Edward C. Mathes, AIA

Chairman

emathes@mathesbrierre.com

Edward C. Mathes, was originally employed by Mathes, Bergman, and Associates, Inc. as an Architectural Designer and Draftsman during the summers of his college career, and joined the firm as a permanent member in 1969. He was promoted to senior management in 1976 and was elected President of the company in 1977. The firm was also well known as The Mathes Group from 1982 – 2001. Under his direction, the firm has continued to thrive throughout his years at its helm.

Throughout his career, Mr. Mathes has served on many boards and leadership councils throughout the New Orleans community and has been a guest speaker at several conferences.

He has served as Principal-in-Charge of many large and complex projects such as The National World War II Museum capital expansion projects, totaling over 300,000 square feet; several projects for Loyola University including the J. Edgar and Louise S. Monroe Library and renovations to historical Thomas Hall, he was also instrumental in the design of numerous music and performing arts facilities for universities across the country.

Mr. Mathes also led the joint venture partnership for the master plan and through design and construction of the award-winning New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), which included the restoration/renovation of two ante-bellum cotton warehouses for school use and new construction for the specialized areas of fine arts education.

“We enjoy the diversity of our work , the diversity of our relationships with other architects and the diversity of our clients. We continue to foster and maintain these relationships.” – Edward C. Mathes

Angela Morton, AIA, LEED AP, SEED

Principal

amorton@mathesbrierre.com

Ms. Morton is experienced in a wide variety of architectural building types, with an emphasis in renovation work both commercially and residentially.  Her experience includes architectural work for Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit and façade donation applications.  Ms. Morton returned to New Orleans after graduate school, where she pursued an in-depth study of life cycle cost analysis in architectural design and theory, focused on adaptive reuse and prefabricating building technologies.  She has knowledge of local codes and technologies involving both new and historic building restoration practices.  While at Mathes Brierre Architects, Ms. Morton has worked on various design project types from primary and secondary education, historic preservation, museums, corporate office buildings and corporate interiors.

Peter F. Priola, AIA

Principal

ppriola@mathesbrierre.com

Mr. Priola has been employed by Mathes Brierre Architects, formerly The Mathes Group, from 1983 to 1994 and rejoined the firm in 1996.  He has been project designer and architect for many corporate, industrial, and medical clients. Additionally, Mr. Priola has designed many academic and University facilities and is known for his extensive experience in theater, performance, and acoustical design. His work on numerous projects, such as New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, the Electro-Coal Transfer Corporation Field Office, and the Arizona State University Music School Expansion, has won awards.  Mr. Priola has acted as Studio Manager for the ongoing National World War II Museum Expansion.

Tony Alfortish, AIA

Principal

talfortish@mathesbrierre.com

Tony joined Mathes Brierre Architects in 2001 with over ten years of experience and a diverse architectural background. He has an appreciation for scale and proportion of architecture and how it fits in the fabric of its surroundings. He brings a wealth of technical knowledge and extensive experience in project management to the firm.  Tony became a studio manager and a Principal in 2012. Some key projects include the National World War II Museum Expansion where Tony was an obvious choice to assist with the project management of Phases IV and V and the new building for the Foundation for LSU Health Sciences Center. In his free time, Tony enjoys running and playing pickle ball.

Ann Schmuelling, AIA

SENIOR PRINCIPAL | Board Secretary

aschmuelling@mathesbrierre.com

Ms. Schmuelling is a Principal and manager of the team which has been responsible for the exterior and interior design of new corporate offices and headquarters for various clients. As the senior programmer in the office she has planned various corporate headquarters ranging in size from 10,000 square feet to 300,000 square feet.  Ms. Schmuelling offers extensive experience in the programming and design of fine arts and performance facilities not only in New Orleans but at numerous universities throughout the United States.  Beyond the U.S., Ms. Schmuelling has also teamed on Mathes Brierre projects in Central America and Mexico.

E. Will Tregre, AIA

President

wtregre@mathesbrierre.com

Mr. Tregre is a Principal and has been with Mathes Brierre Architects, formerly The Mathes Group, since 1984.  His duties have included project management for numerous corporate clients including major telecommunications and utility companies and real estate management companies. He brings expertise in the management and execution of complex engineering projects as well as successfully leading teams of architects and engineers, to meet challenging schedules.  Mr. Tregre also deals extensively with renovation and retrofit for many long-term clients.

Florencia Samson Eblen

Principal | Controller

fsamson@mathesbrierre.com

C.H. Palm, AIA

Senior Vice President | Specification Writer

chpalm@mathesbrierre.com

Mr. Palm is an award-winning Specifications writer and has served as Director of Specifications at several large architectural firms for over 40 years. He has received Honor Awards for Specifications from both the Gulf State Region and the New Orleans Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute. He has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, numerous local and national CSI seminars, and Architectural Woodwork Institute.

Tommy Grey

Reproductions | archive manager

tgrey@mathesbrierre.com

Cynthia Miranda, NCIDQ

Interior Designer

cmiranda@mathesbrierre.com

Cynthia is an accomplished and results driven professional with experience in the Design and Build Industry and Real Estate. She has extensive experienced in prioritizing goals and working under tight deadlines without sacrificing work ethic and creativity. Cynthia is a team player who is willing to take initiative to get the job done. She is technically proficient in computer programs ranging from Microsoft applications to AutoDesk applications.

Dru Lamb, NCIDQ, LA Reg ID#1297

Marketing and Business Development

dlamb@mathesbrierre.com

Jim Opitz

Contract Administrator | Estimator

jopitz@mathesbrierre.com

Mr. Optiz brings to Mathes Brierre Architects more than 38 years of experience in the construction industry and has extensive experience in all phases of construction, project management and cost estimating. Since joining Mathes Brierre, he has provided construction cost estimating on most all projects managed by the firm.

