Keynote Presentation With Elkus Manfredi's CEO & Founding Principal David Manfredi

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  David Manfredi

  David Manfredi works with clients across the country on a diverse portfolio of planning and design projects. Deeply committed to the belief that the quality of our environment directly influences the quality of our lives, he effectively advocates for building and protecting vital, sustainable, durable urban places. At every scale, in every context, David’s mission is to create common ground that brings people and communities together. He reinvents tired urban precincts into 21st-century mixed-use environments, the edges of universities from barriers into connective seams with adjacent neighborhoods, underutilized urban areas into diverse innovation districts that support the collaborative imperatives of today’s science and technology, and obsolete manufacturing buildings into repurposed hubs of living and working that reinvigorate the urban core. From The Grove in Los Angeles, to Boston’s revitalized Fenway neighborhood, to New Balance’s health and performance district at Boston Landing, and The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, David’s projects are inventive, inclusive and sustainable. A compelling, sought-after speaker and thought-leader and one of Boston Magazine’s Most Influential People in 2018, David presents to business, civic, and professional organizations throughout the country about the value that mindful design brings to the quality of everyday life. David is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and an active member of the Boston Preservation Alliance, International Council of Shopping Centers, NAIOP, and Urban Land Institute (ULI). He serves on the Boston Civic Design Commission, Northeastern University School of Architecture Advisory Council, the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture Advisory Council, and the ULI Boston Advisory Board. David is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with Bachelor degrees in both English and Architecture, and the University of Chicago, where he received a Master of Arts.

  Elkus Manfredi

  CEO, Founding Principal

  KEYNOTE

  David Manfredi

  CEO, Founding Principal

  Elkus Manfredi

Designing Buildings To Stand The Test Of Time

Understanding The Trends That Are Here To Stay

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  Jeff Gerber

  As Principal and CEO, Jeff leads PGAL’s overall strategic vision and direction. A 31-year veteran of the firm, he actively contributes to and works closely with teams on projects coast-to- coast in many market segments including commercial, aviation and civic. Jeff took over the reins at PGAL in 2001 and has guided the firm to unprecedented growth including reaching the No. 8 national ranking by ENR and the No. 1 ranking in the Houston market in 2020. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he remains highly involved in projects and client relationships throughout the US.

  PGAL

  CEO

  Jeff Gerber

  CEO

  PGAL

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  Arturo Chavez

  Senior Principal

  Page

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  Stephanie Burritt

  Stephanie Burritt is a Principal and Managing Director of Gensler's Houston office. Stephanie's career with Gensler began in 1989 when she joined the London office. Six years later, she transferred to Houston and has since had the opportunity to manage workplace projects ranging from 1,000 to 1 million square feet in size. During her time in Houston, she has primarily focused on designing for energy and professional service firm clients, many of whom are long-term and global relationships. Stephanie has been a member and advocate of The Texas Association for Interior Design for more than 15 years. She first served as a board member for the Gulf Coast Region, and then held roles as Vice President, President, and VP of Students and Education. Stephanie also supports the Boy Scouts of America at a local and national level, formerly acting as a Venture Crew Advisor for Troop 641. As a champion for the continued health and growth of Houston, Stephanie currently serves on the Board of Directors for Central Houston. Over the past three years, Stephanie has been recognized as a recipient for both Bisnow Houston's Power Women Award and Houston Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business Award. Most recently, she was the recipient of the International Interior Design Association award for Design Leadership.

  Gensler

  Principal and Managing Director

  Stephanie Burritt

  Principal and Managing Director

  Gensler

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  Wes Good

  As President, Wes is responsible for facilitating the firm's advancement and strategic direction. He began his career as a designer at Kirksey in 1990, just after graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture. In 2001, he was awarded the AIA Houston Ben Brewer Young Architect Award. An acclaimed architect and leader within the firm, Wes has previously served as Collegiate Team Leader and Managing Principal. Wes maintains a deep involvement in community and collegiate projects, develops and maintains client relationships, and focuses on furthering the knowledge and talent of team members.

  Kirksey Architecture

  President

  Wes Good

  President

  Kirksey Architecture

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  Fernando Brave

  Fernando L. Brave, FAIA is the founder and principal of BRAVE/architecture, a Houston based firm working with clients who value design as a way to enhance the environment and peoples’ experiences. BRAVE/ upholds a culture of distinctive inspiration and is recognized for its innovative design solutions. Our projects carry the signature of our Clients and their missions. The challenges presented by a wide range of project types pushes BRAVE/ to stay ahead of new technologies and ideas. Cross-pollination between different market sectors allows the firm to cultivate a wider range of knowledge from which to draw more informed solutions. BRAVE/architecture strongly believes that outstanding design solutions do not require substantial budgets. One of our trademarks is utilizing common materials in uncommon ways to achieve design innovation concurrently with cost-efficiency. This is one of the many attributes that make BRAVE/ stand out from the regional design community. It is also the reason they are able to complete public and private projects with modest budgets that are continually labeled as compelling. Fernando Brave places great emphasis on ensuring that the entire project team understands how the design physically comes together—not just as a series of parts, but also the process taken in its fabrication. This is constantly manifested through clear construction documents, fluid communications and frequent visits to the project site during the construction phase. The key is to work in an interactive process, communicating with the owner, users and all team members, to provide effective solutions without sacrificing budget or schedule. Fernando’s professional experience includes the completion of projects for individuals, private companies and public institutions. He has been a key player in large master planning and development projects both in the United States and abroad. His portfolio also includes several pro-bono projects for non-profit institutions in need. He has lectured on many architectural topics, and has written for numerous publications. In 2017, he was invited to the International Architecture Biennial in Buenos Aires as a featured speaker. His works have been recognized with design awards by institutions such as the Texas Society of Architects, the Houston American Institute of Architects and others. Fernando was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects in 2012, a program that honors those who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. His firm, BRAVE/architecture was honored as Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects - Houston Chapter in 2018, and is the recipient of the 2021 Texas Society of Architects Firm Award.

