Category: Team
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes Our New Public Safety Market Segment Leader, Pat McFeely!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is delighted to welcome Pat McFeely as our new Public Safety Market Segment Leader. Pat brings over three decades of experience in the Public Safety Market. His contributions will add to our dynamic team at SG!
Pat’s expertise will expand SG’s project delivery for facilities supporting Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS, 9-1-1 and Communications, Emergency Operations and other Mission Critical agencies. His primary responsibilities will include leading, operating, and growing our Public Safety Facilities sector. His capabilities include: defining the connection between facility and technology, site selection, building and site threat assessments, infrastructure and technology requirements, and ensuring the proper incorporation of technology and audio-visual systems into facility design.
Beyond Pat’s technical role, he will continue to support communications between our team and our clients, establishing and expanding our relationships within the community. He provides clear client interface, ensuring our design team meets the needs of each client’s vision. We at SG understand the value of client satisfaction, and Pat will continue to ensure a smooth interface.
With over thirty years of experience in the industry, Pat has served as an IT Director, an IT Infrastructure Manager, and an Enterprise Client Manager. One of his greatest accomplishments was partnering with FEMA on the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). CSEPP was one of the largest international efforts to eliminate large-scale deadly chemical weapons. As part of this effort, Pat assisted in the design and construction of multiple EOC/9-1-1 centers nationally, all of which were located within the plume range of the CSEPP facilities. These facilities were equipped with high-tech systems to provide effective communication between first responders and citizens.
SG welcomes Pat McFeely to the team! We are excited to leverage his expertise for your future Public Safety and Mission Critical projects!
SCHRADERGROUP Wishes You a Happy 2024!
In 2023, SCHRADERGROUP achieved numerous milestones, both as a group and with our clients. We’ve grown as a team, started and completed multiple projects, and become even more involved within our professional and personal communities. SCHRADERGROUP cannot succeed without the support of our friends, family, and clients, who drive us to create responsive, innovative, and sustainable projects.
SCHRADERGROUP extends our sincere gratitude to everyone for their support and partnership in 2023. We are excited about what 2024 holds, but first, we’d like to take a look back at the successes of 2023.
Check out SCHRADERGROUP’s year in review!
We’ve seen many great projects in 2023, from groundbreaking events to ribbon-cuttings! Below are a handful of the many projects we have created and contributed to this year.
Groundbreaking ceremonies are the perfect way to commemorate the first step in constructing new buildings. West Whiteland Township broke ground for its public works facility that will better serve the community. Reading School District also hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new STEM Academy. The school is designed to alleviate overcrowding and is set to open in August of 2025. Our most recent groundbreaking was for Phoenixville Area School District’s new elementary school in East Pikeland Township. The facility will house 700 students from grades 2-6, making it the first new elementary school in East Pikeland Township in decades.
Construction follows groundbreaking, and many of our projects have seen tremendous progress in 2023. Keith Valley Middle School has risen from the ground, with steel framework reaching new heights. West View Elementary School celebrated a topping-off milestone as the construction team installed the final steel beam on the school, signed by various community and faculty members. Great Valley School District also saw significant progress on its new 5/6 Center.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies often celebrate the completion of construction projects. In March of this year, Ben Franklin Middle School opened its doors to students and faculty of the Bristol Township School District. SCHRADERGROUP attended the Franklin County 911 Communication Center’s ribbon-cutting in North Carolina to celebrate the new facility. Also in North Carolina, Chatham County held a ribbon-cutting for the new Emergency Operations Center in Pittsboro.
Hazleton Area School District honored three new construction projects: the Hazleton Area Academy, the Cyber Academy, and the Arts and Humanities Academy. These academies will provide additional opportunities for Hazleton students. The Athletic Community Center in the Governor Mifflin School District was the site of a ribbon-cutting event that many attended. While the School District of Philadelphia’s Anne Frank School addition and renovations project was technically completed in 2022 SCHRADERGROUP recently had professional photos taken, showcasing the beauty and innovation of the updates.
2023 presented many opportunities for SCHRADERGROUP to get involved in the
community. From conferences to social events, we were reminded of the driving force behind our success: clients and community. Below is a recap of some of the events we attended this past year.
SCHRADERGROUP had the opportunity to attend and present at several conferences, including the A4LE Northeast Regional Conference where we were honored to present our Upper Merion Area High School project. We presented the same project at EdSpaces in Portland, Oregon. We also had the opportunity to showcase the Community College of Philadelphia’s new Career and Technology Center at the SCUP Regional Conference held in Philadelphia.
SCHRADERGROUP attended the 2023 Summit for Educational Leaders, the PASBO
Facilities, Transportation, and Safety Conference, the PASA PSBA School Leadership Conference, the DVASBO 4-County Business Manager Conference, and the A4LE LearningSCAPES Conference. On the Public Safety side, we exhibited at the 2023 IACP Conference in San Diego, CA.
We participate in many alumni and college events, including Career Fairs. We were fortunate to send SCHRADERGROUP members to several of their alma mater career fairs to recruit new faces. We strongly believe in mentorship, so we are always eager to onboard new interns from those events.
SCHRADERGROUP has received many honors throughout the year. Learning by Design featured the Upper Merion Area High School project on the cover of the Spring 2023 issue. Learning by Design’s Fall 2023 Awards of Excellence magazine named Keith Valley Middle School an Outstanding Project.
March of Dimes awarded PennDOT’s Regional Traffic Management Center its Alternative Delivery Project of the Year for its exceptional, unified flow during the design and construction process. The project also won an award from the Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter for the Excellence in Construction awards with Heim Construction. We at SCHRADERGROUP are grateful to have received this notoriety and support from the community that motivates us to keep creating highly respected projects.
Building Design + Construction also ranked their Giants 400, where SCHRADERGROUP ranked in several categories, including Top Architecture Engineering Firms. Toward the end of the year, AIA Pennsylvania recognized SCHRADERGROUP as an EPiC firm for the second year in a row, highlighting firms that strive to support emerging professionals. We sincerely thank these organizations for their recognition throughout this year.
SCHRADERGROUP has seen tremendous growth this year. We have welcomed many new faces and officially opened a larger regional office in Pittsburgh, PA. New members of the SG team include:
David Long, Project Architect
Kate McKenna, Architectural Designer
Craig Lucas, Project Architect
Colleen Deluca, Senior Interior Designer
Wiley Muck, Architectural Designer
Samantha Yaros, Architectural Designer
Sabrina Gonzalez, Interior Designer
Caitlyn Keomanyvong, Marketing Assistant
Thomas Wippenbeck, Regional Manager (Pittsburgh)
Doug Perry, Project Manager
Matt Wittemann, Principal of Sales and Marketing
Lauren Wilke, Marketing and Proposal Coordinator
Additionally, we have recognized and promoted several individuals based on their hard work and dedication. They include:
Harry Pettoni, Partner
Tom Forsberg, Partner
Devin Bradbury, Principal
Charlotte Stoudt, Associate
Eric Weiss, Associate
During the summer months, we worked alongside committed interns participating in our mentorship program. They included:
Wiley Muck, Temple University
Isaac Buxton, Philadelphia University
Allyson Everlof, Pennsylvania State University
Josh Pontell, Pennsylvania State University
Gianna DeLorenzo, Thomas Jefferson University
This past year has been great for us, our clients, and the community at large. We are very optimistic about 2024. SCHRADERGROUP is excited about a number of our projects, both in design and under construction. The new year will bring more conferences, fundraisers, and community events, providing opportunities to connect with our clients, friends, and colleagues. 2024 will bring even more internal expansion to SCHRADERGROUP through new hires. SCHRADERGROUP will continue to foster the relationships we have built over the years with our friends, families, clients, and colleagues. We could not do what we do without everyone’s support!
Have a safe, happy, and healthy 2024!
From all of us at:
Reimagining Oil City with Concrete 3D Printing
SCHRADERGROUP’s Architectural Designer, Dan Pawluczyk, was recently invited back to his alma mater Penn State University as a juror overseeing students presenting 3D concrete printing concepts. 3D concrete printing is a new branch of design, and many believe it is the future of affordable, sustainable housing and architecture at large. Dr. José Duarte, Stuckeman Chair in Design Innovation, leads efforts at Penn State to 3D print these structures.
Selina Pedi-Smith and her husband Don Smith sponsored the upper-level architecture studio class in their endeavors, striving to revitalize the once-booming town of Oil City, PA. The couple identified a plot of land for the students to conceptualize the future possibilities of the town. The town is abundant with natural resources, and the couple hopes to use 3D concrete printing to breathe life back into the area through tourism, employment, and of course: affordable housing.
