Contact Us

People

Welcome to the BDA Family

For us, people matter most, and that starts with our people. We embrace the idea that our employees are our most valuable asset – any growth we achieve or expansion we attain is because of their hard work and dedication. In return, we strive to create a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere that inspires teamwork, collaboration and communication.

We recognize each individual of our firm not only for their professional expertise but for their unique personal talents. In fact, we encourage individual growth by offering a contribution towards any employee wishing to further their education or enhance their skills. We firmly believe that our success as a whole stems from your success as an individual, and we’re happy to do our part to help you grow.

Three offices, one spirit

Despite being spread across three offices, the BDA family functions as one unit. Technology makes it easy for us to stay in touch day-to-day, but we also encourage inter-office travel and host joint office outings like hiking trips, picnics and baseball games. As any family does, we come together for the holidays and together we celebrate our accomplishments both big and small.

Our People

Karen Andrews

Assoc. Director of Bethlehem Office

Damarys Vazquez-Bennett

Interior Designer

Amy Brakefield

Associate

Zach Chang

Project Designer

Alli Chinikaylo

Project Manager

Caitlin Christman

Interior Designer

Devon Clarke

Project Designer

Alicia Cressman

Project Manager

Chris Dewalt

Project Manager

Jennifer Fink

Director of Healthcare Planning

Don Flynn

President

Mark Frear

Project Coordinator

Rick Hammer

Project Manager

Alan Harris

Director of IT/BIM

Erin Kane

Marketing Coordinator

Allana Kapcsos

Project Manager

Reagan King-Hill

Project Manager

Tara Korjeski

Interior Designer

Tim Laboranti

Executive Vice President

Trynity Lehman

Project Designer

Joe Marcellus

Director of Design

Maura Meta

Project Architect

Nathan Nace

Director of Bethlehem Office

Kyle Onderko

Project Manager

Jenna Sabia

Director of Interior Design

Dave Sanders

Chairman

Josh Schneider

Associate

Justin Tagg

Project Manager

Doug Toye

Architectural Draftsman

Kim Walker

Director of Administrative Services

BDA in the Community

Our family spirit also extends beyond our office and spreads into the communities we inhabit. BDA’s mission of improving the way people live, work and heal is not limited to our professional endeavors. Throughout the year, we participate in multiple community service activities and fundraising opportunities including Canstruction in the Lehigh Valley, donating to the United Way, and sponsoring local families in need over the Christmas holidays.

As we said, people matter most, and watching our people help others is the most powerful and rewarding reminder of that.

Retired/Chairman Emeritus

Bill Burkavage

Founder/Chairman Emeritus

Sandi Walker

Administrative Professional

Always Available.
No Surprises.

Join our team

Do you want to join our family? We’re always looking to expand our team with talented architects and interior designers. If you want to create impactful designs with a collaborative group of people, please submit your resume and work samples.

Apply Today

Karen Andrews

Assoc. Director of Bethlehem Office

AIA, NCARB

Karen’s passion for architecture was sparked at a young age when her father took her to jobsites; there, she experienced the wonder of seeing spaces transformed by colors and textures. As a Registered Architect, she now has the pleasure of partnering with clients to create innovating experiences and inspiring spaces that exceed their expectations. Karen has over 10 years’ experience in healthcare design and she uses it to expertly lead teams in a collaborative process, the result of which is the successful completion of projects. As a proven leader and a partner in the firm, she strives to maintain our fun, respectful, family atmosphere and she believes that success comes from achieving true happiness both professionally and personally.

When she is not designing creative spaces, you can find Karen behind a camera, cooking up a new dish, or spending quality time outdoors with her husband and two young sons.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University

Damarys Vazquez-Bennett

Interior Designer

IIDA, ASID, IDLCPA

Growing up, Damarys did anything that would feed her creative mind, from baking, knitting with her grandmother, doing puzzles, and constantly rearranging the furniture in her small NY apartment in her teens.

She credits her creative abilities to her father as he designed and helped build his own home in Puerto Rico. She remembers, as a child, going to the construction site and visualizing the different living spaces and how they could flow together. She always loved discovering how she could make something out of nothing. However, it wasn’t until her senior year of college, while in a 3D modeling class, that she discovered that she wanted a career in interior design. Interior design not only allows her creative side to flourish, but she can meet new people and help them discover the potential of their space. She finds that success is about finding a solution to a problem that benefits the lives of others.

