Peter Basso is Chairman of Peter Basso Associates.  With over 58 years of experience in the construction industry, Pete has a diverse background in mechanical engineering and project management.  His extensive work portfolio includes projects in all of the basic building types, with construction budgets of up to $1 billion.

Pete believes in a “hands on” approach to project leadership and is actively involved in brainstorming, mentoring and quality assurance on a day-to-day basis.  He is deeply committed to excellence and quality in all projects the firm undertakes, and he continually strives to improve the firm’s quality processes.  Pete has an extensive background in various aspects of quality improvement and is a graduate of the Chrysler Quality Institute.

Publications / Papers / Speeches

Co-Authors: Basso, Peter J. and Wisniewski, R. M. "PBA Chairman, Peter J. Basso, PE, FASHRAE, and Principal Randy M. Wisniewski share Experience/Thoughts on Peer Review – A Commissioning Fringe Benefit or More." Consulting Specifying Engineer (CSE). April 10, 2019.

Dan serves as the firm’s president and COO, setting the firm’s strategic direction and coordinating the day-to-day project activities of a large staff of mechanical and electrical engineers, designers, and CAD specialists.  Dan is an active member of the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and has received several awards of recognition for excellence in engineering design from the ASHRAE Society and the Engineering Society of Detroit.

With a diverse background of over 35 years’ design and project management experience, Dan is well-versed in HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, energy management and control systems design for a variety of project types, with special emphasis on higher education facilities.

Publications / Papers / Speeches

Author: Englehart, Dan. "10 Reasons Why You Need an MEP Engineering Firm for Your Project,"  PBA Blog, March 4, 2016.      

Contributor: Englehart, Dan. “Better design with AutoCAD MEP,”  Autodesk, 2005.

Dennis Sczomak is a senior vice president and market leader of PBA’s Higher Education Group.  He directs the activities of the various team members, including PBA’s in-house engineers, designers and CAD specialists, outside subconsultants. 

Dennis’s areas of expertise include underfloor heating and cooling system design, HVAC, plumbing and fire protection design; heating and cooling plant evaluation and design; cogeneration system feasibility investigations and studies; and detailed energy conservation studies utilizing computerized energy analysis.  Dennis has particular expertise and experience in the design of complex data centers.  

An active member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Dennis has won numerous awards for energy efficient mechanical design, and is Past President of the Detroit Chapter, and past member of the Standing Standard Project Committee 90.1-Energy Efficient Design of New Buildings.

Publications / Papers / Speeches

Author: Sczomak, Dennis. "MEP Design Services for Dining Facilities." PBA Blog, July 12, 2016.

Author: Sczomak, Dennis. "How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Building." PBA Blog, September 28, 2015.

Author: Sczomak, Dennis. “Inadequate Data Center Cooling Systems Are Heating Up the Risk of Equipment Damage.” Business Update, April, 2006.

Co-Author: Sczomak, Dennis. “Underfloor for Technology Firm.” ASHRAE Journal, 2006. 

Author: Sczomak, Dennis. “Underfloor air distribution.” Today’s Facility Manager, September, 2005.

Scott Garrison has been an Electrical Engineer in the A/E/C industry for over 30 years and heads up the Commercial and Government Buildings market sector group at Peter Basso Associates.

Scott has served in a leadership role on projects from single office upgrades to large and complex tenant infrastructure upgrades and everything in between. Recently, he led the PBA engineering team in designing and implementing a modern mechanical and electrical infrastructure for an historic high-rise office building in downtown Detroit that was in near disrepair, all while the building remained occupied. Partnering with the owner, the contractors and the construction manager was key to the success of this ambitious, difficult and fast-paced project.

Scott’s engineering and project experience is diverse and focuses on providing the right design that meets the client’s technical requirements, budget and operational needs. Scott has worked on a range of projects including large corporate headquarters, data centers, casinos, sports and entertainment venues, municipal and educational facilities. His technical experience includes complex power distribution systems, lighting and lighting controls, technology cabling infrastructure and renewable energy. His keen understanding of the client’s needs has led PBA to many successful and lasting client relationships.

