Design Development

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of experience at leading U.S. healthcare organizations, he challenges misaligned incentives, rising medical debt, and outdated systems.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...

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...