MOBIUS LA 2009 PRESENTER BIOS (A-G)
Abdallah, Ohaji
Ohaji Abdallah - City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering
(Can Green Roofs Bloom In The Desert?)
BIO COMING SOON...
Abramson, Ric.
Ric. Abramson, AIA - Workplays Studio*architecture
(Think Small: Reconsidering the Size Matter)
Ric. Abramson founded his office, Workplays studio*architecture in 2003. A former Fulbright scholar in Italy and Visiting Artist at the American Academy in Rome, Mr. Abramson divides his time between professional practice, academic research, and community involvement. His practice focuses on creative residential projects, multi-unit housing, boutique urban infill and mixed-use developments. He has also held an academic appointment as a lecturer and studio critic at USC‚s School of Architecture since 1998. Ric. has served as a West Hollywood Public Facilities Commissioner, as Co-chair of the AIA/LA‚s Political Outreach Committee, and Chair of the W.H. Community Housing Corporation‚s Board of Directors working on realizing more affordable housing for those in need.
Adams, John
John Adams, AIA - Gensler
(The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences, JW Marriott at LA Live and Convention Center at LA Live: Design, Engineering and Construction of a 55 storey Condominium-Hotel)
A principal and leader within Gensler Los Angeles’s Buildings & Campuses group, John has spent the last 15 years as an architect, real estate strategist and planner. That experience has instilled in him a comprehensive understanding of large-scale urban mixed-use, redevelopment, corporate campus, and entertainment projects. His passion is leading large teams on complex projects that transform urban environments. John leverages his knowledge of urban design, construction and real estate development to help clients and communities. John’s recent project experience includes roles as design manager at 2000 Avenue of the Stars in Los Angeles’s Century City neighborhood and the 2-million-square-foot The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residences and JW Marriott at LA Live.
Anderton, Frances
Frances Anderton - KCRW
(Integrating Design and Technology: Performance as Paradigm)
Frances Anderton is an LA-based radio producer, moderator, and journalist specializing in issues related to architecture and design. She was educated as an architect in England. She writes for the New York Times and dwell Magazine, among other publications. She is the host of KCRW's Design and Architecture (DnA) program, as well as a producer of To the Point, hosted by Warren Olney.
Arnold, John H.
John H. Arnold, AIA - Killefer Flammang Architects
(Preservation design IS sustainability: Sustaining historical and environmental integrity in historic districts)
John Arnold, an Associate at Killefer Flammang Architects, has been a team member since 1999. Completing his Bachelor of Science degree in landscape design at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1986, he received his Master of Architecture degree from University of Washington, Seattle, in 1994. Interested in historic preservation and urban design, John was an early participant in KFA‚s involvement in Downtown Los Angeles‚ adaptive reuse movement, including the rehabilitation of the Pacific Electric Building and the Roosevelt Building. He now works on the design of new-construction multi-family housing, specializing in high-density urban infill and low-income/special needs projects. John is the board architect representative for the University Park HPOZ in Los Angeles.
Atkins, Jim
Jim Atkins, PE - Merlone Geier Partners
(From Beginning to End)
Jim Atkins is a managing director of the general partner entities of MGP and MGM. His primary responsibility is to serve as the project partner on mixed-use development projects, particularly those with a significant residential component. Mr. Atkins graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1988 with an undergraduate degree in civil engineering and currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles Central City Association, as well as the Board of Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc.
Ball, Rob
Rob Ball - Art Center Faculty
(Designstorm®: Taking Corporate America by Surprise)
BIO COMING SOON...
Bane, Thomas L.
Thomas L. Bane, PE - Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH)
(Below-Grade Waterproofing Fundamentals)
Thomas Bane specializes in designing and investigating below-grade and plaza waterproofing and is the lead engineer on many below-grade waterproofing projects in California. Mr. Bane is a licensed professional engineer in California.
Baratta, Michelle S.
Michelle S. Baratta - Lerch Bates, Inc.
