Peter Varsalona Named a 2026 Crain’s New York Notable Leader in Architecture, Engineering & Construction
Peter Varsalona, PE, RA, CEM, CBCP, Principal and Vice President at RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC, has been named a 2026 Crain’s New York Notable Leader in Architecture, Engineering & Construction.
This recognition comes as Peter marks his 34th year at RAND. Over that time, he has helped shape how our teams plan, coordinate, and deliver complex building work, with an emphasis on disciplined execution, practical decision-making, and performance that holds up over the long term. His efforts have built and sustained long-standing client relationships, supporting RAND’s growth into a 120-person, 100% employee-owned firm.
New York’s building stock is constantly evolving, and Peter’s leadership has helped strengthen how RAND supports modernization, conversions, and redevelopment through integrated teams.
Leading RAND’s Building Design Group
Peter leads RAND’s Building Design Group, a multidisciplinary team of 25+ professionals spanning Architecture, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing, Fire Protection, and Energy Services. The group supports building owners, boards, and managers who need a coordinated partner for projects that touch multiple systems and building components, from early planning through design, approvals, and construction-phase support.
Over the last five years, Peter led two redevelopment projects that helped formalize RAND’s integrated delivery model: the adaptive reuse conversion of a five-story former warehouse into an eight-story, 21-unit residential building at 425 West 19th Street, and a new 56,000 SF residential building at 517 West 29th Street. By coordinating architectural, MEP, energy services, structural, and code and zoning compliance under one delivery approach, these projects were the catalyst for creating RAND’s Building Design Group and positioned the firm for more complex conversion and redevelopment work.
Leadership Beyond RAND
Peter’s work also extends beyond RAND. From 2023 to 2026, Peter served as President of the Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums (CNYC), after serving on the organization’s board since 2019. CNYC is a citywide membership organization that supports co-op and condo homeowners and boards through education, resources, and advocacy on issues affecting building operations, compliance, and affordability.
Peter has spoken and written on building design and performance and has been quoted for his expertise in outlets including The New York Times, Bloomberg, Crain’s New York, The Real Deal, The Cooperator, Habitat Magazine, and Brick Underground. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
For additional details, Crain’s profile is available here (subscription may be required): https://www.crainsnewyork.com/recognitions/notables/leaders-architecture-engineering-construction/2026/cny-peter-varsalona/
To learn more about RAND’s Building Design Group, visit: https://randpc.com/expertise/building-design-development/
About RAND
RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC is a 100% employee-owned firm providing multidisciplinary engineering and architectural services for buildings and redevelopment projects. Since 1987, we have supported more than 6,500 properties across New York City and the region, working with cooperatives and condominiums, commercial buildings, institutions, and mixed-use properties. Our teams support clients from early planning and design through approvals and construction-phase services.