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Category: Employee News

DWL Architects + Planners is proud to announce two significant promotions!

Brad Swank has been promoted to Vice President and Principal. He has worked very hard to establish and grow our Ohio–now with 8 people. He has developed many great relationships with Midwestern University, private aviation clients, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, The Ohio State University and Detroit Airport. Brad started at DWL in 2007, moved back to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio and then started the Ohio office in 2019.

In response to this promotion, Brad said, “I’m thankful to DWL’s leadership team for seeing the opportunities in Ohio and having the faith in me to open the office here to better help our established clients and create new relationships. I’m humbled and excited to continue the progress we have made. Our staff here are great and I’m so lucky to be able to lead them.”

In our Phoenix office, Megan Hawkins has been promoted to Associate. She joined DWL’s aviation team in 2015 and went right to work on the PHX Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 3 Modernization project. She is quickly becoming one of our industry leaders in Code and ADA standards. Megan’s mentorship skills have been a true value to DWL’s Midwestern University team over recent years.

“DWL has given me a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the future of the firm and I am very excited to see where this path takes me,” remarked Megan upon the announcement.

DWL president, Sandra Kukla said, “I am so proud to announce these promotions. DWL is fortunate to have such great long-term staff in both the Phoenix and Ohio offices. Both Brad and Megan have proven to be tremendous leaders and innovative designers. Brad is a natural leader, with an easy-going personality – not to mention his great golf game. Megan has been a solid addition to the team from the first day she arrived and has always been a team player. Her spirit enlightens the DWL culture with her creative and fun personality. Everyone here at DWL is excited to continue delivering excellent projects for clients across the country alongside Brad and Megan.”

 

Help us congratulate our newest Vice President – Athavan Rajasundaram

DWL ARCHITECTS PROMOTES ATHAVAN RAJASUNDARAM TO VICE PRESIDENT

Phoenix, Ariz. – November 3, 2020 – DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Athavan Rajasundaram AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CEA to Vice President. He has been a tremendous mentor to junior team members who rely on his expertise in sustainable solutions and healthcare design. His most recent work for Valleywise Health on several projects throughout the Valley and another private surgical center project have solidified DWL’s leadership in the healthcare design community. Congratulations Athavan!

 

Help us congratulate our newest Vice President – Mary Ann Modzelewski

DWL ARCHITECTS PROMOTES MARY ANN MODZELEWSKI TO VICE PRESIDENT

Phoenix, Ariz. – November 3, 2020 – DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Mary Ann Modzelewski AIA, LEED AP BD+C to Vice President. Mary Ann is a highly accomplished architect with proven design and leadership among the Native American Communities in Arizona, the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, and other government sector clients. We are honored to have someone with such a bright smile and commitment to collaboration on our team. Her promotion demonstrates the firm’s ongoing dedication to exceptional service and innovative design. Congratulations, Mary Ann!

 

Help us congratulate our newest Associate – Carrie Sheldon

DWL ARCHITECTS PROMOTES CARRIE SHELDON TO ASSOCIATE

Phoenix, Ariz. – October 12, 2020 – DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Carrie Sheldon, RA, NCARB to Associate. Her promotion demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to exceptional service and leadership in architectural design. Her commitment to our healthcare sector has been paramount to the firm’s success.

 

 

DWL Names New President

DWL ARCHITECTS NAMES SANDRA KUKLA AS NEW PRESIDENT

DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is pleased to announce that its board of directors has appointed Sandra Kukla, AIA, as President of the firm. Kukla succeeds Steve Rao, who will remain with the firm as Executive Vice President.

“It is a good feeling to know that DWL is in capable hands. I am a firm believer that the best way to ensure success is to have someone who is smarter and more talented take the reins,” said Rao.

After 30 years with DWL and 11 years serving as the firm’s president, Steve is proud to transition leadership to the next generation, saying, “Sandra is passionate, talented, dedicated and always looking for a way to improve things, whether it be project designs or office amenities for our staff. The future for DWL is bright.”

DWL is one of the oldest architecture firms in the region, recently celebrating their 70th Anniversary. They have a long history of partnering with many exceptional clients including Midwestern University, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Valleywise Health, Tucson International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Valley Metro, Arizona Indian communities, ASU, NAU, Scottsdale Airport, several airlines, and the Cities of Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Sandra is eager to support all DWL’s long-term and newer clients within the firm’s various market sectors.

Throughout her 20 years at the firm, Sandra has led several significant projects such as the recently completed Terminal 3 Modernization at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and projects at LAX, Detroit Metro and Sacramento International Airports. “I have been one of those fortunate people that gets to do what I love – designing airport facilities. It’s a building type that touches so many people in our community. I am proud to lead teams of diverse perspectives in order to create the best possible architecture,” said Kukla. With nearly 50 long-time staff with an average 16-year tenure at DWL, Sandra says, “Our staff is absolutely amazing – dedicated, experienced and caring. We have been and will continue to be a truly collaborative design firm.”

Sandra grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where her interest in aviation began with her help in building the family’s aerobatic biplane. She moved to the Southwest to pursue a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of New Mexico. Since joining the company in 1999, Sandra spearheaded operational efficiencies and firm culture, becoming DWL’s first female Vice President. She was also instrumental in establishing the firm’s presence in the Midwest and Southeast, recently celebrating their new Columbus office.

Having served on the board of the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA), Sandra received the President’s Award twice, and was recognized as Corporate Member of the Year at the 2018 AzAA Spring Conference for her continued initiative and involvement in the organization. She also serves as a volunteer in various community and professional organizations, such as the AIA’s Women’s Principal Group (WPG), Support Sky Harbor and the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE). Her architectural career is balanced with a wonderful, supportive family – her husband, Rob, and son, Hadley.

Sandra says, “I am so thankful for the support I received from past presidents who recognized my potential and championed my growth in the firm. I am proud to be President of a firm with such a rich history and look forward to an even stronger future.”

About DWL Architects + Planners, Inc.
DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. brings expertise and strategies from a range of industries including aviation, higher education, community infrastructure and healthcare. They have a legacy of creating people places within communities – and since 1949, when the firm planted its roots in Phoenix as Weaver & Drover, DWL Architects has recognizably shaped the western region’s urban fabric. Led by seven principals, DWL’s team of 50 employees, focuses on high-performance design with expert knowledge – forging a synergy of design and its environment.

DWL team members are not just designers and architects to their clients, they are partners and trusted advisors. For seven decades, DWL Architects has been leading the industry with their approach to collaborative design. They are champions of an integrated team – coupling technical and creative visionaries with different perspectives to bolster and strengthen their design solutions.

 

Help us congratulate our newest Associate – Michael Voorheis

DWL ARCHITECTS PROMOTES MICHAEL VOORHEIS TO ASSOCIATE

Phoenix, Ariz. – February 12, 2020 – DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Michael Voorheis, AIA, LEED AP BD+C to Associate. His promotion demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to exceptional service and leadership in architectural design. His commitment to our aviation sector clients and management of our QA/QC protocols has been paramount to the firms success.

About DWL Architects + Planners, Inc.

Founded in 1949, DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is one of the region’s premier architecture firms, bringing expertise and strategies from a range of industries such as aviation, higher education, civic, and healthcare. Since 1949, DWL Architects has drawn from their design experience to create welcoming environments that respond to function, form, and innovation. DWL Architects’ work has been consistently recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. For more information: http://www.dwlarchitects.com/.

 

Dwight Todd’s Retirement Party

DWL Architects celebrates the retirement of longtime friend and principal Dwight Todd.

Todd has worked at DWL for nearly 30 years and contributed his lifework to the higher education and healthcare industries as our Executive Vice President. Since 1995, he has focused almost exclusively on projects at Midwestern University at both the Arizona and Illinois campuses. Todd leaves DWL strongly positioned and experienced in the relationship between educational facilities and the opportunities that lay for its students.

Thank you for all you have done, and we wish you all the best Dwight!

