IRVINE, Calif. (February 24, 2026) – Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm, today announced a series of leadership updates in their Southern California region.
Sergio Valentini has been promoted to Regional Vice President. A licensed architect, he joined Ware Malcomb in 2019, successfully taking over the leadership of the firm’s Los Angeles office. In 2023, he was promoted to Regional Principal, overseeing Los Angeles, Irvine and the Inland Empire offices. In his new role, Valentini’s responsibilities expand to include the San Diego office, and he will continue to provide strategic leadership across the SoCal region while contributing at a firmwide level.
Involved in the industry since 2003, Valentini’s experience includes a wide variety of international and domestic projects including commercial, multifamily, entertainment, retail, industrial and aviation. He received Master of Architecture degrees from Politecnico di Bari university in Bari, Italy. He is active in the industry with various professional associations, and chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Angela Ryan, Principal, has been promoted to Office Leader in the firm’s San Diego office. Ryan joined the firm a decade ago and has been promoted several times, most recently to Principal in 2024. With more than 20 years of industry experience, she has brought extensive interior architecture, design and client management capabilities to the Ware Malcomb team, while guiding the interiors, retail, and healthcare teams with strong vision and results.
Ryan’s project portfolio includes a variety of project types including office, healthcare, science and technology, education, and hospitality. She has a passion for mentorship and serving as advisor to other Ware Malcomb designers, as well as designers from other firms throughout the design community, connecting through organizations such as IIDA and CREW. Ryan attended University Missouri-Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in environmental design.
Diane Guo has been promoted to Director, Regional Business Operations, Southern California. With 18 years of industry experience, Guo joined Ware Malcomb’s Irvine Healthcare Studio in 2015 before moving into Project Management and later operations leadership in Los Angeles and across Southern California.
Known for her collaborative approach, hands-on training style, and commitment to operational excellence, Guo has consistently elevated business performance and project execution throughout the region. In her new role, she will lead regional operations across Southern California, partnering with office and studio leaders to drive delivery, team development, and client service. Guo earned a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Eric Namisniak has been promoted to Director, Architecture in the firm’s Irvine office. In his new role, he will continue leading the growth of the Architecture Studio and supporting its continued success. He joined Ware Malcomb in 2012 as a drafter in the Production Studio and has steadily advanced through roles including Job Captain, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, and Studio Manager prior to his latest promotion.
A licensed Architect, Namisniak has led work for major developers and corporate clients, while strengthening team culture, mentoring talent, and supporting the studio’s operational and financial success. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree focused in Architecture and Environmental Design from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Ken Wink, CEO, Ware Malcomb, said, “We are proud to recognize these strong and experienced leaders who are driving growth in the Southern California region, and we look forward to their contributions moving forward.”
About Ware Malcomb (waremalcomb.com)
Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a dynamic, forward-thinking commercial real estate design firm providing professional architecture, interior design, civil engineering, branding, building measurement, structural engineering and MEP engineering services to clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of office, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, multifamily, retail, hospitality and public/institutional projects. The firm is also ranked among the top 10 Architecture/Engineering firms in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and the Top 30 Interior Design Firms in Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit waremalcomb.com.
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Ware Malcomb Irvine HQ
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