Acton Ostry Architects (AOA) in Vancouver announced the appointment of an expanded leadership team.

AOA welcomes Ruth Chau as director of operations, Derek Fleming and Michael Fugeta as principals, Chei-Wei Tai as senior associate, and Rodrigo Alba and Andrew Carnochan as associates.

“We are extremely pleased to announce Ruth Chau as director of operations. Ruth has been with AOA for almost two decades, smoothly managing the behind-the-scenes work that has been vital to the success and growth of the practice,” said founding principal Mark Ostry.

In her new leadership role as director of operations, Chau will further strengthen the operational, managerial and administrative foundation of AOA in support of the firm’s continued growth and development.

As a principal, Fleming will take a lead role in business development at AOA and will continue to bring to each project his creativity, extensive knowledge of construction, exacting attention to detail, project management expertise and skillful communication.

Fugeta will continue to expand and diversify AOA’s mixed-use portfolio, leveraging his expertise in master planning, master programming, and rezoning work and drawing upon his comprehensive knowledge of by-laws, planning policies, community plans, and guidelines.

“New principals Derek Fleming and Michael Fugeta both share a passion for design excellence and a keen interest in innovation that has meaningfully shaped many AOA projects and strengthened the fabric of the practice,” said principal Alex Percy.

Principal Matt Wood acknowledged the new associates, “We are very pleased to recognize Che-Wei Tai as senior associate for his longstanding leadership, and Rodrigo Alba and Andrew Carnochan as associates at AOA.”

Photo: left to right: Mark Simpson, Alex Percy, Russell Acton, Derek Fleming, Mark Ostry, Matt Wood, Ruth Chau, Michael Fugeta