Gafcon, a program and construction management firm that provides efficiency and value added services for a wide range of private, public and education projects, announced the promotion of Josh Gaffen to vice president of client development. In this new role, Gaffen will spearhead client acquisition and engagement initiatives for the firm.
Guy Mehula was recently named president of Vanir Construction Management Inc. Mehula brings more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry. He previously headed up the global buildings division at Parsons and later was named president of the company’s Middle East Africa unit. Before that, he was chief facilities executive at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) where he led the second largest school construction program in the nation.
Dr. Alan Walker is the new president of Sierra Nevada College in Incline Village, Nev. Walker brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education to his new role, including eight years as the president of Upper Iowa University.
Award-winning mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm Mueller Associates of Baltimore announced that Steve Gillis, PE, has been named a vice president of the firm. Gillis has been with Mueller Associates since 1988 and has managed many of the firm’s major museum, higher education and corporate design projects.
Global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will recently appointed Jennifer Graham to the firm’s New York office as a senior project manager for the Corporate Interiors team. Graham brings more than 25 years of experience in design management to the role, along with an ability to lead teams on complex projects. As Senior Project Manager, she will manage commercial projects including new developments, interior fitouts and tenant improvements for various project types.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Construction on the UNC Charlotte campus is underway as students prepare to return for school in the fall. Approximately $70 million will be spent on more than a dozen projects throughout the next year.
New York-based architecture firm Francis Cauffman appointed Carol Karasek to principal, science and technology. Karasek is a practice leader with 35 years of experience in the programming, design and delivery of research and clinical facilities. She specializes in the design of academic medical centers that engage in translational research.
Susan Martin, Ph.D., has been named interim president of San Jose State University (SJSU) in San Jose, Calif. Martin, formerly president of Eastern Michigan University (EMU), brings extensive experience in managing large, diverse universities and will begin her duties at SJSU on Aug. 18. Prior to her tenure as EMU president, Martin served as the provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Michigan at Dearborn.
The Chicago office of architecture and design firm Perkins+Will announced the addition of a new director of higher education planning. Jessica Figenholtz will be involved in generating growth and exposure for the Chicago office’s higher education practice by engaging clients and ensuring the creation of innovative 21st century learning environments.
HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) Principal and Associate Vice President d’Andre Willis, AIA, LEED AP, has transferred to the Alexandria, Va., office to build new business opportunities for the firm’s growing Arts, Community and Higher Education (ACE) Practice Group in the Mid-Atlantic region. She previously was principal in HGA’s Milwaukee office, where she helped lead the ACE Practice Group for 17 years.
