Design Development

Design Development welcomes David Borden, Managing Director at Ackman Ziff, to discuss the nuances of capital markets amid a volatile economic climate.  David dives into the pivotal role capital advisory firms play in navigating these changes. They discuss the importance of risk-adjusted returns, the impact of treasury rates, and the differing priorities in capital deployment across various market...

if you're uncertain about a decision, it's likely a lack of data causing the hesitation. Rens shares his journey of harnessing data to make informed decisions, emphasizing the significance of data in areas like marketing, sales, project management, and cost-effective design strategies in structural engineering. With personal anecdotes, he illustrates how understanding data can shift from...

In this solo episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes dives into the wisdom of Charlie Munger, an influential figure whose insights have profoundly impacted Renz's professional journey. This session is packed with valuable lessons drawn from Munger's philosophies, aimed at those in real estate, design, and construction who are eager to enhance their strategic approach and leadershi...

Most business owners go through a pivotal moment—their first real look behind the curtain at how buyers value companies. For Rens Hayes, that moment came when he went through a sale and due diligence process for his father’s structural steel business. What he learned from that experience completely changed how he approached building and scaling his own company, H&O Structural Engineering. In t...

Paul Foley is the President of Feldman Geospatial, a respected leader in the industry of surveying and geospatial technologies. With a background as a licensed land surveyor, Paul has guided Feldman to remarkable growth by embracing innovation and maintaining a keen focus on technology integration.  they dive straight into the evolution of autonomous technologies like Rugged Robotics, which have r...

Ed Hodges is the Principal and CEO of DiMella Shaffer, a leading architecture firm. With over 30 years of experience in the architectural sector, Ed has a rich history of guiding projects through various sectors such as senior housing, higher education, science and tech, and residential, making them a diverse practice group. His expertise extends beyond architecture into financial literacy and bus...

Patrick Callahan is the President of Callahan Construction, a prominent open shop construction management company in New England. With over 70 years of family history in the business, Pat has been pivotal in expanding Callahan Construction's reach and capabilities. Starting as a laborer, he worked his way up through various roles in the company, including project management and estimating.  T...

This episode welcomes Barry Barber, Chairman of the Board at Kimley-Horn. Barry shares invaluable insights into how Kimley-Horn has become a leader in the AEC space, growing to over 8,500 employees with innovative expansion strategies. The interview delves into Kimley-Horn's distinctive ownership model and Barry's deep commitment to organizational culture and leadership development, emph...

Tony Nigro is the Senior Vice President of Design and Construction at Tuscan Village in Salem, New Hampshire. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Tony has been an instrumental figure in the development of Tuscan Village—a significant project turning a once empty area into a vibrant city-like environment. Prior to his current role, Tony garnered substantial expertise at companies like...

Known for his strategic prowess in acquiring off-market self-storage and manufactured housing communities, Matt delves into the operational efficiencies and relationship-driven approaches that have set Crystal View Capital apart.  The discussion emphasizes the strategic choice of a fund-based model over deal-by-deal equity raises, which allows for flexibility and rapid response to investment oppor...

In this engaging episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes sits down with Ryan Tansom to discuss transitioning a business to align with personal goals. Ryan shares candid insights from his personal journey, which includes overcoming high-stakes financial hurdles, strategic business pivots, and eventual exit strategies. Listen to Ryan discuss the conceptual foundation of his framework, Indepen...

In this episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes sits down with Isaac Weinberger, a leading authority in cost segregation with Madison Specs. The discussion revolves around the role of cost segregation in real estate tax strategy, providing listeners valuable insights on how to maximize tax benefits and improve cash flow through strategic planning. Isaac shares his professional journey and h...

