Interior design degree online

Maria R. Mendoza, IIDA, of Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, has been appointed to the New York State Board for Interior Design.

Mendoza is a senior associate at SHCA. She has been with the firm for nine years and currently serves as its director of resources. She has been involved with the board of the New York Chapter of International Interior Design. Association for the past four years.

Mendoza holds a B.S. in business from Atreneo De Manila University and an M.S. from the New York School of Interior Design.

IVI Environmental, Inc. announced that Gerard F. Vorbach, P.E., has been elevated to the position of principal.

Vorbach joined IVI in 1997 as vice president/department manager. Since then, he has spearheaded more than 2000 subsurface investigations and remediations nationwide.

Most recently, Vorbach was instrumental in developing a new bio-chemical remediation technology.

Insignia/ESG announced that Linda Cinelli has joined the firm's industrial service group as director.

Cinelli is a 14-year veteran of the real estate industry, with experience in leasing, marketing, acquisition, and development of commercial properties. Prior to joining Insignia/ESG, she served as a sales associate with the commercial and land division of Century 21 Worden & Green. While there, she represented such clients as First Industrial Realty, PNC Bank, and SJP Properties.

Cinelli holds a business degree from Rutgers University. She is a member of the National Association of Commercial Real Estate Executives, the Industrial Office Real Estate Brokers Association, the National Association of Industrial Office Professionals, and the International Council of Shopping Centers, as well as various other industry organizations.

Insignia/ESG announced that Jason Burger joined the firm's industrial services group as an associate.

Prior to joining Insignia/ESG, Burger was a commercial leasing and marketing specialist at Century 21 Worden & Green, where he was responsible for leasing assignments at several large industrial parks and developed a particular expertise in the self-storage market. He was also responsible for the design, implementation, and upkeep of online and conventional listings and marketing efforts for the firm.

Burger holds a B.A. in mechanical engineering from Hunterdon County PolyTech and has studied business and marketing at Raritan Valley Community College. He obtained his New Jersey realtor license from the New Jersey School of Real Estate.

The Kislak Company announced the appointment of Alan Retkinski as vice president of retail leasing. In his new position, Retkinski will handle the leasing and development of shopping centers and free standing retail businesses in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Previously, Retkinski served as a retail broker with Garrick-Aug Store Leasing. While there, he completed sales and leasing deals in the New Jersey area valued at approximately $10 million.

Retkinski holds an M.A. in talmudic law. He resides in Lakewood, N.J., with his wife and three children.

Gale & Wentworth, LLC announced the appointment of Charles D. Reid as senior vice president of construction for the company's Boston region. Reid will serve as project executive for One Lincoln Street, the 1.1 million SF new tower being built in Boston's financial district.

Prior to joining Gale & Wentworth, Reid spent 18 years with Tishman Speyer Properties, where he most recently served as senior director and partner. While at Tishman, he was responsible for developing such notable projects as Christie's headquarters at Rockefeller Center and the renovation of three major lobbies at Rockefeller Center.

Reid holds a B.A. in architecture from the University of Virginia and has completed graduate studies at Columbia University and New York University. He is a licensed architect in New York and Rhode Island.

Denholtz Associates announcement the appointment of Clifford B. Frish as counsel.

In his new position, Frish will specialize in leasing and general tenant matters.

Frish has more than 15 years of experience in real estate law. Prior to joining Denholtz, he was employed by Waters, McPherson, McNeill, where he concentrated on real estate transactions including financing, leasing, land use, and development.

Metropolitan Housing Partners, LLC announced that Elizabeth Meyer has joined the firm as vice president. In her new position, Meyer will be responsible for the firm's corporate and project-related marketing initiatives.

Prior to joining MHP, Meyer was vice president and director of account services for Len Dugow & Associates. While there, she served such clients as the Millenium Partners, the Gotham Organization, and Tishman Speyer Properties.

Meyer holds an M.A. in education with a concentration in urban education from Lesley University and a B.S. in communications from Emerson College. She is a licenses real estate salesperson in the state of New York and a member of the Association of Real Estate Women.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. announced that Bryce Blair has been appointed executive chairman of the firm's board of directors, effective January 1, 2002.

Currently, Blair serves as the president and CEO of AvalonBay Communities. In that position, he oversees overall company development, construction, property operations, and investment strategies. Prior to joining AvalonBay in 1998, Blair served as senior vice president of development, acquisition, and construction for Avalon Properties.

Blair holds an M.B.A. from the Harvard School of Business and a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of New Hampshire. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Real Estate Round Table.

Metropolitan Housing Partners announced that Andy Kwon has joined the firm as an associate. In his new position, Kwon will oversee all of the firm's financing and due diligence.

Previously, Kwon served as an analyst with Bear Steams' loan group. While there, he was responsible for underwriting floating rate transactions valued at more than $50 million.

Kwon holds a B.A. in economics from Duke University.

Ware Malcomb announced that Susan Alweil has joined the firm as senior project manager for the interior architecture and design group. In her new position, Alweil will manage a variety of interior design, tenant improvement, and facilities related projects. She will also handle various corporate client accounts.

Alweil has more than 20 years of experience in the interior design industry and has worked on a wide variety of projects, including office, entertainment, retail, and education. Prior to joining Ware Malcomb, she worked at the Environetics Group as senior project director and vice president.

Alweil received a B.S. in interior design from the University of Arizona and is a certified interior architect.

GVA Williams announce that the firm's senior managing director Robert B. Frankel has been appointed to the board of directors of the New York City chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association.

Frankel becomes GVA Williams' principal member on the 16-member board of BOMA New York. As the firm's senior managing director, he manages all third-party property management for its portfolio in the tristate region, including the administration of property, facilities, and construction projects.

Frankel is an executive board member of the 23rd Street Association, a management member of REBNY, and a member of NACORE.

Ware Malcomb announced that Richard Dachman, AIA, has joined the firm as project architect. In his new position, Dachman will manage healthcare and biotech manufacturing projects, as well as special use projects.

Dachman has more than 20 years of experience in the architecture and design industry. Prior to joining Ware Malcomb, he worked in facilities management at Professional Services Industries, Inc.

Dachman received an M.S. in architecture from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in physics from Kenyon College. He has been an active member of the American Institute of Architects and recently served as president of the California Architectural Foundation.

First Sterling Financial, Inc. announced the appointment of Maureen Catallo as vice president of acquisitions.

Prior to joining First Sterling, Catallo was an assistant treasurer in the commercial mortgage department of Apple Bank for Savings. While there, she originated and underwrote loans for multifamily properties.

Catallo holds a B.S. in civil engineering and an M.B.A. from Fordham University.