(Vertical Transportation (Elevator) Design and Technology)
Michelle has been with Lerch Bates for over 20 years and in the industry for 30 years. Michelle has a strong background in office developments, hospitality projects, hospitals, convention centers and retail centers. She has experience in high rise projects such as the 50 story, 6000 room Project City Center in Las Vegas, the 20 story MTA headquarters building in downtown Los Angeles and The Grand California Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. In addition, she has experience with retail facilities such as South Coast Plaza, the Forum Shops and Downtown Disney. Currently, she is involved in several overseas projects such as the 50 story Sinosteel project in Tianjin China, the 52 story Kohinoor office tower in Mumbai India and the IBN Battuta retail/office/hotel project in Dubai.
Blumenfeld, Jane
Jane Blumenfeld - City of Los Angeles, Planning Department
(Think Small: Reconsidering the Size Matter)
Ms. Blumenfeld is a Principal City Planner with the City of Los Angeles with 30 years experience in the public and private sectors. She heads the City Planning Department’s Citywide Planning Division, where she oversees the development of new infill housing strategies, smart growth ordinances, the preservation of industrial lands, zoning to revitalize the LA River, green building regulations, Transit Oriented District plans, a new Bicycle Plan, and joint housing and school projects with the LA Unified School District. During her career, Ms. Blumenfeld has been a planner with a land use law practice and the Principal of her own planning firm. She also served as the Planning Advisor to the late Mayor Tom Bradley and Chief of Staff to former Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer. She received a Masters degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
Bornstein, Jesse
Jesse Bornstein, AIA - Jesse Bornstein architecture
(Sustainable Architectural Expression: Solar Design for the 21st Century)
Jesse Bornstein, AIA established Jesse Bornstein Architecture in 1993. He has designed many noteworthy projects throughout California. Starting in the early 1980s, as a student at UC Berkeley, Jesse has been exploring the interface of sustainable building systems and design esthetics. With such projects as GreenOn19 Sustainable Townhomes, the first green-built solar-powered multi-family project in Santa Monica, Jesse continues to lead the architecture field in fusing design and sustainable technologies. Jesse is the recipient of numerous awards, his work has been published extensively and he’s been a panelist, presenter and exhibitor for the AIA, UCLA, the Alt-Build Expo and Harvard University, where he received his MArch.
Bowin, Claire
Claire Bowin, AICP, LEED AP - City Planner, City of LA
(Parks Without Borders: Public Park Design Across Agencies, Boundaries and Systems)
Since joining the Los Angeles Department of City Planning Claire has participated in the development of the LA River Revitalization Master Plan (LARRMP) and the City‚s Green Building Program. Claire is currently coordinating the development of the LA River Improvement Overlay District, and the Cornfields/Arroyo Seco Specific Plan which are the first planning strategies to implement the goals of the LARRMP. A graduate of the University of Virginia‚s School of Architecture Claire‚s career has included a variety of disciplines including planning, design and community development.
Bulatewicz, Thomas F.
Thomas F. Bulatewicz, RA - Rainmaking Group
(Playing By the Rules Wins Second Place)
An energetic and motivated, results-oriented marketing architect with over three decades of experience as a rainmaker, executive coach and consultant. A proven track-record of developing and implementing successful business strategies and assisting design firms improve their practice in the areas of leadership development, overall organization and management, strategic planning, profitability, mergers and acquisitions, and ownership transition. Has a reputation for being an incurable networker, and is a frequent speaker at Building Industry Association Meetings and Conferences.
Chase, John
John Chase, Assoc. AIA - City of West Hollywood
(Can Green Roofs Bloom In The Desert?)
John Chase is the urban designer for the City of West Hollywood. He has written widely on urban design and architecture in articles and in books, the most recent being the second, 2008 edition of Everyday Urbanism from Monacelli Press, co-edited with Margaret Crawford and John Kaliski. His 2000 book "Glitter Stucco and Dumpster Diving" received a 2000 PEN nomination for Best Book in the Visual Arts.
