Thomas O'Brien is the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of The HYM Investment Group, LLC. HYM is currently leading the development of over twenty (20) million square feet of mixed-use development in Greater Boston, including the following notable and complex projects: Bulfinch Crossing (the redevelopment of the Government Center Garage), Suffolk Downs, and Parcel 3 in Roxbury. Prior to HYM, O'Brien served as a Managing Partner for JPI, a national developer and owner of multifamily communities, and as a Managing Director in Boston and New York for Tishman Speyer, one of the world’s leading real estate firms.

O'Brien also led the Boston Redevelopment Authority as its Director and Chief of Staff, overseeing the development of over 12 million square feet of projects in Boston, from 1993 to 2000. O'Brien has served as Chairman of The Greater Boston Real Estate Board and is Vice Chair of the Board of Overseers of The Anti-Defamation League of New England, which awarded O’Brien its Abraham Joshua Heschel Interfaith Relations Award in 2016.

In 2011, Governor Deval Patrick appointed O’Brien to the Board of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. In 2016, Mayor Martin J. Walsh appointed O’Brien to the Board of Trustees of the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and in 2024 Governor Maura Healey appointed him to the Board of The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy.

He also serves as a Board Member of the Pine Street Inn, Project 351 and the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University. O’Brien is a graduate of Brown University and Suffolk University Law School and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Throughout the discussion, themes of resilience, strategic vision, and community impact are highlighted. O'Brien elaborates on his firm's focus on developing high-impact projects situated near transportation hubs, transforming urban landscapes while catering to market demands. Navigating economic fluctuations, seeking opportunities in undervalued sectors like office spaces, and maintaining transparency with partners are key strategies shared by O'Brien in realizing ambitious real estate objectives.

Key Takeaways:

• Vision and Strategy: O'Brien emphasizes the importance of a long-term, community-focused vision when selecting projects, considering both investor interests and regional development goals.
• Navigating Challenges: Highlighted are strategies to overcome economic hurdles, such as rising interest rates and building costs, while keeping projects on track.
• Teamwork and Values: O'Brien stresses building a strong team grounded in integrity and shared values, crucial for navigating the complexities of large development projects.
• Resilience in Business: Through his personal and professional journey, O'Brien underscores the ne

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Gary Kerr is the Senior Managing Director at Greystar, where he is responsible for managing new development projects and expanding the development pipeline in the Northeast region. With over 30,000 employees and $79 billion in assets under management, Greystar is recognized as the largest owner, operator, and developer of multifamily housing worldwide. Kerr has played a significant role in the company's growth, focusing on fostering relationships with capital partners, team development, and revenue generation strategies.

Kerr shares insights into the importance of networking, navigating the complexities of development projects, and how Greystar maintains its leadership in the market despite industry challenges, like its modular construction initiative. Kerr elaborates on his personal career journey, shedding light on the critical skills needed to excel in real estate development and the importance of being adaptable, innovative, and a proactive problem solver.

Key Takeaways:

• Networking and Relationships: Gary emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships over just networking, especially within your peer group and immediately above you.
• Navigating Market Entry: By leveraging Greystar’s breadth of experience and data, Gary explains how they enter and succeed in challenging markets like Everett, Massachusetts, by identifying untapped potential and scalable opportunities.
• Innovative Construction Methods: The discussion covers Greystar's push into modular construction with Modern Living Solutions, highlighting its potential to reduce costs and accelerate timelines in real estate development.
• Growth and Opportunity: Growth isn't just a goal, but a means to provide value and innovation in their projects.
• Crisis and Adaptation: The housing crisis in Massachusetts is dissected with a focus on practical solutions and strategic foresight to address long-term challenges in housing affordability.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Growth provides opportunity. So if you want to maintain the best people in the market, you have to continually create new opportunities for them."
2. "Be the most valuable person in the room you can, and all the success, promotions, all those things will just naturally follow."
3. "The better job is looking for a better you. It doesn’t happen the other way around."
4. "You solve the problems that no one else wants, and that's how you get ahead."
5. "It's important to have the ability to innovate and define success singularly across all your teams."

Resources:

• Greystar Official Website
• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Heisel - A recommended read by Gary Kerr for understanding money management an

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

As listeners prepare to enter 2026, this episode offers a thought-provoking discussion navigating the often challenging interplay between career ambitions and personal life, with the goal of finding contentment in current paths while still striving for success.

This week’s episode explores the balance between pursuing professional goals and maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends, with a warning against subconscious comparisons and ego-driven decisions pulling focus away from real values. By setting constraints on time allocation and problem-solving strategies, the conversation emphasizes self-awareness and disciplined action. Success in career and personal life doesn’t require sacrificing one for the other. It requires smart scheduling and prioritizing what truly matters. The episode closes as a grounded exploration of how awareness and long-term thinking sharpen decisions and drive personal fulfillment.

