SEI Design Group BlogBlog about news, information, happenings and mojo at SEI Design Group

Everyone is finally settled and happy in the new, improved SEI Albany Office.  We are located in the same building, but now have more room to breathe and work.  Stop on up to see us. 

There was a very nice article about Brenna in the paper!  Brenna has done a great job establishing a local NY chapter of the Tears Foundation.  Brenna and the group are planning the Rock and Walk fundraiser on May 26th – contact her for more info.   Way to go, Brenna!

We hope you are enjoying the holidays and preparing for a great New Year.  We thought you might enjoy some moments from the Rochester and Albany holiday parties earlier this month.

The hit of the Rochester party was “Architect Barbie”, as demonstrated by Bill.  Nancy Mountain did the Michael Jackson walk and it got her a visit to Next Door Restaurant.  Jimmi rocked the hat for a while and Karin had to actually bake after attending the party.  Kelly also rocked the hat, but seemed to enjoy air hockey much more, and it looks like Tom Caruso actually went home with the hat.  Last but not least, Office “Mom” (Manager), Paula looking lovely as ever with husband, Chris.

The Albany party was a lot of laughs and it looks like Armand is now working for SEI, or maybe Lisa is?  Matt Schools proclaims world peace, and Russ looks aggravated over whatever the women are enjoying.  Obviously there were also some serious moments (check the last photo).

As usual, you can click the photos to see them larger.

The Albany crew recently had a baby shower for Matt Schools and his wife, Sarah. The Schools are anticipating a new female arrival this February.

Recently, SEI Design Group hosted the first, hopefully to become annual, SEI Chili Cook-Off.  SEI staff brought in their homemade chili recipes and let them simmer all morning throughout the office.  At lunch everyone convened at the second floor conference table to partake in some spicy tastings. There were a variety of entries including a turkey chili, a venison chili, two types of Cincinnati chili, and two traditional chilis with kick!
Cooks included Kurt Vater, Kelly Wobser, Beth McFarlane, Ted Mountain and Brian Cieslinski. Other tasters/judges included Karen Caruso, Steve Staveski, Paula Cisterna, Bill Serow and Jim VanSchaffel.

Prizes were awarded as follows:

Fan Favorite
Prize:  $25 gift card to Chili’s Restaurant went to Ted Mountain with his stewed tomato base chili with Frito chips, sour cream and cheese.

Most Hot
Prize: (3) bottles of hot sauces; Tropical Pepper Co. XXXXtra Hot Habanero Pepper Sauce, Tabasco Chipotle, Tiger Sauce, went to Kelly Wobser with her venison chili and cheese accompanied with corn bread and honey butter.

A good time was had by all, and the jar of Tums is nowhere to be found. 

Thanks to Kurt Vater for organizing the event.

After much preparation and hard work, Brad Moreland passed his exams for his architectural license, and we certainly took the opportunity to celebrate the occasion!  Lunch from Rosie’s was in order with a unique dessert that we were afraid to dismantle!  You can click the photo to see the cake!  Congrats Brad Moreland, AIA!

On Saturday, SEI participated again in a really great charity event, Canstruction. This is a design build competition for design professionals and students using cans. All the building materials (canned goods) get donated to food kitchens at the end of the event.   Since 1992, Canstruction has donated over 10 million pounds of food.  In Rochester, the cans are donated to Foodlink after the event.

Our entry ~ GENESEE Fed is on display and the Award Gala is this Friday in the Bausch and Lomb Wintergarden.   (read more)

The SEI Design Group Build Team

SEI: Brad Moreland (Team Captain), Jimmi Van Shaffel, Ted Mountain, Steve Staveski, Kelly Wobser, Kiel Wobser, Brian Cieslinski, Kurt Vater

Rochester City School District: Charles Nash, Andrew Hylton, and their mentors, William Broome (RCSD) and Wayne Williams (Gilbane)

We want to thank our sponsors: Engineered Solutions, M/E Engineering, Watchdog, Campus Construction Management, Walmart, and Genesee Brewing Company for helping us to compete.

      Please join us in welcoming:

      Matt Coonradt, LEED AP

      Project Manager

At SEI Design Group, we recently celebrated our 5 Year Anniversary!  We had different staff activities during the day and a wonderful dinner at La Luna.

We hope you will welcome:

Troy Williams, Intern

Brenna Uline, Office Manager

Alney Tobias, Intern