Mueller Associates Promotes Six

Charles Swope, PE, CPD, LEED AP BD+C, was named an associate and stockholder. His inclusion in the company's leadership team reinforces the firm's commitment to growth and employee-driven leadership.

Since joining Mueller in 2009, Swope has led the design of critical infrastructure systems for many of the firm's most complex projects, including Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA; the historic renovation of Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library; the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum renovation in Washington, DC; and Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Health Professions in Richmond, VA.

Promoted to chief mechanical engineer in 2021, Swope has provided strategic leadership for Mueller's plumbing and fire protection services while enhancing the firm's approach to HVAC and plumbing design. He currently serves as president of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, where he actively promotes professional development and industry advancement. His ability to balance strategic vision with technical precision has helped drive innovation across the firm.

With nearly 45 years at the firm, Paul Czajkowski, PE, senior chief mechanical engineer, is the second-longest-serving employee in Mueller’s history, a testament to his dedication, technical expertise and leadership in mechanical engineering.

Initially unfamiliar with the role of HVAC in building design, Czajkowski quickly developed a passion for the discipline. Within his first years at Mueller, he took on major projects spanning museums, cultural institutions, laboratories and higher education research facilities. His portfolio includes designing HVAC systems for prestigious clients such as the Smithsonian Institution, Northrop Grumman, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon.

Since his 2019 promotion to chief mechanical engineer, Czajkowski has led the firm’s quality assurance and quality control reviews for mechanical engineering projects while mentoring younger engineers and sharing decades of industry insights. His leadership of Mueller’s Quality Assurance Program and development of standardized mechanical design tools have embedded quality control throughout the project lifecycle, from initial design through final construction documents.

Christopher Hodges joined Mueller in 2021 after earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware. He has contributed to significant projects, including Bowie State University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Communication Arts and Humanities building and renovating the National Museum of Women in the Arts. An active member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Hodges serves on Mueller’s Social Workplace Committee, helping to foster employee engagement and company improvements.

Michael Kowalski, PE, joined Mueller in 2022 and recently became a licensed Professional Engineer in Maryland. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Temple University and played a key role in several projects, including UNC-Chapel Hill’s Carrington Hall School of Nursing and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s (UMBC) Sherman Hall renovation. Kowalski is an active ASHRAE member and has demonstrated strong technical leadership through his mentorship of younger engineers.

Meghan LaGreca joined Mueller in 2024, bringing expertise in HVAC, plumbing and medical gas systems design. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from SUNY Maritime College and has made significant contributions to major projects, including the renovation of UMBC’s Sherman Hall and the modernization of Towson University’s Smith Hall. Her analytical skills and attention to detail have quickly made her a valuable asset to the firm.

Justin Saelens, LEED AP BD+C, joined Mueller in 2022 after completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at UMBC. He has contributed to notable cultural and academic projects, including the Muskegon Museum of Art and multiple projects at the National Gallery of Art. A member of both ASHRAE and the Baltimore chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Saelens demonstrates his commitment to sustainable design through his LEED AP BD+C certification, and he serves on Mueller’s Social Workplace Committee.