Key Takeaways:

• The balance between career ambition and personal life is possible without sacrificing meaningful relationships or well-being.
• Self-awareness and disciplined action are key to achieving both professional and personal success.
• Identifying the right problems to solve is crucial to avoiding wasted effort and addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
• Long-term thinking helps to improve short-term decision-making and can lead to greater contentment and success over time.
• A commitment to lifelong learning is essential for uncovering blind spots and enhancing personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Finding content in who you are, the path you're on, the goals you have, and really the life that you're building."
2. "You can advance your relationship with your kids, your relationship with your friends, your relationship with your spouse and pursue career goals."
3. "You need to set constraints on your time and how you're allocating those across the areas of your life."
4. "The root to all of those challenges we face in life is the root to constant pursuit of learning."

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

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 spans real estate brokerage, banking, and multifamily development, showcasing his vast industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit.

In this episode of Design Development, host Rens Hayes interviews Eric Garrett, CEO and founder of The Garrett Companies. The conversation delves deep into the complexities of growing a multifaceted real estate development and construction business that has achieved phenomenal growth since its inception in 2014. Eric shares insights into his unique site evaluation strategies, the importance of operational excellence, and his company's expansion into various sectors including capital fundraising, subcontracting, and restaurants.

Eric Garrett's journey from a career in banking and brokerage to founding a multifamily development empire is explored, highlighting key lessons and strategies. From hiring slow and methodically to leveraging technology and AI for site selection, Eric reveals what makes The Garrett Companies stand out in the competitive real estate market. The conversation also touches upon the importance of company culture, strategic advisory teams, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that has guided their success.

Key Takeaways:

• Eric shares how The Garrett Companies leverage their proprietary site evaluation software, augmented by AI, to identify lucrative development sites swiftly.
• Deep dive into their slow, meticulous hiring process ensuring cultural fit and technical expertise, contributing to high employee retention.
• Insights into maintaining a vibrant company culture through unique team-building activities and a strong pursuit of excellence principle.
• Discussion on strategically expanding into new markets and adding business lines in subcontracting and capital funds to create a self-sustaining development ecosystem.
• Eric’s career trajectory offers valuable lessons on seizing opportunities, understanding every facet of the business, and applying a holistic approach to real estate development.

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Rob Hagan is an Associate Principal at CBT Architects, where he leads multifamily, mixed-use, housing, and hospitality work with a focus on retail planning and the public realm. With more than 25 years in practice, Rob brings a global perspective shaped by projects across the U.S., Abu Dhabi, Taiwan, and Europe.

In this episode, Rob explains why retail and the public realm are inextricably linked and how the experience economy is transforming urban development. He shares how online shopping, hybrid retail models, and data-driven design are changing what belongs at the ground floor, and why understanding human behavior is crucial to the success of mixed-use projects.

The conversation also explores Rob’s career journey, leadership philosophy, and commitment to inclusive culture. From mentoring young architects to founding initiatives like CBT Proud and Out in Design, Rob offers a clear view on how thoughtful leadership and community-building strengthen both firms and the industry.

Key Takeaways

• Ground-floor retail shapes how people experience buildings.
• The experience economy is redefining urban retail design.
• Cultural context changes how architecture works and is lived in.
• Strong leadership comes from trust, inclusion, and empowering teams.

Notable Quotes

• “The place where the average person has a chance to really have a meaningful experience with your building, if they’re not living there or working there, is at the ground level of the building.” - Rob
• "The best ideas are really the ones that come from multiple viewpoints coming to the table. And it’s not one individual who decides. Some of the tough decisions are the ones that are made through consensus." - Rob
• “[People are] really focused on going and making meaningful experiences. They’re not focused on going out and grabbing a good at a particular store as much as they used to be.” - Rob
• “Success in the business world is equal parts what you know and who you know, and the relationships you’re able to build really are the thing that can catalyze the next opportunity for you.” - Rob
• "I always tell people that leadership really is an act of continual greater efforts for selflessness. If you’re doing it right, it’s not about you. You are a conduit to meeting your clients’ needs and providing your team the opportunity to grow and learn."- Rob

Resources:

• CBT Architects
• Rob Hagan
• Book Recommendations: Turn the Ship Around! by David Marquet, Start With Why by Simon Sinek, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

This week's episode is a guest episode on the Growthitect Podcast with Tyler Suomala (also featured in Design Development, Episode 147).

Our discussion offers an insightful exploration into building a robust, long-term growth strategy that effectively balances relationship building with strategic marketing, since word of mouth alone may not suffice in today's competitive landscape.

I unpack the prevalent myth that architecture and engineering firms can thrive on word of mouth alone by emphasizing the necessity of developing a comprehensive business strategy. With an aim to equip firm owners with the right tools, the conversation navigates through essential concepts like the identification of the ideal customer and the critical importance of delivering distinguishable value.

