Four Promoted to Associate

We are proud to announce that four of our colleagues have been promoted with new appointments as associates in the firm. Each of these individuals has played a pivotal role in creating award-winning design, servicing our clients, and demonstrating their leadership both within and outside the firm. Mike has been working in the profession for over thirty years; Stan is leading some of the firm’s most dynamic implementation programs; Susan is managing multiple concurrent projects for large financial institutions; and Jef is defining the creative direction on projects in hospitality. Besides their contributions in architectural work, they bring meaning and tremendous value to the culture of collaboration at Bergmeyer. Many congratulations to Mike, Stan, Susan, and Jef!

Michael J. McGowan, AIA

In over thirty years as an architect, Mike has enjoyed working in the profession from both sides of the table – as the client and as the architectural consultant. He spent the early part of his career in New York City working for retail design firms. He moved to the client side and spent over twenty years with Talbots, serving as Director of Store Planning & Design. It was during this time that Mike worked with Bergmeyer as his design firm of choice; developing a long relationship which ultimately led him to join the firm. He is broadly experienced in all aspects of retail design and project delivery and his projects benefit from his results focused. Mike enjoys designing and collaborating, but especially mentoring emerging professionals in architecture.

Mike is an affordable housing advocate, serving since 2008 as President of the Board for Housing Solutions for Southeastern Massachusetts, a regional housing agency serving Plymouth and Bristol Counties with affordable housing, rental assistance, housing related services and development consulting. In his spare time he can be found fly-fishing in many of the South Shore’s harbors, ponds, and rivers, or watching the Red Sox or Celtics. A resident of his hometown of Scituate, Mike and his wife have a son, who is an industrial designer and entrepreneur.

Mike holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Engineering from Wentworth in Boston.

Stan Kubinski

As a design leader of retail prototypes, and senior account manager on some of the firm’s most dynamic implementation programs, Stan collaborates with his clients and teams to capture the passion of each unique brand and translates that message into the physical environment. He has a vast portfolio of work and is familiar with an array of project types. His projects have been recognized with numerous design awards and he treats each client with a high level of service and dedication to create a successful outcome.

Stan is currently involved in leading and managing designs in Retail, Workplace, Restaurant concepts, and Commercial Development. His most recent project was a very personal one for the author Jeff Kinney, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Stan led a team at Bergmeyer that helped Jeff revitalize a small New England town center with a new multi-use building, christened 111 South Street, containing Jeff’s own independent bookstore, café and community center. The project is currently pursuing LEED Gold certification. This unique project has been featured in many major publications, as well as profiled on 60 Minutes, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Time Magazine, The New York Times and many other well-known syndicated shows.

From an early age, Stan had a passion for architecture and design and knew he would spend his career in the profession. To this day he still has his sixth grade essay his love for architecture. Born and raised in NYC, Stan then attended the Boston Architectural College, met his wife, and remained in Boston. As a competitive soccer coach for his town, and board member of the Parks and Recreation Department, you can usually find Stan and his family on the local fields at a soccer game.

Susan Twomey, AIA

Susan leads a team at Bergmeyer managing multiple concurrent retail projects for a large financial institution. Drawing from a diverse set of project types and project responsibilities, she approaches each project with the same philosophy; listen to the client, work with the entire team and deliver solutions that combine good design and efficient management to ensure success. Working with one of the largest retail clients at Bergmeyer, Susan employs this philosophy to carry out consistent solutions.

Growing up outside Chicago surely contributed to Susan’s love of good architecture. Now an avid traveler Susan enjoys visiting her favorite buildings around the world. She brings the same dedication to good design to the classroom where Susan has taught as a visiting critic and faculty member of the Boston Architectural College. She is a Registered Architect in MA, and a long standing member of the American Institute of Architecture, and the Boston Society of Architects.

Still an eternally optimistic Cubs fan, another Chicago influence, Susan hopes to be there to cheer when the team wins it all.

Jef Leon, AIA

As an Associate at Bergmeyer, Jef defines creative direction, manages project team delivery, and works closely with our client and project partners to identify added value propositions.

Jef comes to Bergmeyer with an extensive background in restaurant and hospitality design drawing from branding and consumer-experience based thinking. Motivated by his passion for practical yet inspired design, he serves as key advisor for food service projects and is Bergmeyer’s senior designer leading our growing hospitality sector.

Jef is a Registered Architect in Massachusetts, and a member of the Boston Society of Architects chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, the Massachusetts Lodging Association, and the Hospitality Network NEWH. Jef was also a thesis advisor and studio instructor at the New England School of Art & Design. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture with a minor from the School of Design.

Jef lives in Boston’s historic Back Bay with his wife, Laura. They share a passion for cooking, golf, and jogging together along Boston’s Charles River.