Meet The Team
Meet our amazing team of individuals who make up Candelaria Design. Founded in 1999 by Mark Candelaria AIA, we are celebrating our 23rd year of designing spectacular homes throughout Arizona and now from the coasts of California to the tip of Long Island, NY. Founded on the principle that the design process needs to be a collaborative adventure, Candelaria Design works closely with their clients and design team in creating homes and projects specifically for the needs and experience of the end user. Candelaria Design is a TEAM of dedicated architects, designers and support staff all sharing the same values of personal customer service, quality design, and building friendships along the way. Creating a home is such a personal endeavor and undertaking and it takes a team that cares about the client and their experience both during the design and construction and years after the completion of the home. A Candelaria Design home is much more than just a structure of brick and mortar, it is a home that embodies the wishes, memories, and soul of our clients. Let us work with you to manifest your dream home!
Read more about our firm and what sets us apart as a Lifestyle Brand here: Learn More
The Candelaria Design Team 2023
Ownership and Management Team
Principals Tim Mathewson, Meredith Thomson, Mark Candelaria & Evelyn Jung
The firm was founded in 1999 by Principal, Mark Candelaria, AIA who assembled a quality team over the course of the last 15 years. During that time and in preparation for the longevity and perpetuity of the firm, Candelaria has established an ownership and management structure that allows for additional partners all who have proven their skill, knowledge, and commitment to the goals of the firm.
Our Director of Business and Operations, Evelyn Jung, has been with the firm for over 15 years and has been running the financial and business operations of the firm, including human resources and marketing. She collaborates with Mark on the Italy and Spain Tours and is very involved in business development for the firm. In December of 2018 Meredith Thomson, AIA joined our team from San Fransisco and shortly after became a partner and principal of the firm. Meredith oversees the design and production arm of Candelaria Design. In 2022 Tim Mathewson was promoted to partner and principal after 15 years with our firm moving up the ranks!
Mark Candelaria continues as a Principal, working daily with his partners and staff in project design and review. In addition, he plays a large role in client relations, marketing and expanding the Candelaria Lifestyle brand.
Mark Candelaria
Principal
Mark Candelaria, AIA started the firm in 1999 after an 18 year career as one of the founding partners of CCBG Architects in Phoenix. During his time at CCBG he worked for and with the legendary George W. Christensen, FAIA who mentored Mark from the time he joined the firm at age 22 in 1982 until Christensen's retirement in 1999 whereupon Mark decided to go out on his own.
The firm has grown since 1999 and along the way Mark has carefully assembled a team very dedicated to the values that act as the soul of Candelaria Design. Named a Master of the Southwest in 2005 by Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine, Mark and his team all share the passion of good design coupled with warm and friendly personal service. From his tours to Italy to cooking for his clients upon the completion of their home, the process of designing a home means so much more than just producing a set of plans to our team - the process of designing a home means the creation of a whole new way of living that accentuates and celebrates every aspect of living in a home.
Candelaria Design is a TEAM. Mark Candelaria oversees the design and engages closely with the client in capturing the dream. The Team you see featured below combine their efforts and years of experience in collaborating with Mark and the client in the design, orchestrating and coordinating consultants, engineers, and designers, managing the project and schedule, and carrying out the work through design and construction and all the way to the day you walk in the door and begin living in your Candelaria Design home.
Evelyn Jung
Principal - Director of Business Operations
Evelyn was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Her parents served over 20 years in the Air Force and during that time, her family traveled to Japan and throughout the United States. Traveling at a very young age has given her the appreciation of different cultures, religion, and exploring every countries beauty. She started off in management pretty early in her life and then, decided to become a Temp Part Time to focus on school full time. From there, Evelyn started at Candelaria Design as a receptionist at the end of 2005. From there she became Mark’s Executive Assistant. Two years later, as we all endured the great recession and she became the Director of Finance and HR. She became a partner in the firm in 2018.
When she is not managing the business aspect of the firm, she loves to spend time with her family and stay active. She and her husband Scott Jung celebrated their 10th Wedding Anniversary in June (2020) and have two wonderful boys, Nathan and Evan. She attended Arizona State University studying Economics.
Listen to Evelyn’s journey from fill-in temp secretary at Candelaria Design to running the whole business and becoming a partner in our podcast episode of “Inspiring Living” by clicking here.
Meredith Thomson
Principal - Director of Architecture Design and Production
Meredith Thomson AIA, a Phoenix native, attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor’s in Architecture. Her fourth year as a student she traveled throughout Italy and Europe, fueling her passion for traditional design. She was also fortunate to spend a summer in Chicago interning with Liederbach and Graham Architects which helped her discover her calling to be a residential architect.
After graduation, Meredith went to work with Fairfax and Sammons Architects in New York City, where she spent three years working on projects in and outside of the city; including a townhouse in the West Village and a summer home in Long Island. Missing family on the West Coast, Meredith decided to make her way back and landed a position at Peter Pennoyer Architects; a New York based firm that has a sister office in San Francisco. From there she transitioned into the interior design world, working for Tucker and Marks Interior Design as an interior architect.
