SMMA Announces 11 New Promotions

September 19, 2024

SMMA last week announced 11 new promotions, including five new Senior Associates and six new Associates. The promoted group is drawn from a wide range of services within SMMA including architecture, engineering, graphic design, interior design, and project management. Christine Fleming, Director of Human Resources, confirmed the promotions at an all-hands meeting.

Abe Brahmachari, Project Management      

Lucas Carriere, Architecture 

Thomas Faust, Architecture    

Lance Kubiak, Architecture

Yanmin Yi, Architecture

New Senior Associates

Abe Brahmachari, an architect and project manager, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Anybody who knows Abe can understand exactly why he’s being promoted,” said Jennifer Howe, Senior Vice President. “He’s been an absolutely critical part of our government group. When he joined SMMA he took on our NAVFAC client and also brought in our Massport client. Abe leads his teams with quiet confidence and humility, and is just a rock for many of our government projects.”

Lucas Carriere, an architect, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Lucas joined us last year and has had immediate impact to the projects he touches,” said Nick Koulbanis, Vice President. “His has an uncanny ability to contribute at multiple levels to his project teams and mentor young designers throughout the firm.”

Thomas Faust, an architect, was promoted to Senior Associate. “The one word I thought to describe Tom would be ‘courage’”, said Mike Kyes, Principal and Architecture Team Leader. “It's not just his ability to try what’s new and expand his knowledge base, but I think it’s really about a love for people. Tom has excelled in leading large project groups and is always thinking about how to improve our processes so that each member of the team is equipped and connected.”

Lance Kubiak, an architect, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Lance has such curiosity and a positive attitude in the face of all manner of challenges, whether technical or programmatic.” said Adrian Walters, Principal and Life Science Market Leader. “He’ll take on any design challenge and complete it with enthusiasm and to the greatest level of detail. As a colleague, his professionalism, leadership, team focus, critical thinking, and authenticity is greatly valued.”

Yanmin Yi, an architect, was promoted to Senior Associate. “Yanmin came from a background in conceptual design, and at SMMA she has shown herself an incredibly gifted technical architect and an anchor of what we need in our design projects.” said Kyes. “She may be quiet, but once you ask her for something, you realize she has so much to share. Yanmin has such an ingenuity and an innovative spirit, as well as a great amount of humility.”

Andrew Barros, Electrical Engineering

Michael Chmielewski, Structural Engineering

Hillary Dutton, Graphic Design

Cameron Leandri, Architecture

Jennifer Lyle, Interiors

Austin Santamaria, Accounting

New Associates

Andrew Barros, an electrical engineer, was promoted to Associate. “Andrew is a talented designer who is widely admired by his colleagues,” said Alex Masi, Principal. “He takes the lead in complex projects across a range of SMMA markets, from K-12 schools to government facilities. We’re thrilled that Andrew made the decision to rejoin SMMA after a brief period away—we realized first-hand just how much we missed him.”

Michael Chmielewski, a structural engineer, was promoted to Associate. “Mike is a great engineer and very easy to work with,” said Brett Wilkinson, Structural Engineering Team Lead. “He joined us three years ago and stepped into some of our biggest projects. Mike immediately won over clients thanks to his impressive skills, knowledge, and personable approach to everything he does. I am delighted that he is being recognized with this promotion.”

Hillary Dutton, a graphic designer, was promoted to Associate. “Hillary joined us in 2018 and quickly became an integral part of the marketing team, the graphic design group, and the firm as a whole,” said Ali Ucci, Graphic Design Manager. “Her skills span well beyond graphic design—she is always thinking about how all the pieces of design and user experience come together. She works towards the best design solution in mind and completely engages in whatever challenge is put in front of her.”

Cameron Leandri, an architect was promoted to Associate. “Cam epitomizes the ability to learn and to grow as a versatile design professional,” said Kyes. “He has worked on several projects in the K-12 market, and in each one he has asked to take on a different role in order to expand his expertise as a designer. He is driven by curiosity a desire to expand his skillset, not just as an architect but as a communicator and public speaker.”

Jennifer Lyle, an interior designer, was promoted to Associate. “Jen demonstrates outstanding skills, dedication, and quiet leadership each and every day”, said Marie Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President. “Her technical expertise and proactive approach sets a standard for excellence in our team. For those who haven’t worked with her, Jen tends to be very modest about her achievements, so I'm delighted she is getting the credit she deserves.”

Austin Santamaria, an accountant, was promoted to Associate. “To me, Austin represents professional excellence,” said Begum Koulbanis, Chief Financial Officer. “When he’s not busy being an exceptional project accountant, he’s providing technical support for our video marketing and painting physical 3D models with our designers. I can’t wait to see Austin’s career growth at SMMA—this is hopefully just the start.”