
About
OpenAire was founded in 1989 with a mission to create beautiful custom structures that open up to the sun, air and stars. Our custom skylights aren’t just boxes or tubes that bring sunlight into a room: they are uniquely designed jewels and domes. They are beautiful, elegant windows to the sky that let in natural light, but stay airtight and dry.
OpenAire is a privately held company with four partners. The management team is comprised of experienced professionals who, together, have created a successful, world-renowned firm.
OpenAire has over 70 employees with a 75,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. In addition, OpenAire has partnered with key industry experts to provide exceptional knowledge and experience in every aspect of project design and construction.
Leadership
Mark Albertine
President & CEOMark Albertine brings over 35 years’ experience in all facets of the aluminum and glass construction industry. In 1989, shortly after completing university, Albertine founded OpenAire, a firm that designs and constructs unique retractable roof structures and skylights. As president, his company has developed custom retractable enclosure and operable roof systems for a number of applications all over the world. The company’s commitment to innovation has been instrumental in establishing OpenAire as the market leader. OpenAire’s structural quality and performance, reliability and aesthetic beauty are unequaled in the market place.
Mark holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.
Deborah Baker,
CPA, CAVice-President & CFOAs Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for OpenAire Inc., Deborah is responsible for the day-to-day business, financial planning and decision making for the corporation. Over the past 24 years, her entrepreneurial spirit, positive and supportive leadership style and unwavering commitment to customer service have been pivotal to OpenAire’s success.
Deborah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfred Laurier University and received her Chartered Accountant designation through the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Her previous experience with Ernst and Young Chartered Accountants, the Provincial Auditor, GE Capital and various private sector businesses have helped shape her financial acumen and people-first approach.
David Bolwerk
Vice President, Sales and MarketingWith over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, David Bolwerk has been with OpenAire the last 24 years as Vice President, Sales and Marketing. David oversees OpenAire’s global sales and marketing activities. His expertise in architecture, glass construction and movable systems has been instrumental in helping to establish OpenAire as a market leader and helping clients bring their unique vision to life.
David holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Cardinal Stretch University and an Associate degree in Architecture from Milwaukee Area Technical College. He has also studied Architectural Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering and Civil Engineering at Marquette University.
Emma O’Dwyer
Chief Operating OfficerWith over 20 years of experience in the construction and industrial trade industries, Emma O’Dwyer is OpenAire’s Chief Operations Officer. Emma oversees the day-to-day operations at OpenAire, ensuring we deliver the most innovative and unique solutions to our clients on-time and within budget. Her expertise in operational excellence, M&A integration, strategic growth, P&L management, and sustainable profitability contributes to ensuring that OpenAire’s operations supports our client’s vision and goals. Known for her collaborative leadership style, Emma fosters resilient teams that thrive through change through executive team building, strategic succession planning, and collaboration which results in operational stability.
Emma holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management; a Global Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland; a Bachelor of Arts with honours from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. She also holds two professional designations as a Global Competent Boards Sustainability & ESG Designate (GCB.D) and a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA).
Nancy Patterson,
MBA , B.ArchDirector Business Development & DesignNancy, who has been with OpenAire for over 12 years is a business leader who has worked in commercial entertainment architecture field for over 20 years. Working with multiple clients globally. Nancy works with new and existing clients who require expanded service offerings, assisting them with programming, budgeting, team development, partnerships, (and as a designer) with creative direction for all other elements of planning and design within the commercial attractions space.
In addition to serving as business development director across a successful project portfolio of projects and clients, day-to-day, Nancy also maintains the strategic growth and development of corporate undertakings including, sales, marketing and new business ventures.
Nancy holds of a Bachelor of Architecture from Carleton University and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at University of Western Ontario.
Wael Atassi
Commercial ManagerWael Atassi is a seasoned commercial leader with over 25 years of experience in the building envelope and retractable structures industry. He has worked with a diverse range of clients around the globe, helping to shape complex architectural projects from concept to completion. He has led numerous high-profile projects across North America and internationally, known for his strategic insight, client-focused approach, and commitment to design excellence. Mr. Atassi plays a key role in driving business development and fostering long-term partnerships.
