Albert Betesh | Source | Partner at Cicognani Kalla

Born and raised on the New Jersey Shore, Albert received a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University, but found the experience did not fulfill his artistic sensibility. Curious about Architecture, he pursued an internship in the profession and secured a position with famed architect Frederic Schwartz, whose plan to rebuild the World Trade Center site finished second among hundreds of entries. Albert knew he had found his calling. While waiting to enroll at the New Jersey Institute of Technology to complete a Masters in Architecture, Albert began working with Cicognani Kalla Architects in 2005. Recognizing his potential after only a few months, Pietro & Ann, convinced Albert to stay on full time and defer his studies. This apprenticeship lasted nearly three years before Albert decided it was time to complement training in the field with a more formal education. After completing a Masters in Architecture from NJIT, Albert returned to Cicognani Kalla Architects for a short period of time to support Pietro after Ann’s passing. It was not long after Albert decided it was time to move on to other pursuits that Pietro called and invited him back as a partner. Since returning as a partner Albert has led some of the firms most complex and prestigious projects, quickly earning the respect of clients, colleagues and collaborators alike.