Congratulations to Principals Steve Fernaays, AIA, Leticia Blaya Fornataro, AIA, and Don Pannone on being elected to our Board of Directors for a three-year term. Board members’ responsibilities include the implementation of corporate procedures and controls and formulation of overall business plans, operations, market objectives and strategies.
Steve Fernaays, who was re-elected to the board, has been with SWBR since 2009. He has spent most of his career designing award-winning higher education spaces such as labs, classrooms, and collaboration spaces that enhance student experiences. His clients include Syracuse University, Cornell University, Nazareth University, MCC, and University of Rochester. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University.
Leticia Blaya Fornataro, also reelected to the board, joined SWBR in 2008. As a Senior Project Manager in our Housing studio, Leticia specializes in the design of senior living environments. She is particularly focused on creating communities for seniors that feel like home and help them thrive and continue to be active and happy. Her clients include St. Ann’s Community, St. John’s Home for the Aging, and The Highlands at Pittsford. She attended Universidade Ritter dos Reis School of Architecture, Brazil and earned her Bachelor and Master of Architecture from the University of Utah.
Don Pannone has been with SWBR since 1985. 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. He attended Monroe Community College and is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects.