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SLAM kicks off the 2024 year with 33 leadership promotions

Glastonbury, CT., January 17, 2024 – The S/L/A/M Collaborative has announced the promotion of new Principals and Shareholders, Associate Principals, Corporate Market Leaders, Senior Associates and Associates. The promotions bolster their key practice areas of healthcare, higher education, sports facilities, workplace planning, and construction services. The 33 promotions span across the firm’s 9 studios in Boston, Denver, Glastonbury, Iowa City, Orlando, Atlanta and Providence.

“As we embark on an exciting 2024, I’m proud to announce the promotion of 33 of our design leaders. Each one has helped champion the growth of SLAM across the US and drive forward our culture, client success, and the innovation of our award-winning work,” Greg Coles, President and Principal Architect of SLAM.

From left to right; Karen A. Parzych, Roderick L. Bouchard Jr, and Frederick C. Godbolt have been promoted to Principal & Shareholder.

Karen A. Parzych, AIA, joined SLAM in 2013. In addition to her Market Lead role on the G1 Studio Core Team, Karen serves as a Higher Education Market Leader, with expertise in Medical and Health Sciences Education programming and planning. She has led the design innovation of notable projects across the US including; Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, University of Minnesota, and Duquesne University. She continues to promote SLAM’s national Higher Education practice, growing the market and engaging new and existing clients. Karen holds a BArch degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and is a professional member of AIA, NCARB, the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).

Roderick L. Bouchard Jr. “Rick”, joined SLAM in 1994 and has over 30 years of industry experience leading the design and development of sports facilities at institutions such as Boston College, University of Tennessee, and Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. Rick serves on the G2 Studio Core Team as the Management Lead and is a Market Leader for SLAM’s Sports practice, with an emphasis on the northeast market. In this role Rick is responsible for promoting and advancing SLAM’s national Sports practice, while focusing on delivering enhanced fan amenities and top-notch performance spaces for athletes. Rick holds a BS in Architecture from Arizona State University, he is a licensed architect and is a member of CEFMA (Collegiate Events and Facilities Management Association).

Frederick C. Godbolt, AIA, LEED AP, joined SLAM in 2008 and serves as a project management lead for the Higher Education market. He’s been pivotal to key projects at Emory University, Georgia Southern University and University of Georgia. As Principal, Fred is responsible for promoting and growing SLAM’s Higher Education practice in the southeast and leading some of the firm’s key Higher Education projects. Fred holds a BS in Architecture from the University of Virginia and Master of Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology. Fred is a LEED Accredited Professional and a member of AIA and NOMA.

Paul Baldinger has been named Corporate Market Leader of SLAM’s Glastonbury, CT studio.

Paul Baldinger, AIA, Associate Principal, is based in SLAM’s Glastonbury, CT office. Paul has been with SLAM for 18 years and brings 35 years of professional experience and a wealth of knowledge to SLAM’s corporate core team. Paul’s expertise includes corporate office/workplace, industrial/warehouse design, mixed use planning/ urban design and corporate campus planning. His career is distinguished by his passion for design and involvement with complex projects. In this role Paul will be responsible for promoting SLAM in the marketplace, growing the corporate market and engaging clients. Paul also leads SLAM’s Pro Bono group completing projects like Connecticut Audubon, City of Refuge in Atlanta, and Runnemede Block in Philadelphia. He continues to identify opportunities for the firm to engage and give back to the communities SLAM serves.

From left to right: Nathan Bernier, Shane Clark, and Matthew Nelson have been promoted to Associate Principals.

Nathan Bernier, CPE, LEED AP, has been with SLAM Construction Services as an Estimator for 7 years with over 20 years of experience. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in construction management from Central Connecticut State University. 

Nathan is an individual who possesses a clear and dynamic mindset, driven by a deep determination to propel the construction industry forward. Over the course of the past seven years, Nate has exhibited remarkable growth within the construction department, playing a key role in the advancement of our Construction Services division. He consistently goes above and beyond, collaborating with fellow team members on various projects, constantly seeking opportunities to enhance the SLAM practice and refine building delivery methods for our valued clients. In addition to his architectural expertise, Nathan serves as an esteemed adjunct professor at Three Rivers Community College, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the development and betterment of the built environment.”

Shane Clark, AIA, has received numerous awards for design excellence in his 20 years in the field of architecture. He has worked on several different types of civil and government projects including educational, public safety and law enforcement, communications and emergency operations centers, and municipal and community centers.

Throughout Shane’s tenure, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, going above and beyond to mentor and inspire his colleagues. Shane serves as the Studio Core team design chair with a commitment and passion for design.  Shane’s hallmark is his attentive nature, making him an exceptional listener and a tremendous asset in fostering design solutions that align with our client’s needs.

Matthew Nelson, AIA, NCARB, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C, MBA, joined SLAM as a Project Manager in the Iowa City Studio in March 2020, after over 15 years of design consulting experience. Matt’s focus has been leading healthcare design teams for the last 15 years. As a registered architect, he demonstrates expertise by effectively leading various Health Care projects, including projects at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, University of Iowa, University of Rochester Medical Center and Fulton State Hospital. He is on the Mont Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission and participates in speaking nationally on Healthcare Design.

From top left row to bottom right row:
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Denver: Chris Brown, Denys VanRenen
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Glastonbury: Eric Caisse, David Kowalchik, Cynthia Reynolds, Richard Sears
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Iowa: Angela Kron, Hannah Roush

From top left row to bottom right row:
-Boston: Elise Hart;
-Denver: Tim Neely;
-Glastonbury: Ayca Ata, Paul Darasz, Alisa Harrison, Elizabeth Koenig, Michael Lombardi, Devin McManus, Ian Walsh;
-Iowa: Seda Cikmaz, Nora Holman, Sara Johnson, Daniel Vlach;
-Orlando: Christine Hall, Nhan Lieu, Yana Pierzchala;
-Providence: Brittany D’Oddio, Erica Patten

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About SLAM

The S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM) is a national multi-disciplinary design firm offering architecture, planning, interior design, landscape architecture, site planning, structural and civil engineering, pre-construction, with construction services offered throughout the New England region.  Our market focus is on education, healthcare, corporate, justice, and sports sectors. Our infinite drive to unlock and solve complex design problems renders creativity in design to enrich lives. SLAM has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Glastonbury, CT, Iowa City, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Providence.

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