Today, the firm is proud to officially announce that Chief Operations Officer Denise P. Laskody will be moving into the role of Chief Executive Officer of USA Architects, Planners, and Interior Designers, Ltd.. Co-Founder Paul R. Swartz, AIA, PP will remain as Chairman of the Board.
After four decades of Paul's visionary leadership and driving transformative growth as Chief Executive Officer, Paul will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, continuing to guide the company’s long-term strategy.
"Denise is the undeniable choice to step in as CEO. My original partner Arnie Untoria and I approached the business differently, yet we always aligned on what mattered—and Denise brings that same powerful mindset. She embraces the way we built the firm: bold in our investments, disciplined in our operations. What excites me most is her vision. She’s pushing regional growth and expanding our services in ways I never even imagined. I have complete trust in her leadership, and I’m energized by the direction she’s taking the firm," said Paul Swartz, AIA, PP
Denise started with USA in 2001 and has grown alongside the firm's leadership—learning, leading, mentoring, and shaping the culture and operations in ways that have strengthened the firm to become one of the most notable architectural firms in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Denise Laskody added, "The founding partners have laid an exceptional foundation at USA, and I’m thankful for the opportunity and the trust placed in me to guide the next generation of the firm. I look forward to working closely with our new Shareholders as we build on that legacy and turn our collective vision for the firm into reality."
Denise brings with her not only deep institutional knowledge, but a leadership style grounded in people-first values. She has always put people at the heart of her decisions, staff, clients, and consultants alike, and that perspective is critical as we navigate the future, together.
Read the press release here.
