Name: Mark van Summern AIA
Title: Principal
Company: Perkins Eastman
Location: Stamford, Conn.
Birthplace: New York, N.Y.
Family: Gayle van Summern, wife
College: University of Michigan, BS & MA
First job in real estate or allied field: Swanke Hayden Connell, New York, N.Y.
What your firm does now and its plans for the future: The Perkins Eastman corporate interiors practice is comprised of a diverse team of experienced and talented professionals. With more than 25 years of experience, they have the ability to provide a "hands on" approach to programming, design and interior architecture. For the future, I anticipate continued growth of the commercial and corporate division of the firm, and I look forward to developing the strategies and consulting areas of the practice.
Hobbies: Sports (have completed 3 ironman triathlons, surfing, skiing, hiking, construction (built own home), travel
Favorite book: I'm an admitted Steven King nut
Favorite movie: "Lawrence of Arabia"
Person you admire most (outside of family): JFK
Keys to success: Dedication and focus - always putting the staff first, work hard, play hard, and take all your vacation time (100 years all new people!)
If you had to choose another vocation what would it be? Environmental law; ranger; working with animals