Childers, Doug
Doug Childers, AIA - Morris Architects
(BIM, The Law, and The Revolution In Project Delivery)
BIO COMING SOON…
Cloke, Susan
Susan Cloke - Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission
(Parks Without Borders: Public Park Design Across Agencies, Boundaries and Systems)
BIO COMING SOON…
Dabbagh, Mehrdad
Mehrdad Dabbagh, LEED AP - Level
Deconstruction Uncovered
Dabbagh earned a Masters in Architecture at Southern California of Architecture (Sci-Arc), an Avant-Garde Architecture school where he graduated in the top five percent of his class. Prior to that, he was part of a team that won the Urban Design Competition at Cal State LA where he got his BA. Dabbagh recently completed the National Sustainable Building Advisor Program, a nine-month comprehensive training on the latest Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Strategies. He is an Associate AIA, member of The American Institute of Architecture (AIA), a LEED accredited professional and an active member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Durney, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Durney, LEED AP - KEMA Green
(Managing the LEED Documentation Process)
Elizabeth Durney, a senior green building consultant with KEMA Sustainable Buildings and Operations, facilitates eco-charrettes, manages rating system development and LEED documentation projects (including LEED-NC, CS, CI, ND and EB). Ms. Durney teaches educational seminars on green building, LEED, and climate change, managed the update to the GreenPoint Multifamily and Single Family Guidelines, Existing Homes and Climate Calculator projects for Build it Green. Ms. Durney is Vice President of the U.S. Green Building Council‚s Redwood Empire Chapter and is a member of the USGBC Pacific Regional Council. Ms Durney holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Macalester College.
Dusseault, Sarah
Sarah Dusseault - Senior Policy Advisor to Eric Garcetti, City of LA
(From Beginning to End)
As Senior Policy Advisor, Sarah helps Council President Garcetti develop policy initiatives on key issues including public safety, education, the environment, housing, and homelessness. She oversees the legislative policy staff.
Ebenkamp, Becky
Becky Ebenkamp - Brandweek
(Brand Experience: The Benefits of Integrated Design)
Becky Ebenkamp is senior editor for Adweek Media. For the last decade, she has served as the pop-cultural anthropologist and consumer trends analyst for Brandweek, and has covered such news beats as fashion, entertainment and guerrilla marketing for the magazine. A former graphic designer before she mysteriously emerged from college with a BA in journalism, Ebenkamp currently writes Brandweek’s Design page, which concentrates on packaging.
Falletta, Liz
Liz Falletta - Falletta Development
(Think Small: Reconsidering the Size Matter)
Liz Falletta is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Southern California with a joint appointment in the School of Policy, Planning, and Development and the School of Architecture. Ms. Falletta holds master's degrees in architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and in real estate development from USC. She has extensive teaching experience and has been an invited design critic at UCLA, Cal-Poly Pomona, SCI-Arc, Otis College of Art and Design, Woodbury University, University of Texas at Austin, and Iowa State University as well as the Technion in Israel. In addition to teaching, Ms. Falletta also runs a small real estate development firm focusing on the provision of middle market housing in central Los Angeles. In this capacity, she has both developed her own Small Lot Subdivision project and acted as a consultant to many others using the ordinance.
Farivar, Mehrdad
Mehrdad Farivar, FAIA, Esq. - Morris Polich & Purdy LLP
(The Owner-Architect Agreement: Nuts & Bolts - Magic Words & Phrases – Insurance)
Practicing attorney with extensive experience in the counseling and legal representation of architects and other design professionals. Also licensed architect (in California and the UK) with 17 years of international experience in the practice of architecture, including 10 years as the principal of his own architecture firm in Santa Monica.
Farris, Mike
Mike Farris - Lerch Bates, Inc.
(Vertical Transportation (Elevator) Design and Technology)
Mike has been with Lerch Bates for 21 years and in the industry for 25 years. He is the Lerch Bates Area Manager responsible for vertical transportation analysis and design. Mike has a strong background in office developments, hospitality projects, hospitals, convention centers and retail centers. He has experience in high rise projects such as the Cal Plaza I & II, Howard Hughes Center; Tom Bradley International Terminal, Eagles Stadium and MWD Headquarters.