  Brave Architecture

  Principal

  Fernando Brave

  Principal

  Brave Architecture

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  Ryne Diaz

  Ryne Diaz is a creative who believes that improving the lives and work flow of those around him are at the center of everything he does in his work and in life. Through his 13-year career in the A&D Industry, he has gained experience from all facets within our industry, including being a key component of the Southwest Region’s consulting group at Gensler, and helping launch several contract furniture dealers in new markets. As the Director of Market Strategies at CORE Office Interiors, he builds and manages relationships in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio to connect key players with each other and find innovative and effective solutions for the built environment.

  CORE Office Interiors

  Director, Market Strategies

  Moderator

  Ryne Diaz

  Director, Market Strategies

  CORE Office Interiors

Finding Your Niche In a Changing Industry

Analyzing The Market and Customer Demands to Deliver a Unique Product

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  Komal Kotwal

  Komal is the firm-wide sustainable design leader for health, well-being and equity and a project manager based in HOK’s Houston studio. She has led sustainable design efforts for more than two million square feet of space, including a net-zero project and one million square feet of LEED and WELL Platinum projects. Komal is passionate about the intersection of health, equity and climate change. She is a trusted advisor to clients, helping develop more intentional design strategies and key metrics for human sustainability and community resiliency. She uses intentional design strategies to enhance human behavior and promote physical, mental and emotional well-being. Komal has served on the AIA Houston Board of Directors, the Texas USGBC Regional Council and the USGBC’s Greenbuild Program Committee. A strong advocate for equity and inclusivity, Komal has served on HOK’s Diversity Advisory Council and is a member of HOK’s Management Board

  HOK

  Sustainable Design Leader

  Komal Kotwal

  Sustainable Design Leader

  HOK

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  Mide Akinsade

  With over 23 years of design leadership experience and success, Mide believes that intuitive and targeted design ideas create impactful spaces. As a licensed architect, he offers relevant design leadership experience from programming all the way through construction and believes that designing distinctive, yet aspirational architectural solutions create the uniqueness of “place”. As a passionate design director with a unique vision, his skills include developing building designs, from concepts development through construction, overall leadership, strategic visioning, critical problem solving and conflict resolution, synthesis of complex programs, strategic planning, Master Planning as well as Urban Design. His projects have garnered multiple national and international design awards for excellence.

  Perkins&Will

  Design Director, Principal

  Mide Akinsade

  Design Director, Principal

  Perkins&Will

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  Yong Gan

  Yong is an experienced architect with over 20 years of comprehensive design and planning experience in numerous environments including healthcare, education, and research. He is passionate about client collaboration to ensure that the goals and expectations are met within the final built environment. Yong has a keen eye for the details while staying true to the clients’ design aspirations.

  PhiloWilke

  Associate Partner

  Yong Gan

  Associate Partner

  PhiloWilke

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  AJ Breneman

  Executive Vice President & Principal

  Powers Brown Architecture

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  Mike Boucher

  Mike Boucher is the director of business development and national accounts of Moderno Porcelain Works. He was appointed over business development and national accounts in October of 2021, after serving as the general manager of the first Moderno Porcelain Works location in Houston, TX for close to three years. Combining business knowledge in banking with technical knowledge of the surfacing industry, Mr. Boucher loves how porcelain is rapidly changing what is possible with surfaces. He is fueled by the day-to-day operations in building a team environment where a conversation turns into sketches, then brings together the dedication of fellow vendors, suppliers, and more to transform ideas into a perfected reality. Before Moderno Porcelain Works, Mr. Boucher entered the countertop industry in 2006 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mr. Boucher spent five years managing a territory for Cosentino North America that stretched from Houston, TX to Lake Charles, LA. Working for this large stone fabricator while earning his degree, his interactions with customers and delivering successful projects left an impact. He then became a residential mortgage broker at NRL Mortgage for seven years before the opportunity with Moderno arrived in 2018. Mr. Boucher holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and Spanish from the University of Houston.

  Moderno Porcelain Works

  Director of Business Development

  Mike Boucher

  Director of Business Development

  Moderno Porcelain Works

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  Sheila Condon

  As President and co-founder of Clark Condon, a Houston-based landscape architectural design firm, Sheila oversees design and general operations for the firm. Her depth of experience, from recreational and commercial facilities to public sector projects, gives her a broad-based knowledge that assures accuracy and client satisfaction. Sheila remains engaged and collaborative within the firm and serves as a mentor sharing her more than three decades of expertise. Moreover, her leadership directs and supports a team disciplined in how to respond to the growing value of environmental stewardship. Sheila earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture at Rutgers in 1981 and co-founded Clark Condon four years later. She was also the past recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Department of Landscape Architecture at Rutgers University. In 2006, she was inducted as a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

  Clark Condon

  President and Co-founder

  Moderator

  Sheila Condon

  President and Co-founder

  Clark Condon