Chicago-based Wight & Company, a multi-disciplinary architecture, engineering and construction firm, has announced that it has promoted Danielle Appello, AIA, LEED AP; Steve Shearer, RA, LEED AP; and Richard Van Zeyl, AIA, LEED AP to associate principals.
“These promotions are a testament to the talent, creativity and strategic thinking Danielle, Steve and Rich have brought to their work at Wight & Company, including some of our firm’s most high-profile projects,” said Jason Dwyer, AIA, LEED AP, president of design and construction at Wight & Company. “In their new roles, they’ll have an even greater impact on developing exceptional design solutions for our clients, as well as in mentoring and developing younger talent at Wight & Company.”
Appello has served as the design lead on projects in the civic, commercial, residential and higher education sectors since she joined Wight in 2015. Her thoughtful design approach results in architecture that inspires and strengthens communities. Her work on the new Will County Courthouse helped the firm win a national award from the AIA for the $215-million project. Previously an associate at SCB, Appello received her Master of Architecture from University of Michigan, and her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Shearer has applied his leadership and collaborative approach to Wight projects in the civic, commercial and education sectors. With a focus on forward-thinking design, he has contributed to some of the firm’s most recently celebrated school improvement projects, including the $136.6-million multi-phase renovation of Downers Grove North and South High Schools in Downers Grove, Ill., and the $25 million plan for the modernization of Aptakisic Tripp School District in Buffalo Grove, Ill. He began his architecture career at Wight & Company after earning his Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Working across a range of sectors, including residential, retail, office, recreation and education, Van Zeyl provides leadership for projects such as The University of Chicago’s new Student Wellness Center, as well as multiple mixed-use developments. He is known for his expertise in working with developers in the early stages of a project on the initial concept, site analysis and zoning phases. Prior to joining Wight in 2016, he was a director at Partners By Design. Van Zeyl received his Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
About Wight & Company:
Wight & Company, a top-tier leader in architecture, engineering and construction, celebrates 80 years of continuing passion to make a better world. Founded in 1939, the firm’s legacy is one of innovating ideas, technologies and responsible solutions ahead of their time. Wight disrupted the industry more than two decades ago with integrated design-led design-build services, promising design and delivery excellence at unprecedented savings of time and money. Wight was the first firm to receive Green Firm Certification from the Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI); designer for one of the first LEED® green building program pilot projects in the world to receive LEED Gold certification; and has completed more than 80 LEED-certified or LEED-registered projects. Today, Wight is a visionary and vibrant family of more than 180 design, engineering and construction specialists, each dedicated to creating meaningful impact in the world today and in perpetuity. For more information, visit wightco.com.
Danielle Appello
Richard Van Zeyl
Steve Shearer