International

Andre Aoun, AIA

Principal

Andre Aoun, Regional Health Science Practice Leader, is a recognized leader in the planning and design of world-class healthcare and science facilities. For more than 25 years, he has been intimately involved with planning, programming, and design, and has been instrumental in developing strong long-term relationships with some of the world’s top healthcare institutions. His award-winning work is executed through an integrated design process that weaves together innovative design and multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve quality built environments for healing and discovery.

Aoun speaks frequently at design conferences, and his work has garnered numerous awards and accolades from the American Institute of Architects, Boston Society of Architects, Building Design and Construction, and the New England Healthcare Assembly, among others.

George N. Athens, AIA

Principal

A business leader for over 20 years, George N. Athens’ expertise lies in strengthening the existing practices of A/E firms worldwide, and guiding their efforts in developing new business. He is recognized for growing client relationships, building solid project teams and mentoring staff. As Managing Director of the firm’s practice in India, Athens provides leadership in support of the firm’s international efforts in the region, implementing strategies and tactics that support Cannon Design’s objective of delivering excellence in project design and client satisfaction.

Mark K. Erdly, AIA

Principal

Mark Erdly has responsibility for Cannon Design’s activities throughout India, including overseeing operations in the firm’s Mumbai office. Throughout his career, Erdly has managed large-scale projects for a variety of federal, institutional, and commercial clients. After building an impressive portfolio of planning and building design work largely centered around the nation's capital following work on U.S. Embassy projects abroad, Erdly is now part of the firm's India Strategies Group, where he works closely with the President of Cannon Design International. A registered architect who speaks frequently at planning and design symposia across the country, Erdly is a member of Cannon Design’s International Practice Committee.

Stephen Johnson, FAIA

President, Cannon Design International

Stephen Johnson is an award-winning architect leading the development of landmark civic projects and the design of transformative educational facilities for over three decades. His projects have been acclaimed with five national AIA Design Awards, as well as two prestigious Honor Awards from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. As President of Cannon Design International, Johnson is a strategic leader of the firm’s international practice and is engaged in major projects located within North America, India, China and the Middle East. A key member of the firm’s global education practice, he is recognized as a worldwide expert in emerging trends for new learning environments and academic libraries, with projects located in over 25 states and 10 countries. Johnson's design work and contributions to the profession as a leader and generous collaborator have been celebrated with his elevation to the AIA College of Fellows in 2010, the Institute’s highest individual honor.

Mark R. Mendell, FAIA, MRAIC

Co-Chairman

As Co-Chairman of Cannon Design, Mark R. Mendell focuses on advancing the global presence of the firm, whose practice now extends throughout North America as well as 25 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, India, and the Middle East. Mendell has served the firm for more than 35 years, including 15 years as President. He also chairs the firm’s Advisory Board of international experts in business, professional practice, construction, academe and law, which serves to assist the Executive Leadership Team in advancing strategies for Cannon Design’s growth and development. Mendell was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and inducted into the College of Fellows in 2003, the Institute’s highest individual honor, in recognition of his contributions to the profession and his leadership in developing innovative methods to achieve excellence in a multi-office large firm structure.

Michael S. Tunkey

Principal

Michael Tunkey has overall responsibility for Cannon Design’s activities in China, establishing the firm’s office in Shanghai in 2007, which under his management has grown to over 60 people. He is a member of the firm’s International Steering Committee and in addition to his leadership responsibilities, is personally leading a number of projects throughout China. Tunkey has participated in projects of varying scales and typologies in nine countries, demonstrating leadership throughout each project phase—from competition development to construction management. Examples of his work have been published in leading international architectural journals, including feature coverage of three projects in Architecture magazine.

Mehrdad Yazdani

Principal

A member of the Cannon Design Board of Directors and leader of Cannon Design’s Yazdani Studio, Mehrdad Yazdani has succeeded in bringing a visionary design sensibility to a broad portfolio of significant projects on a global basis – including projects in Asia, India, and the Middle East. His work has received numerous awards and international recognition, with features in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Architectural Record, Architecture, and Progressive Architecture, as well as a number of prestigious international journals. Practicing at the intersec¬tion of the large office and the small studio, Yazdani was named by Progressive Architecture magazine as one of the world’s top emerging architects just three years after graduating from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He has suc¬ceeded in bringing a design sensibility characteristic of boutique firms to a broad portfolio of significant work for notable large firms.