After two decades, a new CEO has been named at national design firm KTGY. William Bate will succeed longtime CEO Tricia Esser, who has been at KTGY since its founding in 1991 and at the helm of the firm since 2006. Esser will maintain her position as a shareholder and board member as well as serve as adviser to the CEO to help ensure a seamless transition.
“Tricia Esser’s leadership and dedication to our firm over the last three decades has been critical in broadening KTGY’s reach as a national firm, and for that we are extremely grateful,” states board chair Jill Williams. “After a thorough search for a new CEO to drive continued success, we’re pleased to welcome Will Bate to KTGY. Beyond his superior management expertise, what resonated most with our board was Will’s collaborative spirit, his curiosity, and his genuine appreciation for the people-centric culture that makes KTGY special.”
The award-winning firm, with over 400 employees across seven offices coast to coast, focuses on architecture, interior design, branded environments, and urban design.
Esser shares she’s most proud of KTGY’s outstanding work over the years.
“With every project, we create something our clients can genuinely be proud of, knowing it not only reflects our collaboration but also brings a meaningful, positive impact to people’s lives and the communities they call home,” she says. “When you work in a business where each completed project can stand for years and be seen by so many, it’s just an honor to work with such an amazing team of architects, designers, and planners that have the talent and skill to craft finished work that creates a lasting impact. I’m very proud to be part of that in a small way.”
Esser says she has seen density increase across all housing types and the scope of multifamily expand to include a wider range of scales and typologies over the past two decades, with KTGY responding to these changes.
“In the same span of time, sites have become more constrained, and our design challenges have shifted. The question isn’t how to maximize yield in isolation, it’s how to deliver livability within increasingly tight physical, regulatory, and financial frameworks,” she notes. “The work is less about a single building type and more about stitching together a complete living environment that will be attractive to tenants, meet municipal codes, and be viable for our clients. Architects are trained problem solvers, and our architects have honed that skill to be responsive in today’s environment with innovative design-driven solutions.”
She adds the firm is making earlier and more informed decisions about structure, material, and layout to align with how projects are delivered, especially as modular and mass timber innovations become more viable. It also has included interior design to deliver a more cohesive and complete project.
“Looking ahead, I think the focus will be on precision. Projects will continue to face pressure from cost, entitlement, and construction, so the firms that succeed will be the ones who can resolve those constraints without losing the quality of the living environment. That’s where great design can still make a meaningful difference,” she says.
She shares advice for Bate as he takes over the CEO role.
“Our business is about people, so whether it’s our internal studios and departments, our clients, or our colleagues in the industry, it’s about being the best leader you can be to serve them well,” she notes. “Respect, fair, and fun should be things Will always keeps as important attributes when leading our firm.”
Bate joins KTGY from Boston Consulting Group, where he served as managing director and partner and led the North America Real Estate and Cities practice. He brings expertise in strategy, operations, digital transformation, and M&A along with a record of driving large-scale growth across the real estate and services sector. He will be based in KTGY’s East Coast office in Washington, D.C.
He says what drew him to KTGY is the rare combination of legacy and opportunity.
“This is a firm with a 30-year heritage, a leadership position in residential design, and a deeply people-first culture. Those are powerful assets,” he says. “At the same time, there’s a clear ambition from shareholders and leadership to step into the next phase of growth. It’s an exciting time that brings fresh energy, broader perspectives, and a strong commitment to invest in the future.”
Bate adds this year will be about building momentum by sharpening its strategy, activating targeted growth initiatives, expanding client relationships, and bringing more of the firm’s capabilities together. It also will be investing in its people, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to grow as the firm grows.
“In the near term, my focus is simple: listen, learn, and build on what already makes KTGY special for its people and clients. We have a strong foundation, and the opportunity now is to deepen client relationships, evolve how we work, and invest in new capabilities,” Bate says. “Longer term, it’s about scaling that momentum: building a more integrated, forward-looking firm that continues to raise the bar in design and delivery. If we do that well, we’ll unlock meaningful value for both our clients and our people.”
In addition to the CEO announcement, KTGY has elevated five key executives:
- Brad Golba has been promoted to principal and has accepted a role as shareholder. Based in Irvine, California, he specializes in finding innovative design and code-compliant solutions for his clients and the single-family and multifamily developments his team designs;
- Chief financial officer Joe Hesselbach, also based in Irvine, has accepted a role as shareholder;
- Executive director of human resources Melissa Jaro’s role is being expanded to include ownership-level corporate decision-making along with a voice on key decisions traditionally reserved for shareholders. She has been with the firm for five years in the Irvine office;
- Principal Sam Luckino, based in Chicago, has accepted a role as shareholder. He has over two decades of experience shaping the built environment and brings high-caliber design and management practices to mixed-use, multifamily, and hospitality development; and
- Principal Zac Miles has accepted a role as shareholder. He leads the high-density production team in Oakland, California, and focuses on delivering high-quality multifamily housing in one of the nation’s most challenging development environments to create neighborhoods of enduring value.