Better Together
At Riddell Kurczaba, we know that great leaders never walk alone. That’s why RK’s interdisciplinary leadership team has always maintained its commitment to open communication and collaboration—not only with each other, but also with colleagues and clients—to ensure that every project benefits from a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise.
We use partnership as the foundation for our projects, and organization as the building blocks. These aspects are critical in maneuvering in and around potential project obstacles, and further aid us in making sure no resource goes untapped. We strongly believe that our firm’s partnership and leadership models are our secret power, helping us manage a constructive, trust-worthy, and confidence-inspiring project process.
principals
John Riddell
Architect, AAA, aIBC, sAA, mRAIC
President
John is a Founding Partner of Riddell Kurczaba, and is an established and respected practitioner in Western Canada’s architectural community. He earned his Master of Architecture in 1980 from the University of Manitoba, and has dedicated a 32+ year career to the transformation of our urban landscape through architecture. Willing to challenge the current paradigms of architectural fundamentalism, John is determined to promote the development of buildings that society deems worth preserving. He is also highly entrepreneurial by nature and has supported technology-oriented companies with both their business enterprise and their infrastructure requirements
Ron Kurczaba
P.Eng.
Chief Executive Officer
Ron is a Founding Partner of Riddell Kurczaba. A professional engineer by trade, he is fascinated by the evolution of the applied arts, which reflects our civilization’s propensity to create those objects that are at once functionally and aesthetically pleasing. In this synthesis between technology and art within our built environment, he has dedicated much of his 32+ year career in engineering and project management to help bring these ambitious undertakings to fruition. His professional achievements include receiving Project Management certification in 1989 and being one of the founding members of PMI Canada. Ron has also contributed much of his time to supporting the work of several not-for-profit, community-based organizations.
Managing Principals
NIHA
Prasad-KROLICZEK
CPHR
Managing Principal – Business Development
Since 1998, Niha has been central to Riddell Kurczaba's strong profile and success in the building industry. She relies on an illustrious Human Resources background and keen business acumen to build and manage relationships with clients and supporters, and for marketing the business. Niha is well-recognized in industry circles, and always works resolutely at reinforcing and improving the solid public image of the firm.
PETER SCHULZ
Architect, aAA, aIBC, mRAIC, lEED® aP
Managing Principal – Architecture
Peter is an Architect at Riddell Kurczaba who possesses 20+ years of professional architectural experience with a rich variety of different building portfolios. He studied architecture at the University of Applied Sciences Dortmund and completed his Masters of Architecture in 1996. After having practiced as a licensed and registered Architect in Germany for numerous years, Peter joined Riddell Kurczaba in Calgary as a Designer, deftly applying his contemporary design approach; passion for sustainable design, urban renewal and restoration of historic places; and strong ability in analyzing and solving complex program requirements to myriad projects.
Paul Ketchabaw
CET, PMP
Managing Principal – Projects
Paul is a Project Management Professional and Architectural Technologist with more than 27 years of industry experience. He is a stabilizing force in the delivery of projects, approaching tasks at hand in a practical, systematic manner in order to get the job done right. Prior to joining Riddell Kurczaba, he worked as a Project Manager and Architectural Technologist for 13 years in Ontario and served as an active member of both the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists and the Architectural Technologists of Ontario. Paul's portfolio encompasses a varied mix of private and public sector projects, including many residential, institutional and commercial buildings in Canada, Bermuda and China.
Senior Leadership
PAUL BEATY
Senior Associate | Director
Paul is a Senior Designer and Project Manager with more than 25 years of experience in all aspects of building design and development. He has been involved in the delivery of a wide range of project types from small individual assignments to several large, complex projects with challenging delivery and budget constraints. In either case, Paul's approach remains the same: focusing on, first and foremost, the needs of the client and providing service in a professional manner. He pays strict attention to quality control and assurance, and is very effective in the coordination of client interest groups, engineers, the constructors, and other specialists. Since 2001, he has led a team of specialists in the provision of design and implementation services on projects for Remington Development Corporation, an industry leader in urban office, retail, warehouse/ distribution, and manufacturing facilities, and commercial land developments.
annette guercio
Licensed Interior Designer, AAA, BAID, IDA, NCIDQ
Senior Associate | Project Manager
Annette is a talented interior designer whose goal is to create dynamic, innovative spaces that provide a positive experience for their users, as well as increase functionality and reduce environmental impact. She is also a strong team leader who brings a passion for quality design to all her projects. She has been influential in promoting Riddell Kurczaba through both her work and working relationships, and is an out-of-the-box thinker on the leading edge of interior design trends and best practices.
Sameer Deshpande
B.Arch., M.Tech.
Senior Associate | Senior Project Manager
Sameer possesses extensive international experience in architectural design and project management. To his projects, he brings an understanding of the full gamut of responsibilities and activities to achieve successful project delivery, from conceptual design, design development, and construction drawings to project management and construction administration duties. Sameer’s portfolio includes numerous commercial, institutional, mixed-use, residential and industrial projects, ranging in size from single-detached dwellings to major-scale facilities.