Thursday, March 18, 2021

Cuningham Appoints New Board Chair and Leadership Council

 

Tim Dufault

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Cuningham, a design firm with expertise in architecture, interior design, urban design, landscape architecture, and master planning, has announced the appointments of a new Board Chair and Leadership Council as part of an internal restructuring that reflects the firm’s continued dedication to meaningful collaboration and creating unique, forward-looking environments.

 “At Cuningham, we’ve long been committed to designing and bringing to life environments that are continuously uplifting the human experience and have the future in mind,” says Tim Dufault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Principal, and Chief Executive Officer at Cuningham.

 

Christy Cavataio

 “Through close collaboration with stakeholders, we’ve identified new strategies to optimize our internal operations, allowing us to improve and enhance how we serve our clients and partners in consistently meaningful ways as we grow.”

 The unprecedented events of this past year have impacted how people view and interact with the built environment and the importance of design and delivery that is integrated, regenerative, and restorative, says Christy Cavataio, Associate AIA, Principal, President and Chief Operating Officer.

 

Meg Parsons

“Our new, expanded leadership platform will allow us to better leverage our team’s deep expertise and capabilities across disciplines, markets, and locations,” says Cavataio.

 “The Leadership Council is made up of the firm’s studio and practice leaders and is charged with leading the firm to achieve our collective goals to enhance our expertise in each studio to provide superior services to our clients, while bringing a body of shared knowledge and learning to how we practice.

"We know that learning from each other and borrowing the best from each studio’s markets while having a strong platform benefit our projects and their outcomes."

 

Nina Broadhurst

In line with this restructuring, the firm also updated its name to the singular ‘Cuningham’ from ‘Cuningham Group,’ which reflects this unified approach and conveys the close connection to every project, stakeholder, and team member.

 Cuningham Principal Meg Parsons, FAIA, NCARB, ALEP, LEED® BD+C, who has been with the firm for over 30 years, is also stepping into the role of Board Chair.

 “Meg takes an active, inclusive approach to her work that is inspiring to all who have the pleasure of knowing her,” Dufault says.

 

Michele Espeland

 “She will play a key role in ensuring that every strategy is aligned with maintaining an optimistic, idealistic, and engaging culture that celebrates our myriad of diverse backgrounds, talents, and voices and move Cuningham forward.”

 Parsons specializes in the planning and design of innovative learning environments from pre-referendum planning through construction.

 She is an Accredited Learning Environment Professional through the Association for Learning Environments and serves as the Chair for the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design and is the Chair of Region 4 for National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

 Parsons is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

 

Kari-elin Mock

The firm’s new Leadership Council includes:

New Board Chair: Meg Parsons, FAIA, NCARB, ALEP, LEED® BD+C

Principal and Board Chair

Parsons, who has been with Cuningham for 32 years, was recently named Board Chair. She specializes in the planning and design of innovative learning environments. She takes an active, inclusive approach to her work, which ranges from pre-referendum planning through construction.

Meg is an Accredited Learning Environment Professional through the Association for Learning Environments and serves as the Chair for the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design and is the Chair of Region 4 for National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Meg is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

Jeffrey Schoeneck

 Christy Cavataio, Associate AIA

Principal, President, Chief Operating Officer

 Cavataio joined Cuningham in 2020 as President and Chief Operating Officer. She oversees and closely collaborates with the firm’s studio and practice leaders in providing operational oversight for our design practice and works alongside CEO Dufault to guide the firm’s strategic vision. She was honored by Globe Street’s 2020 Women of Influence and was selected for her “reputation as a trailblazer and innovator in commercial design.”

 

Tim Dufault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED® AP

Principal and Chief Executive Officer

 

As Cuningham’s CEO, Dufault brings a holistic view to guide strategic goals and promote a collaborative approach within the firm. He is a nationally recognized leader on community building learning environments, and his leadership roles within AIA includes AIA Minnesota’s Chapter President and Board Member, and Committee Chair for the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education. He’s also a member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA).

 

Nina Broadhurst, AIA, NCARB
Principal and Executive Director – Work

Broadhurst is the firm’s new Executive Director of Work creating the meaningful workplace. Her visionary approach coupled with strong architectural skills and extensive planning experience have been the guiding force behind some of Cuningham’s most iconic projects, including Epic’s corporate campus in Verona, Wisconsin.

 

Lisa Schenck

Michele Espeland, CID

Principal and Executive Director – Strategy

As Executive Director for Strategy, Espeland oversees and delivers on the overall strategic vision for the firm as well as leading the efforts on branding, business development, and marketing. She previously served as the firm-wide leader of Cuningham’s interior design team anchored in design leadership focused on engaging through experience for projects in retail, hospitality, resort, restaurant, housing and corporate market sectors.

 Kari-elin Mock, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP® BD+C

Principal and Executive Director – Grow

Mock is the firm’s Executive Director of Grow, a studio dedicated to design for communities and learners, from preschool to higher education. She has been leading the firm’s efforts on many significant education projects and serves as the Southwest Region Past President of the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).

