RTA Architects’ Principal Stuart Coppedge Elevated to the AIA College of Fellows
RTA Architects – an award-winning Colorado Springs-based architectural and interior design firm – proudly announces that Principal Stuart Coppedge has been elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architecture (AIA), the Institute’s highest membership honor. Coppedge and the rest of the 2018 Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony during the 2018 AIA Conference on Architecture in June in New York City, NY.
The Fellowship program was developed to recognize those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society, have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession, and who have had a national impact on the profession or the Institute. Only three percent of AIA members earn this distinction. Coppedge was specifically recognized in a category for “architects who have actively, efficiently, and cooperatively led the Institute over a sustained period of time and have gained widespread recognition for the results of their work.”
After serving as President of first AIA Colorado South and then AIA Colorado, Coppedge was elected to the AIA National Board of Directors, representing the six-state Western Mountain Region from 2012-2014. Most recently, Coppedge was elected to serve as AIA National Treasurer from 2016-2017.
In addition to his AIA leadership roles, Coppedge is extremely active in the Colorado Springs community. He chairs the Downtown Review Board and serves as board vice chair for both the Downtown Partnership and the Atlas Preparatory School. He leads RTA’s ongoing work at the Springs Rescue Mission, the Pikes Peak Summit Complex, and the William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
CBRE Promotes Chris Bodnar to Vice Chairman
CBRE announced this week that that Chris Bodnar and Lee Asher of its Healthcare Capital Markets Group have both been promoted to vice chairman — the highest title ranking among CBRE producers.
Denver-based Mr. Bodnar serves as partner and co-leader of the national practice dedicated to providing healthcare real estate investors with acquisition, disposition and debt, and equity recapitalization strategies across the continuum of care. This includes medical office buildings, specialized and general acute care, long-term acute care facilities, and other post-acute care operations.
“Our Healthcare Capital Markets Group, led by Chris and Lee, is one of the first within our industry to form a nationwide specialty practice focused on the healthcare investment sector. Today, thanks to Chris and Lee’s leadership, CBRE is the preeminent real estate advisor to the healthcare industry, completing more capital markets transactions than any other firm,” said Kevin Aussef, chief operating officer, CBRE Capital Markets.
Since founding CBRE’s Healthcare Capital Markets Group 11 years ago, the practice has executed more than $8 billion worth of assignments, equating to over 40 million square feet of commercial assets. In 2017 alone, the group was responsible for the disposition of 140 medical facilities, totaling over 7.8 million square feet of healthcare real estate, with a value of $2.6 billion.
Mr. Bodnar, who founded the Healthcare Capital Markets Group in 2006 at the age of 24, is the second youngest in CBRE’s history to achieve the title of vice chairman. In 2012, he became the youngest member invited to join CBRE’s Global Capital Markets Leadership Committee. Most recently, Mr. Bodnar was named to Real Estate Forum’s 2017 National 50 Under 40, recognizing his outstanding leadership among his industry peers.
MEP Engineering Welcomes New Employees
MEP Engineering is pleased to welcome three new employees to the firm. Kristy Wyche joins as an accounts receivable and recruiting coordinator, Lauren Richey joins as a marketing specialist, and JJ Martinez has joined the firm as a drafter.
As MEP’s Accounts Receivable and Recruiting Coordinator, Kristy brings a variety of skills and experience to the firm’s marketing team. She graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelors in Business Administration and Marketing,
Lauren graduated from the University of Tampa with a Bachelors in English and Journalism, working with multiple marketing agencies and the Tampa Tribune before finding her calling in the A/E/C industry.
JJ is pursuing an Architectural CAD certification at Arapahoe Community College, and has a Bachelors in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado Boulder. With two years of prior experience in Interior Design school, her Revit and basic CAD classes are what helped her make the decision to become a Drafter at MEP.
Saunders Construction Promotes David Martino to Chief Financial Officer
Saunders Construction, Inc., a leading construction manager and general contractor in Colorado, is proud to announce that David Martino has been promoted from vice president of finance to chief financial officer. A Colorado Certified Public Accountant and member of AICPA, Martino will bring to bear nearly 20 years of experience, including two years at Saunders Construction. In his new role, he will lead the accounting and finance departments for all wholly-owned entities of the Saunders organization to provide a full continuum of real estate and construction services.
“It is with great pleasure that we appoint David as chief financial officer at Saunders Construction,” said Greg Schmidt, president and CEO of Saunders. “David has done an exceptional job managing the accounting and finance aspects of our business, and we are confident that he will continue to lead these teams to success as CFO.”
Prior to joining Saunders Construction in 2016, Martino held the titles of vice president/controller, director of accounting, and senior audit associate in a variety of industries including public accounting, residential construction, resort, and oil and gas.
Martino holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Illinois State University. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Good Shepherd Catholic Church and School, and a committee member of Saunders’ Building Confidence in Kids charity program.
As Chief Financial Officer, Martino will continue to develop and lead Saunders’ accounting and finance department through employee empowerment and engagement. David Alberts, Saunders’ previous CFO, remains with the company in the role of senior vice president working on special projects and risk management functions.
“I am honored to serve as the CFO of Saunders, building upon the tremendous accounting and finance organization developed by David Alberts, and to draw upon my experience with growth-oriented companies to continue the success of Saunders as one of the most respected commercial builders in the Rocky Mountain Region.”
Headquartered in Englewood, Saunders Construction has more than 600 employees and is currently working on more than 30 projects, valued from $1 million to $150 million in construction costs, in Colorado as well as several other surrounding states.
American Institute of Architects Colorado Announces Two New Hires
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Colorado has recently hired two new staff members: Nikolaus Remus, AIA, as the government affairs manager and Megan Concannon as the education and programs manager.
Remus has more than ten years’ experience working as an architect at CTA Architects Engineers. Extensively involved with AIA Colorado, Remus has volunteered with the government affairs committee since 2013 and has testified on behalf of AIA at the State Capitol. As the government affairs manager, Remus will manage AIA Colorado’s local and state public policy initiatives and educate members on the value of advocacy. Originally from Twin Cities, Remus earned his B.S. in architecture from University of Minnesota and his Master of Architecture from University of Colorado Denver.
“Nikolaus has championed AIA Colorado efforts for many years as a member, and we are thrilled to add him to our full-time staff,” said Cathy Rosset, executive vice president & CEO of AIA Colorado. “His knowledge of advocacy combined with his experience as an architect make him perfect for this role.”
As the education and programs manager, Megan Concannon joins AIA Colorado with experience in event planning and education development. Most recently, Concannon served as the events and development director at Colorado Preservation, Inc., where she was responsible for planning the annual regional conference in addition to year-round programs. Prior to that, Concannon was the communications and events coordinator at Community Foundation of Northern Colorado.
Megan received a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Communications from Colorado State University.
“Megan’s background in nonprofits and program development will be a huge asset to our team,” said Rosset. “A large part of AIA Colorado’s work is offering continuing education, development programs and an annual statewide conference, so Megan’s skills will be crucial in supporting our architect members.”
