Celebrating Our Team: Employee Recognition

Our people are our greatest asset, and we believe in celebrating each team member’s journey and milestones. We’re proud to recognize the promotions, work anniversaries, and new hires that make up our team. Join us in celebrating the achievements and special moments that keep Desmone’s culture strong and connected.

Desmone Workaversaries

Celebrating work anniversaries is our way of honoring team members who have dedicated their talents and efforts to Desmone over the years. Thank you to everyone marking an anniversary this year—you make Desmone the dynamic and forward-thinking company we are today.

Chip Desmone – 38 years

Anthony Boyd – 25 years

Thea Manos – 22 years

Nancy Policicchio – 18 years

Eric Booth – 17 years

Travis Kreidler – 17 years

Brad Frankhouser – 17 years

Laura Luksik – 13 years

Jared Korchok – 12 years

Becky Lowe – 12 years

Jen Bee – 10 years

Jeff Michaelson – 10 years

Jake Heaton – 8 years

Josh Frick – 8 years

Kelsey Lewis – 8 years

John-Edward Porter – 7 years

Katelyn Walsh – 6 years

Angela Baehr – 6 years

Mike Zielachowski – 6 years

Travis Howard – 5 years

Ingrid LaMay – 4 years

Paul Becker – 3 years

Stuart Coppedge – 3 years

Courtney Schnitzer – 3 years

Alex Takacs – 3 years

Cathleen Matuzak – 2 years

Brian Gruendl – 3 years

Brittany Craig – 2 years

Amber Koriath – 2 years

Monica Blasko – 1 year

Emily Pietranton – 1 year

Danasia Nicholson – 1 year

Greyley Cook – 1 year

Erik Frantz – 1 year

Matt Albaugh – 1 year

Moving up!

Welcoming New Hires

We take pride in our growing team of talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives, energy, and expertise to our projects. Each new hire contributes to our shared mission of creating meaningful spaces that inspire and connect communities. Let’s introduce the newest additions to the Desmone team and celebrate their exciting journeys ahead!

Geoff Aiken – Regional Vice President

Haley Kafana – Designer I (Architectural)

Elena Moret – Designer I (Interiors)

Allison Faux – Designer I (Architectural)

Sidney Gandee – Designer I (Interiors)

Achievements Beyond the Office

At Desmone, we believe that the strength of our team extends far beyond the walls of our office. Our team members bring their passion, expertise, and leadership to a variety of associations and organizations, making meaningful contributions to the architectural community and beyond.

• AIA Women in Leadership Conference – Monica Blasko

  • Monica attended the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit this year after receiving a scholarship from AIA Pennsylvania. The summit provides leadership training and networking opportunities for women in architecture, helping them navigate professional challenges and drive change. The experience is designed to help women navigate leadership challenges, adapt to changing professional environments, and inspire impactful change​.

• AIA West Virginia, Executive Committee Chapter Secretary – John-Edward Porter

  • Next year, John will take on the role of Executive Committee Chapter Secretary for AIA West Virginia, overseeing the chapter’s official records and ensuring effective communication across the organization. His responsibilities include recording and preserving meeting minutes, issuing notices, and maintaining governance documents. Acting as the parliamentarian during meetings, John will interpret bylaws and provide procedural guidance to the board. His attention to detail and commitment to organization will support AIA West Virginia’s mission to advocate for architecture and foster professional growth within the field.

• AIA Leadership Institute Class – Cathleen Matuzak, Emily Pietranton & Brittany Craig

  • Cathleen, Emily and Brittany are members of the 2024-2025 Leadership Institute class, hosted by the Pittsburgh Architecture Foundation. This program is designed to cultivate leadership skills and foster meaningful community impact among emerging professionals in the AEC fields. Throughout the six-session series, they collaborate on real-world challenges alongside non-profit organizations, gaining insights into civic engagement, leadership strategies, and effective collaboration to drive regional change.

• NAIOP Pittsburgh Developing Leaders Board – Jake Heaton

  • Jake is set to take on the role of Vice Chair for the NAIOP Pittsburgh Developing Leaders group next year. In this capacity, he will help guide the organization’s efforts to engage and empower emerging professionals within the commercial real estate industry. Jake’s leadership will focus on fostering networking opportunities, educational events, and professional development initiatives, building on the group’s mission to cultivate future industry leaders. His vision and dedication are expected to contribute significantly to the group’s continued growth and impact in the Pittsburgh region.