By Joshua Burd
LAN Associates has named a new director of architecture for New Jersey as part of the leadership team for the Midland Park-based firm.
The practice announced Thursday that it has hired Matthew Wolfe, who brings more than 13 years of industry experience to the position. In a news release, LAN touted his diverse background and a portfolio that spreads across the U.S. and internationally, where he has led projects for multiple hospitality, commercial, retail and mixed-use clients.
The firm also cited Wolfe’s passion for sustainability and historic adaptive reuse, which it said adds another skillset to its team of architects.
“The Director of Architecture plays a major role in the work that we do,” Kenneth Karle, president of LAN Associates, said in a prepared statement. “Matt supports and manages our architectural department in their quest to create cutting edge design solutions, while also bringing a new perspective. The combination of Matt’s instinctive leadership skills, paired with his design passion, makes him an ideal candidate for this position.”
In its announcement, LAN said Wolfe is committed to a lifestyle of community service and leveraging his professional skills to make a difference, leading him to volunteer with local nonprofits and international organizations. He was co-founder of Solid Foundation, a local youth mentoring program that designed skateboard parks throughout New Jersey, and led the design efforts for the Dream Center, an eight-acre mixed, use community development serving the war-torn village of Adak, Uganda.
With the design and engineering firm, Wolfe now leads a team of 15 architects within LAN’s New Jersey architecture department, the news release said. He has begun design work on multiple projects, participating in strategic planning initiatives and has quickly become a key member of the LAN team.
“Having a growth mindset has been key throughout my career,” Wolfe said. “While I’ve had fantastic mentorship and some of the best professional training in the industry, this opportunity at LAN is an exciting step for me.
“I am thrilled to join a multi-disciplined firm and I hope to continue to strengthen and push the company forward.”