When Damarys is out of the office, she can be found painting, solving puzzles, and doing arts and crafts with her kids.

Education:

Master of Arts, Interior Design, Moore College of Arts & Design

Amy Brakefield

Associate

AIA, NCARB

Amy’s heart has always been in design. She was driven to architecture because it offers the opportunity to blend both the logical and the aesthetic in a way that facilitates the best solution for the challenge at hand. As a Registered Architect, she loves being able to share that passion and help clients solve their complex design challenges. As a project architect and project manager, Amy works on very diverse teams and develops solutions to design problems by valuing everyone’s unique input. She has extensive experience working with healthcare and education clients and finds success in exceeding clients’ expectations while meeting her personal goals on a daily basis. As a mother to a young daughter, she is passionate about setting a positive example through hard work and dedication, proving that women are capable of being highly successful professionals.

Outside the office, Amy enjoys renovating her home, spending time outdoors and enjoying quality time with her family.

Education:
Masters of Architecture, Roger Williams University
Bachelor of Architecture, Roger Williams University

Bill Burkavage

Founder/Chairman Emeritus

NCARB, LEED AP

Bill was drawn to architecture and engineering after being exposed to both professions through the family business, but he elected to study architecture after noting that the architects seemed to have “more fun” performing their work. However, he later returned to school to obtain his master’s degree in civil engineering, a move that allowed him to strike a unique balance between the two disciplines. As a registered architect, Bill served as a Principal in the firm for over thirty years and was instrumental in its development. His belief that the company’s employees should be treated as part of the Burkavage family inspired strong commitment from the staff and established the family-based culture that still persists today. Bill was, and still is, deeply involved in the mentoring and advancement of younger staff. In 2011, he orchestrated the seamless transition of the firm from a family-owned entity to one that is employee-owned, allowing the firm to carry on for generations to come.

Bill now spends the majority of his time enjoying his retirement. He cherishes his time spent with his grandchildren and traveling the world with his loving wife beside him.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Notre Dame
Master of Civil Engineering, Villanova University

Zach Chang

Project Designer

While in high school, Zach went on a mission trip to help rebuild homes after a hurricane ravaged the south. After spending a week repairing a water soaked kitchen, Zach was able to share in the owner’s joy and thankfulness and was happy that he was able to make a difference. After this experience, Zach decided that he wanted to pursue architecture, not just to create beautiful and functional things but to make things to help people and the community. Zach sees architecture as one of those subtle but necessary things – it impacts everyone, even when people don’t immediately realize it. “Architecture, to me, is being able to create spaces for people that, internally, are functional but creative while also providing pleasingly beautiful aesthetics for the community.”

Outside of the office, Zach enjoys spending time with family and friends, sketching and playing piano.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Roger Williams University
Master of Architecture, Roger Williams University

Alli Chinikaylo

Project Manager

AIA, LEED Green Assoc.

Alli was born with an inquisitive mind. As a child, she enjoyed building things and figuring out how things went together, like furniture and puzzles. She also enjoyed transformational television like HGTV and TLC and video games like the SIMS. Alli was initially interested in becoming an interior designer until her dad introduced her to the world of architecture. Being an engineer himself, he bought her a couple of books of house floor plans and she loved looking at them and translating these into her own designs. Alli is now a Registered Architect and her favorite aspect of the profession is problem solving. She likes to take space programs and turn them into functional floor plans that meet all of the client’s programmatic needs. Years later, she also still loves to figure out how things go together. Alli enjoys crafting complex details and wall sections to assure that all aspects of the projects work in harmony once constructed.

Outside the office, Alli enjoys playing the flute and spending time with her family. And her love for puzzles is still going strong!

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Philadelphia University

Caitlin Christman

Interior Designer

NCIDQ, CHID

Caitlin has always been creative. In her high school years, she was drawn to design and started taking drafting classes. She instantly felt at home and knew that interior design was her calling. As a Certified Interior Designer, Caitlin uses every project as a unique opportunity to match her creativity to the client’s expectations. She views design as a way to practically apply her skills to develop spaces that have a positive impact on people’s lives. Caitlin is very active in her professional community. She is heavily involved in the Let’s Build Construction Camp, a free annual summer camp for middle-school aged girls that want to explore careers in the construction profession. She also is a board member for the Interior Design Legislative Coalition of Pennsylvania (IDLCPA) which is actively pursuing licensure for PA’s interior design profession.

