198th Edition – Zak World of Façades USA

This will be the 198th edition globally and the 7th edition in New York which will showcase sustainable innovations and challenges in the construction industry pertaining to the building envelope and will also display latest technological solutions.

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Speakers & Panelists

Nidhi Sekhar

Technology & Innovation Manager | Digital Development Lead, STV Inc.

Nidhi Sekhar is a Technology & Innovation Manager and Digital Development Lead at STV Inc. in New York City. Bringing a multidisciplinary perspective that spans architecture, structural design, and digital transformation, Nidhi is focused on advancing innovation within the AEC...

Carlo A. Scissura

Esq., President and CEO, New York Building Congress

Carlo A. Scissura, Esq. is President & CEO of the New York Building Congress, a role he has held since 2017. Under his leadership, the organization has seen record membership growth, expanded regional influence, and strengthened advocacy for infrastructure investment...

Susie Teal

Partner, COOKFOX

Susie Teal, AIA (Partner, COOKFOX Architects), manages the studio’s design strategy for proposals and new business opportunities. Her work focuses on sustainable biophilic design from the perspectives of environmental regeneration and supply chain transparency. She also leads the COOKFOX Mission...

Jennifer Sage

Partner, Sage and Coombe

Jennifer Sage has been practicing architecture for over three decades, working on a diverse range of public, private, and commercial projects. As one half of Sage and Coombe, their work has received numerous awards from the New York City and...

Yan Torres

Chief Estimator and Project Manager, PGNY

Yan Torres is PGNY Chief Estimator and Project Manager with over 20 Years of experience in the construction Industry. He oversees the exterior cladding projects. He is highly skilled in pre-construction design and value engineering and has outstanding relationships with...

Miguel Angel Maldonado

Principal, Beyer Blinder Belle

Miguel Angel Maldonado, AIA, is a principal at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners in New York City. A registered architect, he has led the design of complex civic, residential, and hospitality projects, with a particular focus on the expressive...

Christopher Steffens

Architectural Lighting Designer | Energy Modeler, HLB Lighting

Christopher Steffens brings a multidisciplinary perspective to lighting design, blending his MFA in lighting design with a foundation in engineering and product design. This fusion of art and science informs his approach to daylighting optimization, where he collaborates closely with...

Lee Brandt

Senior Principal, HLB Lighting

Lee Brandt is a Senior Princial at HLB Lighting New York Office with a strategic role that focuses on employee growth firmwide.. Lee brings a pragmatic, data-driven design approach with a focus on sustainable best practices. Lee’s over 20 year...

Leo Henke

Principal, Front

Leo Henke is a Principal at Front. Leo earned his Master’s degree in Architecture from Princeton University and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a licensed architect in New York and Texas and...

Veronica Quintero

Senior Associate Principal and Head of BIM, KPF

Veronica Quintero is a Senior Associate Principal and Head of BIM at KPF, part of the Global Design Technology team. Since 2019, she has led BIM implementation across global offices and integrated design technology tools into team workflows. She engages...

Hugh Trumbull

Principal, KPF

With over 35 years of experience, KPF Principal Hugh Trumbull, AIA, is distinguished by his dedication to architectural craft and the nuanced relationship between built form and urban space. Hugh’s approach is rooted in a rigorous investigation of materiality and...

Ben Haigh

Senior Director - Fire-Rated Division, McGrory Glass

With over two decades of experience in fire-rated glass, glazing, and assembly systems, Ben Haigh lends his expertise to McGrory Glass as Senior Director of the Fire-Rated Division. Providing superior service, continuing education, and specialized knowledge, his relationship-driven approach offers...

Victoria Ponce de Leon

Vice President, Principal, TYLin (Silman)

Victoria Ponce de Leon is an accomplished structural engineer who believes collaboration is key to solving a client’s challenges with integrated and creative solutions. Victoria has a strong commitment to public work. She enjoys working with teams on complex new...

Carmelo Guido Galante

Director of Design, Gualini

Carmelo Galante is the Director of Design and Engineering at Gualini, where he leads the development of innovative façade solutions across a range of high-profile projects. He brings extensive international expertise in façade engineering, gained through over ten years of...

Michael Lin

Design Director, Gensler

Michael Lin is a Design Director at Gensler, guiding projects from concept to construction with hands-on involvement through each phase. His portfolio spans ground-up developments and repositioning efforts across the commercial, residential, mixed-use, cultural, sciences, and healthcare sectors. Michael is...

Jonathan Taylor

Senior Associate, Higgins Quasebarth & Partners

Jonathan D. Taylor, an associate at Higgins, Quasebarth & Partners, is a graduate of Harvard College and the Historic Preservation program of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. His prize-winning thesis, Tapestry Brick Dwellings: The Emergence of...

Kevin Kim

Associate, SOCOTEC

Kevin Kim is a Professional Engineer with over 12 years of industry experience, including eight years at SOCOTEC, specializing in the investigation, restoration, and preservation of existing buildings. As part of SOCOTEC’s Existing Buildings department, he leads projects involving leak...

