Kasian announces the appointment of nine global design leaders

VANCOUVER - Kasian, one of Canada's largest architecture and interior design firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of two Principals and seven Associates company wide. These promotions are made based on each individual's outstanding contribution to the firm, client relations, design excellence, and team mentoring. Each new leader will play an essential role in further developing and enabling the success of our firm and will provide added value to Kasian's clients. They bring their own unique expertise, diverse skill sets, and exceptional leadership abilities to the Kasian team.

"As our firm continues to grow and expand globally, we look to our people internally to develop into leadership positions," says Don Kasian, President of Kasian. "I am proud to acknowledge the hard work and contributions of each of these new leaders. They will now have the greater responsibility of helping shape the future of Kasian."
The new Kasian leaders, listed by office location, are:

VANCOUVER OFFICE

GERALDINE RAYNER, PRINCIPAL
BA, Dip Arch, MAIBC, RIBA, ARB, LEED(R) AP

Since Geraldine joined Kasian in 1999 she has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and project management expertise. Geraldine is a highly experienced architect, registered both in Canada and in the UK, who has been practicing for 19 years. As a LEED(R) accredited professional, Geraldine ensures that sustainable thought is applied to all projects she is involved with. She has a focus on technology, working regularly with Kasian's CAD Managers to move along the standardization of drawings and the roll-out of REVIT software across the firm. Geraldine has managed many exciting projects including the UNBC Health Sciences Centre in Prince George, BC, several projects with the Department of National Defense, and the recently completed BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus in Richmond, BC.

STEVE RAYNER, PRINCIPAL

MA, DipArch, RIBA, MAIBC, LEED(R) AP

Steve is a seasoned architect with over 25 years of experience. He is registered in both Canada and the UK and is also a LEED(R) accredited professional. Passionate about people and the development of his team, Steve coordinates staffing in Kasian's Vancouver office which includes talent recruitment and ensuring the right people are applied to each project.

Steve has developed a solid reputation with some of Kasian's key clients including the University of British Columbia and UBC Properties Trust. He has worked on the UBC Swing Space and the UBC Winter Sports Centre. He is currently the project manager of the Charles Fipke Centre for Innovative Research at UBC's Okanagan campus, a project that received a certification rating of five Green Globes - one of the highest levels of sustainability certification.

Individually, Steve and Geraldine bring years of experience, knowledge, and skill to the Kasian leadership team.

"We are delighted to be joining the Kasian principal team together and at such an exciting time in our company's history. Now we are truly married to the firm as well as to each other!" said Steve on behalf of himself and his wife Geraldine.

KEN BUNN, ASSOCIATE
BSc, DBT

Ken is a senior interior designer with over 17 years of experience in both architecture and interior design. With a long history of technical drawing, code knowledge, and design development, Ken is a key member to Kasian's Interior Design Studio. He is currently working as senior project manager on the BC Assessment Sea to Sky office, a 25,000 sq. ft company consolidation project. He is also highly involved in the new Vancouver 311 call centre project. Ken has embraced the collaborative nature of Kasian's culture. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and he regularly facilitates in-house training for topics such as contract administration documentation and quality assurance.

"When I joined Kasian I was immediately struck by how highly the mentoring process is valued. There's a spirit of shared learning here and a real devotion to making time available for it," said Ken. "I'm proud to be able to contribute to that and also to be able to benefit from it; there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for learning something new from someone I was meant to be teaching."

EDMONTON OFFICE

BARBARA REID, ASSOCIATE
Diploma IDT, LEED(R) AP

Barb began her career as an architectural technologist and, since joining Kasian, has grown and developed her skills and abilities to become a dedicated project manager. She is a LEED(R) accredited professional with over 16 years of experience. Her ability to adapt and her strong desire to learn and succeed has helped her develop a wide range of expertise with various project types. She is currently wrapping up work on the Qualico South building in Edmonton, Alberta and is currently the project manager on Lakeland College in Lloydminster, Alberta, and the Lessard House in Edmonton. Barb is committed to education. She was previously an instructor at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and she is currently pursuing status as a registered architect through the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Syllabus program.

"I feel honoured and proud to be a part of a team of exceptionally talented architects and interior designers," said Barb. "I am pleased to contribute to the strong foundation of resources, spirit, and commitment that is currently evident with in the Kasian team."

