Dennis Mika Brings National Standing to Bancroft: Acclaimed Architect Arrives as Baubkus Departs

Mr. Dennis Mika, a nationally renowned architect with more than 30 years of experience designing hospitals throughout country, has joined Bancroft Engineers. Mika comes to BAE from the Chicago office of Harley Ellis Devereaux.

“I’ve always been proud of the talent we’ve been able to attract to Bancroft. From the earliest days when I recruited some of the best engineers in the country, to the merger of one of the Midwest’s premier architectural firms into the company, we’ve always had an all-star team of professionals,” said Paul Jenkins, Bancroft’s President and CEO. “But even among those award-winning team members, Dennis’s arrival is a huge coup for us.”

Mika has designed and supervised the construction of hundreds of buildings over the course of his career, with a heavy concentration on creating innovative healthcare spaces that provide world-class, patient-centered care. His most significant projects include Northwest Community Hospital ‘s New Patient Pavilion, Northwestern Memorial Hospital Prentice Women’s Hospital and Sherman Hospital’s John Graham Ambulatory Care Center.

Bancroft’s Robert Rodie, himself an architect with more than 35 years’ experience recognizes the importance of the addition. “Throughout his career, Dennis Mika has been an accomplished architect. More importantly, he’s an incredible teacher and mentor. We’re not just a firm that’s led by disabled Veterans, we’re a firm that actively tries to provide opportunities for other Veterans, hiring, developing, and providing them with opportunities. I can’t think of another person so committed to developing other professionals.”

Mika, a native of Aurora, IL graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in Architecture. He is Evidence-based Design Accredited and Certified and a member of the AIA. His projects have received national recognition and won numerous industry awards. For his part, Mika says the decision to make the jump from a very large firm to the smaller, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business was easy. “I jumped at the chance. Pound-for-pound, there’s more talent at Bancroft than I’ve ever seen. When the opportunity arose to join Bancroft, and to make a meaningful contribution to the team’s long-term success, I was ready to sign in the first interview.” Upon his arrival in mid-May, Mika was put right to work, conducting peer review of ongoing projects with Bancroft clients in healthcare, chemical, industrial, and manufacturing, arenas.

In another personnel move, mechanical engineer Keith Baubkus is no longer with Bancroft Engineers. “Keith is a talented and creative engineer, and we wish him well in all his future endeavors,” said Jenkins.