Dale A. Stewart, AIA

Principal

A founding principal of CORE, Dale oversees the firm's management and leads individual projects, including design documentation and construction quality control. With more than 38 years experience in the greater DC metropolitan area, he demonstrates a strong expertise in master planning, base building architecture, historic preservation, and adaptive re-use as well as commercial interiors and restaurants. He manages community relations and navigates the complex approval process of local design review boards and community special interest groups to achieve formal passage of programming and architectural design. Dale has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Maryland, is licensed in 14 states, and is NCARB certified. His projects have received numerous local and national design awards.

Allison Cooke, IIDA, LEED AP

Principal

Allison, director of hospitality design at CORE, leads the firm’s restaurant work while also providing direction and feedback for the interiors of libraries, residential buildings, office buildings, and hotel interiors. Clients love her ability to seamlessly shift between creative brainstorming and straightforward conversation about technical requirements. A natural leader and presenter, she is quickly building a portfolio of significant speaking engagements across the country focusing on the varied aspects of restaurant design. Allison has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Miami University of Ohio. She is a LEED Accredited Professional and is NCIDQ certified.

David Cheney, AIA

Principal

David is the leading voice in the firm’s technical direction. As director of operations with over 25 years experience, he has established a process-oriented approach to design and construction. David demonstrates superior design skills and technical knowledge of innovative construction materials, value engineering, construction methods, and architectural standards. He builds the portfolio of boutique base-building projects, varying anywhere from new construction to strategic repositioning, and oversees many of the firm’s cultural, mixed-use, public, and historic projects. He leads weekly management meetings and mentors staff in professional development. David has a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, from Norwich University. He is licensed in eight states and is NCARB certified.

Ann Marie Avellino

Business Manager/Controller

Ann Marie Avellino is a seasoned financial manager with over 25 years professional experience in managing overall corporate finances, in Fortune 500 as well as small to mid size companies. At CORE she establishes working relationships based upon respect, encouragement and trust. She is responsible for all corporate finances, human resources and facility management. Ann Marie is a member of the National Association of Professional Women and the Society of Human Resource Management.

Christina Schlecht

Director of Marketing and Business Development

Christina has over 15 years of experience in leadership and management positions in the professional services, publishing, education, and entertainment industries. At CORE, Christina leads the development and activation of strategic marketing and communications plans that generate company growth. She orchestrates a strategic approach to business development, guides the production of effective lead generation and retention programs, and oversees the design and launch of interactive digital platforms and multi-channel campaigns, improving conversion and client acquisition rates. Christina earned her MBA from Columbia Business School, New York and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany. She spent one semester as a Visiting Scholar at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Christopher Peli

Christopher is involved in many diverse project types from hospitality to urban design, renovation and new construction. He is a conscientious, creative team leader and mentor, who pursues a pragmatic approach to design that unites all team members, including client, contractor, owner, and landlord. Christopher has extensive construction administration experience on complex building renovation and restaurant projects. He pushes the envelope of the hospitality design industry by looking at obstacles of budget, tight timeframes, and site conditions as tools for decision-making rather than restrictions.

Daniel Kalinowski, Assoc. AIA

Daniel joined CORE after graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude. While at Syracuse, he studied in Italy and the UK where he strengthened his passion for cultural diversity and regional and historic architecture. His scope of work has included commercial and multifamily residential buildings and corporate interiors and renovations. Daniel specializes in designing and executing custom millwork and lighting solutions and his attention to detail helps bring a level of excellence to the finished products. He is an Associate AIA member and is currently pursuing licensure.

Daniel Mayo, RA

Daniel's diverse skill set has allowed him to work on various project types, which range from commercial office and multifamily housing to corporate interiors and restaurant design. He has an interest in industrial design and in international architecture, studying extensively in Italy and Finland. Daniel has participated in global competitions, exercising his passion for design. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master's of Architecture with a concentration in Sacred Space and Cultural Studies from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Dean Hutchison, AIA

Dean works on a wide range of project types at CORE, from base building office to multifamily residential and institutional buildings as well as retail tenant fit-outs. He excels in all phases of projects, from design to construction administration and goes out of his way to establish strong relationships with those involved. Dean has a M.Arch. from Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Gavin Walsh

Gavin joined CORE after working in residential architecture on Long Island for two years. While his experience is primarily in residential architecture, he is also passionate about commercial, educational, and mixed-use design. Gavin received a Master of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a minor in Landscape Architecture from the Ohio State University. He is currently pursuing architectural licensure.

Kassandra Bishop

Kassandra's passion in art and design is inspired by the joy of making people feel encouraged. She has worked on a variety of projects including, high-end residential, retail, commercial, and restaurant projects. Kassandra brings a detailed artistic touch to the projects that she works on and is creatively fueled by the desire to leave the client invigorated. The transformation of an interior space, its relation to human behavior and the modern-day lifestyle, is what excites her the most. Kassandra graduated with her Master's in Interior Architecture and Design from Drexel University and her Bachelor's in Fine Arts (concentration in Studio Art) from Bowie State University.

Kristen Wong Van Hise, NCIDQ

An NCIDQ certified professional, Kristen's primary focus is on hospitality projects with a specific interest in restaurant and retail design. Her studies concentrated on sustainable design strategies and how interior design can serve to modify human behavior and thought. Kristen received her Master of Arts in Interior Design from the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, DC. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Richmond.

Marie C. Vogt, LEED AP

Marie is a senior project manager at CORE. She is highly valued for her leadership success in directing complex projects with a high level of design innovation and technical experience in both base building and interior architecture. As a team manager and project architect, she has been responsible for structuring project teams and fees, project schedules, consultant coordination, and project design and delivery. She is a highly effective communicator with clients, consultants and contractors and is quickly adaptive to changing project priorities. Her wide range of experience in work place interiors, multi-family residential, large scale government projects and design build projects has given her keen insight and a holistic approach to project process and delivery.

Michael Borissow

Michael has over 10 years of design experience, working on a wide range of low and mid-rise residential projects in Washington, DC, including additions, renovations, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and new construction. Over the years with CORE, he has expanded his repertoire, excelling in all phases of commercial office and multi-family residential design. In addition to his design abilities, he has developed an exceptional technical skill-set in areas such as exterior skin systems and heavy timber construction. Michael received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Philadelphia University. He is a well-traveled, multilingual individual, whose unique perspective adds great value to CORE’s versatile team.

Ron Ngiam, AIA

Ron is highly accomplished in taking the complex needs of owners, regulatory authorities, and the opportunities and limitations of site and context, and distilling them into clear and coherent architecture. He has over 30 years of experience leading design teams on award winning projects. His projects have included master planning, office and residential buildings, commercial interiors, retail, and restaurants. Ron has a Bachelor of Architecture from Texas Tech University. He is a licensed architect in Washington, DC, and is NCARB certified. He is also a member of the Cleveland Park Historic Architectural Review Committee.

Sidnia Garcia

Sidnia joined CORE as a Junior Interior Designer after interning with the team during her final semester at Marymount University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. Sidnia has participated in various phases of the design process for hospitality projects, helped promote the team’s work in competitions, and has been in charge of the design studio’s resource library management. She possesses strong communication skills and especially enjoys the organic nature of schematic design nurtured by her collaboration with the client.