In this engaging episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes delves into the multifaceted world of commercial construction with Marvin LaHoud. Marvin's insights offer a refreshing view on the challenges faced by general contractors, notably the high-risk, low-margin nature of the business. The conversation revolves around finding differentiation in a commoditized market by lowering costs a...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Design Development, we have Brandon Schwab, CEO of Shepherd Premier Senior Living, to discuss a pressing issue—the senior living crisis. Schwab explains the challenges facing the industry, such as financing, staffing shortages, and the escalating costs of assisted living homes.  Schwab shares his unique journey from detailing cars for the affluent to tackling sh...

In this engaging episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes reconnects with long-lost high school friend David Libardoni, now a partner in Nutter's Real Estate Division. This conversation unveils David’s illustrious journey from Bishop Feehan High School to becoming a leading real estate attorney.  David dives into various intriguing aspects of real estate law, including acquisitions, dis...

In this engaging episode of Design Development, hosted by Rens Hayes, listeners are introduced to Bryan Lee, co-founder and principal of Transom Real Estate, a leading firm specializing in innovative and sustainable property development around Boston. Rens and Bryan delve into Bryan's journey from a real estate analyst during the Great Recession to becoming a pioneering real estate developer...

In this episode, Harry Wheeler, principal architect of JCJ & hospitality consultant, shares the lessons he's learned about the value of organizational balance and collaboration in project management and design. Harry shares his journey from studying at Wentworth, becoming a partner at Group One, and leading its merger with JCJ Architecture.  Harry also highlights lessons in leadership, th...

For the first episode of 2025, Edd Hamzanlui joins Design Development to explore the critical issues surrounding the affordable housing crisis. With a deep dive into the structural problems rooted in historical zoning laws, Edd provides a nuanced perspective on the impact on cities like Greater Boston.  In this episode, he shares his journey from Iran to the U.S., education and early career, as we...

This is a guest episode on The Civil Engineering CEO Show with Anthony Fasano. Enjoy! In this episode, Anthony Fasano & Rens Hayes, P.E., S.E., CVGA, Co-Founder and Principal at H+O Structural Engineering, unpack why burnout remains a hidden epidemic in the engineering industry. They explore the intense deadlines, project complexities, and stigma that keep burnout unaddressed—and how we can ta...

Mimi Love, Principal at Utile, joins us on Design Development as she dives into Utile's approach to new energy requirements, the importance of maintaining sustainability, and her story on how she came to architecture. We go into Utile's broad range of services, including housing, institutional work, and workspace design, and reflects on the firm's strategic decision not to specializ...

Michael Waterbury, dubbed the "Tenth Man of Healthcare," is a bold advocate for industry transformation. With 25+ years of experience at leading U.S. healthcare organizations, he challenges misaligned incentives, rising medical debt, and outdated systems. His vision is a healthcare system where insured individuals aren’t overwhelmed by out-of-pocket costs. This passion inspired him to cr...

In this episode, Rens interviews Chris Bushnell of BisNow, diving deep into his intriguing career journey from multifamily development, to signing a record label deal in the music industry, and ultimately transitioning to his current role as Vice President of Bisnow's digital and business events in Boston, New York, and New Jersey.  Chris shares his unique insights into brokering relationship...

In this episode of Design Development , host Rens dives into the intersection of strategic planning, leadership development, and personal career growth. As strategic planning season kicks off, Rens shares insights from years of building a business, writing content, and recording podcasts—all while balancing the demands of leadership. Key Takeaways: Content Creation & Business Growth: Content c...

In this episode, we welcome Patrick Mahoney, a real estate attorney and developer, as they dive into Patrick's transformative journey before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting as a journeyman electrician, Patrick shares how his strategic approach to business and real estate development evolved, highlighting pivotal moments in his career. He discusses his experience in Boston&a...

In this episode, we welcome John Dolan, the Managing Director for the New England region at Avison Young. John shares his extraordinary career journey from a childhood interest in broadcasting to leading a top brokerage firm. John discusses his early experiences in television and radio, the transition to commercial real estate, and his current role overseeing Avison Young's New England region...