DMR Architects names Kapoor as firm’s first COO

DMR Architects named Pradeep Kapoor as its chief operating officer, a new position for the Hasbrouck Heights-based firm, and promoted five others as part of its expansion into new practice areas, according to a Feb. 8 announcement.

“Supporting the scope and volume of our new projects and absorbing and directing new staff members is made all the more complex by the layers of practice areas and services we have added in recent years,” Lloyd Rosenberg, founder and CEO of DMR, said in a prepared statement. “Pradeep has been managing the firm’s operations, and I am pleased to be able to recognize his success at this role by naming him DMR’s first chief operating officer.”

Kapoor has worked for DMR for 21 years, and in that time has served in several roles and managed many of the firm’s most complex design and construction projects, primarily focusing on the municipal, health care and education practices, according to the announcement. In 2017 he was named a partner in the firm while serving as its director of sustainability.

DMR said Kapoor was among the first architects in New Jersey to achieve LEED accreditation and helped build the firm’s sustainable design program, which today includes certified, silver- and gold-level projects–notably Hudson County Schools of Technology, a LEED Gold recipient, and the Carlstadt Elementary School, the first LEED Silver public school in New Jersey.

DMR’s other recent promotions include five new positions for existing staff with tenures that range from two to 27 years:

Maria Perez, director of human resources
Perez has managed DMR’s office and staff since 1994, guiding the firm’s organizational development, creating a diverse staff and performance management structure, as well as managing benefits, compensation and training. She implemented a streamlined onboarding process to facilitate DMR’s growth from 10 to a team of more than 40, the firm said in the statement.

Donna Coen O’Gorman, director of business development – Education Sector
A registered architect for 35 years, Coen O’Gorman has dedicated her professional life to the education sector. Through a commitment to continuing education, conference involvement and thought leadership, her project management work in the educational sector has expanded to client advocacy, business development and thought leadership.

Megan Apostol, director of marketing
During her decade at DMR, Apostol has launched publicity initiatives, print and digital communications, and marketing initiatives highlighting the firm’s team and diverse practice capabilities. She is responsible for securing architectural and real estate industry awards for DMR, including NJBIZ’s Best Places to Work.

Kevin Johnson, project manager
Johnson joined the production staff in 2012, and established himself as an integral member of DMR’s New York City School Construction Authority team, helping complete more than 200 projects valued at $500 million over his nearly 10 years with firm.

Pierre Talisse, project manager
Talisse joined the team in 2019, bringing with him experiences ranging from a 550,000-square-foot development in India to capital improvements across New Jersey’s preK-12 school districts. Serving on DMR’s educational design team, Talisse supports capital improvement projects for many of the firm’s school district clients – including Bayonne, Hackensack, Edison and New Brunswick – as well as the new construction of schools in Plainfield and Jersey City. As a project manager, he will support the education and public sectors, which accounts for more than $400 million of DMR’s pipeline.