John Cetra co-founded CetraRuddy on the principle that architecture must engage the urban fabric while enriching the human spirit. His designs incorporate an aesthetic of dynamic geometric compositions and sensitively chosen materials to invoke the rhythms and textures of the urban past. John’s understanding of project goals, command of construction technology, and mastery of regulations have allowed him to create memorable buildings within the space constraints, zoning restrictions, and economic requirements of complex urban environments. His commitment to elevating the typology of urban residential architecture to a level of profound cultural impact and distinction has garnered him recognition as an industry leader in tall building technology, historic building restoration, and analytic site development. John holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the Spitzer School of Architecture of the City College of New York and has taught architecture at both institutions. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a member of the Urban Land Institute, Municipal Arts Society, The Skyscraper Museum, Society of American Registered Architects, New York Landmarks Conservancy, Friend of Fallingwater, and Harvard Club.

Nancy Ruddy co-founded CetraRuddy in 1987, and serves as our firm's Executive Director of Interior Design. She has directed program development and strategic planning for more than 20 million square feet of architectural and interior design work, leading a team of skilled professionals to produce highly original, custom solutions for commercial, residential, cultural, and educational clients. Her passion for excellence is manifest in the architectural partees that she participates in interiors, which are defined by their crafted details, innovative use of materials, and elevated spirit. The powerful environments she creates give each CetraRuddy environment a unique branded identity in the minds of developers, residents, and users.

Nancy’s expertise in program analysis and implementation provides clients the added value of a methodology that incorporates the design consultant directly into the client’s strategic planning team. Her strengths lie in project management, construction costing and in the integration of client goals within the project’s constraints. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural History from New York University and has studied architecture at City College of New York. Her honors include "100 Women Leaders for the 21st Century" by Real Estate Weekly and the Association of Real Estate Women, “Business Owner of the Year” by the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Career Achievement Award of the School of Architecture of the City College of New York in addition to the numerous design and sustainability awards garnered by our firm’s many award winning projects. 

Eugene Flotteron is a Principal and the Director of Architecture at our firm. In addition to specific project involvement, he oversees and orchestrates the firm’s architects and interior designers in their work from project inception to completion. He is as committed to his clients and their goals as he is to developing extraordinary designs, resulting in successful projects that surpass expectations and in lasting client relationships. Taking possession of each project, his personal involvement in the overall process and technical understanding of the built environment is applied to a wide range of projects, with a particular focus on multi-family housing. Eugene has a sophisticated knowledge of zoning, site conditions and building statutes that results in solving complex zoning and design challenges through direct collaboration with clients and colleagues. He masterfully balances visionary architecture and planning while integrating the seminal details of a project. As part of his role, Eugene has also mentored a team of architects and has contributed to assembling an office of extraordinarily talented professionals. Eugene holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute and Municipal Arts Society.

Principal and Director of Interior Design, Ximena Rodriguez, serves as lead interior designer and project manager for many of the firm's projects. She brings a global perspective, based on her years of work in Argentina and on various international projects, that transcends any one design philosophy. She has expertise in bringing high design to complex, multifaceted projects of all scales for the residential, hospitality and retail sectors. Her training as an architect forms her methodology, where she develops dynamic three-dimensional solutions that add depth to the firm’s interior design practice. Driven by process and innovative solutions grounded in technical excellence, her projects emanate an architectural clarity coupled with knowledge of materials and finishes. A sophisticated designer, Ximena is involved in all stages of programming and space planning and works closely with her clients to develop concept and design solutions that integrate their vision into architecture. She leads CetraRuddy’s interior design group and design team with a collaborative spirit, engaging everyone at each step of the project. Ximena holds a diploma in architecture from the University of Buenos Aires School of Architecture and a postgraduate degree in management from the University of Palermo.

