MIMAR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- President and CEO of Mimar Ponte Mellor
Kal Bhatti is the President and CEO of Mimar Ponte Mellor (MPM), a full-service architectural-engineering firm based in Baltimore, MD, with an office in New York City, and an affiliate offices in Washington, DC. and Harrisburg, PA. Kal founded MPM in 1994, and soon secured projects with public universities, state and federal agencies, and private international firms, including the Department of General Services, the University of Maryland - College Park, The Maryland State Highway Administration, the Maryland Aviation Administration, and the US Veterans Administration. As his firm flourished, he expanded his its services to include engineering and graphic design. Today, MPM holds contracts with NAVFAC, USACOE, the US Veterans Administration, the Department of Justice, FBOP, the Federal Reserve Bank, Andrews Airport Base, GSA, the Department of Homeland Security, and numerous other state and federal agencies.
Kal Bhatti holds a Master's degree in Urban Design from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan. He has participated in continuing education seminars at Johns Hopkins and Harvard University, and is currently licensed as an architect in MD, DC, VA, VW, PA, GA, ME, NJ, NY, FL, DE, and Guam. He has over 34 years of experience in design and design management of facilities for institutional, commercial and residential clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States, and abroad. Prior to founding MPM, Kal worked with several notable international firms in the USA and abroad including: URS Corporation, HLM Design, Bechtel Corporation and Design International. In the last 16 years, under Kal's leadership, MPM has been awarded dozens of projects and Indefinite Quantity contracts. He provides hands-on project leadership, the primary purpose of which is to provide clients with an absolute assurance of his team's total commitment to the project's objectives.
Lynn Knight has been with MPM for over 9 years and manages all phases of the proposal-writing process as the Marketing Manager. She is also the main point of contact for teaming opportunities for present and future projects. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design from the Institute of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University, as well as an Associate of Arts Degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design from ITT Technical Institute.
In addition to being a registered architect, Vern is also a recognized educational facilities planner. The son of a superintendent and an art teacher, his career has been influenced by the business of education his entire life. His passion for both architect and education is reflected in his continuing education studies and includes active involvement with the American Institute of Architects Committee on Educational Design. For the past 30 years, Vern has been involved in over $1.0 Billion in educational project design and construction in the northeast region of the US. Every day, over 60,000 students attend a building he designed. Many of his current client relationships have spanned more than a decade (and some more than two decades). One superintendent commented, "Vern has always been quick to respond when we have requested service. He is here on site when needed and his ability to work with our facilities committee is commendable." A LEED™ accredited professional, his early career was rooted in the energy audits and retrofits of the late 70s and early 80s. Green design has always been an underlying parameter and not just a "buzz word". His extensive experience with sustainable design as well as the deeper knowledge of his clients' business models enables him to bring a realistic perspective of exactly when and how much "green" is appropriate for each architectural solution. Appointed by Governor Rendell, Vern acted as Chairman to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services Professional Services Selection Committee from 2005 until January 2011. He also has served on the Harrisburg City Planning Commission for the last 15 years, a position which makes him eminently sensitive to the pressures between the needs of municipalities, their governing bodies, community resources and political leadership. Vern is a licensed, instrument-rated private pilot - a passion he uses to extend his architectural practice and services. As a former Eagle Scout, he staunchly promotes the ethical practice of architecture.
Victor Chao has over 35 years of experience in architectural design and construction administration management related to commercial, institutional, industrial, and educational buildings, as well as with nursing homes, senior assisted living and residential projects. His experience represents a broad knowledge base in building systems, functions and design priorities. His experience spans from his own small practice, to being design principal for CHK for twelve years, five years for Design Collective Inc., and three years for Design Development Group. He has also developed concept design and managed design development and construction management for a $165 million project for the Baltimore Sun. Victor has also worked for construction contractors and developers. As a Construction Manager, his responsibilities included scheduling, coordination, cost control, quality control and overall project management