Education

• Master of Structural Engineering, University of California San Diego
• Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering, University of California San Diego

About Steve

Steve Merritt is a licensed Structural Engineer and Project Manager at KPFF Consulting Engineers in San Diego. He has 15 years of design experience collaborating with architects, engineers, stakeholders, and builders. Steve attended UCSD for his undergraduate and graduate studies in Structural Engineering and has since been involved in notable high rise, university, industrial, and bridge projects.

Steve’s career has been complemented with an ongoing interest in academic mentoring and lecturing at UCSD, New School of Architecture, Woodbury University, and the ACE high school program. He has also been a guest professor for courses at UCSD and SDSU.

Outside of the United States, Steve has been a leader in post-disaster and development efforts in countries including Haiti and Sierra Leone. He also lived in Melbourne, Australia where he was part of the bridge construction team on a $1 billion Integrated Project Delivery freeway project.

Project Highlights

• Project Manager (2015-Present): San Diego Zoo Bridge – San Diego, California:
  Managing the design and construction of a 300-foot steel pedestrian bridge and elevated walkway ($12 million).
• Project Manager (2013-2016): Marriott Residence Inn – Anaheim, California:
  Managing the design and construction of a 9-story concrete hotel building ($50 million, 240,000 square feet).
• Site Engineer (2010-2011): Western Ring Road Expansion – Melbourne, Australia:
  Performed construction planning, procurement, scheduling, budgeting, and staffing for the construction of an 8-span concrete bridge ($50 million) and a single span steel bridge ($2 million). Entire project budget was $800 million for 10 miles of freeway including 16 bridges.
• Project Manager (2006-2008): Sony Electronics North American Headquarters – San Diego, California:
  Managed the design and construction of an 11-story steel office building with a pedestrian bridge and underground parking ($170 Million, 500,000 square feet). This project was awarded “Best new office building in the United States in 2009” by the leading U.S. construction publication, Engineering News Record.
• Project Manager (2004-2006): Diamond View Tower – San Diego, California:
  Managed the design and construction of a 15-story steel office building with underground parking ($60 million, 325,000 square feet).
• Project Engineer (2003-2004): San Diego State University Arts & Letters Building – San Diego, California:
  Performed design, analysis, and construction administration for a 6-storey steel classroom and office building ($19 million, 110,000 square feet).

Education

• Master of Architecture, Montana State University
• Bachelor of Architecture, Montana State University

About Brett

Brett Tullis has been practicing architecture in San Diego since 1992 and is currently a Principal at Sillman Wright Architects https://www.sillmanwright.com/. Brett is a Leader who is focused on creating collaborative dynamic architectural solutions that exceeds the Client’s goals of function, sustainability, value, and schedule.

A long-time collaborator & lecturer with NewSchool, Brett and shares their vision of a collaborative design process focused on design excellence and sustainability partnered with professional business practice. Brett believes in an integrated team approach to design and construction that embraces the collaborative LEAN concepts of reducing waste and maximizing productivity. As a member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) he was instrumental in establishing a DBIA Student Chapter at NewSchool and is an Advisor to the DBIA Young Professionals Group. Brett received the DBIA Distinguished Leadership Award for his contributions to further the goals of Collaborative Design.

As an Advisor to the Integrated Path to Architecture Licensure (IPAL) Advisory Board, Brett supports the integrated approach to Education and Practice at New School providing professional guidance and insight as well as intern and job shadow opportunities. Brett is a LEED AP BD+C who is committed to designing Healthy Buildings that respect the Environment, Conserve Water and Reduce Energy Use with the goal of Net Zero Energy use. Design Excellence is a critical component of all projects and he has received Multiple Design Awards to recognize this vision.

