Design Development

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 business management, establishing him as an insightful leader with a focus on cultivating strong relationships and a robust company culture.Ed discusses his rich journey offering personal anecdotes and valuable insights on a career spanning over three decades. Throughout the discussion, Ed shares actionable strategies for personal and professional growth, including the importance of financial literacy, the concept of the 'Art of Balance' in architecture, and transitioning leadership roles within an evolving firm. He highlights how maintaining diversified market sectors can safeguard a company against economic fluctuations. Key Takeaways:Financial Literacy Matters: Understanding investments and the principles of financial growth are essential skills for professional success and long-term security.Art of Balance in Architecture: Great design stems from understanding and balancing client needs, design aesthetics, and practical constraints.Transitioning to Leadership: Moving from a project-focused role to a leadership role requires stepping back and letting team strengths shine while focusing on high-level strategy.Cultural and Market Diversification: Building a company resilient to economic changes through market diversification can ensure continuous growth and stability.Personal Life Lessons in Management: Management principles can be deeply enriched by personal life experiences, such as parenting a special needs child, which teaches patience, the value of small wins, and focusing on strengths.Notable Quotes:"The biggest risk you have is not having enough money to retire, not the particular few years in the market.""Projects are a bit like children... you don't want to choose your favorite, but the journey of growing this firm has itself been a big project for me.""Changing work is easier than changing the culture.""If you talk to them, you will find you have a lot more time... This changed my life.""There has to be this sort of humbleness... if you keep yourself at the center of it for too long, your other people don't get recognized for doing the work."Resources:DiMella Shaffer Website: dimellashaffer.comBook: "Tools of Titans" by Tim FerrissTim Ferriss Podcast and TEDThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Pat Callahan, President of Callahan Construction, shares his transformation from laborer to industry leader at a family-owned construction management firm. He discusses the importance of strong client relationships for repeat business and the innovative strategies they employed during economic downturns, including a shift to a four-day workweek. Pat also emphasizes the evolving demands of leadership, navigating labor shortages, and the future of construction, particularly in multifamily housing. His insights reflect a deep understanding of building a resilient and adaptive business.

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, emphasizing flexibility, community, and high performance at scale. The conversation also highlights Kimley-Horn’s meticulous approach to recruiting top talent, sharing strategies for maintaining culture even during rapid organizational growth. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the path to ownership within the firm, emphasizing performance-driven progression and the importance of developing future leaders. Barry’s stories and experiences underscore a commitment to sustainable business practices, employee empowerment, and customer satisfaction, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about successful business and team management strategies in the AEC industry.Key Takeaways:Strategic Growth: Kimley-Horn's expansion to 150 offices is driven by local leadership and opportunities identified by employees and clients.Ownership Structure: With around 925 owners, Kimley-Horn’s ownership transition plan emphasizes performance and participation over tenure.Culture and Integration: The firm’s success is heavily attributed to its focus on maintaining culture and ensuring smooth integration of new hires and offices.Talent Acquisition: The emphasis on college recruiting and personalized interview processes helps attract talented individuals who align with the company values.Leadership Development: Continuous leadership training and development help prepare emerging leaders for future responsibilities, fostering personal and professional growth.Notable Quotes:"I decided I'd rather own a small piece of something bigger than a big piece of something small." - Barry Barber"It’s kind of the old build your people and they’ll build your organization." - Barry Barber"The flywheel's going. The flywheel's going." - Barry Barber on Kimley-Horn's continuous growth strategy."Our job is to help other people be successful." - Barry Barber reflects on leadership roles."There's rarely a dull moment in it, but it’s been a cool thing." - Barry Barber discussing his journey in HR.Resources:Kimley-Horn Website: kimley-horn.com"The Outsiders" by William ThorndikePodcast Recommendation: Acquired PodcastThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Tony Nigro, Senior VP of Design and Construction at Tuscan Village, shares his insights from over 30 years of experience in shaping vibrant communities. He discusses the transformation of Salem, NH, from an empty area into a multifaceted destination. Tony emphasizes the importance of qualitative experiences over mere financial gains and the value of leadership and teamwork in construction. With anecdotes from his military service, he highlights the role of collaboration and alignment in driving successful projects.

