Mr. Chase is an experienced construction Forensic Architect Expert Witness, and Arbitrator. With over 140 past and present claim assignments on the East Coast and mid-Atlantic States, he was the former long-term President and CEO of the Fifth largest Architectural Firm in the United States as well as founding and operating his own A/E Firm for 20 years, previously. He received his Master of Science in Architecture at Columbia University and a Diplôme d’Architecture, ÉCOLE DES BEAUX-ARTS in 1966. During his 55+ year career, David has personally been responsible for approximately $1 billion (value at the time of construction) of completed projects, as Designer, Interior Designer, Specifier, Project Manager, Architect-of-Record and/or Principal-in-Charge.
Currently, he is licensed in 21 States and the District of Columbia as a practicing Architect. He has extensive experience in educational, stadium, criminal justice, housing (senior, assisted living, public, multi-family and single detached), health care, commercial, hospitality and retail projects and has negotiated, authored and administrated design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager-at-risk, fast-track, fixed price, bridging, sole source and private/government contracts.
Professional Organizations/Awards
American Institute of Architects, Member of National Organization
American Institute of Architects, Florida State-2018 Board of Directors (Various Internal Committees)
American Institute of Architects, Florida State-2018 Board of Directors, Finance Committee
American Institute of Architects, Florida State-2015 Board of Directors
American Institute of Architects, Florida State-2016- “Citizen Architect Award”
American Institute of Architects, Palm Beach Chapter, 2014-“John L. Stetson, FAIA Honor Award”
American Institute of Architects, Palm Beach Chapter, 2019-“John L. Stetson, FAIA Honor Award”
American Institute of Architects, Palm Beach Chapter-Board of Directors-2011-2017
American Institute of Architects, Palm Beach Foundation for Architecture-President/ Trustee-Retired
ASTM-EO6-Committee-Performance of Buildings-Voting Member {E06.55-Sub –Performance of Building Enclosures}
AAMA-American Architectural Manufacturers Association
US Green Building Council, National Organization
US Green Building Council, Treasure Coast Florida Chapter
International Code Council, National Organization
Construction Dispute Resolution Services, National Panel of Construction Specialists (CDRS)
Construction Dispute Resolution Services, National Green Panel (CDRS)
NORMI-National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors
Public Service
Elected Board Member / Chair, Facilities Committee, Beaufort County School Board, South Carolina, Past
Member / Chair, Design Committee, Commission on Restoration of the New York State Capitol, Past
Member / Chair, Onondaga County Stadium Commission, Syracuse, New York, Past
Member, Onondaga County Solid Waste Authority, Syracuse, New York, Past
Member, Palm Beach Community College Career Consultant Network, Ft. Lauderdale Florida, Past
Member, Palm Beach County Building Code Advisory Committee, Past
Education & Training
Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York (Bachelor of Science, Architecture 1964)
École des Beaux-Arts, France (Diploma, Architecture Design 1966)
Columbia University, New York, New York (Master of Science in Architecture 1969)
Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, 2010-2021
Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator, 2010-2021
Florida Supreme Court Advanced Arbitration Training, 2010
Florida Supreme Court Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediator, 2010
Green Building Certification LEED Green Associate, USGBC, 2010-2021
Construction Dispute Resolution Services, CDRS, ADR Specialist Training, 2011
Continuing Education programs monthly, specialized focus on construction, codes, and practice matters.
Employment
2003 - Present
Chase A+EP, pc., President + Forensic Architecture: Plaintiff & Defendant®
Palm Beach, Florida & Hilton Head, South Carolina
Forensic Architect - Expert Witness, Arbitrator
Since forming Chase A+EP in 2003, David has served as a Forensic Architect - Expert Witness and Arbitrator on 140+ case assignments, actively growing this Firm, together with a specialized Alternative Dispute Resolution service in the construction Industry as an Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, Southeastern Panel.
2006 - 2009
Song and Associates, Inc., Architects (30/35 person Firm)
West Palm Beach, Florida
Chief Financial Officer
Architect-of-Record
Leaving semi-retirement in 2006, Mr. Chase accepted a three-year contract position with Song and Associates in West Palm Beach, Florida to become the firms’ Chief Financial Officer. His role and responsibilities included managing the day-to-day operations of the Song firm and acting as principal-in-charge, interior design manager or architect-of-record on selected projects, including a new elementary school in Martin County and two elementary schools in Broward County. Expanding his expertise in sustainable design, these Broward schools (Heron Heights Elementary and Discovery Elementary) were designed with LEED Certification objectives. The Heron Heights school project utilized energy efficient transformers, where energy contributions to the facility could be monitored by the students and faculty, a photovoltaic roof system over the cafeteria and on the roof of walkway canopies. The Discovery school project included a solar lighting design for the 127 car parking areas along with other building and environmentally friendly elements. Mr. Chase also served as architect-of-record during this period for the new $100-million-dollar West Palm Beach City Center (City Hall and Library) completed in 2009.
