At SWBR, we are thankful for our brilliant and committed team, who share their talents and expertise every day, empowering us to fulfill our mission – to positively impact lives through meaningful design. This year, we would like to recognize six of these talented individuals on their well-deserved promotions.
PRINCIPAL
New Principal Don Pannone has been with us since 1985, most recently serving as Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager. As a leader in our Workplace studio, Don is an expert in all aspects of science, technology, and industrial design. His impressive portfolio includes several high-profile research and advanced manufacturing projects that have added thousands of jobs to the Upstate New York region. Pannone has served in project leadership roles for several notable clients, including Eastman Kodak Company, DuPont, University of Rochester, L3Harris, and Cornell University.
“Don is a leader in the science, technology and industrial arena” said SWBR President Tom Gears, AIA. “We are confident that his expertise and commitment to client satisfaction will maintain our position at the forefront of industrial, manufacturing and research design.”
In addition to his design work, Pannone volunteers for the National Kidney Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Browncroft Community Church. He attended Monroe Community College, is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and resides in Webster.
LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Mark Kluczynski, PE, promoted to Chief Operations Officer, will oversee operations for all our professional design services. He will maintain proper operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and will be responsible for putting the right people in the right places to meet performance goals and ensure the firm’s growth. He joined SWBR in 1993, managed the Structural Engineering group for over 20 years, and was promoted to Principal in 2019. He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He serves on our board of directors, is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Structural Engineering Institute, and the American Institute of Steel Construction. An Irondequoit resident, Mark has also been an NCAA Division I football official since 2011.
As our new Structural Engineering Manager, Matthew Weber, PE will oversee all aspects of structural engineering for SWBR projects including design, client relationships, team development and management, and coordination with other disciplines and consultants. Matt has over 20 years of experience providing structural analysis and innovative design solutions for educational, municipal, housing, and industrial projects. He graduated from Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and joined SWBR in 2009. He is a member of the American Institute of Steel Construction, serves on our board of directors and finance committee, and lives in Irondequoit.
“Mark and Matt have extraordinary talent and leadership skills, and we are thrilled with this transition,” said SWBR President Tom Gears, AIA. “Mark’s expertise, dedication, and decisiveness make him the right person to lead our operations. And Matt’s leadership, design expertise, and project management skills will insure our structural engineering team’s continued growth and success.”
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Brett Gawronski, AIA, a Senior Project Manager, oversees large multi-family affordable and supportive housing projects for key clients such as DePaul, Edgemere Development, PathStone, and the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. His design portfolio also includes several large-scale projects for the Chicago Housing Authority. Since joining SWBR in 2017, Brett has also focused on developing new client relationships and expanding our housing portfolio in the Western New York market with several high-profile projects. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo and resides in Fairport.
“Brett is a leader who is deeply committed to design and is enthusiastic about the positive impact of our work,” said SWBR Principal Joe Gibbons, AIA. “He is an excellent collaborator, mentor, and client manager.”
Business Operations Manager Alicia Libby assists the leadership team with business development in the capital region. She also oversees the Troy office’s finance, marketing, and project management functions, with a particular emphasis on developing and maintaining client relationships. Alicia has a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Graphic Design from Suffolk University’s New England School of Art & Design, an MBA in Marketing & Operations from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and resides in Clifton Park.
“Alicia is a hardworking team member with many skills,” said Principal Scott Townsend, AIA. “She has a background in graphics, has overseen invoicing and finance, and recruits new employees while managing our Troy team and bringing in new work. We’re not sure where we’d be without her.”
Iain Tait, AIA manages large K12 and higher education projects as a Senior Project Architect in our Education Studio. His ability to respond to multiple clients while maintaining existing client relationships has established him as a trusted advisor for key clients such as the University of Rochester, St. John Fisher University, the University of Buffalo, Monroe Community College, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, and Mary Cariola Children’s Center. Iain graduated from Robert Gordon University in Scotland with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and resides in Fairport.
“Iain is a talented and creative designer who consistently brings new ideas to his projects,” said SWBR Principal Steven Fernaays, AIA said. “He is a dedicated and responsive project manager. “Our clients enjoy working with Iain because he is the ultimate team player,” says SWBR Principal Steven Fernaays, AIA.