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 opportunities. Matt also elaborates on the merits of vertical integration within Crystal View Capital, illustrating how transparency, integrity, and dedicated management practices foster investor trust and unlock sustained value. Key Takeaways:Relationship-Driven Acquisitions: Matt Ricciardella's success in acquiring 92% of his investments off-market highlights the importance of building relationships with current owners to find valuable, hidden opportunities.Strategic Fund-Based Model: Crystal View Capital's adoption of a fund-based investment approach allows for flexibility and swift capital deployment, optimizing opportunities in the secondary and tertiary markets.Focus on Manufactured Housing and Self-Storage: These sectors offer recession-resilient investment opportunities with significant room for adding value through strategic enhancements.Vertical Integration: The firm distinguishes itself by maintaining control over all facets of operation, from capital raising to property management, optimizing returns and ensuring transparency.Community Impact: Crystal View Capital emphasizes transforming communities by enhancing quality of life through improved properties and fostering a sense of ownership among residents.Notable Quotes:"At the end of the day this is a relationship business. Identify Crystal View as the best steward for their asset that they built over generations.""Unlike multifamily, where you have to maintain the unit, none of that happens in this industry because we only own the infrastructure.""There's no way I could do these things on my own. Yes, I'm the visionary behind it, but I've been very fortunate with the people that are around me on a daily basis."“Transparency for me and in my career in business has had nothing but Positive impacts. It's never come back to bite me.”"In a down market, demand for affordable housing rises even more, making these assets very recession-resilient."Resources:Crystal View Capital: crystalviewcapital.comInvestments Contact: invest@crystalviewcapital.comBooks Mentioned: "Am I Being Too Subtle?" by Sam ZellPodcasts Mentioned: All-In PodcasThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Ryan Tansom, an expert in business transition and creator of the Independence by Design framework, offers insights on aligning business strategies with personal goals. He shares personal experiences overcoming financial hurdles, emphasizing the importance of aligning ownership and operations. Tansom discusses key financial metrics that prevent costly mistakes and the critical role of effective decision-making. His framework helps owner-operators achieve independence and highlights the necessity of community engagement for business longevity.

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 how his creative thinking and hustle have carved his niche in the real estate sector.With key insights into the mechanics of cost segregation, Isaac explains the considerable tax-saving opportunities available to property owners and the strategic advantage of engaging professionals like Madison Specs. The conversation explores the specifics of depreciation strategies, the impact of tax law changes, and when and how real estate developers should consider cost segregation before value-add renovations. Isaac also emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in influencing investor decisions and structuring real estate deals effectively.Key Takeaways:Cost segregation is a powerful tool for real estate owners to accelerate depreciation deductions and improve tax savings.Engaging a professional for cost segregation studies can provide compliance and legitimacy in the face of IRS audits.Timing of the cost segregation study is crucial, ideally before renovations to maximize tax benefits on pre-renovation components.Understanding depreciation recapture can aid in strategic planning for asset sales.Awareness of the STR loophole and different state regulations is crucial for optimizing tax strategies, especially for Airbnb owners.Notable Quotes:"A dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow." - Isaac Weinberger"Cost segregation changes the dynamic of a deal." - Isaac Weinberger"Think out of the box. How can I make money? How can I do this?" - Isaac Weinberger"In a down market, in the cost seg world, because you're dealing with hundreds of people, even if half of them are not transacting, you have the other half that are." - Isaac Weinberger"He paid $750 in taxes because of cost segregation and 1031s, legally by the government's code." - Isaac WeinbergerResources:Madison Specs: madisonspecs.com (not directly mentioned, provided for context)Stage Debate Podcast: Available on various podcast platforms (no direct link provided in the transcript)Isaac Weinberger on LinkedIn: A valuable resource for updates and insights on cost segregation.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

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 and risks, aligning with principles that focus on 'risk engineering' and 'cost engineering.'Marvin also shares his experiences with Tocci, a progressive construction and consultancy firm. Key topics include the exploration of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), modular construction, and the application of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). Marvin emphasizes innovations like Project Rescue, which seek to drive down costs and enhance efficiency by leveraging data and transparent communication. His entrepreneurial spirit shines through discussions on his roles with Marvin Capital and his new venture, C Street, a platform that aims to revolutionize price discovery and optimization in construction.Key Takeaways:High-Risk, Low-Margin Industry: General contractors operate in a challenging environment requiring precise execution and risk management to secure profitability.Differentiation in Commoditized Markets: Success hinges on lowering costs and risks, adopting roles that emphasize engineering over management.The Power of VDC: Virtual Design and Construction can significantly reduce the inherent risks and costs in construction projects when applied effectively.Entrepreneurial Initiatives: Marvin's ventures, such as C Street, indicate a movement towards using technology to solve longstanding industry inefficiencies.Lifelong Learning and Adaptability: Marvin underscores the importance of continuous education and applying first principles thinking in achieving business success.Notable Quotes:"It's a lot of risk management and it's finding ways to make that profit, to get any net profit at the end of the day." - Marvin LaHoud"You accept the fact that you're a commodity, but differentiate yourself on your ability to drive cost down, risk down." - Marvin LaHoud"C Street is just price discovery and optimization because we figured that the biggest enemy to construction costs is the opacity of the market." - Marvin LaHoudResources:Marvin LaHood's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvin-lahoud-3a91384bTocci Website: https://www.tocci.com/C Street: https://cstreet-cre.squarespace.com/Books Mentioned: "Sapiens" and "A Short History of Nearly Everything" for broader perspectives on history and science.Thank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

