PASCAL ARCHITECTS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Design
Starting as an intern at Pascal Architects 12 years ago, Alessandra now serves as the Assistant Director of Design and Studio Director for the firm. She is passionate about collaborating with clients from the onset to understand their vision. Adept with Rhinoceros 3D, Maya, and AutoCAD, she combines her knowledge of interior and architectural design to bring this vision to life through three dimensional renderings.
While completing her degree from The Art Institute and earning her master's from the Pratt Institute in New York City she also spent time creating store design and window displays at Macy's. Today, she is most interested in creating experiences that tie the past to the future through historic architectural design and adaptive reuse projects. She has contributed to key projects at Pascal, including the restoration of the Lower Pontalba flanking Jackson Square, the Old President's House on LSU's campus, and the Ritz-Carlton.
Since 2017, Alton Ochsner Davis has fulfilled the role of Chief Operations Officer with Pascal Architects. Alton oversees the daily operations of the firm to keep projects delivered on time and on budget, building the core mission and values of the company into all facets of the organization's workflow. During his tenure with Pascal, Alton has played a key role in the completion of the historic renovation and adaptive reuse of the Southern Hotel Annex Building in Covington, LA, in addition to providing general architectural design services for the $8.2 million Tiger Stadium renovations and the historic restoration of the Old President's House on Louisiana State University's campus.
Prior to his position with Pascal Architects, Alton was the Director of Architecture for RCL Architecture in association with Richard C. Lambert Consultants for eight years, and he owned his own architecture firm in Connecticut where he served Fortune 500 clients across the East Coast and nationally. Alton received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and completed a Laboratory Design Studies program through Harvard University's School of Public Health.
After spending many years traveling the world as a boat captain and completing architecture projects around the country, Alton returned home to his roots in Louisiana to aid in the recovery of the city following Hurricane Katrina. His key contributions include the exterior and interior restoration of the New Orleans Lakefront Airport terminal building, as well as repairs and roof replacements for 11 schools in the New Orleans Recovery School District. Today, when he is not at work, you'll likely find Alton enjoying classic Cajun food, spending a weekend fishing in Jean Lafitte Park, tending to the tomatoes and bell peppers in his garden, or enjoying time with his companion and best friend, Pamela.
April joined Pascal Architects in April of 2019 as an Architectural Intern. Originally from Slidell, LA, she proudly kept to her Louisiana roots by attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to earn her Bachelors in Architecture. Prior to joining the team, she completed an internship at KVA Architecture and has experience working on residential, commercial, and school board projects.
April's skills include professional drafting of construction documents and 3D modeling, and she is excited to start working on projects with Pascal Architects as part of the company's dedication to training the next generation of architects. A lifelong learner, April enjoys solving the complex problems that help preserve our region's architecture and impact the community. When April is not at work, she is most likely playing video games or airsoft.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Office Manager
Danielle Upshaw serves as Office Manager and Chief Financial Officer for the firm. Her tenure with Pascal Architects began 13 years ago when she worked closely with the firm during the Hurricane Katrina recovery as a document tech, taking photos and documenting damage in downtown New Orleans, including the Ritz-Carlton. Today, Danielle keeps the office running and handles just about every piece of paper that enters and leaves the office. She has watched the transformation of key projects like the Ritz-Carlton from the frontlines, building close relationships with clients and managing the day-to-day operations of the office.
For Danielle, the company culture is what sets Pascal apart. As a teaching firm, Danielle has marvelled at the interns who have grown and built their skill set through the firm's mentorship, turning those foundational skills into successful careers. From bringing her eight-year-old daughter to work when she is sick to enjoying time with coworkers on Fridays over cocktails and appetizers, the team at Pascal feels more like family.
Goran Jovanovic has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, completing successful projects in New York City and around the country. As Senior Project Manager, Goran spends much of his time in the field supervising and fulfilling construction documents, coordinating field staff, conducting investigative field analyses, and ensuring compliance during all stages of a project. With a particular passion for historic preservation, Goran also conducts historical research for the iconic buildings in the firm's portfolio of projects. This includes contributions to the exterior restoration of the Taj Hotel in Boston, MA, as well as the restoration of deteriorated exterior walls and the replacement of roofing and terrace waterproofing systems at 770 Park Avenue, a building designed by famed architect Rosario Candela. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Goran also worked on-site in New Orleans to help facilitate the exterior wall damage rehabilitation of the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans and Renaissance Pere Marquette.
