about us!
ACE is a free after-school program led by volunteer professionals from the design and construction industry. Every year, ACE Mentor introduces more than 9,000 students from over 1,000 high schools to careers in architecture, engineering, construction, and the skilled trades.
With 74 affiliates operating across 36 states, ACE has a national reach — and a powerful impact. Nearly 70% of ACE students pursue industry-related majors in college or enter skilled trades training programs. Additionally, ACE’s minority and female students enroll in college engineering and architecture programs at significantly higher rates than their national peers.
About ACE San Diego: In 2003, a group of local architects, engineers, and general contractors founded ACE Mentor San Diego. Now in our twenty-third year, we’re proud to have supported, graduated, and funded hundreds of high school students as they pursue college degrees and launch careers in the local workforce.
ACE Mentor gives students a firsthand look at the many career pathways available in the architecture, engineering, construction, and design industries — helping them discover what’s possible and where their passions can take them.
Board of Directors
-
Cecilia Kucharski
Chair
Webcor
-
James Haughey
Secretary & Alumni Co-Chair
Michael Baker International
-
Anthony Damon
Treasurer & Past Chair
DPR Construction
-
Andy Lawrence
Scholarship Chair
Dynalectric
-
Bryan Wayne
Fundraising Chair
H+W Engineering
-
Mark Moss
Alumni Co-Chair & Past Chair
Schmidt Design Group
-
Lianne Bell
Education Chair
Patterson Engineering
-
Chantel Marcq
Education Chair
PCL Construction
-
Peter Spiegel
Transformative Partners Chair
Hensel Phelps Construction
-
Michael Daneshvar
Events Chair
Turner Construction Company
-
Laurence Phillips
Governance Chair
Procopio
-
Paul McParlane
Board Director
McParlane & Associates
-
Mark Schull
Board Director
Balfour Beatty
-
Albert Valdivia
Board Director
Clark Construction
-
Rod Mazandarani
Board Director
CannonDesign
-
Patrick Stahle
Board Director
McCarthy Construction
-
Garret van Leeuwen
Board Director
Gensler
-
Marty Glaske
Board Director
Gafcon PM-CM LLC
-
Edward Holakiewicz
Board Director
Architects Mosher Drew
-
Spencer Risty
Board Director
University Mechanical & Engineering Contractors
-
Gitte Russo
San Diego Chapter Administrator
-
Cassondra Glaske
San Diego Chapter Marketing and Events Coordinator
2025 - 2026 program schools and team leaders
-
Canyon Hills High School
Team Leaders:
Courtney Sluder, COAR Design Group
Haley Ascue, COAR Design Group
-
Castle Park High School
Team Leaders:
Laura Handschumacher, City of Chula Vista
Vladimir Corona, Whiting Turner
-
E-3 Civic High School
Team Leaders:
Meghan Rhodus, Blue Trident
John O'Malley, Gensler
-
El Camino High School
Team Leaders:
Julio Dominguez, Hensel Phelps
Patrick Stahle, McCarthy
-
Helix High School
Team Leaders:
Racieli Andrada, Turner Construction
Harmony Hodges, Turner Construction
-
Hoover High School
Team Leaders:
Ricardo Lopez, Swinerton
Devin Meker, Whiting-Turner
-
Kearny High School
Team Leaders:
Lianne Bell, Patterson Engineering
Allie Shank, Ryan Companies US, Inc
-
Patrick Henry High School
Team Leader:
Andy Lawrence, Dynalectric
-
San Diego High School
Team Leader:
Joe Vettle, Geocon, Inc.
-
San Marcos High School
Team Leaders:
Andrew Callaway, ACCO Engineered Systems
Austin Wheelon, PCL Construction
-
Santana High School
Team Leaders:
Jeff Zubik, Davy Architecture, Inc.
Holly Horton, c|a architects
David Suter, CBSI
-
Southwest High School
Team Leaders:
Izary Torres, DPR Construction
Anastasia Schmeeckle, Turner Construction
ACE SAN DIEGO IS IN THE NEWS!
SD voyager Daily inspiration: meet cecilia kucharski
Click the link below to lear about our President, Cecilia Kucharski, who was featured in SDVoyager's "San Diego's Most Inspiring Stories!"
Cecilia’s journey in the AEC industry is a testament to passion, perseverance, and leadership. From discovering her love for construction at an early age to becoming a trailblazer in the field, she continues to inspire the next generation of industry professionals. As the President of ACE Mentor San Diego, Cecilia is dedicated to empowering students, guiding them toward rewarding careers in architecture, construction, and engineering.
High School Students Are Working to Solve San Diego’s Housing Crisis
Click the link below to check out the article AVRP Studios released about our program and the incredible efforts of our ACE Mentor San Diego students as they work to address San Diego's housing crisis with this year's 2023-2024 RFP!
Helix Charter High School students building bright futures.
Our amazing Helix High School ACE Students were showcased in the La Mesa Courier!
Click the link below to read all about the achievements of our Helix students and how they are working on building their careers before graduating with ACE!
