MARK DESIGN STUDIOS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities
- Site Inspector
Armand is a retired public school Director of Facilities and Chemical Engineer with extensive experience working with school construction projects. He is also a NYS Code Enforcement Official. Armand has a keen eye for detail and is very knowledgeable on public works contracts and prevailing wage projects.
Elly studied at SUNY Farmingdale and NYCTC for Architectural Technology. She had almost a decade of experience working with city agencies prior to joining MDS in 2016. Elly is a Senior Project Manager and has a personal interest in approaching architectural design combining classical design concepts with new technology. She enjoys spending her free time with her 7-year-old pembroke welsh corgi.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Project Manager
Fiona started working with us in September, 2021 as an Interior Design Intern and now is currently in the position of Assistant Project Manager. She has her BFA degree in Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She has a positive and can-do attitude that fits right into our busy firm. Her impressive 3D modeling skills have already contributed greatly to help our clients visualize their projects into reality.
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities
- Site Inspector
Frank is a retired public school Director of Facilities with vast experience in both public and private construction projects. Frank is an excellent craftsman and meticulous with knowledge of construction best practices, materials and methods.
Job Titles:
- Member of the MDS Team
- Vice President
- IIDA, ASID Vice President
Irene joined MDS in 2017 and was promoted to Director of Design shortly after. Irene holds a BFA in Interior Design and is a licensed and certified Interior Designer. She has experience in the architectural design field spanning almost two decades. Her areas of specialty include educational design, commercial and high-end residential.
Irene believes strongly in giving back to the architecture and design community by mentoring the next generation of designers. She holds professional memberships in IIDA, ASID, and IDEC. Irene is an adjunct professor at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) teaching Design Studios.
She has two daughters and is passionate about raising the bar of educational design so that children have an optimal environment to grow in. Being a professor, mother and designer, she has a unique perspective of how students learn, and how learning spaces should be utilized and designed to enhance learning and teaching.
In addition to overseeing all design aspects of every project, Irene also plays a pivotal role in MDS' operation and quality control to ensure every project's success. She enjoys long solo bike rides in her free time.
Irina has been working with MDS since 2019. She earned her Master's Degree in Architecture at the Technical University of Moldova in 2013. Irina is a fast-learner with an open-mind and has become an integral part of the MDS design and technical team. She is a driven Project Manager who is not afraid to take on challenging projects and helping clients to achieve their vision. Her ability to solve problems and finding new solutions in the fast-paced architectural design environment is an invaluable asset to MDS. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, swimming, solving puzzles and reading books.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Administrative Assistant for MDS
Jaime Kantro has been the Administrative Assistant for MDS since February, 2019. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a BA in Environmental Design, Policy and Planning. Jaime has worked in the A&E industry for years and loves seeing a project from start to finish. At home, when she is not busy with her dog Karma, Jaime enjoys knitting and listening to podcasts.
Jeffrey has been with MDS since 2005. He attended NYIT and is a top-notched 3D visualization artist. Jeffrey has one daughter, two dogs and a cat and enjoys historical fencing in his free time.
Job Titles:
- Project Architect
- RA Project Architect
Joy is a Project Architect and joined MDS in November, 2018. She graduated from Pratt Institute with a Bachelor of Architecture and obtained her RA licensure in New York State in 2006. Prior to joining MDS, she had 10 years of architectural experience with various types of projects from mixed-use retail/office complexes to corporate interiors, religious buildings, healthcare and residential housings.
Her diverse range of experience and her approach to treating each project uniquely has led her to become a successful Project Architect managing all phases of the project from conceptual design through construction administration. Joy has two lovely and energetic boys named Winston & Kaden, both of whom were born in London while she spent five amazing years doing campus ministry with her husband. Joy enjoys traveling and exploring different cities and cultures.
Job Titles:
- Project Architect
- RA Project Architect
Kristen Meyer, Project Architect, has been with Mark Design Studios since 2019 and has been a licensed Architect since 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami. In addition to Educational Design, she has past experience in Healthcare Design and Permit Expediting. When she's not busy running a 5k, planning her next globe-trotting adventure or reading up on obscure trivia, you can find her indulged in her relentless pursuit of the perfect grilled cheese. Her career ambition is to retire early and sail the globe on her yacht. Kristen aspires to continue to grow with MDS and embrace the mantle of construction manager.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Project Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the MDS Team
- President
- Principal
Michael is principal and founder of MDS. He founded MDS with a vision to transform the educational design landscape to enhance learning for every student. He was always in the forefront of design when he introduced the Fab Labs (Fabrication Labs), STEAM Rooms, open-concept multi-purpose and outdoor classrooms, innovative athletic facilities, and college-style cafeterias to various K-12 schools in Long Island.
Michael's motto has always been about building mutually trusting relationships with each client. With this trust, aspirations of what each client wants to achieve is limitless as ideas can flow and bounce around until the best solution is dreamt, found and built into reality. This is deeply instilled in MDS and transpired through each and every project.
Born in New York, Michael also spent time living in Florida and Paris. He is bilingual in Spanish. He has four sons and four pups, Chloe, Cassie, Lexi, and Daisy. In his down time, he loves spending time by the ocean.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Project Manager
Pasquale attended NYIT and graduated with a B.ARCH in 2018. He aspires to be a successful Project Manager and is studying for his ARE exams to achieve his dream of being a licensed architect. He spends his free time brushing up on 3D modeling and post-production skills.
Job Titles:
- Director of Architecture
- RA Director of Architecture
Tom attended New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and has worked with MDS since December, 2015. He is the Director of Architecture leading various projects, ensuring a quality and successful outcome.