EDUCATION
Steve Aluotto is the Market Sector Director for NK’s educational design group. As Principal-in-Charge for all educational projects, Steve brings 27 years of educational planning and design experience to each of his projects. He monitors and maintains the design team’s efforts, ensuring that all project milestones and deliverables are met. His responsibilities include staff forecasting, task assignments, and team coordination through all phases of the design and construction process. Steve is a member of NAIS, NJAIS, SCUP, ERAPPA, and EACUBO, and has conducted numerous workshops concerning educational planning and design on both the state and national level. He is President of the firm and a graduate of NJIT.
With a professional career spanning more than 24 years, Walter Kneis has developed expertise in public and private K-12 educational facilities. Walter’s project experience includes a new master plan for the Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, a fine and performing arts addition to Montclair Kimberley Academy, and a new Upper and Middle School Academic Center for Kent Place School. Walter is a Principal in the firm and Director of NK’s Project Operations group. He is a 1985 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Virginia Tech and holds an A.S. in Building Construction.
During Paul Drago’s 26 years of experience, he has developed an expertise from a wide range of higher education projects with a specific emphasis on high technology research laboratory projects. For Rutgers University, he completed the addition to the Cancer Research Center, the new Life Sciences Center on Rutgers Newark Campus, and the New Jersey Eco-Complex in Burlington County. Paul was Project Manager for the School of Public Health for UMDNJ and is currently managing the design of the Rutgers Business School. He is the Managing Principal of NK’s New York City office and is a graduate of City College of New York.
HEALTHCARE
Ben Lee manages NK’s Healthcare Design Sector. He is a Board-certified Healthcare Architect and throughout his 34 years of experience has demonstrated his expertise in healthcare strategic planning, operational assessment, and master facility planning. Ben designed the first ambulatory care center in New Jersey and is currently working with Bronx Lebanon Hospital on a new Ambulatory Care Center, Holy Name Hospital on a new Emergency Department, the Carrier Clinic on a campus master plan, and Nassau University Medical Center on a new 350-bed skilled nursing facility. His professional affiliations include: American Society of Hospital Engineers, American Hospital Association, Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Architects League, NJ Society of Architects, American Institute of Architects, and NJ Chapter of American Planning Association. Ben is a Partner in the firm and a graduate of Louisiana State University. He also has a Master's Degree in Management with a specialization in assisting clients with strategic business plans.
Suzanne Brown is a Board-certified Healthcare Architect with more than 18 years of specialized healthcare planning and design experience. Suzanne’s project experience ranges from small complex renovations to multi-million dollar hospital expansions. Prior to joining NK Architects in 1997, she was the Director of Construction at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center where she was responsible for all construction and renovation projects throughout the Medical Center and all satellite facilities. Suzanne is a graduate of NJIT and a licensed NJ Building Inspector, and serves on her town’s Board of Adjustment.
Walter Kneis has developed specific project expertise in the areas of rehabilitation-based healthcare. He is currently working on a new spinal cord injury center at VA Medical Centers in both Syracuse, NY and Milwaukee, WI. He has a 12-year relationship with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and recently completed a spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury center at their West Orange, NJ facility. Walter is a Principal in the firm and a 1985 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Virginia Tech. He also holds an A.S. in Building Construction.
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT
Throughout his 40 years of experience, Allen Kopelson has developed a special expertise in the design of multi-family housing. Through this experience, he has gained a reputation for developing fresh and creative approaches to housing design. From townhouses, condominiums or garden apartments, to mid-rise and high-rise buildings, his projects meet the needs of both the developer and the residents. Allen is a founding principal of NK Architects and currently serves as the firm’s CEO. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and received his Master's of Urban & Regional Planning from New York University.
Peter James is an Architect and Professional Planner and has expertise in master planning large, mixed-use urban revitalization projects, research laboratories, and academic buildings and has 35 years of experience. He is involved with all phases of project management including proposal writing and contract negotiations. Peter is currently involved with the planning and design of mixed-use, urban redevelopment projects throughout New Jersey. He is a Senior Associate in the firm and received his architectural degree from Kingston University, London. He is a member of the AIA, SCUP, and USGBC.
INTERIOR DESIGN
As Manager of NK’s Interior Design Group, David Kimzey brings 24 years of award-winning experience to each of his projects. David has developed an expertise in the planning and design of corporate, education, and healthcare interiors. Some of his recent projects include the new Business School for Rutgers University, renovations to Thomas Edison State College, Mercedes Benz of North America, Bronx Lebanon Hospital’s Pediatric Center, and the New York Blood Center. David is a graduate of the University of Idaho and serves as Director of the NJ City Center Chapter of the International Interior Design Association.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Mark von Bradsky is a Principal in the firm and has 24 years of experience in the structural engineering profession. His responsibilities include providing oversight of the production, management, and quality control for all work performed by the structural engineering department. He is responsible for client contact and development, proposal preparation, specification writing and structural design, and construction administration services. Mark has been involved in a variety of projects ranging from small renovations to new construction of large commercial, industrial, institutional, manufacturing, and residential facilities. He received his Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Steel Construction, and the American Concrete Institute.
Russell Sage is a Principal in the firm, and, along with Mark von Bradsky, manages NK’s structural engineering department. He has been Partner-in-Charge of structural engineering projects ranging in size from $1 million to $50 million. His expereince includes a wide range of projects including healthcare, educational, industrial, and commerial structures. Russ received his Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Masters of Science from Clarkson University.