Fisher, Frederick
Frederick Fisher, FAAR - Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects
(Marrying Art & Architecture: How the Perception of Place is Benefited by Site-Specific Art)
Frederick Fisher is an internationally recognized architect whose practice has specialized in art-related projects including museums, galleries, exhibition design, schools, studios and artist collaboration projects for over 27 years. Fred is a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, having been the 2007-08 recipient of the Franklin D. Israel Rome Prize in Architecture
Gehman, Daniel
Daniel Gehman, AIA, LEED AP - TCA (Thomas P. Cox: Architects)
(From Beginning to End)
Daniel’s work as a Principal with TCA is best illustrated through his experience as team leader for the design of several Los Angeles landmarks. Highlights include the historic Subway Terminal Building and 1100 Wilshire, both of which are adaptive re-use residential towers. He has also directed award-winning developments in Phoenix and Denver, and currently oversees the planning, design, and construction of more than 500 units on a full-block mixed-use redevelopment community in Little Tokyo. As TCA’s Director of Sustainability, Daniel is responsible for maintaining the overall level of green awareness across all projects, leading teams and persuading clients toward higher performance design. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry conferences, such as Multifamily Trends and Multi-Housing World. Daniel also writes regularly for trade publications and maintains a weekly blog on the apartment industry for multihousingnews.com.
Goldberg, Gail
Gail Goldberg, AICP - Department of City Planning, City of LA
(From Beginning to End)
As Director of the Los Angeles City Planning Department, Goldberg is responsible for organizing and directing the policies and planning activities of the City’s Planning Department. Those activities include the development, maintenance and implementation of all elements of the City’s General Plan as well as a range of other special zoning plans. Additional responsibilities include plan implementation measures, subdivisions and other controls.
Golden, Noah
Noah Golden - Golden Energy
(Sustainable Architectural Expression: Solar Design for the 21st Century)
Noah Golden is the founder of Golden Energy, a Southern California based contractor designing, selling and installing the finest in renewable energy systems and other energy efficient clean technologies. Golden Energy specializes in the ongoing refinement of the performance and aesthetics of real world renewable energy system design with a goal of balancing the practical and the idealistic, the cutting edge of verifiable system performance with the integration of beautiful, durable and imaginative design. Working with a wide range of residential and commercial clients to accomplish the complementary goals of energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, Golden Energy flexibly evolves client, site and project specific approaches for reducing the energy requirement of homes and businesses while integrating the best renewable energy systems.
Gradias, Sherall
Sherall Gradias - Dealey Renton & Associates
(The Owner-Architect Agreement: Nuts & Bolts - Magic Words & Phrases – Insurance)
BIO COMING SOON…
Griffith, Roy
Roy Griffith – Gehry Technologies, Inc.
(BIM, The Law, and The Revolution In Project Delivery)
Roy Griffith is Director of Corporate Development at Gehry Technologies, where he focuses on corporate strategy and new initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Griffith leads the Parametric Design and Risk Mitigation Practices that provide real estate developers with financial Building Information Models. Mr. Griffith was a project designer using Digital Project at Gehry Partners after studying with Frank Gehry. While under Gehry’s guidance, Mr. Griffith worked as Architectural Designer and 3D Coordinator for complex building projects such as the Grand Avenue Project, The Brooklyn Arena, and the Louis Vuitton Museum in Paris. Mr. Griffith worked as an investment banker prior to entering the architectural profession. He received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his M.Arch from Yale University.
Guiney, Russ
Russ Guiney - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
(Parks Without Borders: Public Park Design Across Agencies, Boundaries and Systems)
Russ Guiney has been Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation since 2005. He is responsible for 144 parks and 1,600 employees serving 17 million park visitors annually. He is an organizer of the annual Los Angeles County Parks Summit where the 88 cities, the County and other park and recreation providers work on issues such as Healthy Parks; Green Initiatives for Parks and collaborating on improving services to all residents. Prior to coming to the County, Mr. Guiney was with California State Parks, where he played a leadership role in the Governor's Urban Parks Initiative, resulting in the acquisition of three new State Parks in Los Angeles. While there he served on the Board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.