FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE
David Chobanoff
Senior Architectural Designer, BIM/VDC Manager & Non-Profit Director
“"Adaptability and collaborative teamwork. Early in my career, I detailed everything from agricultural structures and residential homes to custom handrails long before stepping into commercial architecture. That diverse foundation gave me a deep respect for constructability and detail. My biggest growth milestone came at Scenic Ridge, where I pushed outside my comfort zone, continuously expanded my technical knowledge, and realized that true architectural success is always driven by the collective strength of a great team.”
About
David Chobanoff is a Senior Architectural Designer and BIM/VDC Manager with nearly 30 years of experience driving architectural design, multidisciplinary coordination, and construction administration. Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, David has built a career bridging high-level design vision with field-ready constructability. Known for his technical authority and operational oversight, he specializes in streamlining project lifecycles, establishing firm-wide CAD/BIM standards, and leading cross-functional teams across commercial, industrial, healthcare, and specialty facility sectors.
Throughout his career—including key roles at Envision Architecture, Scenic Ridge, and NUTEC—David has mastered advanced BIM/VDC workflows using Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, Autodesk ReCap, and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC). His technical leadership encompasses preconstruction support, site reality capture via point clouds, multi-trade spatial coordination, ADA/building code compliance, and rigorous QA/QC constructability reviews. Combining an Associate Degree in Computer Aided Drafting Technology from ITT Technical Institute with decades of hands-on technological adaptation, David turns complex spatial programs into precise, fully coordinated construction drawing packages.
Beyond his architectural career, David is a dedicated community leader, executive philanthropist, and small business owner. He is the Founder and Event Director of Putting for Miracles, a charitable initiative that has raised over $40,000 in direct-impact funding for children’s healthcare and developmental needs. He serves as Commander of Sons of The American Legion Post 466, overseeing operational logistics and community outreach for a 300-plus-member organization, and actively fundraises through Extra Life for Children's Miracle Network. Additionally, he operates Pa Dave's Vinyl Decals, LLC, leveraging his eye for graphic detail, custom branding, and hands-on fabrication to deliver custom apparel, signage, and merchandise. Across every domain, David combines leadership discipline, technical excellence, and civic service to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Key Areas Of Focus
- 01. Architectural Design & Documentation
- 02. BIM & Revit Modeling
- 03. BIM Coordination & Clash Detection
- 04. Scan-to-BIM & Reality Capture
- 05. Non-Profit Governance & Directorship
- 06. CAD & BIM Standards Governance
- 07. Community Leadership & Outreach
- 08. Fundraising & Corporate Sponsorships
- 09. Event Operations & Logistics
IN HIS OWN WORDS
The Q and A
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01
What do you attribute your success to?
"Adaptability and collaborative teamwork. Early in my career, I detailed everything from agricultural structures and residential homes to custom handrails long before stepping into commercial architecture. That diverse foundation gave me a deep respect for constructability and detail. My biggest growth milestone came at Scenic Ridge, where I pushed outside my comfort zone, continuously expanded my technical knowledge, and realized that true architectural success is always driven by the collective strength of a great team.
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02
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Respect the process, earn your technical foundation, and never stop adapting. Early on, I was advised that long-term success requires paying your dues and mastering the fundamentals. That advice has guided me for nearly 30 years—whenever I feel I’ve hit a plateau, I actively seek out new technical challenges, stay open-minded to new workflows, and push myself to the next level
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03
What advice would you give to young men entering your industry?
Build a strong, practical foundation and stay adaptable. A technical or trade school right out of high school is one of the best ways to get your feet wet, gain hands-on skills, and figure out what truly excites you. This industry rewards those who are open-minded, willing to put in the work, and patient enough to master the fundamentals from the ground up.
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04
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The rapid rise of AI is both our greatest challenge and our biggest opportunity. Having witnessed our profession evolve from hand drafting on boards to AutoCAD, Revit, and full BIM coordination, I’ve learned that technological shifts don't replace human expertise—they elevate it. The opportunity lies in leveraging AI to automate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows, allowing us to focus more energy on complex problem-solving, code compliance, and field constructability.
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05
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, loyalty, dependability, and initiative. In my work, these values drive how I manage projects, support my team, and take ownership of complex technical challenges. In my personal life, they fuel my passion for giving back. I am deeply committed to pediatric healthcare fundraising, serving as Director of Putting for Miracles—which hosts annual golf tournaments to raise money for children's hospitals—and co-founding initiatives like Blankets of Honor. I’m also an avid gamer, which allows me to channel my love for video games into fundraising through Extra Life. Whether on the job site or organizing community events, I believe in taking initiative to create positive, lasting impact.
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