Aly Hamdy, Partner

OAA, AANB, AIBC, AAPEI, MRAIC, NCARB

As Partner and Management Team Member, Aly applies hands-on leadership and management skills to a range of project types including commercial and retail design, institutional and large complex mixed use developments. From large scale master planning and urban design projects through to the design of individual buildings and interior detailing, Aly brings a strong blend of creativity, rigor and technical skill to meet project objectives. Having a broad understanding of the breadth of work involved as project Architect, Aly has coordinated the work of office staff, consultant teams and liaised with client groups, city officials and the public stakeholders to guide his projects to their fruition. Aly has helped develop and maintain relationships with industry leaders in development on several successful large scale developments across the GTA and Canada. Aly holds a Bachelors Degree of Architectural Science from Ryerson University, and a Master’s Degree Architecture from The State University of New York at Buffalo.

Christophe Gauthier, Associate

OAA, MRAIC

As Partner and Management Team Member, Christophe brings a strong blend of enthusiasm, contemporary design sensibility and technical expertise that has resulted in an exceptional portfolio of award winning projects from across the country. Christophe’s 25 years of international experience encompasses all aspects of our profession: architecture, master planning, building science, interior design and project management. Always challenging the status quo, Christophe is well versed in all phases of design, from conceptual design to functional programming and design development – all executed with a holistic vision and attention to detail across a wide range of building typologies. In addition to focusing on his own projects, Christophe enjoys mentoring a community of in house designers in exploring new architectural objectives and goals.

Michaela Weiner, Partner Emeritus

B. Arch, AAA, OAA, OAQ, MAIBC, AANB, AAPEI, MAA, NSAA, SAA, MRAIC, NCARB

As Partner Emeritus, Michaela’s design and leadership role in many of the firm’s most prestigious projects are the result of her equal commitment to design excellence and responsible project management. A distinguished track record of service delivery and direct involvement in all phases of project development define her management approach. Michaela applied her design talent and leadership skills to complex commercial and mixed use projects across Canada, institutional projects in Ontario and cultural projects in China which has broadened the firm’s capability. Her awards portfolio ranging from planning and urban design to store design, from commercial to institutional testifies for her talent and commitment to the practice. Michaela Weiner graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at McGill University and holds professional memberships with provincial associations across Canada, NCARB certification and Building Code Designation. She has contributed extensively to the profession through her involvement with the OAA Committee of Practice, OAA Building Code Review Committee and OAAAS Board of Directors. Michaela was appointed as a Juror for the Global Awards conferred by the International Council of Shopping Centres, where her profound understanding of shopping centre design guides the evaluation of the industry’s best work.

Peter Peltekoff, Partner Emeritus

B. Arch, OAA, MRAIC

As Partner Emeritus, Peter’s leadership role at the firm is dedicated to the management of a complex portfolio of projects and client groups, with a focus on the expansion of the firm’s practice both domestically and abroad. The fruits of Peter’s efforts have fostered long standing professional relationships with Canada's leading developers over many decades, and has garnered industry-wide acclaim for leading both large scale mixed-use projects across Canada as well as award-winning developments completed with international design teams abroad. A graduate of Ryerson Institute of Technology in 1964 and University of Toronto in 1968, Peter is a long-standing member of the Ontario Association of Architects.

Arif Uddin, Senior Associate

As Senior Associate, Arif combines over four decades of experience with proven leadership skills to ensure every project is a success from inception of completion. Using his background in the management of complex fast-track commercial projects, Arif has developed a reputation within the industry as an outstanding project leader with extensive Building Code and technical expertise, one that is based on a hands-on approach to client service and problem solving. Arif has been responsible for the successful completion of some of the firm’s most prestigious commercial projects and maintains long-standing relationships with leaders in the development community cultivated over many decades.

Mario Greco, Senior Associate

As Senior Associate, Mario’s extensive knowledge and project experience has been instrumental in the management of many large scale national roll-out programs undertaken by PETROFF that require complex coordination of large multidisciplinary teams. Highly regarded for his commitment to providing thorough oversight and support to diverse stakeholder groups including clients, consultants and contractors, Mario’s efforts have led to the continued success of all of the retail programs he has managed across the country. With over thirty years experience, Mario’s in-depth understanding of technical issues and superior project management skills have consistently led to effective solutions and positive project outcomes.

David Abernethy, Senior Associate

As Senior Associate, David has contributed his project management and technical expertise for over forty years to many Public Private Partnership sector and other complex institutional projects. A meticulous and detailed project manager, David has directed and delivered his projects to our client’s satisfaction on-time and on-budget. Involved in a broad range of project types, David has also taken on the role of mentor to many of his project staff where he imparts his focus and commitment to quality and technical excellence to our firm’s young architects and designers. His dedication to the professional development of our staff lays the foundation for our continued success in exceeding our client’s expectations well into the future.

Bill Ranco, Senior Associate

As Senior Associate, Bill’s four decades of experience with PETROFF has been in the development of national retail programs, distribution centres, as well as other large scale commercial projects requiring the management of large complex teams. As an exceptional project manager, Bill has demonstrated strong proficiencies in the development of contract documents, and on site field work performing contract administration duties. Coupling a deep technical knowledge with his integrated team approach, Bill continues to provide exceptional consulting services to the development industry.

Carlos Tavares, Senior Associate

As Senior Associate, Carlos is focussed on the management of an integrated project delivery process including the preparation and careful coordination of construction documents for his many commercial projects. Actively liaising with clients and consultants with his hands-on approach has served our clients well in Carlos’ 30-years of experience. His effective management of large multidisciplinary teams has led to the successful execution of a number of our firm’s largest retail programs and the solidification of PETROFF’s relationships with many leaders in the development community.

