Design Development

James Miner is the former CEO of Sasaki, a globally recognized architecture and urban design firm. With a rich educational background from MIT and Harvard, James transitioned from urban planning and architecture into leadership roles, culminating in his tenure as CEO of Sasaki. His career at Sasaki spans over two decades, where he worked on pivotal projects like the Beijing Olympics Master Plan. T...

Rens Hayes IV, the host of "Design Development," is a structural engineering expert and co-founder of H+O Structural Engineering. With a lifelong commitment to learning and growth, Rens is passionate about high-powered organizations and leadership. He brings extensive experience in real estate development, design, and construction, aiming to share actionable insights drawn from top indus...

Rens Hayes IV is the co-founder of H+ O Structural Engineering, a pioneering firm focused on innovative solutions in real estate development, design, and construction. With a background in steel construction and engineering, Rens's journey in the industry has been fueled by an early influence from the family business and a commitment to lifelong learning. He is a certified value growth adviso...

Eric Sullivan is the managing partner and co-founder of Sullivan Capital, a Greater Boston-based real estate investment and development firm. With $70 million in assets, the firm specializes in condo conversions, hotel development, and long-term holds. Prior to his real estate ventures, Eric was a serial entrepreneur with a unique career journey, which included launching his first business in high...

Matt Cooper   is the CEO of BQE Software, which offers business management solutions for the architecture and engineering industries. He holds an industrial engineering degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Stanford. With experience at GE Healthcare, Boston Consulting Group, Bain Capital, and Serent Capital, Matt has a strong background in optimization, strategy consulting, and so...

Jeffry Burchard , Partner at Machado Silvetti and Associate Professor at Harvard GSD, is known for his innovative design approach and contributions to architectural education. He influences both students and professionals with his expertise and focus on quality and conceptual thinking in architecture.  Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of Design Development, Jeffry shares his journey i...

 Mark Natale is the Principal at Smarthinking, a top branding and marketing consultancy specializing in luxury real estate, hotels, and private clubs. With experience at Jack Parker Corporation in New York, Mark honed his expertise in branding within the hospitality industry. He creates compelling brand narratives, integrating a brand's story into all aspects of a project, from design to cust...

Zach Waters Zach Waters is the founder and CEO of Black Swan Risk Management, a specialized risk management firm dedicated exclusively to architects and engineers. With a professional background that intersects between legal tenets, insurance practices, and contract negotiation, Zach has become a well-versed expert in managing the intricacies related to risk in the architectural and engineering se...

Tony Coskren is the Executive Managing Director at Newmark, with a 17-year career in commercial real estate specializing in industrial and logistics markets. Tony has extensive experience working with billion-dollar institutions, top-tier companies like Amazon, FedEx, and Walmart, and local tenants. As a former Division-1 athlete and hockey player, Tony's competitive spirit drives his expert...

Jordan Wilson is a seasoned expert in tax credit consulting, currently serving as Director of Business Development at Corporate Tax Advisors (CTA). With a background in payroll, HR technologies, and tax incentives, Jordan specializes in research and development (R&D) tax credits, cost segregation studies, and energy tax credits. His knowledge and practical approach help businesses navigate the...

Justin MacEachern is the Vice President and Business Unit Leader for Massachusetts and Northern New England at Gilbane, a global leader in construction and real estate development. A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, Justin boasts a diverse career in both high-end residential construction and commercial real estate development. His extensive exper...

Keith Shaw is the President of Delphi Construction, a leading construction firm in Massachusetts. His career began in vocational school, bypassing college for hands-on work. After founding his own construction business in his early 20s, Shaw joined Delphi, advancing from superintendent to COO and now President. His leadership and strategic vision have been vital to Delphi’s growth, especially in t...

Clifton Harness is Co-founder and CEO of Testfit Inc., an innovative company revolutionizing the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) spaces with generative design. Clifton's background spans a variety of experiences from working in his family's entrepreneurial real estate business to earning an architecture degree from the University of Texas. He also has experience in high...