George Isherwood is a vice president with PBA and is the leader of its Healthcare and Laboratory Group. Over his 35 year career, George has led many engineering projects for the Healthcare and Laboratory market sectors and is experienced in both new construction and renovation of facilities including patient towers, ambulatory care facilities, operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, biomedical research areas, clean rooms, humidity controlled areas, hazardous gas areas and teaching/research laboratories.

George has also led several industrial projects including metal laboratories, temperature/humidity controlled laboratories, Urethane production laboratories, Aluminum production facilities that all support the automotive industry.

As a lecturer, he has discussed laboratory design at American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) conferences and has delivered presentations on the US Pharmacopoeia 797 standard regulating sterile compounding.

Publications / Papers / Speeches

Contributor: Isherwood, George. "Lab, Research Facility Design." MEP Roundtable, Consulting Specifying Engineer, 2019.

Contributor: Isherwood, George. “Turning Green Designs into Reality.” PME, 2013.

Contributor: Isherwood, George. “Prescription for Hospital, Healthcare Success.” MEP Roundtable, Consulting Specifying Engineer, 2013.

Author: Isherwood, George. ASHRAE Applications Handbook, Chapter 14, 2007.

Phil Saoud, a 39-year industry veteran, is a Vice President and the Director of the firm’s Contract Administration/Commissioning Department, with a focus on new building and LEED ™ commissioning. He is a Certified Commissioning Professional through the Building Commissioning Association.

Phil’s commissioning expertise includes development of project commissioning specifications and manuals, witnessing functional testing, and the development of building owner Operation and Maintenance manuals. He serves as the liaison between the owner’s representatives and the various team members, including contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers’ representatives and any required specialty consultants, and he works to assure clear lines of communication are maintained at all times.

Phil has commissioned a variety of building types including multi-story hospital patient towers, K-12 school buildings, automotive proving ground facilities, higher education facilities, labs, office buildings and data centers.

From his early days as an Industrial Design graduate at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies to the present as design principal at Illuminart, Robert has been creating innovative lighting design solutions for over 25 years. His extraordinary range of experience informs his creative design flare, technical expertise and a collaborative spirit.

Robert has received several Edwin F. Guth Memorial Awards of Excellence for the Qatar National Convention Centre interior lighting and the Detroit McNamara airport terminal. He also received the Control Innovation Award for the Qatar National Convention Centre. He has received over 45 other individual awards of recognition, his work has been featured in a variety of industry publications including; Lighting Dimensions, Mondo, LD&A, Architectural Lighting, Metropolis, Illuminator (Russia), Interior Design, and he has recently been featured in Illumni online magazine.

Professional memberships and affiliations: Professional Member of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), Lighting Certified though the National Committee for the Qualification of Lighting Professionals (NCQLP), lighting design instructor for the College for Creative Studies, Eastern Michigan University and University of Detroit Mercy. He also serves as guest lecturer for Lawrence Technological University, and the Illuminating Engineering Society for which he is also Treasurer.

Terry Cleis is a principal with Peter Basso Associates and a member of its Higher Education Group. He brings a diversity of experience to projects, including electrical system design for student housing, classroom / lecture halls, student centers and fine arts facilities such as museums and auditoriums. Terry also has specialized knowledge in the design of electrical systems for data centers.

Additionally, Terry has designed primary and secondary power distribution systems for high-, medium- and low-voltage systems; lighting design; fire alarm systems; security systems; telecommunication systems; emergency power systems; and hazardous area systems. He has also developed short circuit analysis and coordination studies for institutional, commercial and industrial facilities.

Publications / Papers / Speeches

Author: Cleis, Terry. "Selecting the proper wiring solutions. Learn about the essential properties and applications of different electrical wiring pathway systems." Consulting Specifying Engineer (CSE), October 29, 2019.

Contributor: Cleis, Terry. "Top design trends in data centers: HVAC, plumbing." Consulting Specifying Engineer, MEP Roundtable, April 29, 2019.

Co-Authors: Cleis, T. and Gibbs, S. "Understanding Three Essential Elements of Electrical Distribution Systems." Electrical Construction & Maintenance magazine, February, 2019.

Contributor: Cleis, Terry.