Key Takeaways:

• Value Articulation: Understanding and clearly articulating the unique value your firm provides is essential for attracting ideal clients and driving successful word-of-mouth marketing.
• Strategic Growth Planning: Avoid relying solely on word of mouth; instead, implement a long-term growth strategy that includes active marketing and brand consistency.
• Client Language: Communicate your firm's value in terms that resonate with clients, like cost savings or efficiency improvements, rather than industry jargon.
• Business Resilience: In downturns, firms that demonstrate clearly defined value propositions and strategic marketing plans maintain a competitive edge.
• Continual Learning: Constantly seek out business education opportunities to mitigate risks and increase the value of your firm over time.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The actual goal is to win the right project with the right customer for the right price. It's not to win every project at any price." – Rens Hayes
2. "Word of mouth doesn't just mean, like, I hope they say Rens is cool. It's about what they are actually saying about your firm." – Tyler Suomala
3. "A lot of businesses are the same. The unique part is the industry-specific delivery." – Rens Hayes
4. "How do architects know if word-of-mouth referrals will not dry up, and are they prepared for when that day comes?" – Tyler Suomala
5. "If you don't know who you serve and how you create value to them, you can't influence word of mouth in the right direction." – Rens Hayes

Resources:

• H+O Structural Engineering
• LinkedIn: Follow Rens Hayes
• The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Anyeley Hallová is the founder and CEO of Adre, a socially responsible real estate development company. She's committed to introducing inclusivity and equity in real estate, focusing on sustainable and socially beneficial development practices. She has an extensive educational background, including a Master’s in City Planning from MIT and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Harvard. She even impacted changes in the International Building Code advancing mass timber construction.

She shares her journey from co-founder of project^, where she gained insights into sustainable design, to launching Adre, driven by her passion for promoting equity and environmental stewardship in urban planning. She speaks candidly about the systemic issues in housing policies influenced by historical discrimination and highlights how projects can be guided by core values rather than mere market trends.

Key Takeaways:

• Socially responsible real estate development integrates inclusive practices at every phase, focusing on who owns, designs, builds, and benefits from the property.
• The challenges faced by real estate developers can be countered with innovative funding solutions, combining philanthropy and investment for a blended return.
• Essential for progress is the incorporation of community needs and feedback, avoiding 'cookie-cutter' solutions in diverse locations.

Notable Quotes:

1. “Socially responsible real estate development requires thinking about ownership, community, and sustainable design at every phase.” – Anyeley
2. “You can't manage what you don't measure. Innovative organizations create their own standards and metrics.” – Rens Hayes
3. “The financial activism space is about using your money and your impact to create equity.” – Anyeley
4. “Developers can solve issues with influence, not just with a project.” – Anyeley

Resources:

• The book "Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein: Influential in Anyeley’s transition towards starting Adre.
• "Coming to America" Podcast: Hosted by Anyeley’s husband, exploring immigration stories.
• A Kid's Book About Real Estate Development: Authored by Anyeley, aiming to introduce children to the fundamentals of real estate development.

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/

Matt Marotta is the Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Icon Architecture. With a diverse background in architecture and operations, Matt has been instrumental in leading projects across residential, institutional, and public domains. Having begun his career at Icon as an intern, Matt has risen through the ranks over two decades, becoming an owner and pivotal figure in the firm's leadership team.

Through a detailed discussion, Matt unveils the technological evolution within the architectural field, from hand drawings to AutoCAD and BIM, weighing the benefits and challenges each innovation brings. He highlights the critical balance between project management and operations, sharing strategies for fostering junior staff development and maintaining high-quality design standards. The episode also touches on the impact of AI in architecture, offering a glimpse into future efficiencies and opportunities in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Successful project approval hinges on engaging stakeholders, iterating designs, and incorporating community feedback.
• Career Growth: Embrace new challenges and mentorship; ownership opportunities often arise from initiative and strategic learning.
• Technological Transition: From 2D drafting to BIM, each tool in architecture has strengths and challenges, and future innovation like AI promises further evolution.
• Team Development: Focusing on employee strengths and facilitating continuous learning are essential for a productive architectural practice.
• Balancing Roles: Operational success in architecture requires juggling multiple responsibilities while empowering team autonomy.

Notable Quotes:

1. "You always have to give something back... whether it's how it presents itself or how it fits into the urban fabric."
2. "Ownership wasn't something I was ready for, but I don't think anyone ever is."
3. "AI can probably get us to that next level... helping us with the errors in our construction."
4. "As a managing principal, you can't be the champion for solving every problem on your projects."
5. "Finding what your skill set is... as a junior staff, connects you with someone who can guide you."

Resources:

• Icon Architecture
• Wentworth Institute of Technology
• The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
• Matt Morotta

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 comments and reach out if you want to be a valuable guest on the show!

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & YouTube

Find out more at https://h-o.engineering/podcasts/