Ray Lall, Associate

As Senior Associate, Ray Lall excels in his leadership and management of complex large scale projects, and the coordination of the large teams of staff and consultants typical of this work. With a deep technical knowledge borne of long collaboration, Ray continues the tradition of being a mentor to the members of his team. Focusing on large scale enclosed shopping centre projects and difficult renovation projects, Ray is a leader in the industry in this work. With over 25 years of experience, he brings a high level of competence and integrity to contract administration and construction phases of the projects and enjoys continuing ongoing relationships with clients on multiple projects over the years.

Dan Izzett, Associate

As Senior Associate, Dan combines tenacity, dedication and an extensive technical background to deliver his projects to our client’s satisfaction and vision. Using his strong communication skills in the design, management and contract administration for a multitude of commercial projects for such client stakeholders as Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart, Dan’s methods emphasise design efficiency, cost effectiveness and timely delivery. As a result of these efforts, many of our repeat clients look to Dan and his team to provide quality assurance and control for their projects.

Gary Paulmert, Associate

As an Associate, Gary specializes in the coordination and management of construction documents, as well as delivery of project schedules, budgets, and communication protocols. With more than 20 years of experience, Gary has been an integral part of a number of national retail programs and roll-outs in numerous municipalities across the country. Gary strives to manage the contract administration and construction review process with integrity and careful attention to detail, ensuring positive project outcomes. Gary’s detailed approach has allowed him to effectively and efficiently manage large project teams, and develop strong long standing relationships with numerous national clients.

Olga Bejarano, Associate

As an Associate, Olga brings over 17 years of experience at PETROFF in construction methods and procedures, project management and site supervision. Extending across an array of project types including commercial, institutional, recreation and LEED certified buildings, Ogla’s broad experience is further bolstered by confident leadership and collaboration skills in the guidance of her project teams. As a conscientious project manager Olga’s approach to her work is diligent and focuses on solid problem solving in the detail design and production of working drawings, ensuring proper quality control for all of her successful projects.

Tom Garzelli, Associate

As an Associate, Tom is responsible for a vast portfolio of urban high density commercial mixed use projects with some of the industry’s top developers serving the major markets of Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary. During his fourteen years at PETROFF, Tom has established himself as an outstanding project manager with a stellar track record for collaboration and meeting client objectives on-schedule and on-budget without any compromise in project quality. The success in Tom’s personal and collaborative approach to project delivery is grounded in his pragmatism and understanding of the challenges associated with complex mixed use developments. The perspective that Tom brings is proven by the projects that have been awarded recognition, including the 2016 ICSC Award Winning Lansdowne Park development in Ottawa.

Bita Goudarzi, Associate

As an Associate, Bita has garnered a deep and varied experience in complex building types, and after joining PETROFF in 2007 has flourished in heading several large scale mixed use and open air redevelopments including Bramalea City Centre, Downtown Markham, Font Hill Market and the stat-of-the art Goodlife headquarters in London, Ontario. Highly regarded as an outstanding project manager with a passion to deliver simple and creative solutions to design issues, Bita thrives when she has to work at a fast pace to help her clients achieve their development goals.

Peter Furnell, Associate

As an Associate, Peter has been instrumental in the design and management of a number of successful commercial and shopping centre construction and renovation projects, including Bower Place in Red Deer Alberta, Pickering Town Centre Pickering, and the Durham College office building in Pickering. Adding his expertise through collaboration with clients, stakeholders, staff and the community, Peter consistently delivers project milestones successfully with his can-do attitude and enthusiasm. His comprehensive teamwork approach has helped Peter to develop strong working relationships with both clients and team members, while ensuring successful project outcomes.

Robert Palomo, Associate

As an Associate, Robert brings a wealth of experience managing multiple projects with a focus on healthcare and wellness. Excellence in the project management of this complex and demanding building typology is based on great strengths in all phases of the design process through construction. His reputation for schedule and budget control has resulted in longstanding relationships with private and public sector clients and expertise across Stipulated Sum, Design Build, CM and PPP formats. With over 20 years of experience, Robert’s effective coordination of large architecture and engineering teams is demonstrated by his commitment to communications and integrity in project delivery of all scales.

Alan Hart, Chief Financial Officer, CPA, CA

As Chief Financial Officer for PETROFF and ARK, Alan is responsible for aspects of financial management and stewardship for both organizations. With over 20 years experience in senior financial management and administrative operations, Alan serves as a seasoned advisor to the rest of the management team assisting with strategic planning for capital and operating budgets, financial forecasting and reporting and debt management and procurement. A Chartered Professional Accountant since 1990, Alan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University.

Paul Bullock, Information Technology Manager

As Information Technology Manager, Paul brings more than 15 years of hands on experience in vital information systems, technologies and operations to PETROFF and ARK. Paul provides leadership for the continued development of a robust and secure information technology environment, and oversees a wide variety of mandates including IT policy and protocols, security systems and compliance and infrastructure resource organization and allocation.

Kelly Morgan, Human Resources Manager

As Human Resource Manager for PETROFF and ARK, Kelly provides HR management and support to a large and complex team of over 150 employees and management staff at the offices of both PETROFF and ARK. As an accomplished senior HR professional with over 15 years of experience, Kelly has been responsible for implementing a number of human resources initiatives that have enabled both organizations to recruit, coach, retain and grow their high performing and motivated teams. Kelly specializes in staff development, performance management, benefits management and employee relations policies and strategies. A Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), Kelly graduated from McMaster University with an esBachelor of Arts (Hons), and did a post graduate certificate in human resources at Georgian College.