Wael supports new and existing clients through early planning, budgeting, partnership development, and strategic direction—ensuring projects align with both technical requirements and creative vision.
In his role as Commercial Manager at OpenAire Inc., Wael also oversees business development initiatives, driving growth through client relationships, market expansion, and innovative project delivery. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Ariel Hernandez
Director Design & EngineeringAs Senior Project Manager, Ariel manages all aspects of client projects from design concept through to installation and completion. With over 18 years of experience with OpenAire, Ariel is an expert managing all facets of our projects including design, fabrication, installation and on-going customer service. Ariel oversees all custom CNC programming and fabrication and manages corporate IT and provides technical support to our CAD activities. A dedicated professional, Ariel works closely with each client to ensure the project runs smoothly, on time and within budget. Some of Ariel’s notable projects at OpenAire include AquaSferra Ukraine, Royal Glenora Club, Bolivar YMCA and a multitude of spectacular custom residential projects.
Ariel holds his Bachelor of Hydraulic Engineering.
Jeremy Marshall
Senior Design Project ManagerAs Senior Project Manager, Jeremy manages every aspect of a client’s project from design concept through to installation and completion. With over 21 years at OpenAire, Jeremy is an expert in managing the finite details of any project while ensuring the client’s overall vision is always met. A true professional, Jeremy works closely with each client to ensure the project runs smoothly, on time and within budget. Some of Jeremy’s notable projects at OpenAire include Silver Leaf Resort, WaTiki Waterpark, Toronto Cricket Club and the Jay Peak Resort, North America’s largest indoor waterpark.
Jeremy is a graduate of Fanshawe College’s Architectural Technology Program.
Salman Bhatt
Senior Project ManagerSalman is a certified Project Manager with over a decade of experience in the building design and construction industry, including more than ten years specializing in curtain wall, glazing, and complex aluminum and glass structures. Currently serving as a Senior Project Manager at OpenAire Inc. in Mississauga, he leads multimillion-dollar projects ranging over $18M, overseeing all phases from planning and design coordination through fabrication and construction.
As a PMP-certified professional and active PMI member, he brings strong leadership, risk management, scheduling, and stakeholder coordination expertise to every project. Known for his proactive communication style and results-driven approach, he is committed to delivering high-quality projects safely, on time, and within budget.
Salman holds a Bachelor of Architecture, a Master of Design Sciences from the University of Sydney, and a Certificate in Project Management from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Ferdo Simov
P.Eng.Structural EngineerFerdo is experienced in the design and analysis of a wide range of building types, with specialized expertise in the structural design of long-span & high-rise steel construction and complex geometries.
He brings to the firm a world of experience – literally. Ferdo was born and educated in Bulgaria, and employed by firms in his home country and South Africa. He has worked on projects in Bulgaria, Europe, South Africa, East Asia, Canada and the United States.
With almost 39 years of experience in design and consultation, Ferdo’s engineering projects include notable buildings in the industrial, commercial, residential, education, sports and transportation sectors.
Ferdo is an ideas person. He enjoys solving project challenges through strategic thinking – sharing ideas with colleagues and coming up with creative solutions.
Martin Step,
BME, P. Eng.Senior Mechanical EngineerAt OpenAire, Martin is responsible for leading the design and manufacturing engineering activities for all mechanical systems used in our buildings. Martin brings over 42 years of engineering experience having worked in a number of senior leadership roles. Martin has extensive experience in lean manufacturing and project management and adopts a hands-on approach to problem-solving that is innovative, strategic and executable.Martin holds of a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Vesna Jovičić
Plant ManagerVesna is a senior manufacturing leader with over 15 years of experience in plant management, specializing in lean practices, process improvement, and complex custom production environments. She directs daily operations, oversees production teams, and collaborates with project managers, installation leads, and procurement to ensure production schedules and inventory align with project delivery requirements. Dedicated to operational excellence, she advances efficiency, cost optimization, and product quality while fostering employee development and maintaining the highest standards of workplace safety. Vesna holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering, a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.



