2021 MVPs - Project Architect Rebecca Roe

Every year our company takes the time to nominate individuals our team for MVP of the year and then we each cast our vote for MVP, well this year there was a tie, we had both Team Director and Project Architect Rebecca Roe and our Director of Lasting Impressions, Janice Rantanen take the top votes for 2021’s MVP, so they are each featured in their own podcast episode!

Rebecca was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York in an old farmhouse on her family's dairy farm. She spent much of her youth playing with legos, building forts and 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 still happily working away and has moved up the ranks to Team Director.

They discuss leadership, architecture, different design styles, some of the current projects Rebecca's working on and what makes each one interesting and challenging.

Follow Rebecca on Instagram @rroearch

Candelaria Design's 2021 MVPs - Janice Rantanen

Every year our company takes the time to nominate individuals our team for MVP of the year and then we each cast our vote for MVP and they receive a weekend staycation package at the resort of their choosing. It’s a great way, in addition to quarterly bonuses and our other incentives, to reward our staff for work well done. Well this year there was a tie, we had both Team Director and Project Architect Rebecca Roe and our Director of Lasting Impressions, Janice Rantanen take the top votes for 2021’s MVP, so they are each featured in their own podcast episode which you can listen to below!

Janice has lived in the Valley since 1982 and joined Candelaria Design as Director of Lasting Impressions early 2019. She does an amazing job of catering to our valued clients and design team members, as well as upholding the Candelaria Design Lifestyle brand throughout the office, client dinners, meetings, site visits, events and is currently crafting our newest Candelaria Tour France! 

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.

And check out this past podcast from Iconic Hour where magazine Editor Renee Dee, Jamilyn Fournier founder of The Collector’s House, Architect Mark Candelaria  and Janice Rantanen discuss "living beautifully". https://iconichour.libsyn.com/living-beautifully

Jeff Kramer presents our 2020 "Jeff Kramer MVP Award" to Winner Mathew Grove

Mark recording with Mat Grove & Jeff Kramer

This episode of Inspiring Living features two amazing individuals and members of our Candelaria Design Team. First, we welcome Architect, Jeffrey Kramer, AIA, who has been a member of our team for nearly 20 years. Over the course of that time Jeff and i have collaborated on a number of amazing projects including a true legacy project, El Chorro in Paradise Valley, AZ.

In this podcast we will delve into Jeff Kramer's beginnings as a youth in New Jersey to his college days at Tulane University in Louisiana, to eventually ending up here in Arizona. Along the way, without even looking at Jeff's work, you will come to understand why Jeff established the MVP standard in our company and culture. 

Then, we actually present the Jeff Kramer 2020 MVP award to this year's recipient, Mathew Grove! Mat has been with the firm approximately 5 years and from his time just starting as an intern while completing his studies at the University of Arizona he has become a force and highly respected member of our Candelaria Design Team working on a number of marquis residences. 

Jeff with his wife and two kids.

Jeff joined Candelaria Design as a Project Director in September 2000. After graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture from Tulane University, he spent the next 15 years with a local Phoenix firm as a Project Architect where he developed his skills on a wide variety of commercial and residential projects. Jeff joined CDA because of his enjoyment of working on quality residential architecture exclusively. He states, "Residential architecture provides an unmatched opportunity for personalized service and collaboration with clients in the creation of an inspiring and uniquely customized home. Jeff has retired from Candelaria Design to spend more time with his family and pursuing personal interests. He does however, continue to consult with Candelaria Design on several projects and provides quality control and back-checking of our projects.

Mathew joined Candelaria Design in February of 2014 as an intern and joined the firm full-time as Job Captain following his graduation from University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. 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 biking, traveling, sports and spending time with family and friends.

You can follow Mat here:
https://instagram.com/mgr760