National architecture and engineering firm, Clark Nexsen, is pleased to announce 14 professionals have been named firm shareholders. These individuals represent dedication, expertise, and growth within the firm’s evolving leadership team. As a privately held company, Clark Nexsen shareholders are integrally involved in guiding the firm’s client-focused strategy to provide innovative, sustainable design solutions.

Chris Aebel, PE, CDT
Chris Aebel has more than 20 years of experience as a civil engineer in the Southeast with specialized knowledge of local codes, ordinances, and design and development practices that are unique to the coastal regions. As Civil Department Head in the Virginia Beach office, Chris has been involved in virtually all aspects of planning, design, and project management on numerous commercial, residential, municipal, and federal projects. Such projects include big box retail, industrial and office parks, single and multi-family residential, and public water, utility, and drainage projects. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University.

Steve Bennett, PE
Steve Bennett is a senior project manager in the Virginia Beach office with four decades of design, construction, and financial management experience for both private and public sector projects. Steve’s public sector experience includes the management of Navy, Air Force, and Army projects. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering from Old Dominion University, and a Master’s in Management and Finance from Boston University. He is a structural engineer and a member of the National Society for Professional Engineers (NSPE), Virginia Society for Professional Engineers (VSPE), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Scott Boyce, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Scott Boyce has worked on the design of public, private, and commercial projects including Department of Defense facilities, office and headquarters facilities, retail stores and restaurants, and private residences. Scott received a Master’s in Architecture from NC State University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia. An architect in the Virginia Beach office, his recent projects include the Main Street Tower office building in Virginia Beach and the New Cadet barracks at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Vince Chirichella, PE, LEED AP
With more than 14 years of experience, Vince Chirichella has a myriad of experience with the design and management of both public and private projects. As the Civil Department Head in the Raleigh office, he specializes in land development design including site planning, storm water, site utilities, grading, erosion control, and permitting. Vince is a professional civil engineer and LEED Accredited Professional who earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NC State University. Recent projects include the Camp Lejeune Hospital Addition, several Bayer CropScience projects, and the Medicago Lab and Greenhouse.

Brian Dautel, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Brian Dautel is an award-winning architect with 15 years of experience creating design solutions for public and private sector clients. A Senior Architect in the Raleigh office, he has a broad range of higher education experience ranging from professional schools to campus infrastructure facilities to athletic venues. Brian is highly collaborative, communicating with clients through 3D visualization, physical modeling, and other traditional design techniques to create architecture that is sensitive to context and responsive to the program. His recent projects include Building F at Wake Tech’s Northern Wake Campus in Raleigh, NC, Duke University Eden’s Quad Renovation, and Student Housing Phase III at UNC Chapel Hill. He holds a Master of Architecture from NC State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University.

Whitney Duffy, PE, PTOE, LEED AP BD+C
Whitney Duffy is a transportation engineer in the Washington, DC, office and a graduate of Villanova University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. With over 10 years of experience, Whitney has worked on transportation planning, traffic engineering, and road development projects. As a PTOE, she specializes in traffic signal design, traffic impact studies related to various types of development, roundabout analysis and design, roadway design, cost estimates, and technical specifications. Whitney is an active member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and serves as a committee chair for the Virginia Section of Institute of Transportation Engineers (VASITE).

Erik Dupilka, PE, PMP, CEM, LEED AP BD+C
Erik Dupilka is a project manager in the Virginia Beach office with more than 8 years of experience with the design and management of both domestic and international projects. His experience encompasses all phases of design from programming through construction close out. Erik is passionate about client service and taking into consideration how all the elements of a building’s design work together to meet the needs of the owner, occupant, builder, and the environment. He is a professional engineer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute and is currently working towards a Master’s of Engineering Management at Old Dominion University. 

