CPL Welcomes Ahmad Abdelhadi, CJ Hamm, Kelly McConnaughey, and Emma Stephens to New York and Ohio

Rochester, NY — CPL, a full-service design firm serving public- and private-sector clients for more than 50 years, is pleased to announce the addition of Ahmad Abdelhadi, CJ Hamm, Kelly McConnaughey, and Emma Stephens across its New York and Ohio offices.

Ahmad Abdelhadi joins CPL as an Energy Engineer on the K-12 Practice team, bringing a strong background in energy systems, research, and industrial efficiency. In this role, he will support projects that improve operational efficiency and advance sustainability goals through energy assessments, system performance analysis, and strategy development. His academic background and industry expertise will help strengthen CPL’s growing energy practice. 

Prior to joining the firm, Abdelhadi served as an Energy Engineer at Siemens Industry, Inc., and as an instructor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he taught courses in fluid mechanics and programming. He also contributed to U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored industrial energy assessment programs, completing more than 50 facility evaluations and identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. Abdelhadi holds a Bachelor of Science from Al-Balqaʼ Applied University and a PhD from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

CJ Hamm joins CPL as an IT Asset Manager, bringing experience in reporting, software procurement, license renewals, and the use of asset management tools such as ServiceNOW and JIRA. He has a proven track record of managing software onboarding, conducting compliance-driven reviews, and resolving licensing issues. In this role, he will help optimize software usage and support licensing needs across the organization. His analytical approach and attention to detail will contribute to the efficiency and reliability of CPL’s systems. 

Previously, Hamm served as a Software Asset Management Analyst at Battelle, where he managed access reviews, software licensing and purchasing, and software usage tracking across teams. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Business from Temple University. 

Emma Stephens joins CPL as an Architect on the firm’s K-12 Practice team, bringing several years of experience in multifamily projects with a particular focus on affordable housing. In this role, she will contribute to the design of engaging, student-centered environments that enhance the experience of both students and faculty across school districts. Her commitment to continuous growth and learning aligns with her passion for strengthening communities through thoughtful design. 

Prior to joining the firm, Stephens served as a Job Captain at Kephart, where she supported project delivery through construction documentation, coordination of junior staff, project scheduling, weekly coordination meetings, submittal reviews, and consultant drawing evaluations. Stephens holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute. 

Kelly McConnaughey joins CPL as a Senior Construction Administrative Assistant, bringing experience in administrative support, construction coordination, and project documentation. She is known for her attention to detail and strong organizational skills, helping streamline operations and contribute to project success. In this role, she will assist project teams through coordination, documentation, and communication efforts, helping keep projects on schedule while supporting accuracy and compliance across deliverables. 

Prior to joining the firm, McConnaughey served as an Administrative Assistant at Campus Construction Management Group, where she supported project delivery through tasks such as managing submittals and RFIs, maintaining project documentation, coordinating with project teams, architects, and contractors, and assisting with project closeouts and office operations.