In Memoriam: Paul Bello (1957–2024)

The AIA New York Chapter is truly saddened by the passing of Paul Angelo Bello, Sr., former Managing Partner of Atkinson Koven Feinberg (AKF). Bello passed away on December 27, 2024, at the age of 67. He was deeply involved in the work of AIA New York, serving on the Board of Directors as Public Director for Development Affairs.

Born 1957 in Brooklyn, New York, Bello was raised in Douglaston, Queens where he made life-long friends. He began his higher education at Fairfield University in 1975 and continued at Polytechnic Institute of New York as he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation he began his career as a Professional Engineer at Syska & Hennessy in Manhattan.

In 1989, Bello left Syska & Hennessy to join a handful of others at the start-up firm of AKF. He was quickly promoted to partner and later to Managing Partner in 1997. Under his management over the next 20 years, the firm grew to more than 400 employees in 13 offices throughout the East Coast, Midwest and Mexico. He served on the board of the American Council of Engineering Companies, including as Chair, and on the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York.

Bello was a transformational leader who guided the firm and clients through successes as well as challenges, including 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and Superstorm Sandy. His focus on the members created a sense of unity and belonging along the way. In January 2023, he transitioned to Partner Emeritus and fully retired from AKF in April 2023 to spend more time with his growing family, enjoy the sun and sea at his second home in Seaside Park, and pursue his love of travel.

AIA New York received the following tributes:

“Once in a great while you share space in this world with a person who leaves an indelible mark on you; who changes the way you see things and whose attributes you wish you had. Paul Bello was one of those people.  I was fortunate to have worked alongside Paul for 34 years at AKF. What I always envied, and still do, was his ability to not only remember everyone’s name, but details about them and their lives. He cared that much about the people he worked with. Whether you were a client, employee, contractor—when you talked with Paul, you knew you mattered to him. I know Paul left his mark on a generation of professionals; we truly miss him.

—Jacob Lawrence III, PE, Senior Vice President, WSP

“Paul possessed so many qualities one admires in a colleague. He was bright and knowledgeable, ready with a thought or suggestion that could advance any discussion. And Paul was kind and considerate to his core—a friend to many of us at AIANY and the Center for Architecture, and a true team player in the collaborative world of architecture and engineering. While his passing brings deep sadness, we take comfort in the memories of the interactions each of us had with him. In the on-going dialogue of building places and uplifting communities, a conversation with Paul had a way of staying with you and looking forward to the next exchange. He will be very much missed.”

—David Piscuskas, FAIA, LEED AP, Founding Principal, 1100 Architect