3D concrete printing involves a large mixer, a machine, and a vision. The printing process is quick and affordable compared to traditional construction methods, and the students utilized the studio and tools Dan used during his time at Penn State to create various housing concepts on the plot in Oil City. The students presented mock-ups and concept designs to the panel for review. Dan was able to combine his experience from SCHRADERGROUP and expertise from Dr. Duarte’s class and provide helpful insight and feedback to the current students.
We at SCHRADERGROUP are excited to see our members succeed and are proud of Dan’s achievements. We are interested in the future of architecture, engineering, and design and the ways people create communities through these mediums. We are endlessly inspired by students paving the way for the future.
Photos c/o: Dan Pawluczyk
Governor Mifflin School District Celebrates New Athletic Community Center Opening
On Saturday, December 2, Governor Mifflin School District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil their new Governor Mifflin Athletic Community Center (GMACC). Designed by SCHRADERGROUP (SG), the 68,000 SF GMACC features state-of-the-art athletic spaces, middle and high school classrooms, and an abundance of amenities. Located in the heart of the existing secondary school campus, the GMACC is more than a sports arena; it is part of a comprehensive plan to address space needs at the middle and high school by converting former physical education spaces to next-generation learning environments.
This community facility will not only serve the Governor Mifflin students and staff, but will be available for community use. At the core of the facility is the main competition gymnasium complete with multi-level bleachers seating up to 2,000 people. The publicly accessible fitness room at the main floor level features gym equipment for people of all ages and skill levels. To support physical education and athletics, locker rooms with specialized equipment-drying amenities and team rooms have direct access to the adjacent sports fields. On the upper level, a track borders the perimeter of the main gymnasium, and this floor also includes the wrestling room, multipurpose room, and a classroom for health education. The new center boasts a state-of-the-art sports medicine training room with taping tables and ice baths for injury treatment. There is also a fully stocked concession stand for sporting events.
The GMACC was conceived by the community, for the community. SG facilitated a community workshop process that put vision into motion for not only the GMACC, but for the future of Governor Mifflin School District. This facility serves as a commitment to community engagement, health, and wellness. More than just a sports facility, it is an anchor for the community and a place where the School District’s services seamlessly integrate with public life. The residents and students now have a new facility to connect, participate in sports and group activities, and achieve personal fitness goals. We at SG are very pleased to have been part of this process and to see this vision materialize for the district.
To see more SG athletic projects, click here.
Reading School District Breaks Ground for New STEM Academy
On Monday, November 13th, Reading School District hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new High School STEM Academy. This milestone commemorates tangible construction progress for the facility while also celebrating years of dedicated design, programming, and planning. SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is honored to have seen this project from its inception through to this noteworthy achievement.
The Reading High School STEM Academy will provide learning opportunities for students from Reading High School to study specific STEM-related disciplines: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This school will enhance the opportunity for students who strive to one day pursue careers in those fields. The facility features specially designed STEM classrooms, tech education and science labs, and a media center. Additionally, there are unique common spaces that promote learning and socialization, from the auditorium that can transform into a dining hall, to the rooftop courtyard where the students can safely interact without the burden of vehicle traffic nearby. The academy is set to open in August of 2025 and will accommodate 1,000 students.
SG is grateful for the opportunity to work with the Reading School District to make this envisioned facility a reality. The new STEM academy will greatly impact the quality of education available to students in the City of Reading.
We at SG would like to extend our best wishes to the students, faculty, and administration of the district.
To see more of our K-12 projects, click here.
SCHRADERGROUP Gives Thanks
As we reflect on what we are thankful for, we at SCHRADERGROUP wish you a happy Thanksgiving! Your support motivates us throughout the year, and we thank you all for the opportunities to help you create innovative and sustainable solutions.
We are also thankful for the growth we have experienced and the milestones we have reached this year. With each opportunity, we are reminded of the driving force behind our success: collaboration with clients, colleagues, community, friends, and family.
At SCHRADERGROUP, we are truly grateful for the relationships we have built throughout the years. We wish you and yours a Thanksgiving filled with family and friends!
From all of us at:
SCHRADERGROUP Opens New Pittsburgh Regional Office
We are excited to announce that SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is opening a new regional office in Pittsburgh to replace the office space the team has been using. The change will accommodate the substantial growth we have experienced recently. With the construction of this new office space, SG can better serve the Pittsburgh region while expanding our expertise. Our seasoned professionals are excited to share in the creation and future of architectural projects.
SG has hired Thomas Wippenbeck as Regional Manager to assist and serve clients in western PA. Thomas brings over twenty-six years of experience in his field, overseeing projects in areas from client interviews and presentations to construction administration. Our Pittsburgh office is currently located on the North Shore and, when relocated to the Wexford area, will officially open on November 1st.
