PARTNERS | PRINCIPALS | VIRGINIA OFFICE

Michael A. Kazan, APA, Principal in Charge

As the Principal responsible for the firm's planning and interior design practice, Mr. Kazan divides his time between Gruzen Samton's New York City and Alexandria, Virginia offices. He provides leadership for many of the firm's large scale public, institutional, and private sector projects across a broad range of facilities types. His areas of concentration include master planning, feasibility studies, interior design services for large-scale office installations, and facilities planning for educational, justice, and governmental clients. Over the course of his career, Mr. Kazan has developed a special expertise in campus development planning and has led many such efforts for universities and colleges throughout the New York region. His approach entails integrating urban design and campus planning principles as equal elements in the search for physical solutions.

Mr. Kazan has directed the Alexandria office since its inception in 1994. Focused on the public sector, notable projects have included the planning and interior design for the U.S Environmental Protection Agency National Headquarters, the District of Columbia's John Wilson Building, and a master plan for the DC Courts system. During the past eight years, Mr. Kazan has built a national reputation in an effort to implement environmentally appropriate design in public buildings and has worked closely with the EPA to promote its work through articles and conferences where he has been a frequent speaker.

Mr. Kazan graduated Cum Laude from New York Institute of Technology in 1971 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He then attended the Graduate School of Urban Design & Planning at Pratt Institute. Mr. Kazan has been with Gruzen Samton since 1975.

Peter C. Boccia, AIA, Associate Partner

As a registered architect, Mr. Boccia serves as a technical director and project manager for some of the Alexandria, Virginia office's major projects. He has over twenty years of professional experience and has been an active participant in a wide variety of projects and building types with an aggregate area of approximately three million square feet. Prior to working for Gruzen Samton, Mr. Boccia owned and operated his own design firm. In his capacity as technical director, he oversees the production or reviews all construction documentation produced by the Alexandria office. Mr. Boccia received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a member of The American Institute of Architects and is registered in Maryland, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

James Loucks, Associate Partner

Mr. Loucks serves as Office Director and Design Manager for the Alexandria, Virginia office. As such, Mr. Loucks provides administrative and managerial leadership in areas such as acquisition of office space, fit-out of premises, recruitment of staff, supervision of staff and control of daily operations for the firm. He plays an integral role in the development and implementation of the overall strategic plan and design goals and standards of major projects. He has simultaneously directed our design team's efforts for the consolidation, renovation and move-in of over one million square feet of office space in three major buildings in the Federal Triangle in Washington, DC. Mr. Loucks has over 15 years of experience in the Washington, DC-Metro area, with the last 12 years in project management. He has managed numerous projects that range from 50,000 to 400,000 square feet. As a project manager, he is also responsible for overall quality control of his projects. He reviews and approves all deliverables prior to issue. Mr. Loucks has received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Kansas, one in Industrial Design, and the other in Anthropology. He is also a member of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association.

Sue Bowers, ASID, Senior Associate

As a senior interior designer and master space programmer with over twenty-two years experience, Ms. Bowers has documented space requirements for more than 3 million SF of space and acted as Project Manager on 1.75 million SF of full service Interior Design projects. Her responsibilities have included facility programming, site survey and inventory, development of prototypical space layouts and standards, and analysis and documentation of special requirements. She brings to the team an in-depth knowledge of government projects and broad familiarity with government procurement, and planning, requirements. Ms. Bowers has multiple degrees including: Bachelors of Fine Arts, Cum Laude in Environmental Design, California College of Arts and Crafts; Master of Arts, Cum Laude in Administration, San Francisco State University; Master Arts, Cum Laude in Curriculum Development and Instruction, University of Chicago, 1969, and Bachelors of Arts, Cum Laude in Education , Berea College. She is a Licensed/Certified Interior Designer in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland and has held NCIDQ certification since 1983. Prior to her design career, Ms. Bowers spent twelve years as an educator. This experience gave her effective communication skills-- essential to the success of any project. She is actively involved in the Washington chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Illuminating Engineering Society.

Ira A. Goldfarb, AIA, Senior Associate

A Registered Architect, Mr. Goldfarb plays an active role for the firm as a programmer, planner, construction document reviewer, and on-site quality control representative. In a former role as a program manager/ management consultant he functioned a planner, programmer and as client representative, reviewing the work of other professional on large institutional projects. Mr. Goldfarb has over thirty years of architectural and planning expertise. He has authored numerous technical reports and comprehensive planning studies and has orally presented his work to a broad range of clients and management personnel. Mr. Goldfarb has worked on a wide range of projects in the D.C. Metro area for over a decade and is familiar with national and local codes. Mr. Goldfarb received his Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute and is a current member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and is an associate member of the Washington, DC Chapter.

Catherine Ballantyne

As a senior interior designer for Gruzen Samton, Mrs. Ballantyne has been responsible for varied aspects of many architectural interiors projects within the Washington metropolitan area. Mrs. Ballantyne is a licensed interior designer with over 30 years of experience on public and private projects. Prior to joining Gruzen Samton, Mrs. Ballantyne served as a principal in her own design firm, Ballantyne Design Associates. On the District of Columbia's John A. Wilson Building, she was responsible for programming, design, furniture and finishes specifications, as well as coordination and supervision of the final move-in of the District government offices. She has working knowledge of the "green" building concept. As a project designer for EPA's projects, she continues to provide services within the framework of the sustainable practice and green materials. Mrs. Ballantyne is a graduate of University of Texas, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics with an Interior Design Major, 1969. (Note that Interior Design was a Department in the School of Home Economics).

Vikki Herald

As the Marketing/Business Development representative in the Alexandria, Virginia office, Ms. Herald is responsible for implementing the firm’s strategic marketing plan, developing client relationships, and researching various avenues for future business opportunities. She prepares proposals, develops and coordinates teaming arrangements, and serves as a contact for all marketing inquiries. Ms. Herald has over eight years of marketing experience in the Washington-Metropolitan region.