Welcome To the Summit Spotlight: New Hire Edition!

Summit is excited to welcome Robbie Prezioso as our new Maintenance Program Manager! Based in Virginia, Robbie brings more than 30 years of experience with the Virginia Department of Transportation, where he led initiatives in highway construction, maintenance, emergency response, and government affairs.

Driven by a lifelong commitment to public service and problem-solving, Robbie is known for his leadership in performance-based maintenance contracting and his ability to turn challenges into opportunities for improvement. Read on to learn more about Robbie’s career journey, what inspired him to join Summit, and how he spends his time off the job — from golfing to volunteering with his church youth group.

Welcome To the Summit Spotlight!

We’re delighted to spotlight Laura D., one of Summit’s Project Professional II – Project Managers, whose passion for design, collaboration, and community has shaped an inspiring career journey. Laura brings a thoughtful balance of creativity and practicality to her work, rooted in her early love for architecture and enriched by diverse experiences across firms, project types, and even countries.

Tell us a bit about your professional background and what drew you to your career path!

I was drawn to architecture from a very young age because it offered a way to merge my artistic imagination with pragmatism and structure. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Kent State University, I continued on to complete dual Master’s degrees in Architecture and Urban Design at Kent State’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative. At the CUDC, I had the opportunity to collaborate closely with professors to develop design solutions for real projects impacting the city and surrounding communities.

My education opened the door to a wide range of opportunities, leading me to work at three different firms before joining Summit. Each firm exposed me to unique aspects of the architectural and construction process, broadening my perspective and skill set. These experiences ranged from designing retail spaces and auto show displays for Maserati and Alfa Romeo in China and Italy, to deeply meaningful local projects that provided quality affordable housing throughout Detroit. Together, they shaped my appreciation for architecture’s ability to blend creativity with impact—whether on a global stage or within my own community.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

What I enjoy most about my work is the creative collaboration with other people. I find it deeply rewarding to work with teammates and clients to develop creative and effective solutions. The process of combining different perspectives and skills not only strengthens the outcome but also makes the work more meaningful and energizing.

What attracted you to Summit and/or What are you most excited about?

I was most attracted to Summit for their people focused perspective.  I appreciate being able to find a balance between work and life.  Under the direction of both Michael and Patrick, I feel that my specific skills and interests are embraced and encouraged and to me this makes it much more encouraging and exciting to tackle projects. I am excited to continue growing with our team and to create successful solutions to many more projects.

What are some key projects or initiatives you’ve worked on in the past that you’re particularly proud of?

At Summit, I’m currently proud of the new ABC Retail and Warehouse in Lexington, NC that I am working on.  I am also proud of my work for the State Employees Credit Union in Graham, NC.  I am most proud of the experience that I’ve gotten in Colorado working through site entitlements and getting the opportunity to design site plans and even landscaping on projects like Firestone Crossing and W. 38th Brownstones.

In my past, I’m most proud of the work I’ve done at Fusco, Shaffer and Pappas, working in tandem with local nonprofits to create affordable housing solutions in Detroit.  I am also very proud of my work done as a Design and Production Manager at Eview360 producing hundreds of design control documents for Ford and Lincoln dealerships across the United States. Within this position, I also had the great opportunity to travel to Beijing, China and Modena, Italy through my work with Maserati and Alfa Romeo where I got to design autoshow displays, event and retail spaces and the Maserati headquarters showroom.

Any other fun facts or interesting things about yourself that you would like to share?

My favorite thing in life is connecting with the people I love and my community.  Second to that, I adore nature and would pick going for a hike in the woods with my dogs over most things in life. I am an avid gardener with a passion for sharing the many benefits of growing native species.  I often spend my free time at local urban farms and gardens. I am a ceramic artist who participates in art shows through out the year.  Hosting a small art show at my home for the Ferndale Back Yard Art Fair. I also volunteer my professional skills as a set designer and builder for musical productions at my local community theater.