Key Staff
Ciro Cuono, P.E., LEED AP
Principal
Ciro Cuono has practiced structural engineering for more than 20 years throughout the NY Metropolitan area.
Ciro founded Cuono Engineering in 2012 and is involved with all aspects of the firm’s work which includes among other things high end residential and commercial projects. At the core of these projects are the design efforts of our architectural clients. Staying in tune with the architectural, cultural, and technological trends Ciro also teaches at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of architecture at the City College of NY where he is an Assistant Adjunct Professor.
Ciro’s work has encompassed the structural design of new buildings, historic building restoration and large renovations. His various experiences have included designing with reinforced concrete, steel, wood, masonry, and aluminum for residential and commercial buildings, museums and cultural buildings, residential, façade restorations, and historic buildings repairs and restorations.
LICENSURE
New York
New Jersey
Connecticut
Pennsylvania
Florida
Melissa Fitter, P.E.
Associate
Melissa has over 20 years of experience in the structural design of buildings composed of concrete, wood, masonry or steel of various shapes and sizes. The majority of her design experience has consisted of flat-plate concrete high-rise, wood on concrete podium low-rise, high-end residential and small commercial construction.
Melissa has managed all aspects of building projects from schematic design through construction documents. She is adept at navigating building codes, conducting peer reviews, performing site inspections, and providing timely construction administration.
LICENSURE
New York
Karen Vaughan, P.E.
Associate
Karen has over 20 years of structural engineering experience throughout the country that includes concrete, steel, masonry and wood buildings. Much of her design experience has been the renovation or new design of commercial buildings.
Additionally, Karen has managed all aspects of these projects, from concept design and feasibility studies through contract documents to construction administration. She has managed projects of all sizes including small tenant fit-out projects, mixed-use complexes, mid and high-rise commercial and residential buildings, hospital campus renovation and expansions and public entertainment venues. Each building has its own unique challenges and she loves to help solve them.
LICENSURE
California
Georgia
Florida
Tommy Taveras, P.E.
Consultant
Tommy has over 20 years of structural engineering experience. He takes pride in paying attention to details, provide creative and cost-efficient design solutions, and staying attuned to project schedules and budgets.
Prior to joining Cuono Engineering, Tommy ran his own consulting firm in South Florida for over 10 years, where he focused on high-end residential projects at Palm Beach, restoration of historic homes, renovation of healthcare facilities, and design of mid-rise hotels.
Tommy previously practiced in the New York Metropolitan area where he worked on renovations of commercial and residential buildings and façade restorations of landmark buildings.
Justin Smith, S.E., P.E.
Consultant
Justin Smith has over nine years of structural engineering experience that includes the design and investigation of a variety of project types, materials, and locales.
Justin's background includes diverse experience in the design and investigation of a variety of structural systems, material types, project sizes and locales, and project delivery methods. He has consulted on projects from coast to coast that have ranged in complexity from the design of high-end custom homes, multi-family, institutional, and healthcare structures; to structural strengthening and lateral system upgrades of historic structures; to forensic evaluation of structures throughout the country.
Justin is a licensed Professional Engineer in many states throughout the country, including the majority of the east coast, southwest, and portion of the Midwest.
LICENSURE
New York
Florida
Rhode Island
Texas
Pennsylvania
Michigan
Ohio
Connecticut
Delaware
Massachussets
South Carolina
Illinois
Eric Zagar
Associate
Eric Zagar has been dedicated to his craft for over 10 years. As an Associate of Cuono Engineering he has been involved with all aspects of the Firm’s work.
Eric has a passion for computers, technology, and bicycles. A combination particularly suited to the pursuit of structural analysis and design. His knack for computers has made him the “go to” office IT guy in addition to mastering the latest analysis and 3D drafting technology.
Eric’s experiences include the design of new buildings as well as renovations and additions both large and small. Some of his work has included projects such as analyzing, designing and detailing dozens of complicated sculptural grand stairs as well as developing creative and simple solutions to complicated details of a job.
Stephanie Brown, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
Stephanie began her career early on with Cuono Engineering as an intern. She rejoined Cuono after a brief period of working at a small firm in Massachusetts. With over five years of engineering experience in various aspects of design of new buildings and renovations including rehabilitation of existing historic buildings, she lends great knowledge and excellent leadership to our team of engineers. Her experience encompasses residential, commercial and institutional projects.
LICENSURE: New York
Wesley Velo, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
Wesley has over 6 years of experience in building structural design and is involved in the many aspects of projects such as investigations, structural design, temporary shoring/jacking, and connection design. His experience extends to a wide variety of structure types ranging from high-end residential homes, mixed-use buildings, and historic structures to telecommunications towers. Since joining the firm, Wesley has worked on a wide range of projects, including 4 World Trade Center, The Woolworth Building, The Shepard, and various NYC rowhouses and loft buildings.
LICENSURE: New York, Connecticut
Angel Curillo, P.E.
Project Manager
Angel comes to Cuono bringing 8 years of experience in structural design, analysis and field inspection of equipment frames, new building and renovation of existing residential and commercial buildings. His experience also encompasses the design and detail of concrete, steel and wood structures.
LICENSURE: Connecticut
Sarah Mercer, P.E.
Project Manager
Sarah has 7 years of experience in structural design of new buildings, renovation of existing structures, and facade and historical preservation of existing structures. Her experience extends to a wide variety of structure types ranging from industrial, retail, residential, mixed-use buildings, outdoor recreational structures and historic buildings.
LICENSURE: Tennessee, New York
Christopher Ribeiro
Project Manager
Christopher has over three years of engineering experience in various aspects of design of new and renovations of existing buildings. His experience encompasses a wide range and variety of projects, including residential, commercial and institutional projects.
Connor Dick
Assistant Project Manager
Connor comes to Cuono Engineering with a diverse background, looking to solidify his experience in structural engineering. Prior to joining Cuono, he spent over 3+ years at RAND, where he focused primarily on structural design and project management of repair, renovation, and rehabilitation of existing and historic structures including structural steel & concrete special inspections, progress inspections, and AIA payment application review.
Jason Shaub
Assistant Project Manager
Jason has almost 4 years of experience in steel connections, renovation, and new construction design. His experience includes, but is not limited to mixed-use, retail, commercial, and manufacturing buildings.
Julia Neville
Assistant Project Manager
Julia graduated from Manhattan College with a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering in May of 2018. During her time at Manhattan College, she was actively involved in The Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Since joining Cuono in June of 2018, she has been involved in a variety of structural design projects, including the design of new buildings and renovations of existing buildings.
Louis Malfitani
Technical Analyst
Expertise:
Analysis and design of new buildings and renovations.
Louis's experiences include the design and detailing of complicated roof structures and renovations of hotels, theaters, and retail projects.
Manny Leon
CAD Technician
A new addition to the Cuono Engineering team, Manny Leon brings three years of professional experience in the construction industry from residential, commercial, governmental one of those experiences was working for Westchester County’s Environmental Facilities, and industrial sectors. A graduate with an Associates Applied Science degree in Civil Technology as well as a Computer Aided Design Certificate has shown the understanding of issues arising on a project and the creativity that goes into any structural engineering design.
Alice Layton
Office Manager
Noelle Hanks
Director of Marketing & Communications