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This year, CSI welcomed Tom Lanzelotti to the CSI College of Fellows. Lanzelotti—FCSI, CDT®, and Director from Northeast Region—is one of only four distinguished professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry named to the 2025 class. He was nominated through a rigorous application process, then elected by the Jury of Fellows for membership, one of the top honors given by CSI.
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Lanzelotti was born and raised on Long Island, NY, and attended The Ohio State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master of Architecture. He is a Principal at Gensler.
What does being a member of the 2025 College of Fellows honorees mean to you?
As you begin the process, you wonder if you would be deserving of such an honor. Then you start recreating your CSI career and you start to appreciate the things you have done, but more importantly you begin to appreciate the things that CSI has provided for you. Then you complete the application process again, feeling like “maybe I am not worthy.” When I got the call, I was taken aback and it really did not sink in. But seeing who my 2025 classmates are, I am truly honored to be a part of this special group. This honor will only make me be an even greater supporter and advocate of CSI.
Fellowship recognizes contributions to advancing the construction industry. Of all your contributions to CSI, which of them are most significant to you?
This is a tough question to answer. Normally, when thinking about my CSI career, I focus on the things that CSI has provided me. But if I were to look into the opportunities that I have been afforded within CSI, I would say that my work with our Metro New York Chapter Programs Team as a committee member and eventually committee chair, my volunteering to be a member of the Component Value Taskforce (CVTF), and my work with the CSI Board of Directors would stand out most.
My suggestion to move our chapter meetings out of the basement of a local NYC bar to rotating NYC designer showrooms led to a greater presence for CSI in the market, which led to greater interest and attraction of more diverse programs and presenters.
Stepping up, applying to be a member of the Component Value Taskforce offered me a great opportunity to collaborate with other emerging CSI leaders from across the Institute. I remember that I had, what I thought, was a good opinion entering that opportunity and I came out with a very different perspective. As a group, we coined the phrase “We are one CSI,” and our workings and recommendations as a group helped to foster the chapter realignment and the affiliation agreements which, although a bit controversial at the onset, will be remembered as a milestone for CSI.
Working as a director on the national board for my two terms has provided a view into where CSI has been but, more importantly, where we can go. As a member of the board, it was inherent to move from a “doer’s” mindset, which is prevalent at the chapter and region level, to a strategic mindset that is focused on the overall health of the organization and its members. During my time on the national board, we have not only taken the bold steps of re-branding CSI, chapter re-alignment, initiating the affiliation agreements—all with the purpose of increasing the level of professionalism of the organization leading to an improved member experience—we also focused on the governance model of how our organization should be run. This step was only possible by instilling guardrails for ourselves as board members to ensure that we are monitoring ourselves and being accountable.
What was your first job in the AECO industry?
My first full-time job after graduation was at a small NYC firm, LRM Architect. We specialized in mission-critical facilities. My boss, Lou Morandi, was like a second father to me. He took me under his wing, sitting at the drafting table with me, taking me to project meetings and to project sites. He taught me how to be an architect with his hands-on coaching and mentorship. I did it all, from making the coffee in the morning to emptying the garbage in the evening. But most importantly, I learned professionalism and respect for all the partners it takes to deliver a quality project. When I made the move to Gensler after 7-1/2 years with Lou, we both shed some tears. Lou was a great mentor and a great man, who in hindsight, set me up for my future successes!
What has been your favorite aspect of making your career in this field?
Making it a career. I never approached being an architect as a job, it has always been a life mission. When I look back on things, I feel like a very lucky man. I get to do what I love every day. Working on great projects was at one time the goal or highlight but that has transitioned to the reward of working with our young professionals and seeing the light go on for them. This is the culmination of the dream. Being able to share my experiences and reliving my career through them is special.
How has being a member of CSI informed your life and career?
When I joined CSI, it was as at the request of Bill DuBois. I was his buddy and mentor when he joined Gensler, and I grew to respect him as a professional and as a person. I have to say at first, I was not 100 percent on board as I took CSI for a test drive but, taking Bill's advice, I stuck with it, found my niche, and worked to make it a valuable experience. CSI has helped to put the finishing touches on me as a professional. It has filled my knowledge gaps, it has grown my network, it has given me greater perspective, and in a nutshell helped me be a better professional. CSI, in my mind, is the best professional organization for design and delivery professionals affording the opportunity to collaborate and share a common language and vision.
Is there anyone you would like to recognize for supporting the work you do?
There are so many. My mom, who instilled empathy and caring to my being. My dad who imparted his incredible work ethic on me. Lou Morandi, my architectural mentor, and so many Gensler colleagues over the years that I have had the pleasure to learn from and, more importantly, call friends. Bill DuBois, my CSI mentor. The vast number of consultant partners and contracting partners. We have gained a mutual respect for each other over the years and delivered great work. All my CSI colleagues who have made this ride truly impactful. And, most importantly, my wife and daughter who have supported my career goals, sometimes at their expense. They are truly the fuel that feeds my fire and provides me the inspiration to do what I do.
What advice would you give to new CSI members just entering this industry?
STICK WITH CSI. Early on, it may not be apparent how valuable CSI can be, and all that CSI has to offer both professionally and personally. The design and construction industry is complex, and collaboration and strong relationships are paramount to realize what we as professionals are being asked to do. CSI is a diverse community where if you play your cards right and approach it with an open mind and humbleness to truly learn from others, it will pay dividends and become a backbone for your success.
What do you think the most significant changes, or opportunities, will be in the construction industry in the next 5 to 10 years?
This is a great question. Higher expectations, greater complexity, and an ever-changing landscape will continue to be the challenges for the future, but they will also be the catalysts for great things. New technologies and innovations will fuel new ways of working, but it will be incumbent upon seasoned design and construction professionals to find the time and opportunities to nurture the incredible influx of young talent in our industry.
They may have great technological skills and be fast adaptors to the new tools available but will still need guidance and mentorship to assist in the development of their "soft skills" to complete their journeys towards being the next wave of leaders. A focus on two-way learning and relationship building will remain the secret sauce for developing future leaders.
Is there anything else you want to share?
Not sure it is another question that could have been asked but, maybe more of an observation. if I may, our industry is very much based upon incremental growth rooted in practical experience and cross-discipline collaboration. This is not really part of today’s higher education curriculums. Outreach to those who control academic programs to discuss the potential to offer opportunities for advanced collaborative learning programs that link the various disciplines together would be an immense benefit.
Imagine CDT® training, client relationship training, and cross-discipline awareness training as a part of all design and construction academic programs. Also, architects generally intern with architectural firms and construction professionals often intern with contracting firms. What if future construction professionals interned with architectural firms and future architects interned at construction companies to get a view into the “other side”? Just a thought.
Click here to learn more about the 2025 members of the College of Fellows.