About Us
Creating a Healthier, More Just and Prosperous World
At Epsten Group, we pride ourselves on being a pioneer for sustainability in the built environment. Sustainability is in our DNA– it’s the right thing to do for future generations and the legacy we leave behind. We maintain the front-line of sustainability, spreading the word globally and investing locally.
Industry pioneers to our core, we push the boundaries by walking many clients through their own firsts. Our services remain flexible to meet the growing demand for a sustainable, healthier future. Our team strives to create a global impact surrounding green initiatives and maintains a company culture that reflects this. We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and equity and have recruited top talent from all over the globe. With office flexibility and a work-life balance, we accommodate individual preferences, believing that freedom, respect, and creativity lead to happiness and prosperity.
Motivated by a Global Vision
With a core mission to build a healthier, more just and prosperous world, we value diversity and inclusion. We are proud to say that Epsten Group has:
- 9 in-house foreign languages
- 2/3 female employees
- Sponsored several foreign nationals from around the world
Epsten Group is the first Just™ labeled professional services company in the Southeast US, a distinction granted by the International Living Future Institute to identify socially just and equitable organizations. We contribute our time and knowledge to our local community, staying focused on our mission by working and sharing together.
Recognition
We’re proud of our trophy case. For years we have been recognized as innovative experts with industry-leading knowledge. We strive for excellence with each and every project, and our awards and recognition demonstrate this level of dedication.
2016
JUST™ Label Award for Transparent Operations Practice
2016
Invest Atlanta Award for Excellence in Innovation
2015
ENR Southeast’s 2015 List of Top Design Firms- Engineering News
2013
AIA Georgia Sustainability + Energy Citation
2012
Urban Land Institute (ULI) Award of Excellence Finalist
2011 - 2012
BOMA TOBY (The Outstanding Building of the Year) Award
Our Leaders
It takes strong leadership and deep knowledge to influence global change, and that’s what we have at Epsten Group. Meet the experts behind the international demand for sustainability.
Principal & Director of Operations
Bill D’Onofrio
AIA
William “Bill” D’Onofrio, AIA, serves as a Principal and the Director of Operations for Epsten Group. Since joining the Firm in 2012, he has had a tremendous impact on our growth. Having devoted more than 20 years to a career in architecture, he has worked on numerous government, office, industrial, retail and interior projects throughout the southeast. This perspective allows him to look at the business through a unique lens, providing meaningful oversight to our projects, mentorship to our expanding employee-base, spearheading strategic growth opportunities and pinpointing valuable solutions for our clients. He embodies the Firm’s beliefs that together with our clients, we can build a healthier, more just and prosperous world through sustainable practices. Bill is an avid traveler and likes to experience different cultures, having explored almost 30 countries throughout the world. FUN FACT: Bill’s favorite building in Atlanta is the High Museum.
Principal & Director of Design
Pete Choquette
AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP
As a Principal and the Director of Design for Epsten Group, Pete manages our talented architectural and interior design team. A registered architect with over a decade of experience in a wide array of sustainable and zoological design projects, Pete is also both a LEED and WELL Accredited Professional who has spoken throughout the country on topics ranging from wellness to energy efficiency including leading seminars at the 2014 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo and the 2015 AIA National Convention.
Pete believes in the power of an architectural practice that recognizes that building projects must not only meet the needs of the users who occupy them but must also fit harmoniously within the greater environmental, economic, and cultural context that they, themselves, occupy.
FUN FACT: Pete has been with the company since 2007, making him the longest-tenured member of the Epsten Group team.
Principal & Director of Commissioning
Darren Draper
PE, CxA
Darren Draper has dedicated his career to the important aspect of building commissioning, even serving as an expert on the topic for many A/E/C industry-related panel discussions. He is also one of two instructors for AABC Commissioning Group’s (ACG) Commissioning Authority Certification preparation workshop. As a certified expert in the field (CxA), he oversees the Firm’s commissioning services, including M/E/P systems, building envelope, and retro-commissioning. An exercise of communication and teamwork, his dedication to his role ensures that owners and end-users obtain an excellent return on their investment, and working hand-in-hand with other Firm principals, Darren integrates commissioning early in the design phase to maximize the benefits.
FUN FACT: Darren once played in a heavy metal band and is now the rocking father of three young children.
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting
Lauren Wallace
LFA, WELL AP, LEED AP, Fitwel Ambassador
Joining Epsten Group in 2009 as an Architectural Designer, Lauren is now a Principal and the Director of Certifications and Consulting. She is a leading sustainability consultant who cares about incorporating sustainable practices throughout the design-build industry. Aligning with the firm’s beliefs, Lauren’s work demonstrates that planning for the long-term can truly pay-off for a project. By working alongside her to integrate widespread sustainability practices, her clients can save time and money, and equally important, attract and retain much-needed talent. Along with her incredibly talented team, she helps uncover the possibilities.
FUN FACT: Lauren and her family are season ticket holders for the Atlanta United Major League Soccer team that won their first National Championship in 2018 at the LEED Platinum Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As a Georgia Tech alum, she finds it hard to sport the colors red and black, but her love for our local champions wins her over.