 

Help us congratulate our newest Vice President – Nithya Rachel Jebaraj

DWL ARCHITECTS PROMOTES NITHYA RACHEL JEBARAJ TO VICE PRESIDENT

Phoenix, Ariz. – August 7, 2018 – DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Nithya Rachel Jebaraj, AIA, LEED AP to Vice President. Her promotion demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to exceptional service and leadership in architectural design.

“Rachel came to us 15 years ago as a Master’s Degree student with an interest in construction management and we quickly realized that she excelled in just about everything.  A consummate professional and a joy to work with,” says Steve Rao, President of DWL.

“I have always been passionate about innovative design and in enhancing it through exceptional execution,” says Jebaraj. “DWL shares that dedication and I am honored to serve as a principal.”

Jebaraj’s focus has been the inventive design of large and technically challenging buildings prevalent in healthcare education and aviation. In the last five years alone, she has led the design and construction of more than 12 new facilities on the Midwestern University campus in both Glendale, Arizona and Downers Grove, Illinois, with the award-winning buildings helping to shape the University community and implement their vision.

Serving as DWL’s Building Information Modeling (BIM) Director for the last seven years, she leads the Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) effort across all projects at DWL, using it to design, simulate, coordinate and refine all aspects of the firm’s projects before committing to construction. She has helped establish DWL as an industry leader in BIM and in providing personalized post-occupancy services to owners.

Jebaraj is a graduate from Arizona State University, with a Master’s Degree in Science in Building Design with a focus on architectural development and management. She is also a graduate from Anna University in India with a Bachelor of Architecture.

About DWL Architects + Planners, Inc.

Founded in 1949, DWL Architects + Planners, Inc. is one of the region’s premier architecture firms, bringing expertise and strategies from a range of industries such as aviation, higher education, civic, and healthcare. Since 1949, DWL Architects has drawn from their design experience to create welcoming environments that respond to function, form, and innovation. DWL Architects’ work has been consistently recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. For more information: http://www.dwlarchitects.com/.

 

Help Us Congratulate our Newest Associates!

We are excited to announce we have added four new associates to our DWL Leadership Team. Please help us congratulate Jenia Lynn, Mary Ann Modzelewski, Athavan Rajasundaram and Sean Warfield on their accomplishments and promotions. Each new associate has possessed leadership qualities and taken the initiative to help move our firm forward. They join 13 other leadership members in guiding our firm into the next chapter of DWL Architects + Planners.

Congratulations!


 

DWL Partner, Sandra Kukla, Honored with the President’s Award at the 2016 AzAA Spring Conference

Sandra Kukla, a Partner at DWL Architects + Planners, was honored with the President’s Award at the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA) Spring Conference this month in Flagstaff, Arizona. The President’s Award is for a special recipient solely selected by the President. The award recipient is someone who has given many hours to the membership or toward to the mission of the AzAA, or someone who has been inspirational and supportive. Previously recognized with the same honor in 2012 as Associate Director of AzAA, Sandra has been involved with the organization for several years.

“As the outgoing President of AzAA, I selected Sandy for her consistent dedication and readiness to take on whatever needs help or commitment to make it happen.  Her positive attitude and composed personality is admired. I appreciated her welcome when I first joined the organization and I am appreciative for her professionalism today. Sandy’s love, not only for the profession but for her family, was another quality and example I wanted to recognize to let her know we all appreciate how she juggles it all.”

– Gladys Wiggins, C.M., Airport Director of Yuma International Airport

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Jet Pull 2014

The DWL Team pulled an Airbus A319 to raise money for the United Way at the 11th Annual “Hope Takes Flight” Jet Pull.

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DWL’s Sandra Kukla is among ENR Southwest’s Top 20 Under 40

A licensed pilot who helped her father build an aerobatic biplane, Kukla’s passion for aviation informed her career choices from an early age. She became the youngest principal at DWL in 2005 and is the only female architect among the firm’s managing partners.

Read full article: ENR Southwest’s Top 20 Under 40
source: Blair Scott, Sapakie Polly. “ENR Southwest’s Top 20 Under 40” ENR Engineering News-Record Jan. 17, 2011: Pages 8,9, 11. Print & Online.

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