Midwest People: July and August 2022
Architecture firm Goettsch Partners has named James Zheng as CEO. In addition, Paul De Santis has joined Chairman James Goettsch as a co-design director for the practice. As the primary partners in the Chicago-based firm, the three have worked closely together for more than 17 years. Goettsch will continue to serve as chairman while Zheng assumes the full CEO title as well as that of president. Goettsch and Zheng have shared leadership and management responsibilities since 2013 and served as co-CEOs since 2018. As co-design directors, Goettsch and De Santis will collaborate in guiding the firm’s architectural philosophy while ensuring design excellence.
Sarah Jacobson was named the first female president of architectural and design firm Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), a Clayco subsidiary. Jacobson, with the company since 2017, has worked as an architect and project leader on numerous large projects. In addition to her current role leading LJC’s new Los Angeles-area office, she will also be responsible for overall leadership, including staff development, revenue growth and profitability.
Design firm DLR Group has appointed Josh Wetzig as principal. Wetzig oversees power, lighting and special systems for projects. In addition, the company named Curtis Johnson senior principal. Johnson leads operations, client service and staff professional development for the firm’s offices in Des Moines as well as its offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.
Veolia Nuclear Solutions announced Billy Morrison will step down as president and CEO of its VNS Federal Services business, headquartered in Richland, Wash. Current chief operating officer Steve Moore will serve as interim CEO as the company seeks a permanent CEO.
Architecture firm Moody Nolan has made several promotions. Yanitza Brongers-Marrero, who joined the firm more than a decade ago, has been named partner. She also was recently elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, an honor held by less than 4% of practicing architects. Dan Bossenbroek, with the company since 2015, was named associate principal. With more than three decades experience, Bossenbroek specializes in project management and scheduling, architectural design, code review documentation, specification writing, planning and construction administration.
McCownGordon Construction, Kansas City, Mo. promoted 20-year veteran Chris Vaeth to lead its Kansas City operations. Vaeth will lead the company’s regional work in the area, with a focus on corporate and developer projects as well as civic, K-12, higher education, health care and science and technology markets. He will also lead teams in South Dakota and Arkansas.
Kenneth Macadangdang, roadway designer, joined Hanson Professional Services’ Indianapolis office, where he will assist in roadway and transportation projects by performing engineering calculations and analyses. He also will provide roadway geometric, roadside safety and maintenance of traffic design. Rachael Mangieri, structural designer, joined Hanson Professional Services’ office in Peoria, Ill. She will work on bridge projects for railroad clients. Also joining the firm are Drew Piontek, Chris Beres and Meredith Anderson. Piontek is a roadway designer. Anderson is an associate project manager, and Beres is a senior structural engineer.