In her free time, Caitlin enjoys hiking with her husband and dogs, cooking and traveling.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, Philadelphia University

Devon Clarke

Project Designer

As an explorer in all aspects of the word, Devon stumbled upon the world of architecture and decided that it was one he wanted to explore as a career. He finds that he enjoys the process of learning through discovery, the challenge of testing multiple solutions and uncovering what works and what doesn’t to create the best possible outcome.

Devon loves the social aspect of the design world. With a history as an Eagle Scout,  a passion for music and a love of the outdoors, it’s no surprise that he thrives in team environments where collaboration and trust are the keys to success. From designers to draftsmen, engineers to builders, he believes that teamwork really does make the dream work – one person typically can’t do it all alone.

Outside of the office, Devon is pursuing his love for music by playing guitar and violin. He can also be found enjoying life outdoors by camping, hiking, and fishing. When he’s not playing music or outdoors, Devon can be found filling his free time updating his 1850’s farmhouse or tinkering with his tractors.

Education: Bachelor of Architecture, Marywood University

Alicia Cressman

Project Manager

LEED Green Assoc.

Alicia’s interest in architecture started early when she received a book featuring building sections as a child. Inspired by this, her early sketchbooks were filled with imaginative floor plans – it was only natural that she continue to follow her passion and become an architect. Alicia gets satisfaction from seeing projects through from conception to completion. Being highly organized, she successfully navigates the twists and turns of the design process and consistently delivers projects that not only enhance the working environment for staff but improve the experience for patients and their families. As someone who is deeply connected to her community, she embraces how architecture can be a transformative force. “I can watch an entire new building being constructed from the ground up, I can see all the ways the community will be impacted, and that makes me so proud.”

To further contribute her community spirit, Alicia serves as the secretary on the committee responsible for the Let’s Build Construction Camp, a free annual summer camp for middle-school aged girls that want to explore careers in the construction profession.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University

Chris Dewalt

Project Manager

RA, AIA

Chris’s journey to become an architect started in his early years with his love of Legos. As a child, he spent countless hours creating and building new things with the parts and pieces available to him. Now as a Registered Architect, Chris carries this love of building into his career. Being a born problem solver, Chris is drawn to the challenge of “solving the puzzle”. In design, many aspects often need to be fitted together to create the final solution – adding and subtracting, altering and renovating, or creating something completely new all factor into the process of developing the proposed plan. Completing a project that the client, contractor and design team can all be proud of provides him with fulfillment and satisfaction.

As a father, Chris has now passed his Lego collection on to his children and he helps them build fabulous structures any chance he can get.

Education:
Architectural Design and Drafting, Architectural History, Lehigh University
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design, Moravian College

Jennifer Fink

Director of Healthcare Planning

ACHE, CHID, EDAC, MBA, Lean Green Belt

Jennifer loved to do two things as a child – puzzles and sketches, mostly of buildings and floor plans. An avid artist, it wasn’t until attending a portfolio day event that she realized that these two passions could be combined into a career in Interior design. Now, as a certified interior designer, she continues to use her trusty childhood skills to help clients understand and address their challenges. Jennifer is someone who is passionate about the delivery of healthcare, even more so knowing how design can play a key part in its delivery.   Her goal is to create spaces that not only support patient care but facilitate family involvement and optimize staff satisfaction. She finds success in completing projects that are complex, involve a large amount of change or are innovative. The bigger the challenge, the more rewarding the solution is.

When Jennifer is not solving problems, she can be found spending time with her family, enjoying the outdoors and traveling to exotic destinations.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Interior Design, Moore College of Art & Design
Masters of Business Administration, DeSales University

Don Flynn

President

AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Don was drawn to architecture at a young age and was fascinated with how buildings were put together. Now, as a Registered Architect and Vice President of the firm, Don gets to do just that. Don’s every day focus is on client satisfaction and firm operations. In this role, he manages projects, maintains the overall project schedule for firm-wide activities and interacts with clients to assure they are getting quality service. He enjoys collaborating with creative people and his senior position in the firm allows him to mentor the staff and develop BDA’s next generation of leaders.