Johannah Fernandez-Anderson, NCIDQ

Interior Designer

jfernandez@mathesbrierre.com

Johannah learned to love architecture at an early age when her father would point out building around her hometown that he had designed. She went on to get training as both an Architect and Interior Designer. She proved herself to be an asset after Hurricane Katrina where she jumped in to help any way she could. She was an integral part of the National World War II projects and several projects for Loyola University and was the designer and programmer for the new headquarters for Hancock Whitney at the new Hancock Whitney Center. Johannah’s favorite part of her job is meeting our clients and interpreting their needs into a useful and beautiful space for them to enjoy.

Daniel Wikoff

Architect Intern

dwikoff@mathesbrierre.com

Josie Robin

Administrative Manager

jrobin@mathesbrierre.com

Mary Ann Fontenot

Assistant Controller

mfontenot@mathesbrierre.com

Mary Ann came to Mathes Brierre Architects in July of 2002 when an agency sent her for an interview. After seeing the office and the work our firm does, she wanted in! After 20 years here, she says every day still feels different from the last. Being a natural at accounting,  she finds the work at Mathes Brierre to be rewarding in so many ways. To start with, it’s the people. We are a family that will be there for each other. Secondly, seeing architecture from the beginning stages is exciting. A client’s vision molded by our most creative architects and interior designers truly produces a work of art.

Lindsey Ryan

INTERN ARCHITECT

lryan@mathesbrierre.com

Jason Anthony, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Architect

janthony@mathesbrierre.com

Jason has experience in a diverse range of market sectors including institutional, civic, hospitality and more. He embraces project constraints as an opportunity for creativity to occur, sometimes with unexpected and delightful results. Regardless of the scale of a project, he approaches it with the optimism and is committed to a work ethic that is driven by humility, meticulousness, and craft with an appreciation of the historical, environmental, and social contexts we operate within. Jason is also LEED Accredited.

Kurt Rowe

Contract Administrator | Estimator

krowe@mathesbrierre.com

Having worked in construction and development, Kurt is experienced in all aspects of the industry. He has experience in project management and in all types of construction. He has excellent communication skills and the ability to solve complex problems. Kurt is skilled in bidding, contract negotiation, construction supervision, budgeting, and scheduling and is proficient in many construction software applications. Kurt’s expertise brings our firm’s designs to realization with budget, schedule, design intent, and client’s needs in mind.

Suzanne Herzog, PLA, ASLA

Landscape Architect

sherzog@mathesbrierre.com

Suzanne Herzog has a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture that combine her love of design and her love of plants.  She is proficient in all stages of the design process from concept and design to details and construction.  Her services as a Landscape Architect round out the interdisciplinary teams in the office allowing a holistic approach to each project. Suzanne prides herself on creating lasting relationships with clients that continue to return for help on future projects.  She enjoys watching her designs go from concept on paper to full fruition on site. She has worked on a wide range of projects including parks & recreation, streetscapes, plazas, trails, commercial projects, public gardens, residential and many others.

Liem Nguyen

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

lnguyen@mathesbrierre.com

Joyce Bergman, AIA

Architect

jbergman@mathesbrierre.com

Joyce was drawn to architecture because it combines her hobbies, art and carpentry, but at a grand scale. She began her career as an intern architect, and deftly became a valued asset to the design team. She has moved her merit with large projects such as multiple National WWII Museum expansion projects. She has been involved with projects at all phases of the design and construction process. Her responsibilities include site survey, design development, code research, construction documents and contract administration. Joyce enjoys being part of creating something beautiful for all to see and use.

Ray Zabala, AIA

SENIOR Architect

rzabala@mathesbrierre.com

Ray is a New Orleans metro area native growing up in Kenner Louisiana. In his 18 years of practice, his work has encompassed a wide array of project types including corporate and governmental office buildings, high-end residential, multi-family residential, cultural centers, primary and secondary educational facilities, and historic preservation. Ray takes pride in the lasting personal relationships he has developed with clients, consultants, and contractors.

Megan Williams

Architect

mwilliams@mathesbrierre.com

Rachel Bommer, Assoc. IIDA

INTERN InTERIOR DESIGNER

rbommer@mathesbrierre.com

Lexi Palumbo

Student INTERN

lpalumbo@mathesbrierre.com

Mary Thibodeaux, IIDA

Interior Designer

mthibodeaux@mathesbrierre.com

Ms. Thibodeaux has over thirty (30) years experience in Interior Design and nine (9) years experience in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. This combination of expertise has proven extremely valuable on technical projects requiring intense planning coordination. She is experienced in AutoCAD, Programming, Space Planning, Systems Furnishings, Presentation Furniture and Finish Selection, Move Coordination, Electrical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting. Ms. Thibodeaux has a long list of clients such as Chevron, Entergy, Cox Communications, Symetria Health and, UNO Research & Development Foundation.

Keith Scarmuzza, ASLA

Landscape Architect

kscarmuzza@mathesbrierre.com

Keith Scarmuzza joined Mathes Brierre Architects in 2002, and currently directs the Planning and Landscape Architecture Studio.  He is a licensed landscape architect in Louisiana who has extensive international site planning and urban design experience. As Design Director with a land planning firm in Southeast Asia, he led many site planning projects including housing community and resort developments, office parks, universities and public parks.  Since returning to the U.S., Mr. Scarmuzza has led large municipal planning and design efforts including waterfront recreation plans, downtown revitalization studies, memorial site selection studies, and subdivision master plans.  He has also performed a significant amount of site engineering and design for commercial / corporate land development projects.