Local architecture and engineering firm SHW Group hires new staff members in Michigan

BERKLEY, Michigan, February 17, 2010 – SHW Group, one of the nation’s largest architecture and engineering firms specializing in design for the education sector, has hired nine new staff members at its Berkley, Michigan, studio.  They are as follows: Matthew Paterson as electrical engineer; Brian Harte as lead electrical engineer; Joe Mitra as senior project architect; Scott Morgan as mechanical engineer; Philip Leader as MEP group manager; Steven Jelinek as project architect; Paul Farquharson as project architect; Kelli Johnston as interior designer and Amanda Coburn as mechanical engineer intern.

As electrical engineer and mechanical expert, Matthew Paterson is working on Eastern Michigan University’s Pray-Harrold Classroom Building and other electrical design projects for SHW.  Matthew is a graduate of Wayne State University.

As lead electrical engineer, Brian Harte, P.E., will be working on SHW’s design of many Michigan higher-education engineering projects. With more than 25 years of engineering experience, Brian holds a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University.

Joe Mitra, AIA, has joined SHW Group as a senior project architect.  Joe has more than 25 years experience in the architecture industry. He is a graduate of the University of Detroit.

As mechanical engineer, Scott Morgan, P.E., will be assisting on several mechanical design projects for SHW Group. Scott graduated from The University of Michigan.

Philip Leader, P.E. has joined SHW Group as vice president and MEP group manager. Prior to SHW Group, Phil spent more than 20 years at an architecture firm in Detroit, most recently serving as vice president and director of mechanical engineering. Phil has worked with multiple clients in the university, commercial and healthcare sectors, including General Motors, Providence Hospital, The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Michigan Health Systems and Detroit Public Schools.  He is a graduate of The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Steven Jelinek, LEED® AP, has been hired as an intern architect and is currently working on SHW’s design of the new Library of the Future at Grand Valley State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University and a master’s degree in architecture from The University of Michigan.

Paul Farquharson has joined SHW as an intern architect.  In this position, he will be working on multiple higher-education projects.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University.

Kelli Johnston has joined SHW as an interior designer.  She holds a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in interior design from Kendall College of Art and Design,  is NCIDQ-Certified (National Council for Interior Design Qualification), and is a member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

Finally, Amanda Coburn has joined SHW Group as a new mechanical engineering intern for the winter term.  She currently attends Kettering University.

Combined, the nine new employees hold degrees from eight different universities in Michigan, a testament to the quality and strength of Michigan’s higher-education institutions as well as the diversity of knowledge at SHW Group.

About SHW Group

SHW Group, LLC a Michigan-based architectural and engineering firm is one of the state’s leading educational design firms. More than just an A/E firm, the company is known for its comprehensive collaboration with educators, and researchers to design innovative facilities that support the learning process. For more information about SHW Group, please visit www.shwgroup.com or follow the firm on Twitter at http://twitter.com/shwgroup.

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Media Contact: Claire Bloxom
claire@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 329-9191