Outside of the office, you can find Don on the golf course or enjoying a local craft beer with friends.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Temple University

Mark Frear

Project Coordinator

Mark is a detail-oriented person who uses his strengths to full advantage as a Project Coordinator. Part of his job is overseeing our larger projects, keeping them on track from design through construction. He pulls the entire project together, making sure it follows all state and federal regulations – an easy task considering his vast code knowledge. Once design is complete, he oversees construction, quickly rectifying unforeseen issues and coordinating changes across all trades. Mark is well-versed in construction issues and has a knack for heading problems off before they become an issue in the field. His attention to detail and meticulously organized methodology ensures that each project transitions smoothly from start to finish, all to the benefit of the client.

Outside of work, Mark uses his skills to actively contribute to his community organizations. In his down time, he loves to go exploring and camping with his family.

Education:
Associate in Applied Science, Drafting & Design Technology, Johnson College of Technology

Rick Hammer

Project Manager

AIA, LEED AP, BD+C

Rick was drawn to architecture because it is one of the few professions that requires both creativity and logical problem solving in equal measure. As an architect, Rick believes that our lives are shaped in part by the spaces we inhabit and that good architecture can transform our lives for the better. He understands that design encompasses everything, extending from the overarching parti down to the smallest details, and that both play an equal role in bringing a space to life. He loves the fact that no day is ever the same, and each project is a unique problem to solve.  He excels at solving complex design problems to provide a space that meets the functional needs of the project without letting it limit the creative boundaries of the design.

Outside of the office, Rick enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Roger Williams University
Master of Architecture, Roger Williams University

Alan Harris

Director of IT/BIM

Al found his love of drafting and design while in high school, but it was while studying design in college that he stumbled upon his passion for technology. He embarked on a quest to figure out “how this all worked” and so he spent his free time taking computers apart and putting them back together again. Early in his career, Al was presented with the opportunity to marry his two loves and establish the electronic drafting platform that now serves as the backbone of BDA. To the rest of his coworkers, it’s no secret that Al is passionate about technology. It’s clear that he derives great satisfaction in tackling technology issues that make the team faster and stronger. Al enjoys watching a project go from the “napkin sketch” to the computer screen and eventually to real life and saying “I helped make that happen”. To him, this is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. Al is also dedicated to giving back and serves on the Johnson College Program Advisory Council for the Drafting & Design program.

When he’s not behind a computer, you can find Al camping with his family (including his three dogs) or traveling to his all-time favorite destination, Disney World.

Education:
Associate in Applied Science, Drafting & Design Technology, Johnson College of Technology

Erin Kane

Marketing Coordinator

Erin discovered her love for marketing in 7th grade when she created a marketing campaign for a class project which included a commercial that she could produce and edit herself. Since then, she has wanted to use her creative skills to inspire and motivate people through digital outlets.

As marketing coordinator, Erin enjoys managing the firm’s online presence, developing and organizing proposal content, taking final project pictures, writing project features, and assisting in various business development tasks. She is eager to learn more about architecture and gain knowledge that will help her in future challenges. Growing up involved in many team sports and activities, Erin feels at home at BDA, where collaboration and camaraderie are essential.

When Erin clocks out, you can find her doing something that satisfies her active lifestyle, like playing basketball, pickleball, walking Cooper (her dog), or hitting the slopes as a skier. She also enjoys participating in local trivia nights and traveling with her friends and boyfriend.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Digital Media, Marywood University

Allana Kapcsos

Project Manager

Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Allana’s lifelong passion for architecture sparked at a young age when she discovered her creative voice through a preschool program that championed art as a means of learning. This ignited her love for design, shaping her trajectory ever since. At BDA, her past experience in healthcare design brings a valuable perspective as she contributes to our healthcare sector. Her commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her work as she channels her passion towards animal rescue initiatives, organizations aiding special-needs dogs with prosthetics, childhood cancer research, and supporting the horses of the Bethlehem Mounted Police.

During her leisure time, you’ll find Allana relaxing at a beach, exploring local wineries, cheering for the Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers football teams, and cherishing moments with her family and Labrador retriever.

