A global architectural firm promoted a new leader in its Grand Rapids office.

Ghafari Associates promoted Tom Tooley, AIA, to executive vice president and business unit leader for the Grand Rapids office. In this role, he will lead office operations while continuing to maintain client partnerships and pursue new corporate, commercial and mixed-use opportunities.

“Our office is full of great people focused on making Ghafari Grand Rapids the best architectural engineering firm in West Michigan,” Tooley said. “While we are locally focused, being part of the Ghafari organization allows our staff to work beyond West Michigan, providing them with new opportunities while expanding our reach.”

Tooley joined Ghafari as a senior vice president following the firm’s 2018 merger with Grand Rapids-based Concept Design Group. Throughout an architectural career of more than 30 years, he has had a hand in downtown-area projects like Arena Place, Venue Tower, 601 Bond, The Warner Building and Hyatt Place.

“Tom has been instrumental not only in strengthening Ghafari’s presence in Western Michigan but in advancing our commercial portfolio companywide,” Ghafari CEO and President Kouhaila Hammer said. “Since joining forces with Ghafari less than two years ago, he has proven to be a key player in our overall strategic development.”

Tooley holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in architecture, both from Lawrence Technological University. A longtime member of the American Institute of Architects, he has served clients across the corporate, hospitality, health care, educational, R+D and industrial sectors.