SMMA Announces 13 New Associates and Senior Associates

From top L-R: Helen Fantini, Mariana Hernandez, Anthony Jimenez, Bob Marshall, Aimee Schefano, Ali Ucci, Abe Brahmachari, Alison DeMaio, Ryan Glick, Sarah Long, Dahlia Roberts, Erik Vangsness, Wenyu Zhou. 

SMMA last week announced 13 new promotions, including six new Senior Associates and seven new Associates.

The promoted group is drawn from a wide range of services and specialisms within SMMA including architecture, interior design, MEP, landscape architecture, and project management.

Brian Lawlor, Executive Vice President, confirmed the promotions at a monthly all-hands meeting, praising “a wonderful group of candidates.” 

New Senior Associates

Helen Fantini, an architect and project manager, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Helen brings many years of experience in K-12 design and has seamlessly integrated into SMMA’s project management group in a very short time,” said Lorraine Finnegan, Vice President. “Her skills in leading complex K-12 projects are managed with a calm, confident temperament, which is encouraging to our clients and provides positive reinforcement for her teams." 

Mariana Hernandez, an architect, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Mariana has become one of our most valued Senior Project Architects,” said Alex Pitkin, Senior Vice President. “Her experience, particularly on K-12 projects, has been critical during the rapid technical evolution of our work, ranging from robust detailing to net zero design. She cares deeply about her team members and is committed to their personal and professional growth.” 

Anthony Jimenez, an electrical engineer, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Anthony has developed into a remarkably skilled engineer during his time at SMMA,” said Andrew Oldeman, Director of Engineering. “Clients and colleagues value him as a respected and sought-after team member. Anthony has also been a driving force behind the firm’s participation in the ACE Mentor Program, where he has proven to be an exceptional mentor, organizer, and fundraiser.” 

Bob Marshall, a plumbing and fire protection engineer, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Bob is a highly respected leader in the Plumbing and Fire Protection group and has been an important part of SMMA’s success over many years,” said Oldeman. “He is the definition of a team player: enthusiastic, reliable, responsive to all, and deeply committed to the growth and wellbeing of his colleagues.”  

Aimee Schefano, an interior designer, has been promoted to Senior Associate. “Aimee is an outstanding leader and mentor—not only in our Interiors group but firmwide and even outside of SMMA,” said Marie Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President. “Everything she does is about advancing the firm. Aimee’s contributions to design, collaboration, and her dedication to client experiences and successful projects are hugely appreciated.” 

Ali Ucci, a graphic designer, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Ali has been instrumental in creating and leading our environmental graphic design team at SMMA,” said Ryan Farias, Vice President. “She is an incredibly talented graphic designer who cares deeply about the firm and the people on her team. Ali has had such a positive and creative influence on the SMMA brand.” 

New Associates

Abe Brahmachari, an architect and project manager, was promoted to Associate. “Abe has become an integral member of our government team during his time at SMMA," said Jen Howe, Vice President. "His combined experience as an architect and as a project manager at Massport gives him a unique perspective on what our clients need. Abe's project skills combined with his pleasant, enthusiastic, and calming nature make him a pleasure to work with.” 

Alison DeMaio, an architect, was promoted to Associate. “Alison is the glue that holds our hard-working project teams together,” said Adrian Walters, Science and Technology Market Leader. “She brings a positive attitude, incredible work ethic, and ability to absorb enormous amounts of information correctly the first time. Alison has become an accomplished lab architect that the entire group depends on to develop and design complicated projects.” 

Ryan Glick, an architect, was promoted to Associate. “Ryan brings a growth mindset to all his projects and has been a consistent contributor throughout his time at SMMA,” said Michael Pardek, Vice President and Director of Design. “He continues to build his expertise across multiple disciplines and scales, tackling some of our most challenging projects. Ryan is a pleasure to work with and I see him as the ultimate teammate: inquisitive, highly collaborative, and skilled at his craft.” 

Sarah Long, an interior designer, was promoted to Associate. “Sarah is an absolute star performer in our K-12 market,” said Fitzgerald. “She always maintains a positive attitude, has a great level of technical knowledge and ability, and adds the right level of leadership when needed. Sarah is the exact type of person that younger staff should aspire to when they think of the Associate role at SMMA.” 

Dahlia Roberts, a lab designer, was promoted to Associate. “Dahlia has had an immense impact since joining our Science and Technology group,” said Walters. “Her initiative, leadership, curiosity, diligence, and genuine love of the sciences is contagious. She has become a hub for information and support and has contributed to SMMA being able to deliver an even higher level of service in this competitive market.” 

Erik Vangsness, a landscape architect, was promoted to Associate. “Erik’s dedication, tenacity, and strong technical abilities make him a perfect fit for our private and public interdisciplinary projects,” said Erin Prestileo, Director of Site Design. “His exacting attention to detail and professional curiosity is a tremendous asset not only to the Site group, but SMMA as a whole.” 

Wenyu Zhou, a mechanical engineer, was promoted to Associate. “Wenyu is simply a pleasure to work with,” said Oldeman. “She is passionate about her work and dedicates herself to learning and growing each day. Wenyu is well-prepared, organized, and excels during the most challenging circumstances of complex projects—even those that are beyond her experience.”