NCARB
How do you make a difference?
With a new urbanism background, I focus on transit by walk, bike or bus - can also find me rock climbing at the local gyms.
Aaron Perelstein
Associate, Project Manager, NCARB
University of Miami
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
Sketch paper or iPad?
Graph Paper
Graph Paper
Daylight Savings Time or Standard Time?
Just pick one for the whole year
Just pick one for the whole year
Oculus Quest or Nintendo Switch?
Steam Deck
Steam Deck
Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
Tightening or loosening?
Tightening or loosening?
Deep dish or thin crust?
NY Style
NY Style
Steelers or Browns?
Meh sportsball
Meh sportsball
Mantra
A successful project is like completing a difficult jigsaw puzzle - it requires attention to how individual pieces fit together without losing sight of the larger picture.
A successful project is like completing a difficult jigsaw puzzle - it requires attention to how individual pieces fit together without losing sight of the larger picture.
Dan Polak
Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA
I enjoy volunteering in the Cleveland ACE chapter and mentoring students interested in Architecture as well as other professions.
Dan Polak
Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA
Kent State University
Master of Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Master of Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
X-Box or Playstation?
Switch
Switch
Bridge or Tunnel?
Tunnel - it feels like there are endless possibilities on the other side
Tunnel - it feels like there are endless possibilities on the other side
Yinz or Y'all?
Y'all
Y'all
Kites or Squirt Guns? or Nerf Guns?
Squirt Guns
Squirt Guns
BBQ or Mexican?
Mexican
Mexican
Country or Hip Hop?
Hip Hop
Hip Hop
Mantra
To be a good designer, you would need to have deep and far-reaching interests outside of the profession. - Stefan Sagmeister
To be a good designer, you would need to have deep and far-reaching interests outside of the profession. - Stefan Sagmeister
Brian Roth
Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP
I enjoy volunteering with non-profit organizations and serving my community in leadership positions outside of the office. I have done so over the years in various organizations - as an Assistant Scoutmaster in my son’s local BSA troop, as a Board Member and Treasurer of my daughter’s rowing association, and as a leader in my local church, all of them enriching and rewarding experiences.
Brian Roth
Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP
Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor of Architecture with Honors
Bachelor of Architecture with Honors
Leather or Plaid?
Neither are great choices when it comes to men’s pants…
Neither are great choices when it comes to men’s pants…
Jeep Wrangler or Tesla?
Got to go with Tesla – there isn’t a Jeep hurtling through space headed for Mars.
Got to go with Tesla – there isn’t a Jeep hurtling through space headed for Mars.
Laundry or Dishes?
Been known to do both…occasionally and not reliably
Been known to do both…occasionally and not reliably
Bridge or Tunnel?
Bridge – isn’t over better than through? Pittsburghers don’t seem to slow down as much when crossing bridges.
Bridge – isn’t over better than through? Pittsburghers don’t seem to slow down as much when crossing bridges.
Yoga or Kickboxing?
No – thanks for asking though!
No – thanks for asking though!
Yoda or Gandalf?
Yoda, the selection is. Hmmm.
Yoda, the selection is. Hmmm.
Mantra
"Allow events to change you. You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them." – Bruce Mau
"Allow events to change you. You have to be willing to grow. Growth is different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live it. The prerequisites for growth: the openness to experience events and the willingness to be changed by them." – Bruce Mau
Nino Samardzic
Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
I am always trying to be a good mentor to younger staff members especially if their part of my team to help them grow in this challenging profession.
Nino Samardzic
Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
University of Banja Luka
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Kent State University
Master in Architecture
Master in Architecture
Sketch paper or iPad?
Both
Both
80's pop or 90's grunge?
90's Grunge
90's Grunge
Oculus Quest or Nintendo Switch?
Oculus Quest
Oculus Quest
Cedar Point or Kennywood?
Cedar Point
Cedar Point
Audiobook or Podcast?
Audiobook
Audiobook
Tie or bow tie?
No tie
No tie
Mantra
It is always good to self-analyze and be self-critical. That is how I've got so far and improved.
It is always good to self-analyze and be self-critical. That is how I've got so far and improved.
Catherine Wick
Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C
I strive to make a difference by encouraging the next generation of architects and designers in our community. I'm the Chair of the GBA Emerging Professionals Committee, involved in the ACE Mentorship program, a judge for the Eden Hall Upper Elementary Sustainable Design Challenge.
Catherine Wick
Senior Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C
Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Architecture
East Coast or West Coast?
East Coast
East Coast
Comedy or Horror?
Comedy
Comedy
iOS or Android?
Android
Android
Wonder Woman or Cat Woman?
Wonder Woman - despite my name!
Wonder Woman - despite my name!
Sushi or Spaghetti?
Sushi
Sushi
Fly or Drive?
My ultimate preference would be train! I wish we had a better high-speed rail network!
My ultimate preference would be train! I wish we had a better high-speed rail network!
Mantra
"Everywhere you look, the world has something to teach you, so greet each day with an open mind!"
"Everywhere you look, the world has something to teach you, so greet each day with an open mind!"
Adam Yaracs
Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
I am actively engaged in the local Cleveland design community. I advocate for the profession by championing multiple initiatives for AIA Cleveland and through my continuous service as an Executive Board member. In addition, I enjoy educating and mentoring design students as a Faculty member at Kent State University. To be able to navigate career challenges and to find some level of success, encourages and motivates you to help those who are just beginning to pursue their own journey to become a design professional.
Adam Yaracs
Associate, Senior Project Manager, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Kent State University
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative
Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative
Jeep Wrangler or Tesla?
Jeep Wrangler (It’s a Butler thing)
Jeep Wrangler (It’s a Butler thing)
Disney World or Universal?
Epcot Around the World
Epcot Around the World
Eat in or dine out?
Uber Eats
Uber Eats
Facebook or Instagram?
Instagram
Cash or card?
What’s cash?
What’s cash?
Mullet or Muttonchops?
Mullet (I used to have one)
Mullet (I used to have one)
Mantra
You only get out what you put in. Don’t expect more until you do more.
You only get out what you put in. Don’t expect more until you do more.