Principal Brian McFarland is intimately involved in the design and construction process, leading projects from concept design through completion of construction. With more than 30 years of experience and professional practice, Brian has an in-depth understanding of multifamily residential projects; both new construction and adaptive reuse. In addition, Brian has experience with educational, institutional and hospitality clients. With a passion for urban design and a hands-on approach to process, Brian couples his strength in program development and management with his ability to master the constraints of complex regulatory environments to create architecturally significant buildings. Brian’s projects have been published in Architectural Record, Progressive Architecture among others. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Pratt Institute and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Principal and the Director of International Development, Joseph Jebran, spearheads CetraRuddy’s strategic initiatives overseas. With more than 25 years of experience working in design, construction, and real estate, he brings unique expertise and resourcefulness to international development having led small and large projects in both urban and non-urban environments. Prior to joining CetraRuddy, Joseph was Vice President at SEDCO Development in Saudi Arabia, managing a wide and diverse spectrum of real estate developments from design to construction. His extensive managerial experience directing and overseeing projects enables him to assemble teams suited to the task at hand, a key component to any operation’s success. Joseph’s proficiency in French and Arabic and in managing large-scale, multifaceted projects has proven to be instrumental in achieving his clients’ goals. His detail oriented project management approach along with his commitment to the highest standards of technical and artistic quality has earned him the trust and respect of clients around the world. He holds a prestigious Diplome D’Architecture from L’Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, which was also accredited by the Yale University School of Architecture. He is a member of Society of Registered Architects, Architecte Diplômé par le Gouvernement, the British Business Group Middle East and the Project Management Institute.

Principal Theresa Genovese leads project teams from concept design through completion of construction. She has extensive experience in overseeing both ground-up and renovation projects for universities, public and private schools, libraries, and museums. As a LEED Accredited Professional, she has particular expertise in infusing her projects with the highest level of sustainable design. Theresa served as Editor in Chief for Harvard Architecture Review's Civitas: What is City? and authored a Harvard University monograph on urban design in Barcelona. This background in urban design gives her heightened sensitivity to a building's larger context and allows her to simultaneously think about site, materiality, and light and to create buildings with a strong sense of place. Theresa holds a Master of Architecture and Urban Design degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from New York Institute of Technology's School of Architecture. She has also completed graduate study with the Pratt Institute in Kyoto and Tokyo.

Associate Principal Thomas Graul oversees quality assessment for our firm’s construction and coordination processes. With over 30 years of experience working at varying scales of complexity and size, Tom distinguishes himself as an expert technical director, helping to develop and translate innovative designs into reality. Tom’s skills ensure that our firm’s projects reflect a combination of technical excellence, constructability, and remain consistent with building codes and the firm’s commitment to sustainability. Tom is well respected within our firm for his ability to continually refine and improve design and development processes, and he serves as an unmatched resource for all design teams. Since joining CetraRuddy, he has has streamlined workflow by implementing organizational tools and resources such as firm-wide standards for deliverables for each phase of a project, and seminars focused on learning topics for staff training and advancement. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Department of Architecture, College of Environmental Design from the University of California Berkeley. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, is part of the Cal Alumni Association, and sits on the UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design Council

Associate Principal Kevin Lee leads complex and highly refined residential and mixed-use developments at our firm. He has built a reputation as a talented, resourceful designer whose zoning expertise and exceptional problem-solving skills have shaped urban skylines and defined many of CetraRuddy’s most significant works. Kevin’s design approach is holistic and rooted in pragmatic conceptualization, where his innovative concepts stem from the programmatic requirements of the project. Born and raised in California’s San Francisco Bay area, Kevin moved to New York to pursue a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University and has remained in the city ever since. Prior to joining CetraRuddy, Kevin spent 10 years at Richard Meier & Partners Architecture, where he worked on the 173-176 Perry Street and 165 Charles Street projects along the West Side Highway in New York City. After joining CetraRuddy in 2010, Lee has continued to hone his design skills and approach, and he has risen through our firm from a project architect to his current role as Associate Principal and Senior Architectural Designer.

Associate Principal Chris Lee is valued for his collaborative approach and attention to detail. Chris is known within our firm as a mentor who is eager to share expertise and advice with young and emerging designers. With over 20 years of experience spearheading design work for highly complex projects, he has been instrumental in advancing many of CetraRuddy’s key projects across a variety of sectors. Chris holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the City University of New York. Additionally, he has been a recipient of the American Institute of Architects Merit Award and is actively involved in our firm’s partnership with PENCIL, promoting the profession through mentorship and immersive programming.