Diego Cuevas

VP Business Development USA, Onyx Solar

Diego Cuevas Gomez is Vice President of Business Development and Sales for North America at Onyx Solar. Diego earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance and a Master’s degree in Foreign Trade, graduating as valedictorian. He brings more...

Frank Mahan

Principal, Adaptive Reuse Practice Leader, SOM

Frank Mahan, a recognized leader in adaptive reuse, believes that architects can save embodied carbon while reviving our most cherished cultural landmarks. He begins projects with deep research in order to understand a building’s history before shaping its next life—a...

Andres Roncal

Senior Computational Designer, HKS

Andres Roncal is an architect and engineer turned developer specializing in machine learning, generative AI, and computational automation in the built environment. His work focuses on integrating data-driven processes, geometric rationalization, and AI-powered simulations to improve efficiency and interoperability in...

Rok Lee

Principal – Façades, DeSimone Consulting Engineering

Rok Lee, AIA, leads DeSimone’s global façade and building envelope practice, which includes façade design, restoration and forensics. He provides invaluable insight to DeSimone’s structural engineering and forensic consulting teams across project types, employing his expertise for new façade design,...

Hagen Scutt

Senior Vice President – Design Hudson Yards, The Related Companies

Hagen Scutt is a Senior Vice President of Design & Construction at the Related Companies where he leads the design process from concept through completion at Hudson Yards and other national markets, specializing in best in class, cutting edge placemaking....

Sean Og Coyle

Chief Commercial Officer, IG Masonry Support Systems

Sean Og Coyle, a qualified Mechanical Engineer, began his professional journey by joining the family business, Keystone Group, immediately after graduation. As the UK and Ireland’s largest manufacturer of steel lintels, the company provided him with a strong foundation in...

Breen Mahony

Director, Roger Ferris + Partners

Breen Mahony is a director at Roger Ferris + Partners. He has over 25 years of architectural experience, with a focus in higher education, mixed-use, commercial, and residential projects across the United States and abroad. Mr. Mahony’s extensive portfolio as...

David Kubik

Partner, BKSK Architects

David Kubik joined BKSK Architects in 2003 and was named Partner in 2018. He plays a strong role in the design of both institutional and development projects. For David, a successful building is both an expression of and an enhancement...

Todd Poisson

Partner, BKSK Architects

Todd Poisson’s work is distinguished by using contemporary design and construction technology to tell a building’s unique story, woven from clients’ goals and context. Todd’s work consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of these threads and a respect for end users’...

Paul Granger

Senior Project Architect, Selldorf

Paul Granger is a Senior Project Architect at Selldorf Architects. He has over 22 years of professional experience, including 13 years with Selldorf. He led the team’s day-to-day work on the Frick Collection for eight years from Schematic Design through...

Alfonso Oliva

Senior Manager DevRel AECO AI, NVIDIA

Alfonso Oliva is the AECO Industry AI Lead Developer Relations at NVIDIA, where he helps drive the adoption of AI and GPU technologies across design, construction, and infrastructure. With a PhD in AI-driven computational methods and over 20 years of...

Jun Schick Lee

Associate Principal - Façades & Envelopes, Hatfield Group Engineering

Jun brings comprehensive façade expertise shaped by his diverse roles as an architect, curtain wall contractor, and façade consultant. Having led façade projects from multiple industry perspectives, he offers a unique ability to integrate design intent with constructability. Jun specializes...

Luis Palacio

Design Director, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill

Luis Palacios is the AS+GG Design Director, focusing on sustainable design and sustainable communities, across multiple building typologies, he believes in a design approach that is derived from a process that emphasizes performative qualities specific to each project. His vision...

Maic Pannwitz

Senior Executive Vice President, sedak

Maic Pannwitz serves as Senior Executive Vice President of sedak inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the German-based glass manufacturer renowned for producing oversized and high-performance architectural glass. With a background in engineering and project management, Pannwitz has been instrumental in...

Gary Tongco

National Architectural Manager, ES Windows

With over 30 years of experience in the glass and glazing industry, Gary Tongco is a seasoned veteran who excels at driving sales growth and expanding market share. Throughout his career, Gary has built a reputation for his ability to...

Zach Craun

Associate Partner, CookFox

Zach Craun is an Associate Partner at COOKFOX Architects. His past projects include 150 Charles Street, the De La Salle Academy, 100 Vandam Street, several private residences in the Hamptons, a boutique commercial office building in the Miami Design District...

Justin D’Alessandro

National Architectural Manager, Vitro Architectural Glass

Justin D’Alessandro is a National Architectural Manager at Vitro Architectural Glass, driving façade specifications and partnering with New York City–based stakeholders for international project work. A graduate of The Catholic University of America’s School of Architecture, Justin works alongside Architects,...

