Co-founders Mark D'Amato and Guy Conversano began D'Amato Conversano, Inc. (DCI) on April 8, 1988 with many intentions in mind, none more important than designing structures that were meaningful and fulfilled their clients' visions. DCI first started in the basement of D'Amato's home in Kirkland, Washington and less than a year later, they had eight employees and were moving into their first official office space in the Houghton neighborhood's Lakeview Office Park. D'Amato recalls the beginning days often and says, "It's amazing to see what has sprung since April 8, 1988 after we made that one trip down to Olympia to establish D'amato Conversano, Inc."

25 years later in 2013, the firm has expanded across four states and eight cities. Boasting more than 180 employees and 17 principals, the company is led by President and Treasurer, Roger Heeringa, a 23-year veteran based in Seattle, Washington. The Board of Directors is comprised of two other long-standing principals, Vice President Mark Aden in Spokane, Washington, and Secretary Troy Bean, located in Seattle, along with Mark D'Amato and Guy Conversano as co-chairman.

The company's leadership has extensive design experience and has cultivated many repeat clients and designed numerous high-profile projects throughout the world. "Clients think DCI is pretty innovative and appreciate that we take on the can-do approach," says D'Amato when describing his ideas on how clients perceive DCI. This approach has been integrated into the company culture over the last 25 years and is evident in all those employed by the firm. DCI's engineers and staff are strongly encouraged to push their creative geniuses and Conversano comments that "when you hire good people there are no limits to an organization." He further adds that he is constantly inspired by all the people in the firm.

DCI Engineers has designed many notable and well-known projects throughout the West Coast, including Schnitzer West's The Bravern in Bellevue, Washington; American Life, Inc.'s mixed-use developments Home Plate and Stadium Innovation Center in Seattle, Washington; Legacy Partners and Gatehouse Capital's Hollywood and Vine W Hotel Tower in Los Angeles, California; and the University of California - Irvine Medical Education Building by Mithun in Irvine, California. Reflecting on time and how DCI has grown, D'Amato adds, "We have such a wide variety of capabilities now that we really are a well-rounded, strong, and robust engineering firm that has no limitations towards growth and what we can do with the future."

Being a part of the community has always been important to the founders and company alike. DCI Engineers is active in giving back to the cities they call home. Each year, DCI hosts a well-attended golf tournament benefitting Childhaven in Seattle, a safe place for abused on neglected children. The tournament allows for clients and friends to enjoy time together while raising money for the cause.

Even when the economy was at the height of its struggle, DCI maintained a can-do outlook and evolved into the strengths of their engineers by tapping into new sectors and locations that may not have been explored otherwise. And now, stronger than ever, they are proud to see how far they have come and are excited to what is ahead. DCI remains true to their basic design philosophy which is carried out strongly in their marketing efforts. With the recent office additions, 2013 marks more than just the silver anniversary; it also represents geographic expansion, internal growth, and the unveiling of a new website. Mark Aden reflects, "The last 25 years have really set the table for what the next 25 could be like. This company has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to an amazing geographical, historical, and economic range of circumstances, and I think we are just going to get better and better. And the thing that makes me happiest is that we are a place where young people can come and make their career."

Guy Conversano and Mark D'Amato toasting to 25 successful years.