She made the jump back to Phoenix in Spring of 2013 and was thrilled to join the Candelaria Design team. Meredith officially became a partner and principal of Candelaria Design in December of 2018.
Get to know more about Meredith by listening to our podcast episode featuring her by clicking here.
Tim Mathewson
Principal - Project Manager
Tim joined Candelaria Design in 2006, moving quickly from Job Captain to Project Manager; promoted most recently to Team Director in January 2015. Born and raised in the Midwest, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, before moving to Phoenix.
From a very early age Tim has been involved in all facets of design and construction and his appreciation of classic design was further enhanced through his experiences studying in Turkey and traveling across Europe. Though having professional experience in both commercial and residential architecture, Tim connects with residential design as a way to enhance his clients’ lives through a collaborative process that brings the vision of the client and the entire design team to life.
In his free time, Tim enjoys the outdoors, traveling, photography and spending time with his wife and young son.
Rebecca Roe
Team Director - Project Architect
Rebecca was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York. She spent much of her youth creating and renovating with her dad, which spurred her passion for architecture. From an early age that passion never faded and she went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Technology. During college she traveled to Italy, an invaluable experience that sparked her interest in classic architecture. Following graduation Rebecca immediately found her home at a Syracuse firm specializing in historic architecture and preservation. She spent over ten years with that firm learning valuable skills and techniques.
In the fall of 2016 Rebecca moved to Arizona to be near family. She began with Candelaria Design in November as a Job Captain and is excited to see what this new experience will bring and how her experience can transition to this new environment.
Learn more about Rebecca by listening to our Inspiring Living podcast episode featuring her by clicking here.
Mathew Grove
Team Director - Project Manager
Mathew joined Candelaria Design in February of 2014 as an intern and affiliated with the firm full time as Job Captain following his graduation from University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the College of Architecture Planning and Landscape Architecture. Mathew’s passion for architecture was evident at an early age and led him to intern in high school with the San Diego firm of Carrier Johnson Architects for two consecutive summers. His travels through Europe have influenced and inspired his architecture perspective.
Mathew is committed to a high level of client service and looks forward to opportunities to contribute his creativity and attention to detail as a Candelaria design team member. In his spare time, Mathew enjoys hiking, traveling, sports and spending time with family and friends.
Tyler Bulriss
Team Director - Project Manager
Tyler moved to Arizona in August 2016 and soon joined the CDA Team. He is originally from upstate New York and graduated from the University of Delhi. While in school, he traveled to Italy where he fell in love with classical Architecture. Tyler says it is exciting for him to make a beautiful house into a home for a family.
Outside of Architecture, he enjoys working out, sports, traveling and spending time with his friends and family.
Jonathon Spinner
Project Manager
Jonathon joined Candelaria Design in January of 2021 and brings a broad background in both design and construction. From adobe homes on the beaches of Baja, to vineyards in California, to modern hillside homes in Paradise Valley, Jonathon has enjoyed a broad range of experience in architectural design and construction management. Over many years in the design build industry, he has developed a keen understanding of the craft and process required to execute projects at a high level.
Jon is a graduate of Arizona State University School of Architecture and was raised in Wisconsin, where he enjoys waterskiing on the lakes of the Northwoods. He also enjoys hiking Arizona’s rugged landscape and traveling to destinations familiar and new.
Jeff Innes
Project Architect
Jeff joined Candelaria Design in April of 2020. Raised in western New York, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut and a Master’s degree in Architecture from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He attended architecture school in Aarhus, Denmark as an exchange student and traveled throughout Europe for the school year.
For the last 35 years, Jeff has thoroughly enjoyed the practice of residential architecture in offices in CT and AZ. After graduate school, he interned at Mark P. Finlay Architects in Fairfield, Connecticut. Since arriving in Arizona in 1997, Architecture continues to be a life-long journey of making meaningful spaces with like-minded professionals and helping extraordinary people design, build and attain their dream homes. When not working, Jeff can be found spending time with his wife and two children, outdoors skiing, hiking and exploring, in his shop making something or listening to music.
Lauren Zvida
Project Architect
Lauren joined the Candelaria Design team in July 2021. She was born and raised in Long Island, New York. Having parents in the design profession, she was always surrounded by the industry growing up, which led her to design school. Upon finishing her BFA in Interior Design at the School of Visual Arts in NY, NY, she realized that she wanted to learn more about architecture. She decided to move out to the desert and graduated with a Masters in Architecture from Arizona State University. Throughout the years after graduation, she obtained a background in various types of architecture, ranging from corporate to hospitality and ultimately landing in residential design, which is truly her passion.
Lauren is excited to contribute to the team and create beautiful homes for clients. Outside of the office, she spends time with her husband and two young children. She enjoys traveling to different countries, has a passion for good food, playing tennis and enjoys quality time with family and friends.
