New CEO takes the helm

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Passero Associates DPC is poised for growth, with a focus on expanding its geographic reach and the diversity of its projects.

The Rochester architectural and engineering firm also has made management changes.

John Caruso, president and chief operating officer for the last four years, is leading the company following the February retirement of CEO Wayne Wegman. Wegman will continue in an advisory role, as will the firm’s founder, Gary Passero.

A 32-year company veteran and part-ner in the firm, Caruso has held every engineering position in the company, from project engineer to vice president in charge of engineering and surveying. He is excited about the firm’s future and its new generation of leadership.

“Our people, and the expertise they put to work serving our clients every day, are the greatest assets of our firm,” Caruso said, noting he is proud of the culture that has been created at the business over the years.

Passero Associates provides planning, engineering, architectural design, sustainability, surveying, program management and construction administration in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Founded in 1972, and with more than 90 employees, Passero Associates ranked fourth on the most recent Rochester Business Journal list of engineering firms and ninth on the list of architectural firms.

Several projects in process include new airport terminal buildings, recreation and community centers and libraries. Local jobs include Charlotte Square in Rochester, Southpoint Cove on Irondequoit Bay and Pinnacle North in Canandaigua.

In addition to its Rochester base, Passero Associates has an office in Albany, two locations in Ohio and two more in Florida. Annual gross revenues are some $14.5 million, and Caruso expects a 5 to 10 percent increase in sales this year.

The company is divided into aviation and non-aviation segments. The latter includes site development, commercial, industrial and residential clients. Both sides are growing, leaders said. Passero is involved with airport projects in Florida, the Midwest and Western New York.

The company recently began providing services to airports in Indiana, and continues to add to its client base throughout Western and Upstate New York, New England, Ohio, Florida and the Caribbean.

Its multifamily and student housing segment is also ramping up, with projects such as the Lodge, a cottage-style student housing community near Rochester Institute of Technology. The firm recently wrapped up a student housing project in Buffalo and is about to begin one in Syracuse.

In addition to Caruso’s expanded role, the firm promoted Jess Sudol to partner in charge of site engineering from civil engineering department manager. During his tenure, Sudol has worked on a range of projects that includes over 10,000 residential units and 5 million square feet of commercial and industrial space.

Andrew Holesko has been named national director of aviation services. A 20-year veteran of Passero, Holesko is a partner of the firm and has been the leader of company offices in Florida since 1999.

As national director, he leads Passero’s nationwide aviation services group, serving airport clients in the Southeast, Northeast and Midwest, as well as the Caribbean.

Greg Topping joined the firm as Northeast aviation services director. In his role, Topping works with the aviation services group on current client relations and growing the client base in the Northeast.

Passero also has promoted Jeff Bonecutter to associate in the firm. He is the Dayton, Ohio, office manager and senior project manager.

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