Where are they now? 40 Under 40 alumni make their mark in D.C.

Every month we’ll be touching base with past 40 Under 40 honorees to see what’s been happening in their professional and personal lives since winning the award. This month, we feature two outstanding professionals: HKS's Shannon Kraus and Roger Chang from Westlake Reed Leskosky.

ROGER CHANG
PE, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, ASHRAE BEMP

Principal, Director of Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability

Westlake Reed Leskosky,

Washington, D.C.

Class of 2011

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Sustainable engineering for cultural, historic preservation, higher ed, and healthcare clients. Recently led mechanical design for the modernization of the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery.

Lead developer for recool.com, a new WRL-sponsored Internet platform for the discussion of high-performance building systems to address climate change. “While we see a plethora of resources available for consumers to evaluate products, such as Consumer Reports, Yelp, Angie’s List, or Amazon.com reviews, there wasn’t a good resource to find information on systems tied to specific projects. We are now looking to integrate the thinking behind recool with other commercial building transparency platforms over the next year.”

EXTRACURRICULAR

Helped get the International Green Construction Code adopted in D.C.

Developed a one-day summit on sustainability standards for museums as part of the American Alliance of Museums’ 2013 Annual Meeting.

Adjunct professor at Catholic University of America; collaborated on development of new Facilities Management program.

OFF THE CLOCK

An accomplished cellist, Chang still plays, “although not as much as I used to.” A two-year-old son keeps him busy. Favorite hobbies: weekend gardening and biking around D.C. with his family.

SHANNON KRAUS
FAIA, ACHA, MBA

Principal, Managing Director D.C.

HKS, Washington, D.C.

Class of 2009

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

A specialist in healthcare design, Kraus has been promoted to Senior VP and Principal of the firm since his U40 recognition.

Promoted to Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Director, then to Managing Director of the D.C. office.

Named a Fellow of the AIA this year at age 40; currently the Institute’s youngest fellow.

EXTRACURRICULAR

Authored and published a chapter for the AIA’s “Handbook to Professional Practice.”

Elected to the National Architectural Accrediting Board of Directors.

Faculty member, American Hospital Association.

OFF THE CLOCK

Ran three marathons in the past two years, including Boston 2013. Had run 25.86 miles and was fighting a calf cramp, which had slowed his pace, when the bombs exploded. “I think I am not alone in believing most runners would re-race Boston tomorrow if we could, simply to send a message that America won’t be stopped or intimidated. That we are strong as a group, that we rally round each other. Completing the race has more value than it ever did before, for unity and determination. I now run for those who can’t.”

ALSO CATCH UP WITH: NATALIE PETZOLDT, Principal and Central Region Health Leader, Cannon Design, and LARRY LONGMAN, Senior Vice President, Preconstruction, Lauth Property Group. READ

DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S U40 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Join our 40 Under 40 alumni and other outstanding young AEC professionals nominated by their firms at the 3rd Annual Under 40 Leadership Summit (Hyatt Regency San Francisco, October 9-11). For information about this inspiring, AIA-accredited opportunity for learning and networking, visit: http://www.bdcnetwork.com/Under40Summit/index.html.

Before you get your shorts in a knot, I have nothing against science, technology, engineering, or even mathematics; to the contrary, I love all four “STEM” disciplines (I’m lying about the math). But I question whether we need to be building K-12 schools that overly emphasize or are totally devoted to STEM.

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