PGAV, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations, has announced the strategic expansion of its St. Louis and Orlando design studios, including several new team members.
The new colleagues that have been onboarded will help bolster the firm’s collaborative efforts in delivering exceptional destinations across travel, tourism and entertainment sectors, both in the US and around the world.
PGAV is welcoming talent from across a range of design disciplines in sectors as varied as themed entertainment, zoos, aquariums, museums, brand destinations, and hospitality projects.
“Last year was an extraordinary time for the industry, but we are even more excited about what 2023 has in store as we maintain a steady trajectory of expansion,” says PGAV CEO Mike Konzen.
“Key initiatives put forth before 2020 have enabled this sustained growth, one which promises major advances in 2023 and allows the PGAV team to create beautiful experiences around the world.”
New team members
Alyssa Garcia, a landscape architect from Huntington, New York, received her bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University. Garcia has prior experience in the design of landscape architecture for high-end residential, single-family house construction, themed entertainment, and transportation projects.
Michael Jennings is an architectural designer from Wall Township, New Jersey, with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Southern California. He brings on board experience from Baker Barios Architects, Universal Creative and Walt Disney Imagineering.
Brandon Johnston is also an architectural designer, with previous experience in zoo design. Coming from Warrenton, Missouri, he received his bachelor’s in Architectural Studies from the University of Missouri.
Jon Plsek of Atlanta, Georgia is a designer/illustrator, who received his MFA in Themed Entertainment Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. Plsek has served at the faculty where he studied, and also has experience with Disney and Universal Creative.
Ken Saba is a senior media producer from San Francisco, California, who received his BFA in Film and MFA in Film/Entertainment Design from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, as well as two AAs in Film/TV Production and Film/Animation from De Anza College in Cupertino, California. His experience includes BRC Imagination Arts, Mousetrappe, NASA, Thinkwell Group, Universal Creative and Walt Disney Imagineering.
Monica Toren of York, Pennsylvania, is an architectural designer. Receiving her Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University, she brings her experience in architectural design at LRK alongside project management skills learnt as an intern at Walt Disney World and as an architecture intern for Warehaus.
Jonathan Winfiele, an architectural designer from Missouri City, Texas, brings previous experience including architectural design and production design. He received his MFA in Themed Entertainment Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Earlier this year, PGAV also announced the appointment of its new vice president and director of land planning and design.
