Acentech names Markham as president

Cambridge, MA Acentech, a world-class consultant in architectural acoustics, noise and vibration control, and audiovisual and technology systems design, has named Benjamin Markham, LEED AP as president, succeeding Jeffrey Zapfe, Ph.D., president of Acentech since 2011. Zapfe will continue as a principal, providing project leadership in the firm’s Noise & Vibration Group. 

Markham is a versatile acoustics expert, lecturer, and industry leader. Markham’s consulting career at Acentech began in 2002 as an acoustician, and he has been a principal and the director of Acentech’s Architectural Acoustics Group since 2012. Under his direction, the group has thrived and grown significantly in its staff size, revenue, and innovation – particularly Acentech’s 3DListening technology – into one of the largest acoustical practices in the United States. As new president, effective February 3, 2023, Markham will provide leadership of corporate operations and performance, and direct Acentech’s national growth strategy to expand its brand and market share across the AEC industry. 

“Ben’s inclusive leadership style, AEC industry knowledge and impeccable client service were at the core of why he was selected as President. He brings proven performance results to this role to lead our innovative firm to future growth,” said Dr. Zapfe. 

Markham said, “As I look ahead as president and my journey of the last 20 years, I am grateful to Jeff for his thoughtful stewardship in guiding our growth and culture of innovation into the practice we are today.” 

Markham has consulted with hundreds of architects and owners on award-winning projects over 20 years, addressing architectural acoustics and noise control for performance spaces, educational, commercial, and civic facilities. Career highlights include the design of the 1,300-seat concert hall at Sala Sinfonica Pablo Casals, home of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra; the Art of Americas expansion to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and the historic renovation of Cary Memorial Hall, Lexington, Massachusetts, home to the Lexington Symphony. 

He frequently speaks and writes about room acoustics, sound isolation, concert hall and music rehearsal space acoustics, and environmental noise control. Markham co-authored the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Design Guide 30: Sound Isolation and Noise Control in Steel Buildings. He has presented internationally on library acoustics and on computational acoustics modeling research, at the Concert Hall Research Group’s Summer Institute on incorporating adjustable acoustical elements in remedial projects, and at dozens of other conferences. 

Throughout Markham’s career, he has been committed to the teaching of architectural acoustics. He has taught at MIT’s School of Architecture since 2012, and has lectured at Cornell’s College of Architecture, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, and many others. 

Markham earned his Master of Science in Architectural Acoustics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2008, and his Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Princeton University in 2002. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and is an active member of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) serving on the Technical Committee on Architectural Acoustics and on the board of the Acoustical Society Foundation. He was selected in 2019 for the prestigious “Top 20 under 40” list both in Engineering News Record’s National and New England Edition. (Photo Title: Benjamin Markham, LEED AP, President, Acentech; Photographer: ©2023 Photo by Cindy M. Loo)

The announcement of Markham’s Presidency marks the culmination of Acentech’s expanded leadership with new leaders in the firm’s Architectural Acoustics and Technology Groups, Marketing, and Human Resources. 

Principals Jonah Sacks and Ioana Pieleanu have been promoted to Directors of Acentech’s Architectural Acoustics Group in dual leadership roles. Sacks serves as Group Director-Practice and Pieleanu serves as Group Director-Client Relations. Each is an expert acoustician and highly trained musician with over 20 years of experience, responsible for project leadership, technical excellence, and client development. 

Principal, Corey Salvatore, CTS was recently promoted to Director of Acentech’s Technology Group responsible for business strategy and consulting operations. 

Kate Brannelly, FSMPS, CPSM joined Acentech in a new role of Strategic Marketing Officer responsible for business and marketing strategy and implementation. Stacey Micka, SCP joined Acentech as Director of Human Resources, responsible for human resources, talent management, and EDI initiatives.