Lou Switzer, founder of New York City interior architecture firm The Switzer Group, was recently inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame and Museum. Founded in 2004, the Minority Business Hall of Fame and Museum recognizes the contributions of individuals and institutions that are pioneers in the development and growth of minority businesses globally. Switzer serves as chair and CEO of The Switzer Group, which he established in 1975.
Duncan Griffin, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has joined Seattle-based HDR as sustainable principal, dedicated to helping clients create sustainable solutions aligned with their enterprise goals. A licensed architect and Lean-certified practitioner with nearly 25 years of experience, Griffin champions the triple bottom line of equity, economy and environment.
Protectowire FireSystems, a pioneer in the fire protection industry, has promoted long-time team member John Whaling to the position of president. Whaling, a veteran in the fire-detection systems industry, served as executive vice president/director of sales for Protectowire since joining the firm in 1995. In his new and expanded role, he will oversee day-to-day operations of the firm’s global operations, including sales, manufacturing and distribution.
JE Dunn Construction recently announced the hiring of Lee Jarboe as director of business development for higher education, K-12 education and aviation. In her new role, Jarboe will head efforts to build long-term strategic relationships with clients in these markets. She has 14 years of construction industry experience, and is a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM).
Award-winning architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy of New York has elevated designer Ximena Rodriguez to partner. Rodriguez will retain her roles as principal and director of interior design, overseeing the firm’s quality and technical excellence in an interior design group of more than 20 professionals.
Hobbs+Black Architects has announced the promotion of Thomas (TJ) Chasty to vice president of its Phoenix office. Chasty first joined Hobbs+Black in 2004 and worked in the firm’s Ann Arbor, Mich., office for seven years before volunteering to move to Arizona to help launch Hobbs+Black’s Phoenix office in 2011.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees has named Virginia (Ginny) Arthur president of Metropolitan State University, effective July 1. Arthur has served as provost of Metropolitan State University since 2012. She co-chaired the university’s strategic planning process; forged new baccalaureate completion partnerships with metro area colleges; and created the Center for Faculty Development.
Amanda Owens, project architect in HDR’s Denver architecture office, was recently promoted to associate. Owens, who has been with HDR for five years, has worked on high-profile projects including the University of Colorado Hospital inpatient tower and Anschutz Cancer Pavilion expansion. She is currently working on an expansion of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building.
Edmund M. Einy, FAIA, has joined Taylor Design, a solutions-oriented architecture, environmental and strategies firm. Serving as firm-wide director of architecture based in the company’s Irvine, Calif., office, Einy brings more than three decades of design and leadership experience creating forward-thinking structures and collaborative partnerships in health care, academic, government and commercial industries.
Meena Krenek, IIDA, LEED AP, an associate principal and interior designer formerly with the Atlanta office of Perkins+Will, recently joined the firm’s New York office. Krenek spent 10 years with the Atlanta office, earning global recognition for her work on transformational interiors projects such as the IMG College Building in Atlanta. Prior to joining Perkins+Will, Krenek worked with both Gensler and Niles Bolton Associates.