Education: 

Associate in Applied Science in Architecture, Northampton Community College

Bachelors of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University

Reagan King-Hill

Project Manager

AIA, LEED GA

Reagan’s passion for architecture was ignited during her formative years spent admiring the work of a family relative. Growing up, she found herself mesmerized by the intricate details and thoughtful designs of the homes he crafted, sparking her fascination with the art of spatial composition and environmental integration.

What gets Reagan up in the morning is her beloved son, Cael. Reagan and her husband are actively involved in planning their first fundraiser for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, demonstrating their commitment to giving back to the community. When she’s not immersed in architectural endeavors, Reagan can be found indulging in her love for the outdoors through hiking with her family, embarking on weekend road trips, or scouring thrift stores for midcentury modern furniture treasures. She also enjoys diving into books, exploring new recipes as she learns to cook Keto meals, and continually expanding her knowledge and interests.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Catholic University of America

Master of Architecture, Catholic University of America

Tara Korjeski

Interior Designer

Tara has always been drawn to the freedom of creativity. She was constantly exploring ways to craft the new and refurbish the old. Now as a professional interior designer, she capitalizes on this creativity daily. Tara’s favorite thing about being an interior designer is the design process itself.  Designers start with ideas and translate them into plans, drawings and finishes. Tara enjoys developing solutions using 2D and 3D technologies to create rendered images that give the client a clear visual picture of what their project will look like when built. She derives immense satisfaction in the reality of a design being completed and translating into a real-life space.

When Tara’s not in the office, she is pursuing her other passion, photography. You can often find her creating with her camera, usually capturing subjects such as babies, families or her dog.

Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Environmental & Interior Design, Syracuse University

Tim Laboranti

Executive Vice President

AIA, ACHA, NCARB, LEED AP

Tim always wanted to be an architect. Growing up, he was constantly building things – sketching houses and dreaming up new buildings. A natural born problem solver, Tim is happiest when he is leading clients through complex projects. He derives great satisfaction when he witnesses people’s reaction at a ribbon cutting and knows it all started with listening to the client’s needs and sketching an idea. Tim is the leader of the firm’s healthcare design studio and so he focuses the majority of his energy on healthcare design projects. In this role, he acts as a resource to his clients and colleagues. As a Registered Architect in three states and one of only seventeen architects in PA to be certified by the American College of Healthcare Architects, he strives to stay informed of regulation changes and emerging trends in the industry and communicates these as they emerge. Tim also enjoys developing and maintaining client relationships while he mentors the next generation of professionals within the office.

When he’s not working, Tim can be found cycling, boating and skiing. He also enjoys traveling with his family.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Drexel University

Trynity Lehman

Project Designer

Trynity is a creative, outgoing, and determined individual. Her motivation stems from a genuine desire to make people’s lives easier and offer assistance whenever possible. At BDA, Trynity assists our survey team and contributes at various stages in the design process.

When she’s not in the office, she enjoys supporting her grandmother with the Nippenose Valley Lions Club, organizing events to raise funds for those in need. Trynity can also be found fueling her creative side by making art and reading. Art has always played a significant role in her life, and she enjoys drawing and painting during her leisure time. Ever since she could hold a crayon in her hand, her parents always knew she’d be destined to be doing something creative.

Trynity is pursuing a Master’s in Interior Architecture at Marywood University while also being employed full-time, poised to expand her creative boundaries and leave an indelible mark on the architectural landscape.

Education: Bachelor of Architecture, Marywood University

Joe Marcellus

Director of Design

AIA

Joe always enjoyed putting things together. As a child, he would spend hours creating imaginative structures with toys like Legos. Today, as a Registered Architect, he approaches every project with that same unbridled creativity. He is passionate about solving the challenge at hand by leveraging his design knowledge to think outside of the box and develop innovative solutions for complex projects. In his role as Director of Design, Joe is instrumental in maintaining the firm’s design direction. He is also committed to mentoring his younger colleagues, guiding them on their professional journey. Joe enjoys working collaboratively with his clients and fellow design team members to make a project come to life. From idea to reality, he strives to make each project the best.

When he’s not working on projects, Joe enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing and is very active in the religious community.

Education:
Assoc. of Science in Architecture, Northampton Community College
Bachelor of Architecture, Syracuse University

Maura Meta

Project Architect

AIA

Maura has had an interest in the creative arts since the age of 4. After years spending most of her time drawing, painting or experimenting with any medium she could get her hands on, she knew that she needed to transform her passion into a career.