Prior to his work in Manhattan and the United States, Goran attained his degree in both architecture and engineering from the University of Architecture, Civil Planning & Civil Engineering in Sarajevo, and worked in the construction industry around the world, including in Greece, Iraq, and Italy. When he is not working, he enjoys an active lifestyle, from mountain climbing on Mount Kilimanjaro to caving in Son Doong cave in Vietnam. Back at home, he has four children that keep him busy.
Jeff Lionnet joined Pascal Architects in 2016 as a Drafter/Studio Assistant and has since moved into an integral role as Construction Coordinator working on key projects for the firm. A graduate of ITT Technical Institute with a degree in Drafting and Computer Graphics, Jeff started his career doing drafting for the oil and gas industry-though he always had a desire to transition to the field of architecture.
During his time with Pascal Architects, he has contributed to the guest room renovations for the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, which included the interior renovation of 453 guest rooms and corridors on a tight schedule of 110 days, all while the hotel remained in operation. He also worked on the bathroom and corridor renovations at Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium.
Jeff was born and raised in Metairie, LA and is a proud alum of Brother Martin High School. When he is not at work, Jeff loves to spend time with his family and cheer on his kids during their sporting events.
Job Titles:
- Architect and Studio Director
Kimberly P. Nunez brings 24 years of architectural design experience to Pascal Architects with an emphasis on project management and general architectural design services. Since 2016, Kimberly has contributed to key projects with the firm, including renovations to the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans public venues and the renovation of the Tiger Stadium restroom facilities. A keen eye for details, Kimberly masterfully maintains quality control standards and coordinates with the firm's consultants, including engineers, interior designers, food service equipment designers, landscape architects, and other stakeholders.
Prior to joining Pascal Architects, Kimberly completed public bid work, including repairs to New Orleans Lakefront Airport for Orleans Parish Levee District following Hurricane Katrina and New School Campus' designs for the Saint Tammany Parish School Board. She also has extensive experience with design/build projects and construction management for multi-family development projects.
A graduate of Louisiana State University with her Bachelor of Architecture, Kimberly harnessed her passion for problem-solving and design from an early age, drawing houses by the time she was nine years old and taking her first drafting course in high school. Today, she advocates for women in the industry and serving as a mentor to young women getting their start in the field.
Job Titles:
- Senior Architect and Project Manager With
Knox H. Tumlin currently works as a Senior Architect and Project Manager with Pascal Architects after retiring from a 10 year tenure as Chief Operating Officer for the firm. Knox has played a crucial role in key projects, including architecture design for renovations to Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge and project management as assistant to the owners for project development coordination for the $60 million restoration of the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans.
As a teaching firm, Knox also works as a mentor for interns studying at LSU or Tulane University, guiding them through fundamental facets of planning and design and providing hands-on feedback for projects and creative development. In addition to his commitment to mentoring, Knox currently serves on the Louisiana Architectural Licensing Board. Based upon his experience working on the Louisiana State Fire Marshals Code Advisory Committee, he has an intimate knowledge of code requirements and is deeply committed to creating innovative designs that are not only functional and aesthetically harmonious, but also meet all Life Safety and operational code requirements set forth by the State and local code governing officials.
Prior to his work with Pascal, Knox served as the Administrator, Capital Projects, and City Architect for the City of New Orleans for more than 25 years and as a staff architect with local firms including Curtis & Davis Architects and Hayden Billes Architects. He served as an architect on the design team for the Louisiana Superdome and Design Team Captain for the University of New Orleans Lakefront Area. Born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Savannah, he has been a proud resident of New Orleans since attending and graduating from Tulane University in 1973.
Job Titles:
- Architect
- Vice Presidents & Director of Historic Preservation
Mark E. Anderson is a licensed architect with nearly 30 years of experience in the construction industry. As Vice President and Director of Historic Preservation, Mark has dedicated his attention to exterior preservation projects in New York, NY and the East Coast for a quarter of a century. His portfolio includes a specialization in the repair and maintenance of building facades, roofing, exterior elements, and water elements. Featured projects include the historic preservation and exterior wall rehabilitation of the terracotta-clad Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan, as well as the exterior forensic analysis and restoration of the McGraw Hill Building and the exterior restoration of 2 Fifth Avenue in Greenwich Village. He also contributed to the restoration of the terracotta and granite walls, windows, and copper mansard roof on the historic building at 90 West Street following damage attained during the September 11th attack. Mark is dedicated to the preservation, not only of the structural integrity of these landmark historic buildings in NYC but also to maintaining the original intent and purpose behind the design of buildings.
