SmithGroup Names Sandro Bressi, Francie Moore to Lead Science & Technology, Higher Education Studios for Southern California

SmithGroup, one of the nation's leading integrated design firms, has appointed Sandro Bressi and Francie Moore, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, to lead the Science & Technology and Higher Education studios, respectively, for the firm’s Los Angeles and San Diego offices. This move supports the firm’s strategic plan to expand its portfolio of work with top-ranked research institutions, university, college and corporate clients on the West Coast.

In their new positions, Bressi and Moore will serve in leadership roles for key projects, maintaining relationships with existing clients and managing the daily operations of their studios. They will also be responsible for strategy and business development, engaging targeted new clients across San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and Inland California.

Sandro Bressi is a recognized expert in the planning, engineering, and construction of complex research facilities for a range of corporate, government and academic clients. With over 34 years of experience, he has developed a specialized expertise in the design of vivarium facilities and biocontainment systems. Past clients include Rutgers University, The Pennsylvania State University, Henkel Corporation, Amgen, New York University, The New Jersey Institute of Technology, Genentech, Pfizer, Merck & Company, Johnson & Johnson, National Institutes of Health, The United States Army, and Hackensack University Medical Center.

Bressi holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the City University of New York College of Technology and is active with the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), American Biological Safety Association (ABSA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). As a past member of the national education committee for ISPE and the biocontainment working group for the National Institutes of Health, Bressi has collaborated with industry leaders on the development of updated design policy and guidelines for complex research facilities. He has also been invited to speak at national and regional conferences for Tradeline, Society for College and University Planners, Lab Design Conference, American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, and ISPE.

Francie Moore, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, possesses nearly 25 years of experience and has honed a deep understanding of the drivers transforming today’s educational marketplace. She has focused much of her career on designing facilities that foster engagement and learning while enabling clients to balance the shifting demands of teaching, researching, recruiting, enrolling, and funding. Her career includes planning, design and implementation of instructional facilities, professional schools, libraries, and campus buildings for a range of clients, including California State University, University of California, the California University of Science and Medicine, Occidental College, Los Angeles Valley College, and University of Redlands, among others.

Moore earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts from Wesleyan University. She is also a licensed architect in California.

According to Bonnie Khang-Keating, AIA, director of the firm’s Los Angeles and San Diego offices, the promotions are an integral part of the firm’s mission to bring new and innovative strategies and approaches to its clients.

“Sandro and Francie will bring new insight and fresh perspectives to our leadership team. I am confident they will excel in their roles and position us to further grow our science and technology and higher education practices,” states Khang-Keating.

For more information about SmithGroup, please visit our Company Fact Sheet.