Jamison Guest

Principal, Heintges

Jamison Guest, AIA, joined Heintges in 2007. He leads the technical design and construction administration of complex enclosure consulting projects in North America, Asia, and the Middle East. In collaboration with renowned architecture firms worldwide, his project portfolio includes a...

Eric Claeys

Founding Partner, Fassada Steel

Eric Claeys holds a degree as Civil Engineer in Construction from KU Leuven, Belgium, a degree in Industrial Engineering in Public Works from KU Leuven, Belgium, and graduated with a Master in Business Administration from the Vlerick Business School, Belgium....

Andrew Pries

Director of Innovation & Technical Sales, Boston Valley Terra Cotta

Andrew Pries, Technical Sales Director at Boston Valley Terra Cotta, holds a BS in Architecture from the University at Buffalo and a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. With a focus on design development and leveraging diverse fabrication...

Tobiasz Staszak

Area Manager North America, Reynaers Aluminium

Tobiasz Staszak is Area Manager North America at Reynaers Aluminum focused on developing a successful growing market. Having a background in the building industry for 14 years, gaining experience in technology, sales, and value proposition development. For the last 5...

Nathan McRae

Director, Snøhetta

Nathan studied art, architecture and business in Oregon, Copenhagen, and Rome. After graduating in 1996 from the University of Oregon, he worked for two years in Portland, Oregon before moving to New York City. Nathan joined Snøhetta in 2011. As...

Melissa Wong

Principal, Thornton Tomasetti

Melissa Wong joined the firm in 2005 and co-leads the New York Façade Practice. With a background in architecture, she leads the design and construction of façade and enclosure systems for a wide range of projects, including commercial, residential, cultural,...

Dan Reynolds

AI Leader, Walter P Moore

Dan Reynolds is the AI Leader at Walter P Moore and a structural engineer with expertise in specialty structures. After delivering numerous complex and high-profile projects, Dan now leads a pioneering team of engineers and AI developers reimagining how buildings...

Dean White

Regional Façade Sales Manager, Cosentino

Dean has a 30-year history in the building materials and construction industry ranging from quality management to senior sales management focused on the building envelope. His approach is solution based and consultative. Dean provides practical knowledge to help with design...

Andrew Black

Director of Product Development and Design, New Hudson Façades

Andrew Black is the Director of Product Development and Design for New Hudson Facades. Andrew’s 20-year career in the façade industry has covered a broad range of projects and areas of expertise. He began his career developing parametric 3D models...

Alberto Alarcon

Marketing Manager, Kuraray America

Alberto is the Global MC leader in the Advanced Interlayer Solutions Division of Kuraray; he is located in New York City and is responsible of the Global Marketing Communications and Americas Downstream Marketing . Alberto, through the Trosifol® and Sentryglas®...

Joseph Madaghiele

Associate, Thornton Tomasetti

Joseph has a background in Architecture specializing in building envelope design and consultation for both new and existing buildings. He has worked in multiple market sectors including small and large scale residential, cultural and institutional, commercial, and industrial projects. Jospeh...

Hugh Dutton

Founder & Director, Hugh Dutton Associés

Born in the UK in 1957 and raised in Jamaica, Hugh Dutton is the principal of Hugh Dutton Associates (HDA), a Paris-based design practice founded in 1995 that merges architecture, engineering, and art specializing in glass and lightweight structures. Trained...

Emir Pekdemir

Associate, Atelier Ten

Emir Pekdemir is an Associate with Atelier Ten and an expert in the firm’s Environmental Design and Energy Analysis practices. Emir leverages advanced building simulation tools to solve intricate building physics challenges encountered in complex designs. As an ASHRAE certified...

Sameer Kumar

Principal, Techne

Sameer Kumar is the Founder of Techne, a building enclosure design and consulting firm based in New York. With over 23 years of experience in the field of architectural facades, Sameer’s accomplishments represent a consistent pursuit of design excellence through...

John Ivanoff

Principal | Facades, Buro Happold

John Ivanoff joined Buro Happold’s Facades and Specialty Structures team in 2013 and has nearly 15 years of experience in the industry. John’s portfolio reflects his architectural design background and includes extensive experience working on residential and educational projects around...

Manan Raval

Partner - Façades & Envelopes, Hatfield Group Engineering

Manan Raval, PE is widely recognized as an industry expert in facade design and specialty glass systems. He has led facade engineering for complex buildings worldwide, among them high-profile arts institutions, residential developments, and mixed-use hubs. His areas of specialization...

Kate Kulpa

Associate Partner, Ennead Architects

Kathleen Kulpa AIA is an Associate Principal at Ennead Architects and a specialist in exterior façade design and curtainwall consulting. Her technical expertise has been integral to the development of many of Ennead’s large-scale projects from concept through construction, working...

Tali Mejicovsky

Associate Principal | Façade Engineering and Building Physics, Arup

Tali Mejicovsky is an Associate Principal at Arup in New York and Façade Skills Leader across four façade groups in the Americas (Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto). She has more than 20 years of façade experience around...

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