 Jeffrey Schoeneck, AIA, LEED AP®

Principal | Executive Director – Live

As Executive Director - Live, Schoeneck provides the strategic design thinking necessary to assist clients in differentiating their projects in a changing world. His focus on living environments including senior, student, affordable/supportive, condominiums and apartments is informed by a well-rounded portfolio in hospitality, retail, health care, industrial, workplace, and masterplan work. 


Wade Morgan
 

Wade Morgan, RA, NCARB

Associate Principal and Executive Director – Play
Morgan oversees Cuningham’s Play studio, which includes entertainment, hospitality, restaurant, and retail sectors. Having led many large Play projects including our feature projects in China, Morgan brings a blend of extensive organizational knowledge and a willingness to foster flexibility and creativity among team members, stakeholders, and consultants.

 

Lisa Schenck
Associate Principal and Executive Director – People

In addition to being Cuningham’s director of Human Resources, as Executive Director of People, Schenck is making sure that the firm develops and manages our greatest asset –our people – and offers a fair, welcoming, and equitable work environment.


Marcy Schulte
 

Marcy Schulte, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP® BD+C
Principal and Executive Director – Design + Performance

Schulte leads the firm’s new Design + Performance Practice, which champions great design across disciplines, integrative regenerative strategies, and technical excellence. Her focus is on increasing Cuningham’s value through advanced digital delivery, innovation, and design quality. She also manages many of the firm’s large complex projects, including large mixed-use developments

 

Mark Tiscornia, AIA, ACHA, LEED AP® BD+C
Principal and Executive Director – Heal
Tiscornia has extensive experience leading complex healthcare design projects and has made a positive impact in healthcare, working with notable clients including Banner Health, Valleywise Health, and HonorHealth. As Executive Director of the Heal studio, he brings his unique expertise managing teams and developing creative and innovative responses to meet the challenges facing the healthcare industry.

 

Mark Tiscornia

Cuningham recently revealed a new visual identity that reflects the firm’s evolution. The traditional ‘Cuningham yellow’ is now accompanied by a color palette with complementary shades influenced by gems of nature, representing the team’s sustained commitment to new possibilities and regenerative design.

  A hexagonal grid and series of striking irregular geometric shapes further enhance the creative energy.

  Cuningham has launched a new website, which can be found at cuningham.com.

 

About Cuningham

 Founded in 1968, Cuningham is Uplifting the Human Experience® through award-winning design and a client-centered, collaborative approach.

 We provide integrated design services, including architecture, interior design, urban design, and landscape architecture, for a diverse mix of client and project types.

 With more than 250 employees in offices in Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, and San Diego, we maximize our cross-studio expertise on every project around the world.

  Learn more at cuningham.com.

 

CONTACTS:   

Katie Haga / Elisabeth Manville

Brower Group

(949) 438-6262

khaga@brower-group.com

InvenTrust Properties Corp. Hires Retail Expert Jon Bradley as a Leasing Representative for Mid-Atlantic Region

Jon (“JB”) Bradley

RALEIGH, NC--InvenTrust Properties Corp. ("InvenTrust" or "IVT") announced that it has hired retail expert Jon (“JB”) Bradley as a Leasing Representative. 

  Bradley will play a leading role in continuing to develop and manage leasing for the firm's Mid-Atlantic area portfolio which includes IVT’s centers in North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia:

 

  • Bent Tree Plaza, Raleigh, NC
  • The Pointe at Creedmoor, Raleigh, NC
  • Cary Park Town Center, Cary, NC
  • Commons at University Place, Durham, NC
  • Renaissance Center, Durham, NC
  • Northcross Commons, Huntersville, NC
  • Sycamore Commons, Matthews, NC
  • Shops at Town Center & Century Station, Germantown, MD
  • Travilah Square, Rockville, MD
  • Westpark Shopping Center, Glen Allen, VA

 

Alan Grayson

"Throughout his career, JB has demonstrated a track record of securing leases with a wide range of retail tenants in the Mid-Atlantic region," said Alan Grayson, InvenTrust Vice President of Leasing. 

 

"Bringing JB on demonstrates our continuing strategy of having retail experts with in-depth market knowledge positioned in our markets. We are looking forward to working with him to increase our centers’ exposure to retailers who are looking for prime space in grocery-anchored centers.”

 

Bradley joins IVT from Avison Young where he most recently served as Vice President of Retail Services.

 CONTACT:

David Ebeling

Ebeling Communications

(949) 278-7851

david@ebelingcomm.com

Stos Partners Expands Its Multifamily Holdings with Acquisition of San Diego, CA Community

 

CJ Stos
SAN DIEGO, CA – Stos Partners, a privately held commercial real estate investment firm, recently acquired an 18-unit multifamily property in the North Park-Cherokee Point submarket of San Diego in an off-market transaction as part of a strategic expansion into multifamily investment.