Rob Harkey, AIA
Rob Harkey has more than a decade of design experience working on a range of building types and scales. Prior to pursuing architecture, Rob studied studio arts, and trained to be a designer and an artist. With the conviction that architecture is as much an art as it is a science, Rob is dedicated to the pursuit of creating inspired and even inspiring spaces, searching for opportunities to make the most out of each project. An Architect in the Raleigh office, Rob has contributed to the design and construction of award-winning projects including NCSU Park Shops Renovation and Addition, Barton College Studio Theatre, Triangle Brick Headquarters in Durham, NC, and a new academic building at John Tyler Community College. Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Davidson College and a Master of Architecture from NC State University.

Matt Hickey, PE, LEED AP
Matthew Hickey’s focus is on managing and creating structural engineering solutions for both new structures and older buildings that are buildable, safe, and efficient. As the Structural Department Head in the Charlotte office, Matt has 14 years of experience working with architects in renovating and repairing historic and older buildings, as well as in creating new structures, including concert and performance halls, higher education residential facilities and academic buildings. As a structural engineer, Matt’s involvement in the engineering community includes service as Treasurer, Secretary, and President of the Structural Engineers Association of North Carolina and he is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia.

Dwayne Mitchem, PE, LEED AP
Dwayne Mitchem is a bridge engineer in the Roanoke office with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech. With 8 years of structural design experience, Dwayne quickly worked his way from an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to a professional civil engineer who is registered in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. His education revolves around the design and construction of several types of structures including those made of steel, concrete, and wood. His work is focused on performing engineering duties in the planning, design, inspection, and maintenance of bridges and road systems. His clients include the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.    

John Shields, AIA, CCS
John Shields is a senior architect with 32 years of experience and in-depth knowledge of building systems and technologies for a broad range of projects. His work in the Roanoke office focuses on integrating architectural design and building systems, and he excels at implementing rigorous quality control checks and serving as an advocate for the owner during design and construction. A native of Virginia, John holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He has served as treasurer of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), and holds a CSI Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) certificate. In addition to professional involvement, John is the People’s Warden of the Vestry of St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church. 

Brian Snyder, PE
Brian Snyder is a structural engineer in the Virginia Beach office and a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. His 8 years of experience includes the design of multi-story dormitories and office buildings, military maintenance facilities, aircraft hangars, and cellular tower and equipment installations. In addition to new construction, Brian’s experience includes the inspection, evaluation, and modification of existing steel, masonry, and concrete structures associated with general repairs, new loads, and seismic requirements. Recent projects include the New Cadet barracks at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York and the award-winning Transient Wounded Warrior Lodge at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Brian Wilson, PE, LEED AP
Brian Wilson is a project manager in the Virginia Beach office with 12 years of experience in the design and construction of public and private projects. His site design and project management experience includes buildings, roads and parking lots, airfield pavements, water distribution systems, and sanitary and storm water collection systems. He is a civil engineer and a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Brian’s professional involvement includes membership with the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers (VSPE) and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME).

Waleed Zoabi, PE
Waleed Zoabi is a senior electrical engineer in the Charlotte office with a background in electrical contracting, project design, and project management. He has over 24 years of experience in electrical engineering and holds professional registration in 14 states. Waleed excels at providing integrated electrical engineering services for a variety of projects and client types including federal, higher education, utilities, and wireless. Waleed received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The University of Toledo and an Associates in Surveying Technology at Central Piedmont Community College. He is a member of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).

About Clark Nexsen
Clark Nexsen is an award-winning architectural and engineering firm providing innovative design solutions to U.S. and global clients. Through collaboration and the development of a wide range of expertise, Clark Nexsen works to shape the future worldwide. Their focus remains constant: extraordinary effort to make projects work for their clients. Founded in 1920, the firm is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with nearly 500 employees in office locations in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, D.C., and Texas. Building Design + Construction has ranked the firm in the Top 20 Architecture/Engineering firms and Clark Nexsen has been named to the prestigious Architect 50 by Architect magazine for the past three consecutive years.  

Media Contact
Cat Brutvan
Corporate Communications Manager
919.828.1876
cbrutvan@clarknexsen.com