Design Development

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...

Michael Tilford is a seasoned real estate development professional with over 15 years of experience in the Boston area. His expertise encompasses areas from historical tax credits to large-scale developments like 121 Seaport and Eversource's underground substation in Cambridge. Along with his business partner, Ian Hatch, Michael co-founded Fulcrum Land and Infrastructure in January 2023. The...

Maureen McCaffrey is an experienced professional in the realms of construction, development, and investment management. She hails from a civil engineering background, having graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where she nurtured a passion for the built environment. Initially forging her career in heavy construction, McCaffrey expanded her expertise into commercial real estate dev...

Clara Wineberg is a principal at Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), an architectural firm with a 90-plus year legacy, headquartered in Chicago and with offices also in San Francisco, Seattle, and Boston. Clara specifically spearheaded the establishment of SCB's Boston office, exemplifying her dedication and skill in expanding the firm's national presence. With expertise in high-rise developme...

Jay Parsons is a rental housing economist with a robust profile that encompasses a journalistic background and a longstanding career focused on the multifamily and single-family rental markets. With 15 years of expertise gained at RealPage, Parsons has developed a deep understanding of the industry, interacting with a diverse array of stakeholders, including investors, property managers, developer...

Keith Flaherty is the CEO and President of Hallam-ICS, a company founded in 1981 that specializes in MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) consulting, industrial automation, electrical safety, and commissioning/validation services for various sectors, including life sciences, semiconductors, food and beverage, and more. Starting his career at Hallam straight out of college, Keith boasts a jou...

Anthony Bond is the fifth-generation CEO of Bond, a family-owned construction firm with a rich history that stretches over a century. Founded in 1907, Bond has played a prominent role in shaping infrastructural development within and around the city of Boston. Bond’s leadership oversees two distinct divisions: Bond Building and Bond Civil and Utility, both of which exemplify excellence in their re...

Ken Sanginario is the founder of Corporate Value Metrics and the architect behind the Value Opportunity Profile and the Certified Value Growth Advisor program. With an extensive career spanning over four decades, Ken began as a CPA before transitioning into the corporate world as a controller and CFO. He has a profound background in turnaround management, business valuation, and M&A advisory....

Krysta Van Ranst is the founder of Building PPL, an innovative company specializing in outsourced learning and development programs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. With her early career beginning in event planning, Krysta quickly discovered her passion for learning and development during her tenure at Suffolk Co...

Kirstin Brown is the principal and president of Northstar Project and Real Estate Services, a consultancy firm based in Greater Boston. With a tenure of over a decade at Northstar, Kirstin has been instrumental in steering the company's growth and solidifying its presence across various market sectors. She holds a degree in finance and a master's in real estate development. Prior to her...

Nick Igel is a seasoned professional with an impressive track record in real estate development, design, and construction. As a principal of 505Design at Cooper Carry and a founding partner of 505Design, Nick brings vast experience and expertise from his entrepreneurial journey. With a career spanning over two decades, Nick has been instrumental in establishing a multidisciplinary approach at 505D...

Lizetta Fennesey is the General Manager of the Eastern Business Unit for Haley and Aldrich, a national environmental and geotechnical firm known for its expertise and substantial footprint across the United States. Her tenure at Haley and Aldrich has seen her rise through the ranks, beginning as a geotechnical engineer, evolving through project management, and overseeing substantial growth within...

Mike Kunz is a principal partner at Maugel DeStefano Architects, a well-established architectural firm with offices in Harvard, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, NH. With a professional journey spanning over 25 years at the company, Mike Kunz started his career in architecture when emails and the internet were beginning to emerge. Having climbed the ranks within the firm from entry-level beginnings t...

Bill Weber and Mike Weber are the dynamic brother duo who have propelled Gaston Electrical Services to notable success in the electrical construction industry. Joining their father's business in the early 2000s, they acquired the company a few years later and embarked on a transformative journey. Under their leadership, Gaston Electrical Services saw exponential growth, skyrocketing from $6 m...

Hannes Blass is the CEO of Rothoblaas USA, a multifaceted company that provides a wide range of products for the construction industry, including fasteners and connectors, building envelope products, acoustics, safety equipment, and tools. Founded in the Alps of Italy in 1991, Rothoblaas has expanded to service over 100 countries with employees in about 70 of them. Hannes has been responsible for...

Don Briggs is a seasoned veteran in the real estate development industry, with a robust career spanning nearly three decades. He co-founded and serves as the managing partner at Hg 80. Previously, Don was the director of development for Federal Realty Investment Trust and played a pivotal role in creating iconic retail-anchored mixed-use developments, including Assembly Row in Greater Boston. An A...

Anthony Amenta is a Founding Member and Principal at Amenta Emma Architects, a full-service architecture firm headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, with branch offices in New York and Boston. Approaching 40 years in business, Anthony has led his firm through a landscape of changes, ensuring growth and market resilience. Under his guidance, Amenta Emma has cultivated a reputation for creating ins...

Michael D'Angelo, the founder of MDLA is a landscape architect and entrepreneur based in the Greater Boston area, highlighted for his expertise in various sectors including high-end single-family, corporate office, multifamily developments, and even golf course design. He is the driving force behind MDLA, a landscape architecture company with offices in Greater Boston and Connecticut. With a...