SCHRADERGROUP is currently seeking a talented Architectural Project Manager to oversee building design and construction in the Pittsburgh area. If you have a passion for project design, we want to hear from you!
Want to be a part of the SG team? We’re hiring! Learn more about our openings here.
SCHRADERGROUP’S Recent Growth and Promotions
Over this last year, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) has grown significantly and accomplished remarkable goals. Several of our team members demonstrated consistent dedication to SG and have advanced in their roles. We would like to highlight their accomplishments and want to recognize their contributions to the SG team.
SG’s Harry Pettoni and Tom Forsberg have advanced to Partners of the firm, alongside current Managing Partner, David Schrader. Harry has been a part of SG since 2013 and brings over twenty years of professional architectural and construction experience in the public, private, and education sectors. Tom has also been a part of SG since 2013 and, as a Structural Lead, holds more than three decades of expertise in the design and evaluation of masonry buildings and systems, forensic investigations, diagnostics, and problem resolution.
Devin Bradbury and new SG member Matt Wittemann are now Principals at SG. Devin joined SG in 2015 and brings his comprehensive professional experience, specializing in a variety of markets. Devin oversees all phases of design from schematics and site planning to construction documentation and administration. Devin has also become a leader in the office team management. Matt joined SG this year and has upwards of fifteen years in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors. His aptitude in client relationship management, sales, marketing, public relations, and strategic planning makes him an excellent addition to our team.
Our current SG Associates team, comprised of Dan D’Amico, Danielle Hoffer, and Regina Jean-Claude, is expanding. Charlotte Stoudt, Eric Weiss, and Thomas Wippenbeck are our newest Associates. Charlotte has been with SG since 2017 and, as the Interior Design Department leader, is an NCIDQ-certified designer with over twenty years of professional experience in numerous sectors. Eric has been with SG since 2013 and has many years of experience working with institutional and residential projects. Last but not least, Thomas has recently joined the SG team as a new hire and brings twenty-six years of experience working with a number of architectural firms, in addition to running his own practice.
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to SCHRADERGROUP. Here’s to many more successful years!
To learn more about the firm, please visit us here.
SCHRADERGROUP Welcomes Our Newest Marketing Coordinator to the Team!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is delighted to introduce the newest addition to our team! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Lauren Wilke as she joins our SG family!
Lauren Wilke
Marketing and Proposal Coordinator
Florida Gulf Coast University – Bachelor of Arts in English
Villanova University – Master of Arts in English & Communications
Lauren is a driven individual and recently earned her master’s in English at Villanova University with a concentration in marketing communications. She has over six years of experience in the marketing field and considerable hands-on agency experience. Lauren is passionate about language and the way we relate to and communicate with one another on a human level.
At SG, Lauren creates compelling content and derives much of her inspiration from storytelling. Her contributions revolve around proposals, digital content, and communication. Lauren recognizes the way a company tells its story is crucial to its success, so she draws on creative writing for lasting impact. Whether it’s a technical proposal or a celebratory blog post, Lauren captures the tone and spreads the word to further the SG vision.
Lauren is motivated by creativity, a talented team, and bettering her community. These characteristics align with SG’s people-focused mission, and in turn, help produce high-quality results. She admires SG’s projects from their inception to completion, and she respects the positive and sustainable impact SG has on the community.
“Communication and architecture are not so different; they both require basic building blocks that, when combined in a thoughtful way, create something beautiful.” –Lauren
Welcome, Lauren! We are excited to have you on board the SG team. We are eager to support you in your path to success.
Interested in working with us? Visit our Careers page to see what opportunities are available at SG here.
SCHRADERGROUP Recognized as an EPiC Firm by AIA Pennsylvania for the Second Year!
SCHRADERGROUP Recognized as an EPiC Firm by AIA Pennsylvania for the Second Year!
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is proud to announce that the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recognized our firm for the second year in a row, as we continue to support the development of emerging professionals in 2023.
The AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC) was established to improve the network, role, and impact of Emerging Professionals throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The committee distinguished SG for successfully supporting the emerging professionals on our staff and for demonstrating a commitment to the development of Pennsylvania’s emerging professionals.
We would like to thank the Pennsylvania AIA chapter, and we are honored to be included on this list of esteemed firms.
To learn more about joining SCHRADERGROUP click here.
