2022 Industry Leaders: George Luis Cumella, Mojo Stumer Associates

Nominee’s Name & Job Title: George Luis Cumella, R.A., Senior Project Manager

Nominee’s Company/Affiliation: Mojo Stumer Associates / Employee

Nominee’s City & State of Employment: Greenvale, New York

What leadership role outside of the workplace is most rewarding to you?

There are few greater joys I’ve experienced than the role of architectural professor. The university classroom is a laboratory dedicated to the inception and development of ideas and research. It’s the chance for students to learn from their teachers and vice versa. This opportunity has also enabled me to travel with student groups to various parts of the world to directly witness seminal works of architecture, urbanism, art, and rich cultural progressions throughout history.

What award were you most proud to receive?

I had the good fortune of being interviewed by Telemundo, an American Spanish-language television network, for my role on the Bronx Library Center in the Fordham section of the Bronx in New York City. This is an accolade I’m proud of, as it captured and acknowledged the culmination of four years of work on the Bronx Library Center, a facility designed and built to serve its blossoming Hispanic community. It was one of the best multi-cultural collaborations I have participated in.

Describe what you would consider to be ONE of your top career highlights:

The move to Mojo Stumer Associates (MSA) coupled with being entrusted to work on multifamily developments is one top career highlight. It’s a great opportunity to apply a decade of experience working on high-end residential projects prior to joining MSA and see Long Island flourish with quality housing in burgeoning communities. LI neighborhoods are experiencing the evolutionary benefits of the urban decentralization coming from New York City and its immediate surrounds. This is creating rich possibilities for how the future of Long Island will be reshaped and enjoyed for many generations to come.

What aspect of your position do you find most challenging?

It’s challenging to transmit vision, meaning, and larger communal and historical purpose to architects in training. Ideas, theories, and their implementation need to be communicated in a way they can be absorbed and adopted to making better buildings and communities with historical and future significance.