CAMDEN, NJ – Pennoni has announced five new hires in their Camden, NJ office. The new additions are all from Group Melvin Design, LLC, and include Robert Melvin, Adam Tecza, Julie Connochie, Garret Hengeli, and Zhenya Nalywayko. These new employees will now operate as the Group Melvin Division of Pennoni.
“The addition of the Group Melvin Design staff will expand our planning service offerings and bring a wealth of experience to a region that Pennoni is committed to serving. Their core planning services include comprehensive, neighborhood, and redevelopment planning as well form-based codes, “pop-up” projects, and design guidelines, among others. They have built a solid reputation and we look forward to their employees joining the Pennoni family as we assist in the future development of the City of Camden,” said Pennoni’s Chief Operating Officer David DeLizza.
Robert Melvin, AICP/PP, served as the Principal at Group Melvin Design. For more than three decades, Bob worked to improve communities throughout New Jersey and will continue this mission at Pennoni as a Principal Planner. He has spoken widely throughout the United States about smart growth, sustainable development, and neo-traditional design.
Adam Tecza, AICP, served as Director of Urban Design at Group Melvin Design where he led numerous multidisciplinary teams in the creation of comprehensive plans, redevelopment plans, zoning ordinances, and urban design projects. He has taught planning at the University of Pennsylvania for six years and 40 of his drawings were recently published in Site Planning: International Practice by Gary Hack. He joins Pennoni as a Senior Planner.
Julie Connochie, AICP, served as Planner and Urban Designer II at Group Melvin Design where she worked on redevelopment planning, comprehensive planning, transit-oriented development planning, and ordinance writing. Her expertise is in architecture, urban design, land planning, graphic design, and community outreach. Before joining Group Melvin Design, Julie coordinated and facilitated public outreach efforts for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s planning office in more than 200 parish communities across six counties in Southeastern Michigan. She joins Pennoni as a Staff Planner.
Garret Hengeli, served as Group Melvin Design’s office manager and bookkeeper. He joins Pennoni as a Business Affairs Manager.
Zhenya Nalywayko served as a Planner and Urban Designer I at Group Melvin Design where he worked on redevelopment plans, site plan reviews, park and trail designs, and community engagement. He joins Pennoni as a Graduate Planner.
“The Group Melvin Design employees are proud to join a firm with such a strong commitment to the communities in which they live and work. Pennoni’s focus on client service mirrors our approach and we look forward to continuing relationships with existing clients, as well as developing new ones,” said Melvin.