As a high school student, Maura took several architecture classes and decided that architecture was the perfect way to combine her talents with her desire to improve people’s lives through her creative efforts. Now as a project designer and rendering artist, she not only gets to create the details that make spaces functional but she also gets to translate them into an artistic visual that clearly portrays what a space will look like to clients. As Maura’s skills continue to develop, she aspires to lead her own projects, where she can play a hands-on role in creating a positive impact through her design work.

When she’s not drawing details, Maura enjoys painting, traveling and spending time with her close-knit group of family and friends.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University

Nathan Nace

Director of Bethlehem Office

AIA, NCARB

Nate always had a talent for visualizing an idea and translating it to paper by drawing a model. He was introduced to architecture at a young age when his father drafted a set of plans and constructed their first home. He found experiencing the process first hand to be inspiring. After spending six years in the U.S Marine Corps, Nate was able to return to his artistic roots and study architecture, eventually becoming a Registered Architect. Being a healthcare designer, he feels that one of the greatest benefits is being able to give back to the local community through successful projects and buildings. He enjoys helping people transform spaces into usable, functional environments, places that act as a sanctuary where people can live, work, and heal. Seeing the positive influence that a great space, room, or building has on a person’s well-being is a very profound gift Nate never takes for granted.

When Nate’s not designing, he can be found spending quality time with his family or outside hunting, fishing, and biking.

Education:
Assoc. of Science in Architecture, Northampton Community College
Bachelor of Architecture, Drexel University

Kyle Onderko

Project Manager

AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

When Kyle was young, he loved to draw and build. Wooden blocks, Lincoln Logs, Construx, Legos – he had them all and he would even mix and match as he experimented. Throughout high school and college, he continued to expand his love of building by working in the construction industry building houses. Yet, despite this experience, it wasn’t until he visited Paris, France and witnessed the extremes of magnitude and intricacy within the built environment that his decision to become an architect was sealed. Kyle strives to interject creativity into all of his projects. He enjoys developing something new by solving the puzzle presented. Kyle approaches every project knowing that each has a unique set of needs, constraints and ideas and he crafts solutions that exceed the expectations of the client.

When not managing projects, Kyle loves to travel and go to concerts. He is a huge fan of movies and music, but he also enjoys writing and photography.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University

Jenna Sabia

Director of Interior Design

CHID, IIDA, NCIDQ

Jenna grew up in a creative family, so she always knew she was destined for a profession in the arts. After investigating careers in professional arts fields, she discovered interior design and found that it was a perfect fit for her creative nature. As a certified interior designer, Jenna utilizes her skill set to design spaces that have a positive influence on the lives of those that inhabit them. She truly enjoys all aspects of the process, from the initial sketch to the ribbon cutting. She gains fulfillment from seeing her ideas and collaborations come to fruition. And while she thrives in the creative world, her favorite part of the process is building relationships. Working with clients and collaborating with design team members makes her exceedingly happy.

When not dreaming up new interior designs, Jenna enjoys spending time with her husband, children, extended family and network of friends.

Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture & Design, Marywood University
Masters of Arts, Studio Art/Concentration in Interior Design, Marywood University

Dave Sanders

Chairman

RA, LEED AP

Dave always had an active imagination and a desire to create something that others could use. While researching careers that would capitalize on his artistic abilities, Dave discovered architecture. It was a perfect match! Dave is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania and a LEED AP certified professional. He is highly skilled in the development of healthcare environments. He enjoys partnering with clients across all regions to assist them with their project goals, and his professional skills and wide-ranging expertise enable him to maintain strong, long-term relationships with them.

Embarking on a transformative journey in 1987, Dave has played a pivotal role in propelling BDA’s remarkable growth. His contributions started with an early elevation to the position of Director of Architecture, and he ultimately ascended to the role of President and CEO, steering the company with vision and expertise from 2011 to 2022. As he transitions into retirement and assumes the role of chairman at BDA, Dave’s focus is on developing and maintaining those client relationships as well as mentoring the next generation of professionals within the office. He derives great joy from witnessing his colleagues achieve their professional goals and he closely monitors and maintains the firm’s culture of family, community involvement and philanthropy.

When he’s not in the office, you can find Dave enjoying a broad spectrum of year-round outdoor activities.

