Jeff Venezia AIA
One of Jeff’s favorite song lyrics is by Carrie Newcomer from her song ‘Every Little Bit of It’ – “the face was always in the stone, said Michelangelo, we just have to chip and clear to see what is already there”. The words represent both Jeff’s passion for design and his creative problem-solving skills that have served him well over the 40 plus years of his career. The solution is in the problem presented to the architect and the client. During that time Jeff has focused his skills on academic, higher-education and community-based projects of every type and size.
As founder of NJK-12 Architects and later DIGroupArchitecture, Jeff’s collaborative and consensus building style, vision and passion have helped create this innovative design firm of diversity and inclusion serving the region’s underserved populations and giving back to the communities it’s privileged to serve.
As Principal and Chief Executive Officer of DIG, Jeff has set the example for community service by volunteering in Haiti to rebuild schools after the 2010 earthquake, served on the boards of the Education Law Center and George Street Playhouse, and as a model train enthusiast, has set up his LGB trains at Christmas time in the head of the school’s office at Rutgers Prep School for the last 27 years.
While architecture is his passion, Jeff enjoys photography and has an awesome collection of construction equipment models that has been a focal point and conversation piece at Bethany Street since day one. He’s also a heck of a golfer with a 10 handicap, ready to take on all comers!
Vince Myers AIA, LEED AP
Vince is one of the founding members of DIG. In addition to his role as the firm’s President and CFO, he is responsible for the development and growth of our Senior Living Studio that specializes in designing spaces to fit the complex needs of the New Aging Generation, from independent living residents to those requiring skilled nursing and memory care services. His understanding and in-depth knowledge of operational needs and financial models strengthens our team’s ability to engage in strategic discussions with our clients that lead to meaningful design solutions for their residents. As a result, Vince has presented numerous times at state and national conferences to share his insights with leading developers and operators of senior living communities. DIG continues to expand its portfolio of completed work across the country— something he is very proud of.
Vince loves to read when time permits, usually when he travels. He prefers non-fiction books that share inspirational stories about people’s lives that he hears about on NPR. One of his recent favorites is by John Doty, titled “Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart”. Vince enjoys his time serving as a trustee on the Borden Foundation and is Board Chairman of Springpoint Senior Living. This all pales in comparison to working outdoors, weather permitting or not, swimming and last but not least, spending time with the family and his mini-me grandson.
Rich Alderiso AIA, NCARB
Rich is Principal-in-Charge of Operations for DIG. In addition to managing operations, his main focus is on K-12 education. Having partnered with amazing public and private K-12 clients for over 25 years, he has grown to love the intricacies of academic projects along with the unique challenges facing our clients. Rich unifies project teams with clarity, thoughtfulness and humor providing senior level oversight as each collaboration takes shape.
Throughout his career, Rich has fulfilled the roles of Project Manager and Project Architect for major projects that include new construction, additions, alterations and capital improvements. His steadfast attention to detail combined with his commitment to maintaining long-term client relationships has been a benefit to the community which DIG has been privileged to serve.
Rich holds licenses to practice architecture in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida. He graduated first in his class from Pennsylvania State University where he received his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Science degrees.
When Rich is not in the office, he can be found riding waves, watching his son hurl baseballs and his daughter take flight at dance competitions.
Bob Ryan Associate AIA
Being able to seamlessly cross public and private sectors of the industry makes Bob a notable asset in his role as a Principal of DIGroupArchitecture. Skilled in CAD, he is able to constructively manage and lead his support team through all phases of a project to an inspiring accomplishment of design objectives.
Bob holds more than 30 years of experience in the fields of corporate and healthcare design; he has been involved in countless intricate and custom projects; he has designed renovations and expansions for over hundreds of projects in the Tri-State Area. These projects include office renovations, commercial kitchens and cafeterias, corporate lobbies and administrative spaces, laboratories, emergency departments, and surgical suites. His in-depth ability to understand his client’s methodologies and objectives along with his personal communication and organizational skills are key to the development of our continuous long-standing relationships with clients.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Ackerman, RA, LEED AP
Elizabeth Ackerman is the firm’s newest Principal and brings her expertise in clean energy to the firm. As a former Director at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, she oversaw New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and the Energy Savings Improvement Program, as well as other state and federal grants that promote the development of energy efficiency, renewable energy and distributed generation technologies. Betsy, as she is most often called, develops energy solutions that deliver cash incentives and build resilience for the firm’s “MUSH” clients – Municipal, University, Schools and Hospitals. Believing that good energy is contagious, she imbues her work with a sense of fun, to brighten solutions and provide ease to the process. Betsy is a graduate of Hamilton College and received her Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect III/Architectural Staff III position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.Architect III
Barbara graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute’s Architecture program. She has spent over a decade in marketing, where her understanding of architecture uniquely enhances her ability to inform the firm’s proposal development and marketing communication strategies and to position the firm as an industry leader. Barbara leverages the team’s knowledge and expertise into compelling content that reinforces brand identity and builds recognition among our clients and peers.
She handles the rigors of her role with determination and adapts quickly to challenges, which stems from an adventurous spirit. When not fine-tuning workflow efficiencies, Barbara is out and about with her family enjoying the outdoors; from ski slopes to local trails to playgrounds to CrossFit.
Emily graduated with a Business Degree from TCNJ and has worked in the Accounting and Finance departments for software, manufacturing and construction companies. Her professional strengths in accounts receivable, process improvement and account analysis are well suited for the complex nature of architectural project billing.
Emily loves to bake, but don’t ask her to make dinner – cooking is not her forte! Her husband is the family chef, and their two young daughters love to “help” in the kitchen. Some of Emily’s favorite things to do include riding bikes with her older daughter Layla, reading with her younger daughter Evelyn, going out to dinner with her husband and friends, and drinking a cup of coffee in peace and quiet.
Chris A’Hearn comes to DIG with over 20 years of experience in corporate financial management across several industries. Along with a BS in Accounting from Rutgers University’s School of Business and an MBA from Monmouth University, Chris has a keen interest in sustainable building solutions and earned the LEED AP Certification. With his experience in engineering and commercial construction, Chris helps DIG to achieve its financial growth initiatives. He brings his passion for sustainable construction and design to the firm as well as contributing his financial expertise to the DIG team focusing on future success.
Away from the office, Chris and his wife, Anne, stay busy with 2 children. Emily studies at Bucknell University and is interested in life sciences. Andy is a gifted and talented student as well as a competitive YMCA swimmer.
DIGroupArchitecture is an award-winning, mid-sized architecture, interior design and graphic design firm with studios specializing in various areas of concentration: education, healthcare, senior housing and community-civic. A minority-owned business with a philosophy that everyone deserves great architecture, DIG is currently staffed with approximately 30 professionals and looking to expand our team and to fill the Architect I/Architectural Staff I position.
Desired Qualifications
Compensation & Benefits
Interested candidates please send your cover letter, resume and portfolio to: [email protected].
At DIG, we welcome and encourage diversity in the workplace. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.