Our Story // Leadership
Leadership
Quality, Integrity, Professionalism.
Darden Architects’ firm principals combine for over 100 years of valuable industry experience. In addition to providing high-level design and planning services, firm leadership recognizes it is their role to support the profession and give back through good works in their community. Leadership values the merits of each company employee and works in a collaborative style on each project. The firm atmosphere is one of continuing professional development and ongoing effort to stay current within our constantly changing industry. This ambitious attitude supports our commitment to offer the highest quality product to every client.
Robert L. Petithomme
Managing Principal
AIA, LEED AP
Robert “Bob” Petithomme holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and has been with the firm for 24 years. Mr. Petithomme has 38 total years experience in the profession.
Antonio J. Avila
Principal
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NOMA
Mr. Antonio “Tony” Avila holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and has been with the firm for 28 years. Mr. Avila has 30 total years experience in the profession. He is the Director of Design for the firm.
Grant E. Dodson
Principal
AIA
Mr. Dodson holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Oregon, and has been with the firm for 39 years.
DeDe Darnell
Principal
ASID, IIDA, LEED AP
Mrs. Darnell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology (Interior Design) from California State University Fresno, and has been with the firm for 29 years. Mrs. Darnell has 39 total years experience in the profession.
Michael K. Fennacy
Principal
AIA
Mr. Michael “Mike” Fennacy holds a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the University of Southern California, and has been with the firm for 27 years. Mr. Fennacy has 34 total years experience in the profession. Mike has presented multiple times on “NextGen” school design.
Michael J. Nelson
Associate
Mr. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture and Construction Management from California State University Fresno, and has been with the firm for 25 years. Mr. Nelson has 28 total years experience in the profession.
Leslie Rau
Associate
IIDA, LEED AP
Mrs. Leslie Rau holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design from California State University Fresno, and has been with the firm for 21 years. Mrs. Rau has 22 total years experience in the profession. Leslie is a past “Rotarian of the Year” and “40 Under 40” honoree.
Martin A. Ilic
Associate
Mr. Ilic holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from California State University Fresno, attended the Art Center in Pasadena and has been with the firm for 18 years. Martin is a Graduate of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing’s School Facility Leadership Academy.
Gerardo Padron
Associate
Mr. Padron holds an Associate’s Degree from the Phoenix Institute of Technology, and has been with the firm for 21 years. Mr. Padron has 36 total years experience in the profession.
Sean P. Mendoza
Associate
AIA
Mr. Mendoza holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and has been with the firm for 25 years. Mr. Mendoza has 29 total years experience in the profession.
Andrew A. Corral
Associate
AIA, LEED AP
Mr. Corral holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management with an Emphasis in Architecture from the California State University Fresno. Andrew has been with the firm for 18 years and is a Graduate of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing’s School Facility Leadership Academy.
Matthew R. Heiss
Associate
AIA
Mr. Matthew “Matt” Heiss holds a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and has been with the firm for 10 years. Matt is a Graduate of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing’s School Facility Leadership Academy.
William Brandle
Associate
AIA
Mr. Brandle holds a Bachelor of Architecture from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, and has been with the firm for 9 years. William is a graduate of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing’s School Facilities Leadership Academy and a US Army veteran.
Phil Dietz
Associate
PCM, RPIC
Phil Dietz is the marketing manager and contract specialist for the firm. He is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara, and has been with the firm for 10 years. Phil is a licensed drone pilot and a graduate of both the leadership Fresno Program and CASH School Facilities Leadership Academy.