Additional Information

• Principal Architect at Sillman Wright Architects since 2009
• California Licensed Architect
• NCARB
• American Institute of Architects (AIA) Member
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Member
• DBIA Distinguished Leadership Award
• Juror DBIA WPR Awards Competition Design
• LEED AP BD+C
• US Green Building Council Member
• San Diego Regional Partnership Member
• Lean Construction Institute
• Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Member

Education

• MBA, Seattle University
• Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oregon

About Rich

Rich Mitchell joined Mackenzie as a project architect in 1989. He believes project success is rooted in collaboration and an integrated approach wherein all disciplines work in concert to achieve creative, efficient design solutions. As an early adopter of sustainability rating systems, he is a certified Green Globes Assessor from the Green Building Initiative and has led workshops to educate and mentor professionals towards accreditation. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Green Building Initiative from 2017-2018 and continues his volunteer executive board service as Immediate Past Chair. Rich is also active in community outreach and public speaking on the merits of equitable, diverse, inclusive, and sustainable design at colleges and universities around the country, including several at NewSchool of Architecture and Design. 

Additional Information

• Immediate Past Chair, Green Building Initiative Board of Directors (2019 – present)
• Chair of the Board, Green Building Initiative Board of Directors (2017 – 2018)
• American Institute of Architects, Portland Chapter Past President (2004 – 2005)
• American Institute of Architects, Northwest Pacific Region Board Member (2003 – 2005)
• American Institute of Architects Idaho Design Awards Judge (2016)
• U.S. Green Building Council Member

About Kameron

Kameron Beeks has spent over a decade working with Glumac, after graduating from Oregon State University Honors College with an Honors Bachelor of Sciences in Mechanical Engineering. Kameron leads Glumac’s Higher Education group as a Vice President, a licensed Mechanical Engineer, a LEED Accredited Professional, a WELL Accredited Professional and a Living Building Challenge Ambassador.

Kameron has designed unique sustainable systems such as vacuum plumbing technologies, active chilled beams, radiant systems, measurement and verification reporting strategies, dashboarding, and also writes the software for several of Glumac’s internal design calculation programs.

About Nathan

Mr. White has over fifteen years of education and practice in design, management, development and construction. He is a real estate developer, professional project manager and a construction adviser leader of full turn key development services for projects of all scales in Southern California and Northern Baja California quickly branching out to the global market. As the CEO of AGESS, Inc., Nathan has been able to gain support from many local and state agencies for the Desert Shores Restoration project which was just allocated funds through the California Natural Resources Agency’s Salton Sea Management 10 year plan. Currently “Tres Lagunas” development (pictured above) is bringing binational partners together for a 1 billion dollar project to restore the Colorado River Basin by restoring the Northern Sea of Cortez, Laguna Salada and Salton Sea as a global climate change mitigation and management infrastructure effort. Mr. White is also a Development Project Manager II with the City of San DIego Development Services Department with an aim of bringing practical development experience and large scale planning tools to the New School curriculum for Urban Planning.

Education

• Bachelor of Architecture, NewSchool of Architecture & Design

About Amin

Amin teaches the Fifth-Year Design Studio at NewSchool, where he leads students through the culminating phase of their architectural education and design synthesis. His studio focuses on integrating architectural ideas with complex contextual, social, and environmental factors, guiding students to develop projects that are not only visionary but deeply rooted in real-world conditions. 

In addition to studio teaching, Amin leads the school’s BIM and Visualization curriculum, offering courses from beginning to advanced levels in Revit, 3ds Max, and other industry-standard platforms. His goal is to empower students with the technical fluency and visual storytelling skills required in contemporary practice. 

Beyond academia, Amin is the founder of DDDVisual, Inc., a design and development firm based in San Diego that focuses on contemporary residential architecture and the permitting process. His work bridges concept and constructability, navigating the full spectrum from initial ideas to city approvals. 

Amin brings deep passion to both teaching and practice, believing that architecture is a lifelong journey of learning, making, and giving back. He is committed to shaping not only great designers, but also thoughtful citizens who understand the power of architecture to transform lives.