1997 - 2003
Hillier International, Inc., Architects (450 person Firm)
Princeton, New Jersey,
President & Chief Executive Officer
Principal-in-Charge
In 1997, Mr. Chase joined The Hillier Group in Scranton, as its President to reorganize and manage the 1996 purchase of this regional architectural/engineering firm of approximately 60 persons by Hillier. He was responsible for merging the best practices, technical experience, and clients of Hillier with the new Scranton regional office and his responsibilities included policy administration, project management, business development, marketing, human resources, training, recruitment, contracts, design oversight and long term business planning.
After acting for one year as President of Hillier’s Scranton Regional office, Mr. Chase was promoted as Hillier’s Chief Operating Officer in the Princeton, New Jersey corporate offices, responsible for the operational management of Hillier International through 1998. He was then elevated by the Board of Directors to become President and Chief Executive Officer in 1999. During this seven-year period, under his responsibility, the firm had 13 business units in seven geographic locations, a staff of 450 and annual revenues ranging from $70 to $100 million dollars. Also, he acted as principal-in-charge of major educational projects in East Orange New Jersey, Niagara Falls, New York and Buffalo, New York as well as maintaining professional oversight and principal-in-charge of numerous Hillier architectural /interior design projects; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland.
1992 - 1996
L. Robert Kimball, Architects & Engineers
Syracuse, New York
Division Manager
Architect-of-Record
As a business strategy, a merger in 1992 of Chase Architectural Associates with L. Robert Kimball Architects and Engineers, headquartered in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, created a new Kimball Division in Central New York to become a service sector for health care, residential, educational and commercial projects in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Mr. Chase was designated as the Division Manager and responsible for the performance of the staff, negotiating all administering contracts, oversight as principal-in-charge of all division projects, project management, marketing, division administration and client maintenance. During this period, Mr. Chase designed and was responsible for technical development, assisted living facilities, educational K-12 projects, public and multi-family housing projects.
1972 - 1992
Chase Architectural Associates, P.C. (50) person Firm
Architects & Engineers
Syracuse, New York
Suffern, New York
Cairo, Egypt
President & Founder
Architect-of Record
After working as an architectural designer in various firms from 1964 to 1972, Mr. Chase opened a general Architectural and Engineering practice in Syracuse, New York.
The Chase projects were in the northeastern United States and Egypt, representing approximately 500 clients in planning, interior design, transportation, corporate, health care, housing, hospitality, education, and commercial undertakings. During this twenty-year period the Chase Firm grew to about 50/60 people and operated branch offices in Suffern, New York and Cairo, Egypt.
With significant expertise in particular market sectors, Chase’s 450+ projects included the Wesley HealthCare Center, Saratoga Springs, New York; Groton Health Care Center, Groton New York; Van Duyn Home and Hospital, Syracuse, New York; Greenpoint Assisted Living Complex, Syracuse, New York; Oneida Senior Citizen and Family Housing Project, Oneida, New York; Kortenaer Village, Boonville; Casa Grande Village, Liverpool, New York; Piccadilly Square Apartments, Clay, New York; Fox Chapel PUD, Clay, New York; Holiday Inn, Auburn, New York; Fayium Island Masterplan and PUD, Egypt; Hampton Inns, Toledo, Ohio; Calocerinos & Spina Corporate Headquarters, Salina, New York; Central New York Transit Authority Headquarters and Garage Maintenance Facility, Syracuse, New York; Longview Assisted Living Facility, Ithaca, New York; Hart East Orange Middle School Complex, East Orange, New Jersey; Giza Pyramids Hotel, Cairo, Egypt; Betsy Ross Nursing Home, Binghamton, New York; and Sunset Nursing Home, Booneville, New York; and Beaver Meadows Golf Club PUD, Phoenix, New York.
The Chase Architectural Associates’ Client list included numerous Public Housing Authorities, Public School Districts, Municipalities, Federal Agencies, private organizations and developers.