Precis announces new hires and promotions

Ambler, Pa | Cary, NC — Precis Engineering + Architecture has promoted John Volence, PE, CEM, to chief operations officer and named longtime consulting partner Amanda Gibney Weko chief communications officer.

Volence joined Precis in 2007 as a mechanical engineer, led the mechanical department from 2016 to 2024, and was named a principal in 2021. As COO, he will focus on advancing firmwide quality, consistency, and efficiency, better positioning Precis for sustainable growth, while continuing to support projects, clients, and the employee experience. Volence holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University, professional engineering registration in three states, and the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credential. He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).

Weko also joined Precis in 2007 as a consulting partner, providing outsourced communication consulting ranging from writing and graphic design to marketing strategy and support. Owner-operator of AGW Communications since 2003, Weko has served 100+ clients in the design and construction community, published 150+ industry articles, and written or contributed to seven books. She holds a B.A. in Architecture from Lehigh University and an M.A. in Public Relations from Rowan University. She serves on the Lehigh University Department of Art, Architecture, and Design leadership council and is a member of Docomomo and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

The firm hired Jonathan Busam as director – Process Engineering and promoted Van Zhao from Process Engineering Manager to director – Process Technology.

Formerly a senior director of manufacturing, facilities maintenance, and engineering for DSM-Firmenich Biomedical, Busam brings two decades of client-side engineering and process optimization skills to his role.

Busam spent 20 years leading new product development and engineering across biomedical manufacturing and R&D environments. He has managed large-scale projects, led cross-functional teams, and implemented advanced technologies to enhance product offerings and streamline production. He brings this client-side global perspective to his role leading the Precis process engineering group and integrating process services with the rest of the firm’s engineering and architecture disciplines.

Busam holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Widener University and continued studies in polymer science and engineering at Lehigh University. He is a member of the American Chemical Society.

Zhao has nearly 20 years of consulting engineering experience. She joined Precis in 2023 and has provided technical leadership over the full spectrum of life sciences process engineering, from gene therapy and vaccine manufacturing to APIs and automation. In her new role, Zhao serves as a subject matter expert, providing process support for fill-finish technologies, potent compound isolators, CIP/SIP systems, flammable materials storage and distribution, and other complex issues. Her leadership ensures project alignment with standards and specifications and supports successful project execution.

Zhao holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University and is an active member of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers Bioprocessing Equipment Program (ASME BPE), and American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChe).