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 development and urban design, Weinberg and her team at SCB have influenced skylines across major cities in the...

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, developers, lenders, policymakers, and renters. He is well-known for his insightful research and content...

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 journey of rapid growth within the organization. With a background in electrical engineering and an...

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 respective domains. Under Anthony's guidance, Bond nurtures a long-standing relationship with...

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. Ken's expertise lies in guiding companies through periods of distress, identifying business gaps,...

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 Construction. Her dedication to enhancing organizational cultures through learning opportunities...

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 current role, Kirstin gained valuable experience at Spaulding and Sly, specifically in land evaluation and...

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 505Design that includes interior design, graphic design, planning, and architecture. Now part of...

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 the company. Lizetta boasts a rich professional history that includes a stint in real estate...

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 to eventual co-ownership and executive roles, Kunz's dedication exemplifies a 'started from the...

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 million to over $140 million in revenue by 2022. Their roles as CEO and President respectively were...

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 the company's tremendous growth in the US market since their first project in Montana in 2011....

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 Army brat with roots in various parts of the United States, Don studied architecture, moved into...

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 inspiring spaces and building strong client relationships. Episode Summary: In this episode of...

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 career that began in a blue-collar family environment, his early work experiences, such as caddying at...

Jason Forney is the Principal and Partner at Bruner/Cott Architects. He was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2020 and has had a significant impact on the industry. Bruner/Cott Architects is a 50-year-old firm that specializes in a diverse range of building types, including higher education, cultural facilities, and multifamily housing. Summary: Jason Forney, Principal and Partner at Bruner/Cott Architects, discusses the firm's history and their focus on sustainability...

Scott Steiding is the former principal and head of marketing and sales at Morrison Hershfield, a 1000-person engineering firm with multiple locations. He has extensive experience in the engineering and construction industry, particularly in the expansion of wireless networks. Scott is currently the founder of Productive Pursuits, a consulting business focused on improving sales and marketing effectiveness in the architecture and engineering industry. Summary: Scott Steiding shares his...

Ed Dann is a tenured business development professional in the construction industry. He has worked for various companies and has a diverse background in sales and business development. Currently, he is Vice President of Business Development, Congress Construction, a 70-year-old development and construction firm. Ed Dann has over 30 years of experience in the industry and has built a successful career by establishing strong relationships and identifying opportunities for growth. Summary: Ed...

Dan Ryan is the VP of Real Estate and Facilities at Pegasystems, a leading enterprise software company. He has over 13 years of experience in the industry and has played a key role in the company's growth and development. Dan is known for his leadership style, which emphasizes transparency, accountability, and giving people opportunities to grow within the organization. Summary: In this conversation, Rens Hayes interviews Dan Ryan, the VP of Real Estate and Facilities at Pegasystems. They...

Keith Monahan is the Director of Operations at Shawnlee Construction, a prominent open shop framing company in the greater Boston area. With over 130 employees, Shawnlee Construction specializes in large-scale multifamily projects and has a revenue of $40 to $50 million per year. Summary: Keith Monahan, the Director of Operations at Shawnlee Construction, joins the podcast to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the wood framing industry. He shares insights on the impact of site...

Mike Quigley is the Chief Operating Officer of WB Engineers and Consultants. He has been with the company since 2001 and has played a key role in its growth and success. With a background in electrical engineering, Mike has risen through the ranks at WB and now oversees the company's operations and strategic initiatives. Mike Quigley, COO of WB Engineers and Consultants, shares his career journey from electrical engineer to principal and then to his current role. He discusses the company's...

Lu Borges is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications Director at Dancker, a  nearly 200-year-old company specializing in integrated interior solutions for commercial real estate. With a background in marketing and branding, Lu joined Dancker eight years ago and has been instrumental in repositioning the company and driving its growth through acquisitions. Summary: Lu Borges, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Director at Dancker, shares insights into the company's...

Maren Reepmeyer is an architect with over 25 years of experience. She is currently the Vice President at SGA, a leading architecture firm based in Boston. Maren specializes in complex, large-scale projects and has a passion for adaptive reuse. As vice president, Maren oversees strategic development for SGA as the firm continues to expand its customer base and geographical footprint. Over the course of her career as an architect and industry leader, she has developed a reputation for...

Christian Davies, Principal at Bergmeyer, discusses the importance of connecting brand and design in the retail and architecture industry. He emphasizes the need for spaces to reflect the personality and purpose of a brand, and how this can create a strong emotional connection with consumers. Christian also shares his experience working with major retailers and the challenges and opportunities in driving innovation within large organizations. He highlights the importance of sustainability in...