Mark attended The City College of New York for Architecture, in addition to Columbia University's specialized master's program for Historic Preservation. He is a licensed architect in eight states, and he represents the Staten Island Chapter of the American Institute of Architects on the board of directors for AIA New York State. As the founder of Westerleigh Talks, he organizes a monthly lecture series documenting the unique history of his hometown of Westerleigh, NY on the northwestern side of Staten Island. In addition to his vast architectural experience, Mark is also a skilled carpenter, fly fishing aficionado, and the father to three boys with his wife Nancy. When he is not at the office, he can most often be found hanging (safely) from the side of a building.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Founder
- President
P. Mark Culotta is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Pascal Architects. He is a licensed architect and contractor and serves as Principal Architect for all projects with the firm. A few of his key milestones include construction management for the $5.5 million restoration of the Cabildo building that houses the Louisiana State Museum on Jackson Square, architecture design for LSU's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, and architecture design for the $10 million conversion of the Iberville Suites to the Marriott Courtyard in downtown New Orleans.
In every project that the firm takes on, Mark believes in taking a proactive, practical approach to problem solving. The firm's commitment to full transparency is reflected in their dedication through every step in the design and implementation. Mark takes a hands-on approach and will be at the site overseeing its progress and keeping his clients fully informed. He is passionate about helping to preserve and restore the historic buildings that have helped to create the iconic identity of New Orleans and New York City.
Graduating from Louisiana State University in 1985, Mark started his career as a professor of architecture for LSU after working under A. Hay Towns. He then went to work for Buzzell and Associates, where he served as Project Designer and Manager before becoming partner at the firm. During this time, he developed designs for LensCrafters labs and Hahn Shoe Stores across the country.
He opened Pascal Architects in 1991 and continues his commitment to teaching by serving as a mentor to interns from both LSU and Tulane University. As a teaching firm, Pascal Architects is dedicated to helping to create the next generation of architects and creating accessible opportunities for students to gain comprehensive real-world experience across all aspects of the field of architecture. When Mark is not working, he can most often be found enjoying the outdoors, from fishing and hunting to cheering on the LSU Tigers baseball team with his wife Leslie and two daughters.
Rey Garcia has more than 22 years of experience in the construction industry, working as a Senior Project Manager for key projects in New York, NY and the East Coast. Rey is integral to the NYC office, spending much of his time out in the field coordinating meetings, overseeing and assessing projects, and supervising on-site teams. Over the last two decades, Rey has developed a specialized experience handling building envelope challenges, specifically in the areas of waterproofing and roofing assessment and repair.
He has contributed to key projects, including the forensic analysis and exterior restoration of the New Amsterdam Theater, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company, as well as contributing to the exterior restoration of the Belasco Theater in Midtown Manhattan and historic restoration and preservation of the Woolworth Building. To this day, Rey finds his work ever-changing and rewarding, and he is challenged to grow with each project the firm takes on.
Rey was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. He graduated from The City College of New York with his Bachelor of Science in Architecture as well as a secondary Bachelor of Architecture degree. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two teenage children, who keep him busy with a packed school schedule.
Job Titles:
- Engineer
- Licensed Engineer & Partner
Richard W. Lefever is a licensed engineer with over 30 years of professional experience in historic preservation and facade restoration. He works in partnership with Pascal Architects Founder and CEO, P. Mark Culotta, to provide strategic leadership at their office in New York, NY, in addition to specialized expertise in exterior restoration for the firm's projects in New Orleans, New York, and across the country. Richard has played an integral role in the adaptive reuse and historic restoration of the exterior of the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, which was once the celebrated Maison Blanche department store.
As President of Facade MD Architecture and Engineering PC, Richard has also worked on landmark buildings across Manhattan, such as the historic facade restoration at 2 Fifth Avenue in the Greenwich Village neighborhood, the historic preservation and exterior wall restoration of the iconic terracotta-clad Woolworth Building, and the exterior wall rehabilitation of the library and general assembly buildings of the United Nations complex. He also completed the restoration of the exterior and historic Mansard roof at 90 West Street, following damage to the building during the September 11th terrorist attacks. In addition to his prolific portfolio, Richard has applied his technical experience in the industry by providing expert testimony in court cases in New York and Florida.
From an early age, Richard developed a passion for history and knew that he wanted to find a way to combine elements of architecture, engineering, and historic preservation. After attaining his Engineering Degree from Lafayette College, he began working for Facade Maintenance Design in 1988. Just three years later, he started the process of purchasing the company in its entirety to make it an independent organization specializing in historic preservation and exterior restoration. Richard is also actively involved in professional development and industry organizations, leading trainings and sharing best practices among contractors and construction professionals. Outside of Richard's professional accomplishments, he stays busy cheering on his three children at sporting events, as well as volunteering for his church and voraciously reading history books.