Anthony Letteney
Project Manager
Anthony grew up in Santa Paula, CA, where he attended Thomas Aquinas College and received a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts. Following this he attended the University of Notre Dame and studied classical architecture using the traditional methods of hand-drawing and watercolor rendering. As a part of that program, he visited and studied in Italy, Greece, Cuba and China, and received a Master’s in Architecture in 2017.
Following graduation Anthony started at Andrew Skurman Architects in San Francisco, where he worked on a variety of high-end residential projects. Anthony made the move to Arizona in August of 2021 to join Candelaria Design Associates. Anthony enjoys travel, especially to Europe, photography, and sketching.
Pablo Moncayo
Project Manager
Pablo joined Candelaria Design in September 2018. He is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico and moved to Arizona in 2000.
In 2015, he graduated from Taliesin-The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture now The School of Architecture at Taliesin with his M.Arch degree where he is currently a school board member. He has experience designing and documenting projects in the higher education market, sports facilities, housing, etc.
Pablo is passionate about 3D modeling, making videos, dancing, cooking, working out, and enjoys the hands-on approach to design.
Joshua Smith
Job Captain
Joshua grew up in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. While in grade school and high school, he attended both Woodshop and manual drafting classes, which in turn led to is interest in Architecture. After working for various Architectural and Engineering firms in San Francisco, Joshua moved to Arizona in early 2004. He started a 14 year career at a local custom home design firm, designing forever homes for families to grow in, as well as tract homes for smaller home builders.
Joshua joined Candelaria Design in August of 2022 and brings with him over 20 years of design and drafting experience. In his down time, Joshua’s hobbies include motorcycles, camping, and spending time with his family.
Christian Mays
Job Captain
Christian grew up in Arizona and recently graduated from ASU with a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies. He joined Candelaria Design as an intern in 2021 and is learning what it takes to be a project manager with the goal of receiving my architecture license.
He has been fascinated by the construction and design of homes since childhood and enjoys working in 3D creating architectural visualizations. Some of his passions outside of work include sports, music, and chess and “finding interesting challenges that allow my mind to run wild in a creative sense.”
Aneesa Daas
Job Captain
Aneesa grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and started with Candelaria Design in January 2021 as an intern and now serves as a job captain. Since then, her appreciation and passion for residential architecture continues to increase every day. To her, architecture means being a part of a design process that creates a memorable experience for others.
Simultaneously while working at Candelaria Design, she goes to Arizona State University - Barrett Honors College where she is majoring in Architecture with minors in Design Studies and Studio Art. Art has always been a passion of Aneesa’s as it is another creative outlet for her, and design studies allows her to learn about sustainability and the many different aspects of design that she is able to apply to her everyday work.
Miguel Saucedo
Job Captain
Throughout his career, Miguel has had the privilege of collaborating with numerous prominent homebuilders and designers in the valley and Tucson, but had always dreamed of one day working at Candelaria Design. This dream came true summer of 2023 when he was hired on as a Job Captain. Miguel’s passion for architecture ignited when at the age of ten, he expressed to his mother that he would become an architect after building a fort in the backyard.
Miguel is currently working towards becoming a registered architect, and has enjoyed studying Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier and continues everyday to fill his free time with curiosity and faith. He also values his leisure time, enjoying the art of oil painting, writing and reading and has a profound love for golf, and finds fulfillment in volunteering with Special Olympics Golf as a playing partner and mentor.
Miguel’s greatest love is his wife and their three children who now live and work in New York City. The couple travels at least once a year to the Big Apple for family reunions and inexhaustible visits to museums and old mobster hangouts.
Janice Rantanen
Director of Lasting Impressions
Janice has lived in the Valley since 1982 and joined Candelaria Design as Director of Lasting Impressions early 2019. She ensures the comfort of our valued clients and design team members, as well as upholding the Candelaria Design Lifestyle aesthetic.
Prior to joining Candelaria Design she represented a semi-custom home builder in selling many of Scottsdale’s finest communities. In addition to her real estate background she also owned one of Scottsdale’s most beloved home and garden stores specializing in farm antiques and accoutrements sourced from Europe.
Janice has always had an interest in architecture and interior design; she enjoys antiquing, cooking, gardening and traveling the US as well as abroad.
Get to know more about Janice by listening to our Inspiring Living podcast episode featuring her by clicking here.
Tiffany Candelaria
Brand-Media Manager
Tiffany joined Candelaria Design in December 2019 as our Brand & Media Manager. She was born and raised here in Phoenix and has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of Portland. After college, she moved to Denver where she was the Lifestyle Editor for a magazine and the Executive Assistant for a nonprofit. She moved back to Phoenix late 2019 and started with Candelaria Design.
She has traveled to over 10 countries, including accompanying her father Mark on many of his Italy Tours and spent a summer interning for a luxury magazine in London. She shares her father’s passion for travel, music, good food, art and the outdoors.