Education:
Bachelor of Architecture, Pennsylvania State University

Josh Schneider

Associate

AIA

Josh has had a life-long interest in the complexity and design of buildings, an interest that started at an early age and continued on with the study of architecture in college. Now as a Registered Architect in both Pennsylvania and New York, Josh gets to design buildings every day for a living. Josh finds transforming spaces for the benefit of the public very satisfying. As a project manager, he approaches the unique challenges associated with every project in a highly organized manner and he enjoys the impact the final product provides for his clients. Yet, at the end of the day, Josh finds success in striking a balance between his career and his family.

In his personal life, Josh enjoys simplistic and hands-on pursuits: raising three wonderful children, tinkering with older cars, riding his motorcycle and working on his Victorian era home.

Education:
Associate of Applied Science, Architectural Design & Drafting, Johnson College of Technology

Justin Tagg

Project Manager

Associate AIA

Justin began building and drawing early in life, honing woodworking skills in his grandfather’s workshop and learning construction from his father. In a high school drafting class, he designed his first home which was later built by students from the local technical college. As a young adult, Justin added to these skills working as a contractor building and renovating homes, so when he returned to college, architecture was the natural choice. Justin finds architecture to be the perfect blend of creativity and logic and he loves solving problems through collaboration. He feels that if one person’s life has improved as a result of his actions, then he has succeeded. To describe his design philosophy, Justin simply offers this quote: “Architecture is basically a container of something.  I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea.” – Yoshio Taniguchi

Outside of work, Justin is a musician. He plays guitar, drums, and saxophone and is part of a 5-piece band that has a record in the works. He also likes riding his bike and playing golf.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, Lehigh University

Doug Toye

Architectural Draftsman

Doug is an integral member of the BDA project team. As an architectural draftsman, his contributions are critical to a project’s success and his work is literally the foundation that every project grows from. Often a member of the initial project survey team, Doug takes real life information and translates it into an electronic drawing file that serves as the base plan of the project. Inputting these surveys is one of his favorite aspects of the role – he is meticulously careful because he knows that a small mistake upfront can cost tens of thousands of dollars down the line. Doug is exceedingly reliable and is always willing to lend a hand if needed. He enjoys supporting his fellow colleagues and doing good work with a great group of people.

In his spare time, he volunteers with local charity running events and is a conscientious blood donor, donating over 16 gallons so far. Doug also enjoys spending time with his family and close group of friends.

Kim Walker

Director of Administrative Services

From a young age, Kim was drawn to activities that made her think, particularly reading books. She always challenged herself, taking full course loads, working multiple jobs and learning new hobbies.

Kim now gets to use that thinking power not only to solve problems but to use some creative flexibility in solving them. With no previous A/E/C background and various administrative, accounting, data entry and HR tasks on her to-do list, she is faced with a new set of challenges every day. She loves the variety and enjoys creating order out of all the chaos. Kim feels a real sense of accomplishment when she can create a solution to a problem or streamline a process to be more efficient. She defines success as personal satisfaction, the idea that every day is finished and every task checked off puts her one step closer to achieving her goals.

After hours, you can find Kim pursuing other passions like hiking, crafting, experimenting with food and traveling.  If you can’t reach her, she’s probably off-the-grid participating in an historical reenactment (specifically a medieval one) in a costume she designed herself.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Medieval and Classical Studies, Binghamton University

Sandi Walker

Administrative Professional

After 35 years with BDA, Sandi is the voice and face of our firm. She plays an integral part in maintaining our operation by serving as Director of Administrative Services, office manager, and receptionist. Sandi has an uncanny ability to multi-task and prioritize as she navigates her work day. She works closely with all staff in coordinating appointments, facilitating correspondence and performing quality control on all documents generated by the firm. She is the go-to person for any problem that can’t be solved – if she can’t solve it, she knows who can. Sandi finds challenges uniquely rewarding and embraces learning new skills, adapting to whatever obstacles her work throws at her. Sandi finds working at an architectural firm quite interesting and has learned many different things that she can carry over into her personal life.  She loves to do DIY projects and has leveraged knowledge gained while working at the firm to further this passion.

In her down time, you can find Sandi cruising to exotic locations and meeting interesting people from around the world. She is also looking forward to retirement and spending more time with her family.