Former NYS Superintendent Joins CSArch as Executive Director

October 27, 2009

Albany, NY…Sam Shevat, a 30-year veteran of New York State Schools, has joined CSArch Architecture | Construction Management as Executive Director of Educational Relations. From advising school districts on referendum initiatives to assistance with educational programming, Shevat’s combined experiences will bring insight and knowledge that will significantly enhance CSArch’s involvement in capital improvement projects throughout New York. He will be based out of the firm’s Albany office.

In this newly created position, Shevat joins a team of CSArch experts who have provided over 60 school districts across New York with planning, design and construction management for capital improvement projects. During his tenure as Superintendent at Cobleskill-Richmondville Central Schools, Shevat spearheaded and successfully passed ten capital construction projects totaling over $73.6 million. In his new role with CSArch, Shevat will apply this intimate knowledge of the referendum process by providing pre-referendum services to school districts undertaking a capital campaign, as well as working with school communities to craft strategic public communications.

Shevat will likewise help CSArch grow its Make A Plan (MAP) Services, which help schools utilize available resources and funding, reduce operating expenses and meet facilities-related reporting requirements. Since 1989, Shevat has served on regional and statewide committees for numerous entities including the New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA), NYS Rural Schools Association, and the Capital Region BOCES. In addition to his extensive governance and leadership experience as Superintendent of Cobleskill-Richmondville Central Schools, Shevat was involved in implementing a number of energy efficiency and alternative energy initiatives.

Since retiring as Superintendent in 2007, Shevat has served as an educational consultant to the State University of New York at Cobleskill, NYSSBA, and the Capital Area School Development Association where he has facilitated community-based building advisory committees and studied school district consolidations, among other efforts.

In addition, Shevat will serve as an educational mentor for the CSArch staff by providing critical feedback on projects while offering in-house continuing education seminars. A regular panelist at education conferences, winner of the School Administrator Leadership Award in Character Education, and recipient of numerous honorary degrees, Shevat will fill an invaluable role as a subject matter expert on school planning and design, as well as the business of running a school district, for CSArch designers, project architects and interns.

With a staff of 85 and offices in Albany, Newburgh and Malone NY, CSArch is widely recognized as a leading school district architect throughout the state. The firm provides a seamless approach to planning, architectural and interior design and construction management. It maintains a long-standing commitment to sustainable design and has become a leader in alternative energy solutions. In addition to school districts, the firm has a strong portfolio in college and university, government, corporate and non-profit work as well. For more information about CSArch, please contact Danielle Lawrence at (518) 463-8068 or visit www.csarchpc.com.

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