about us!

ACE is a FREE after-school program led by volunteer professionals working in the design and construction industry. ACE Mentor annually excites 9,000 students from 1,000 high schools about careers in architecture, engineering, construction, and the skilled trades. Seventy-four affiliates (chapters) operate in 36 states. Almost 70% of ACE students study industry-related fields in college or enter a skilled trades training program. ACE minority and female students enter 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. We are excited to be in our twenty-first year in the program, which has graduated and funded hundreds of high school students to pursue their degrees and enter the local workforce. The ACE Mentor program gives high school students an inside look at the wealth of career opportunities available to them in the building and design industries.

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

  • Jacob Leon

    Events Chair

    KTU+A

  • Mark Moss

    Alumni Co-Chair & Past Chair

    Schmidt Design Group

  • Lianne Bell

    Education Chair

    Patterson Engineering

  • Erick Moden

    Education Chair

    DGA Architects Inc

  • Peter Spiegel

    Transformative Partners Chair

    Hensel Phelps Construction

  • Michael Daneshvar

    Vice Fundraising 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

  • Aaron Russler

    Board Director

    Bergelectic

  • Thais Alves

    Board Director

    SDSU

  • Rod Mazandarani

    Board Director

    CannonDesign

  • Patrick Stahle

    Board Director

    McCarthy Construction

  • Garret van Leeuwen

    Board Director

    Gensler

  • Katie Yee

    Board of Director

    Connect Strategic Consulting

  • 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

2024 - 2025 program schools and team leaders

  • Canyon Hills (Serra) High School

    Team Leaders:

    Courtney Sluder, COAR Design Group

    Haley Baquian, COAR Design Group

    Maja Plavsic, Gafcon PM-CM LLC

  • 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 Leader:

    Julio Dominguez, Hensel Phelps

  • Helix High School

    Team Leader:

    Racieli Andrada, Turner Construction

    Harmony Hodges, Turner Construction

  • Hoover High School

    Team Leader:

    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:

    Jacob Leon, KTU+A

  • San Marcos High School

    Team Leaders:

    Andrew Callaway, ACCO

    Austin Wheelon, PCL

    Mike Duby, Labib Funk + Associates

  • Santana High School

    Team Leaders:

    Jeff Zubik, Davy Architecture, Inc.

    Holly Horton, Davy Architecture, Inc.

    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!