Firm appoints Michael DelleFave as Studio Director; Lucas Herringshaw and Ruthie Kuhlman as Senior Associates; Nick Ruggeri as Associate; and Deidre Lamoureux as Associate & Director of Finance

BOSTON, February 1, 2024 - RODE Architects, a Boston-based collaborative design and architecture firm, announced five promotions today as the firm deepens its leadership team and diversifies its project portfolio. Michael DelleFave has been named Studio Director; Lucas Herringshaw and Ruthie Kuhlman have been promoted to Senior Associates; Nick Ruggeri has been named Associate; and Deidre Lamoureux has been promoted to Associate and Director of Finance.

“The evolution of our leadership structure with these five promotions is a demonstration of RODE’s growth and trajectory as we kick off 2024,” said Eric Robinson, principal and co-founder of the firm. “We’re thrilled that Mike, Lucas, Ruthie, Nick and Deidre will continue to be core members of our team in these expanded roles.”

As Studio Director — a new role born out of his passion for design and mentorship — DelleFave will ensure that the firm's portfolio continues to meet a high caliber of design by engaging its staff’s diverse talents and pushing a process that has consistently delivered strong, concept-driven work. Herringshaw and Kuhlman have distinguished themselves through leadership within the studio, and as Senior Associates they will guide and direct firm-wide initiatives towards RODE’s goals. Ruggeri’s promotion celebrates his long dedication to the firm, and his strength in project delivery. Lamoureux’s proficiency in managing the firm’s core operations has been crucial to RODE’s recent success.

“Since founding RODE nearly 20 years ago, we’ve prioritized fostering a culture that allows for the unique creative talents of each individual to contribute meaningfully to our work,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE. “We’re proud to acknowledge the achievements of these key team members, and empower them to continue shaping RODE’s evolution and recognition in the industry.”

• Michael DelleFave, AIA, is a registered architect, project manager and senior project designer with more than 17 years of industry experience. His broad range of project types includes Passive House, single-family, multi-family, adaptive reuse, commercial, and community-based projects. A graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, he joined RODE in 2014 and continues to contribute to the growth of the next generation of architects as a member of the design faculty at several Boston-area colleges and through his mentorship of RODE design staff.
• Lucas Herringshaw, AIA, brings project coordination experience and attention to detail to RODE, drawing on his experience working on a variety of project types and scales. Lucas, who joined RODE in 2015, pushes design excellence with rigor and dedication, honed through his 20 years of architectural experience. Lucas earned his Master of Architecture Degree at Tulane University.
• Ruthie Kuhlman, AIA, has worked across multiple scales and project types as both an architect and an engineer. A member of the RODE team since 2017, she brings a passion for problem solving through thoughtful contextual design with experience in museum, hospitality and multi-family residential projects. Ruthie holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Architecture from the Boston Architectural College, and is a member of the adjunct faculty at the BAC.
• Nick Ruggeri, AIA, is a registered Architect with more than 10 years of experience in a broad range of projects including multi-family residential, hotels, high-rise, restaurants, light industrial, adaptive reuse, and commercial spaces. He joined RODE in 2015 after graduating from Kansas State University with a Master’s in Architecture and a Minor in Urban Planning. 
• Deidre Lamoureux joined RODE in 2018 as an accounting manager. With more than 25 years leading the finance departments at some of Boston’s leading design firms, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to RODE.

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Milewski, Elevate Communications, nmilewski@elevatecom.com

About RODE Architects

RODE is a Boston-based team of architects, designers, and urban planners who know that great design has the power to transform our environment. We have cultivated a network of driven people – employees, clients, builders, community members – who share this mission, and know that working collaboratively is the best way to achieve our goals. The breadth and depth of our collective capabilities enable us to apply our practice across an array of project types that includes mixed-use, hospitality, multi-family, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Clients select RODE to drive the design process and ensure their vision is realized. For more information and to be inspired visit www.rodearchitects.com.

‍

RODE is proud to announce the promotion of five its team members to Associate. Each of the distinctive individuals are recognized for their dedication to the firm, superior client service and design ability, as well as mentorship and care for the profession. The promotions cover positions across the full range of the firm’s capabilities, from operations to interior design.

“Our team is a truly unique group of individuals, and we inspire each other to achieve success and find the most amazing solutions for our clients. This group in particular represents our best skills, attitude, and sense of service,” said Kevin Deabler, Principal. “It’s important to recognize our leaders as the breadth of our work is increasing. We see these promotions, our very first at RODE, as a critical step in forming the future of firm.”

Promotions include:

• Mike DelleFave, AIA, LEED AP has been with RODE since 2014. He brings more than a dozen years of experience to the firm and has dedicated himself to teaching within the firm and at local colleges. DelleFave strives to support the creative energy of the office and fosters collaborative connections across the studio. Key projects he has been involved in include Dorchester Brewing Co., The Flats on Savin, Forbes Street Townhouses, and the mixed-use development at 110 Savin Hill Ave. Originally from Smithfield, RI and now a resident of Dorchester, DelleFave holds a Bachelor of

Architecture from the Wentworth Institute of Technology and a Masters from the Pratt Institute.  

• Jessica Haley, Associate IIDA has been with RODE more than 5 years and brings 12 years of interior design expertise to the firm. Her unique approach has been realized in a range of project types including hospitality, multi-family, commercial, institutional, and academic research. Her award-winning design work has brought acclaim to the firm’s hospitality projects such as La Brasa, Commonwealth, SRV, Southern Proper, and the Cambria Hotel at 6 West Broadway. Originally from Peterborough, NH, now residing in Boston, Haley holds a BFA from Suffolk University and Masters in Interior Architecture from the Boston Architectural College.  
• Lucas Herringshaw, AIA, LEED AP has been with RODE for 3 years and in the industry for nearly 15. Herringshaw’s attention to detail, focus on design integration, technical expertise and project coordination help him lead complex projects including the soon-to-be-finished Cambria Hotel at 6 West Broadway and the anticipated boutique hotel at 150 Kneeland, among others. Originally from Slidell, LA and now a resident of Dorchester, he is a graduate of Tulane University with a Masters in Architecture.  
• Shelley Kolesar, PHR is responsible for the firm’s human resources, financials, and overall operations. Kolesar has been with the organization since 2013 and brings close to two decades of professional experience, including industry-specific expertise to help navigate the business forward. At RODE, she has presided over an exciting period of firm-wide growth and cultural transformation. Originally from Ballston Spa, NY, Kolesar now resides in Boston, and is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire.  
• Ben Wan was RODE’s first full-time employee and has been impacting the architectural design of the firm’s projects for more than 9 years. He has been a leading team member on RODE’s most complex, transformative projects such as Radian, DOT Block, 105 Washington Street Development, Commonwealth Kitchen at Pearl, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He also plays a key role in mentoring and fostering the firm’s culture and mission statement. Originally from Billerica, MA and now a resident of Malden, he is a graduate of Northeastern University with a Masters in Architecture.

‍