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 short sales and wholesaling in real estate, learning invaluable lessons along the way. Emphasizing the importance of offering clients flexible options, he discusses how he transferred those negotiation skills to create Shepherd Premier Senior Living. With his new fund, Brandon is poised to make significant strides towards solving the senior living crisis, offering a compelling opportunity for investors to align with a mission-driven company.Key Takeaways:Senior Living Crisis: The senior living industry faces a critical shortage, with over 775,000 new units needed by 2030. Financing and staffing remain significant challenges.Boutique Senior Living Model: Brandon Schwab promotes a care model with 5-8 residents per caregiver, offering a higher quality of care compared to traditional facilities.Entrepreneurial Journey: Schwab’s background in detailing and real estate revealed insights into market needs that shaped his approach to senior living.Creative Financing: Schwab used creative financing techniques, like owner financing and HUD 232 loans, to scale his business and address capital challenges.Strategic Growth Plans: Shepherd Premier Senior Living aims to build 300 homes by 2030, with a fundraising strategy for scalable growth.Notable Quotes:"How we care for folks that are older in our country is we have big, huge facilities that have an odor, that are not good. They treat them just like cattle.""Folks really need to open their eyes up to those options and get those things done at an age where it isn't going to be that expensive.""I found very quickly that the healthcare piece was beyond me very quickly. And I had to build a healthcare team of people that had heart.""Even if you found the cure for aging, you are going to always need housing.""Financing wasn't there. And the average person that didn't have the history that I did would likely have just quit."Resources:Learn more about Shepherd Premier Senior Living: Shepherd Premier Senior LivingCheck out the Boutique Senior Living Fund: Boutique Senior Living FundBook Recommendation: "Lifeonaire" by Steve CookThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

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, dispositions, land use, and environmental compliance. Through numerous anecdotes, David highlights the intricate world of real estate development, emphasizing how essential communication, negotiation, and having a holistic understanding of how different sectors and specialists intersect in real estate projects truly are. In addition, the discussion touches upon modern challenges such as adapting to market shifts, the role of AI in legal practices, and the pivotal need for judgment in an era where automation is becoming increasingly influential.Key Takeaways:David Liberdoni's Path: David shares his unique career path, from athletics to law school, highlighting the impact of early life experiences and global exposure.Mock Trial Beginnings: His involvement in mock trials at Bishop Feehan High School sparked an interest in legal proceedings, setting the foundation for his future career.Real Estate Law Insight: David provides insights into various aspects of real estate law including zoning, permitting, environmental compliance, and complex transactions.Balancing Legal Practice Areas: Nutter's approach to integrating diverse facets of real estate law and fostering client relationships is discussed extensively.Adaptation in Real Estate: The episode explores current market trends and the need for legal professionals to adapt creatively and strategically in changing environments.Notable Quotes:"The tools law school gives you allow you to be a problem solver that represents others and leads organizations to success.""Understanding different perspectives, even through something as simple as a world map, can provide essential insights for a legal career.""We value transparency in career progression, providing a framework for associates aiming for partnership.""Negotiation in our field is about understanding each side's interests and finding alignment.""Ultimately, clients look for judgment calls that can make or break deals and protect their interests."Resources:Nutter: Nutter Law Firm (URL not mentioned but relevant)Fulbright Program: Fulbright ProgramBooks & Podcasts:"The Big Dig" Podcast by WGBH"Club Random" Podcast by Bill MaherThank you so much for listening and thank you for joining the Design Development community. Don't forget to subscribe to hear about the latest episodes dropping every Wednesday. If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.Our goal is to help people in the industry identify opportunities for growth by sharing the journey of top performers. There is no one path. Success isn't a straight line. There is something to learn from everyone's story. Let's go!Leave your thoughts in the comment and reach out if you want to be valuable guest on the show!Design Development Podcast!Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTubeFind out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/