A licensed engineer with entrepreneurial spirit, Rens Hayes has a robust background in steel construction, structural engineering and business operations. He co-founded H+O Structural Engineering with Jeremiah O'Neill and has led the company to significant growth through innovative approaches and a commitment to company culture. Rens is also deeply involved in educational pursuits, continuall...

Samira Ahmadi is the founding principal of enviENERGY Studio, a firm dedicated to making energy efficiency and sustainability accessible to all. With a background in architecture and a specialized master's degree in Building Performance and Diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University, Samira has positioned her company at the forefront of the energy and sustainability sectors. She is also deep...

Michael Fabiano is a partner at Highpoint Engineering, a dedicated civil engineering firm in the Greater Boston area, which he co-founded in 2010. With a robust background in commercial real estate land development, Mike has played a pivotal role in growing Highpoint Engineering over the past 15 years. His career began at Roger Williams University, where he was an avid golfer and billiards champio...

Tim Metzner is the founder and CEO of Fireroad, a new kind of holding company, borrowing the best from venture studio and private equity models. Tim has a rich history as a serial entrepreneur, having founded five companies, including Differential, a firm who incubated Astronomer, Cincinnati’s first $1B+ unicorn. With deep roots in the tech world and venture-backed enterprises, Tim is a passionate...

In this episode of Design Development, hosted by Rens Hayes of H+O Structural Engineering, we dive deep into the intricacies of marketing within the architecture and engineering sector, featuring Sarah Keane, Marketing Principal at HOK . HOK is a world-renowned architecture, engineering, and planning firm. Established in 1955, HOK distinguishes itself with a workforce of over 1700 across 26 office...

Sean Kelly-Rand is the Managing Partner of RD Advisors, a private lender specializing in flexible financing solutions for residential and commercial real estate developers. With a rich career spanning roles at Lehman Brothers, where he underwrote several billion dollars worth of loans, and Madison International, where he launched the London office, Sean brings a wealth of financial expertise and g...

Rens Hayes is the co-founder of H+O Structural Engineering and the host of the "Design Development" podcast. With a deep passion for creating high-powered organizations, Rens leverages his expertise in structural engineering to facilitate insightful conversations with top industry performers. He is a lifelong learner dedicated to improving the real estate development, design, and constru...

Rens Hayes is the passionate and insightful host of "Design Development." With a wealth of experience in architecture and engineering, Rens has dedicated his career to advancing professional growth within the industry. He leverages his podcast platform to share invaluable lessons, engaging discussions, and expert advice to help individuals overcome career plateaus and achieve their profe...

Eric Garrett is the CEO and founder of The Garrett Companies, a multi-faceted holding company focusing on national multifamily development, construction, and asset management. Over the span of a decade, Eric has engineered The Garrett Companies into a $500 million annual revenue business, achieving notable growth with a unique approach in site evaluation and development. Eric's background spa...

Joe Walker is President and Principal-in-Charge at Walker Architects. Joe draws on 25 years of design experience to create engaging, sustainable, innovative spaces. As a leader, Joe prioritizes communication and clarity. Responsible for coordinating decisions and achieving consensus across large, diverse groups, he ensures that everyone is on the same page and speaking the same language every step...

Evelyn Lee is the founder of Practice of Architecture, a consultancy, and resource for small to medium-sized architecture and design firms. With a career that spans across various sectors, Evelyn has established herself as a forward-thinker in the realms of real estate development, architectural practice, and technology. After starting her career in architecture, she pursued an MBA, worked in the...

Frank Lazaro is a seasoned professional whose career trajectory has spanned various technology sectors, from the early days of dial-up Internet to sophisticated applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing. With a background in political science and technology, Frank found his true passion in marketing and the analysis of human purchasing behavior. His vast experience includes pivotal...