CALGARY OFFICE

JUDY MACDOUGALL, ASSOCIATE
Architect AAA, LEED(R) AP

Judy is a LEED(R) accredited, registered architect with over 15 years of experience. Judy was the design architect on the recently completed University of Calgary Child Development Centre, the largest cold weather LEED(R) Platinum certified project in the world. She is truly passionate about creating sustainable architecture and she is recognized as a leader of this initiative within Canada. She is currently the project architect on two other University of Calgary projects, the Taylor Family Digital Library and the High Density Library and she is the project manager on the Kahanoff Centre expansion. Judy also mentors staff on the intricacies of designing technically complex "green" projects and she is a leader of Kasian's global Sustainable Task Force.

"Becoming an associate with Kasian has been a highlight in my professional career. I deeply value the commitment to professional development and positive spirit which prevails our organization," said Judy. "My new role presents an amazing opportunity to assist in the development of this forward thinking company."

LUIS GROENING, ASSOCIATE
BES, BArch, MRAIC

Luis has 30 years of architectural experience in all kinds of building types both nationally and internationally. He has been an integral part of Kasian's growth and success since 1989. He was senior project architect for the highly acclaimed Alberta Children's Hospital and he is currently the project manager for the Calgary South Health Campus, a $1.25 billion project. Luis's immeasurable experience and dedication to the firm has made him the perfect fit for the role of Associate. He is a generous and kind member of the Kasian team and is known for his dedication to people and to charity.

Lately Luis has become involved in property development. "I like to think that I am improving Calgary's housing stock one room at a time," Luis says.

MARTIN VEENHOVEN, ASSOCIATE
Architect AAA, MRAIC, RA (WA, NV)

Martin is a registered architect with a broad base of experience working on projects in Canada, the USA, and Russia. During his 28 years in the industry, he has become an expert on large scale urban developments, master planning, and retail and residential projects. Martin is a key member of Kasian's Urban Development Studio. He is currently the project architect on the mixed-use Eau Claire Market Redevelopment in Calgary and he is the project manager of the new EPCOR Tower in Edmonton. Martin enjoys sharing his knowledge and leadership experience and he has become a great resource for many other Kasian team members.

"I came to Kasian because I was attracted to their collaborative work environment. The firm is clearly built on strong philosophical and ethical foundations as reflected in the people and their work," said Martin. "All of this facilitates the truly creative thinking we offer our clients. I appreciate this recognition of my experience and look forward to making many positive contributions to this dynamic organization."

ROB WENARCHUK, ASSOCIATE
Dip AET

Rob is a leader in the area of construction documentation, specifications, and contract administration. With over 25 years of experience, Rob's history includes work on four major hotel projects including the most recent Banff Springs Hotel renovations. He was also the senior construction administrator on the recently completed Calgary Courts Centre, a one million square foot project. He is currently working on University of Calgary Taylor Family Digital Library. Rob's greatest asset is his ability to lead a team in a disciplined and organized manner. He says that he enjoys contract administration as its where "the rubber hits the road" and he has received much praise for his work in this area.

"It was a very rewarding experience representing the architectural team on the Calgary Courts Centre over the past four years and it is great to be recognized for this work," says Rob. "I am looking forward to taking on new challenges and making a positive contribution as a stakeholder in Kasian's continued plans for growth and development."

TORONTO OFFICE

SHELDON CATARINO, ASSOCIATE
BArch, OAA, NCARB, LEED(R)AP

Sheldon is a registered architect with over 15 years of experience. Prior to joining Kasian, Sheldon was a director at an architecture design studio in New York City where he designed and project managed many complex projects. He is a LEED accredited professional and he is an active member of Kasian's global Sustainable Task Force. He has been involved in the design and project management of many retail, commercial, and institutional projects in New York including the Music Faculty Building at Hofstra University. With Kasian he is currently working on a mixed use project in Shenzhen, China and various retail projects in Waterloo and Toronto.

"I feel like I've joined Kasian at an auspicious time in the firm's evolution. The recent brand launch, the new offices, and the innovative global outlook of the firm are all signs of a future full of great things," said Sheldon. "This is a unique and dedicated group of professionals and I'm excited to be part of the team that will shape this future."