BL Companies Taps Schwendy To Lead Architecture And Engineering Across 18 Offices

Kent Schwendy has taken over leadership of the architecture and building engineering disciplines at BL Companies, a move designed to unify operations across the firm's 18 offices. The Meriden, Connecticut-based company announced the hire on Wednesday, positioning Schwendy as its new executive director of ASMEP.

BL Companies is an employee-owned multidisciplinary firm specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental services, and land surveying. It operates from 355 Research Parkway in Meriden. The appointment places Schwendy in charge of strengthening collaboration between internal teams and deepening client relationships nationwide.

Carolyn Stanworth, the firm's president and CEO, described Schwendy as a strategic thinker and team builder. In a news release, Stanworth stated, “Kent is a skilled and accomplished engineer, but he's also a tremendous leader and strategic thinker.” She added that his ability to align great design, client service, and business decisions makes him well-suited for the role.

Schwendy brings more than 35 years of leadership experience to the position. His background spans engineering, planning, architecture, real estate development, and construction. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of the Corporation for Independent Living for more than a decade. Before that role, he spent 17 years at the consulting engineering firm Fuss & O'Neill, rising from project engineer to partner and senior vice president.

The new executive director has directed master planning efforts and adaptive reuse projects for dozens of historic structures and industrial complexes. He cited the firm's existing culture and client relationships as key assets. Schwendy said, “To learn about BL is to understand the importance of culture and the way these talented people go about their business every day.”

His career began as a utility engineer with the New York State Department of Public Service. He later served as a captain and civil engineer in the U.S. Air Force in the early 1990s. During that service, he deployed as an Air Base Combat Engineer in support of Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, and Vigilant Warrior. He also led structural engineering efforts at Dover Air Force Base, which included converting a World War II aircraft hangar into a museum.

Schwendy holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a licensed professional engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional. He also serves on the Civil Engineering Advisory Board at the University of Hartford and has lectured at the University of Connecticut.