Five Gensler Architects Elevated to AIA College of Fellows in 2019

NEW YORK — Gensler is proud to announce that five of its leading architects were elevated to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows. For 2019, the AIA recognized Gensler’s Joseph Brancato, Wyatt Frantom, Jordan Goldstein, Michael Martin, and Steven Shinn.

The College of Fellows honors members who have contributed to the profession and society on a national level. It also further recognizes an individual with growing and significant influence on the future of the industry, and is considered one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member.

Co-Managing Principal for Gensler’s Northeast and Latin America regions and Vice Chairman of the firm’s Board of Directors, Brancato leads Gensler into new markets, providing leadership across disciplines, and identifying the challenges and potential value proposition of projects. He is active in talent development and mentoring, and shaped Gensler’s gConnect program, which focuses on professional development for next-generation leaders in the firm. Brancato is also an active member of the AIA, NAIOP, ULI, Urban Design Forum, and CoreNet Global. A strong community supporter, he is a Co-Chair of the special events committee of AHRC and the event Co-Chair for the St. Francis Food Pantries' Theatre Event. Brancato is a registered architect in 23 U.S. states, and three Canadian provinces.

Frantom is a Design Director in Gensler’s Los Angeles office and serves as a Practice Area Leader in Office Buildings and Corporate Campuses. In his 20-years in practice, Frantom has worked on a variety of project types and specializes in large-scale, complex International projects and performance-driven design. Among numerous leadership positions held with the AIA throughout his career, he serves currently as Programs Chair on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Headquarters Association.

An award-winning architect, Goldstein is the Global Director of Design for the firm. Goldstein is also a member of Gensler’s Board of Directors and Management Committee. Throughout his 20-plus-year career, Goldstein has provided vision and leadership on projects that range in scale from DC's The Yards to Northern Virginia's Tysons Tower to China's Duke Kunshan University campus. An advocate of helping the next generation of designers, Goldstein teaches a graduate course on design at the University of Pennsylvania, and has been the Kea Professor at the University of Maryland.

A Director of Education Design in Gensler’s Los Angeles office, Martin has led significant work for the science and technology communities, residential life, and community planning and design over the course of his 40-plus-year career. An academic at heart, Martin undertakes far-reaching research initiatives exploring new technologies and design approaches. His leadership has advanced knowledge of sustainable, high performance design within project teams and AIA conferences and events.

Shinn, a Director in Gensler’s San Diego office, brings more than 30 years of experience as a project manager and project architect in all phases of management from master planning to construction administration. Shinn focuses on design excellence, sustainability, and health and wellness on government and not-for profit projects. He has also served on numerous community and professional boards advocating for the profession, design, sustainability, and historic preservation. Most recently, he served on the board of AIA San Diego as President and currently serves on the San Diego Green Building Council board.