The firm initially entered the sector this past September with the acquisition of an apartment project in the Talmidge neighborhood of Mid-City San Diego, according to CJ Stos, Principal of Stos Partners. 

 “Our recent multifamily acquisitions dovetail nicely with our experience and strategy of focusing on middle-market commercial properties that present an opportunity for value creation,” says Stos.

Jay Boyle
 “As with many of our existing holdings, we will perform deferred maintenance and implement light-to-moderate value-add upgrades to the asset to bring rents up to market.”

The firm plans to rebrand the recently acquired community and implement significant capital renovations, according to Jay Boyle, Executive Vice President at Stos Partners.

 “This property aligns perfectly with our investment strategy through which we acquire, reposition, and operate well-located properties that are poised to deliver long-term value,” says Boyle.

Jason Richards
 
“We plan to implement exterior improvements including new paint, wood façade upgrades, roof improvements, and landscaping. Additionally, we will implement interior renovations to make the units more modern and appealing to today’s renters.”

 Stos Partners, one of the most active buyers of industrial and multifamily product in Southern California, recognized the continued strength of the multifamily sector and its exceptional resilience through the pandemic, according to Jason Richards, Partner at Stos Partners.

 “Like the industrial sector, multifamily has continued to perform exceptionally well despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Richards.

 “We expect this activity to continue and moving forward, we plan to invest in locally-owned multifamily properties throughout Southern California and Arizona, eventually amassing a portfolio of thousands of units and achieving economies of scale.

Erik Anderson

 "We are extremely well-capitalized, have a deep understanding of these markets which allows us to be nimble and successfully implement our strategy to position these assets for long-term growth.”

 The property, which was purchased for $4.04 million, is located at 3864 35th Street in San Diego, California. Erik Anderson of Northmarq represented Stos Partners as the buyer in the transaction. Acquisition financing was provided by C3 Bank.

 

CONTACTS:

Katie Haga / Elisabeth Manville

Brower Group

(949) 438-6262

khaga@brower-group.com

www.stospartners.com.

Pyramid Hotel Group Names Brian Berry EVP of Commercial Strategy and Peter Karpinski EVP of Operations, Independent & Lifestyle Hotels

 Brian Berry
  

Peter Karpinski 

 The two add bench strength as the company sharpens its focus on data analytics and further solidifies its expertise in independent & lifestyle hotels with the addition of a dedicated specialist.

  “While Pyramid was proficient in both of these disciplines previously, Brian and Peter are thought leaders who immediately enhance our team,” said Eric Habermann, chief operating officer, Pyramid Hotel Group.

Eric Habermann

“Moving forward, Brian will reinforce our data analytics capabilities and the ability to sift through massive amounts of information to find insights that will allow Pyramid to outperform its competitors. 

 "Peter brings with him remarkable hospitality expertise, branding and F&B and adds great depth to our on-going expansion in the independent and lifestyle segments.”


Embry-Riddle Leases New Space Near Orlando Executive Airport

 

Andy McCaw
ORLANDO, FL -- Andy McCaw, FMA, Vice President at NAI Realvest, recently helped long-time client Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University lease new space near the Orlando Executive Airport. 

 Embry-Riddle leased 1,770 SF at 3051 East Livingston Street, Suites 408-410, Orlando.  The landlord, Sheltair Orlando Air Center, LLC was represented by the owner’s agent, Francisco Alonzo.  

 Francisco Alonzo

 “This is a perfect location for Embry-Riddle – a brand new office building located just off the west ramp of the Orlando Executive Airport, with panoramic views of the airfield” said McCaw.

 

Stonehill Names Nick Baer Vice President of Business Development

 

Nick Baer

ATLANTA, GA – Stonehill announced it has named Nick Baer to the newly created position of vice president of business development.

 Baer is responsible for originating and structuring debt and equity investments across Stonehill's hospitality lending platform and helping to drive its strategic growth efforts.

 

He will report to Stonehill's executive vice president, Brent LeBlanc.

 

Baer most recently served as senior vice president at Jones Land LaSalle (JLL), responsible for arranging approximately $7 billion in acquisitions, construction and refinancing for individual hotel assets and portfolios.


Brent LeBlanc
 

Before his time with the investment banking team, Baer was responsible for the disposition of single assets and portfolios for JLL’s hotel investment sales division.

 

"Nick has deep experience and a successful track record in commercial real estate lending, and he will contribute meaningfully to Stonehill’s strategy for growth and operational excellence,” said LeBlanc.

 

 “We are delighted that he is joining us and confident that his knowledge and abilities will further enhance Stonehill as a leader in hospitality lending and debt financing."

 

Baer earned his bachelor's degree in real estate from the University of Georgia.

 Stonehill provides first mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity financing on hotel assets across the U.S.  To discuss potential financing opportunities, please contact Brent LeBlanc at 713-666-2544 or bleblanc@stonehillsc.com
.

 

Contacts:

 Charles Talbert

678-823-7683

ctalbert@peachtreehotelgroup.com

  

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