PGAV, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations, has announced a number of strategic new hires, welcoming new team members that will strengthen its St. Louis, Kansas City and Orlando design studios. This growth allows the company to continue with its collaborative teamwork on a range of projects, from small non-profits to large aquariums and more.
“As our firm enters a new phase of growth, we are so excited to share this news,” says Mike Konzen, PGAV CEO. “These new hires represent remarkable talent across a variety of disciplines to enable us to better serve projects across the globe and in all of our key market sectors in our Destinations and Planning groups.”
PGAV Destinations’ expansion reflects its increasing domestic and international activity within the travel, tourism and entertainment sectors. Meanwhile, PGAV Planners is also experiencing an upswing in economic development and community planning.
Designing for the complexities of destinations, from theme parks and museums to aquariums, zoos, hotels, retail branded experiences and more, as well as planning with communities for their future, requires a diverse team with expertise, knowledge, and skillsets across guest experience, client operations, bottom-line results, and community goals.
New team members for PGAV Destinations
Five new hires are joining PGAV Destinations.
Dawn Jasper-Waymire is a creative writer and storyteller from Troy, Illinois with more than 18 years of experience in media promotions with FOX Sports Midwest. She majored in Speech Communications and Public Relations at SIUE.
Alex Ramirez, a project architect, is from El Paso in Texas and brings seven years of experience in the architectural profession to his new role. Ramirez holds Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees from the University of Texas San Antonio.
Designer/illustrator Molly Rodabaugh holds a degree in Themed Entertainment Design degree from the University of Tennessee, College Scholars Program and has previous experience as a projections designer and freelance illustrator. She is from Buffalo, New York, and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Kyle Russell is a graphic designer with more than 20 years of experience at McGinty Company in Boulder, Colorado. He is from Shelbyville, Illinois, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Finally, Sara Stapleton is an executive assistant from Arnold, Missouri with more than 20 years of experience at firms such as AT&T Yellow Pages, Thryv and UPS. She has an Associate’s Degree in Office Systems and Technology from Jefferson College.
New team members for PGAV Planners
Meanwhile, PGAV Planners is welcoming four new members of staff.
Sarah Dyott is a project planner who joins the firm from Atlanta, Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and dual Master of City and Regional Planning and Master of Real Estate Development degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. Dyott has previous experience in mixed-income housing development, affordable housing preservation, and community and economic development.
Project manager Cristen Hardin has experience in managing a variety of short and long-term projects across Community Development and Economic Development Departments. Hardin is from Brooklyn, Illinois, and holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from SIUE and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Jill Mead, a senior project manager, rejoins the PGAV Planners team after previously working for the firm from 2018 – 2020. Hailing from Portland, Oregon. Mead took her Undergrad at Washington University and has a Master’s Degree in Planning and Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Lastly, project planner Sareh Tabrizchi has experience as a GIS technician, urban designer, graphic designer and drafter. She is from Isfahan, Iran, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Planning Engineering from the Art University of Isfahan and her Master of Urban Design degree from the University of Tehran.
PGAV Destinations recently announced that it is continuing its partnership with Connor Prarie and is working on a new Experience Master Plan for the attraction in Central Indiana.
