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4 during the transition. The economy was not good, but we pushed through and moved to more of a doer/seller mod- el. We focused on growth through mergers. It was stress- ful, but our willingness to be bold paid off. We also had not overleveraged ourselves financially, so by 2012 we were in a shotgun position. TZL: What is your vision for the future of OHM? JH: I’m working on a plan called “Vision 2026.” It has a lot to do with keeping up with technology. It’s focused on smart cities and sustainability and being a trusted advisor and developing long-term, sustainable relationships. As a side note, we still have the same four clients that we had when the business was founded in 1962. TZL: Tell me about a recent project you are especially proud of and why. JH: There are two that I’d like to talk about. The first is the Northland Center Mall Redevelopment, in Southfield, Michigan. We recently completed the redevelopment plan for the 125-acre site of the former Northland Center. As the first suburban mall in the country, Northland was once an iconic regional destination. After falling on hard times in recent decades, the mall was purchased by the City in 2016 with the intent of turning the site into a mixed-use desti- nation. As the lead planners for the multidisciplinary proj- ect team, OHM Advisors worked with the City of South- field, the Southfield Downtown Development Authority, and community members to create a long-term phased re- development plan for the shuttered site. The final plan in- corporates concepts that were identified by the public as im- portant – including public space to support community pro- gramming – as well as prime uses for the area as identified through market study. The site is designed to include five distinct and unified districts that surround a new 10-acre central park with a water feature. Surrounding this central park are 850 residential units, a 125-room hotel, and close to 400,000 square feet of retail and medical office. The site is designed to be highly-walkable and connected to adjacent neighborhoods. The second is the I-75 and University Drive diverging dia- mond interchange in Auburn Hills, Michigan. This area is known for its booming business climate, but a critically de- teriorating bridge and roadway at the I-75/University Drive interchange, the gateway to its university and business dis- trict, had traffic backed up for miles. So in 2008, city lead- ers tapped OHM Advisors to lead a national innovative con- cept study of potential interchange configurations. Our re- sponse: a novel diverging diamond interchange that could alleviate the traffic problems and set the tone for the city’s vital business and higher education resources. It opened in 2015, solving a complicated interchange problem and mak- ing it faster and safer for drivers and pedestrians to get to and from Auburn Hills’ university and business district. TZL: How have you helped your firm to outperform some competitors? What do you feel sets you apart? JH: We’re open to opposition and change. TZL: Is there any other news you care to share about OHM projects or anything else? Q&A, from page 3

JH: We’re devoted to attracting top talent through top proj- ects. We stay focused on people and rely a great deal on word of mouth. TZL: Are you married? Children? Pets? JH: I’ve been married for 31 years. I have three children and three and a half grandchildren (the first boy is on the way!). TZL: What’s one thing most people at the firm don’t know about you? JH: I was in a fraternity in college and somewhat of a party boy. You could say I majored in “social dynamics.” TZL: What’s your best vacation spot? Do you have a dream destination? JH: Anywhere with my family that is warm and sunny. Someday, I’d like to visit Ireland. TZL: What’s the last book you read? JH: The Search for Unrational Leadership by Charles Fleet- ham. It’s all about leaving your comfort zone. TZL: What’s the last movie you saw? JH: The Intern . TZL: What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received? JH: There are a few. There’s no substitute for hard work; focus on the right things and the rest will follow; be open minded and open to change; and leave “comfortopia.” TZL: Who’s a leader you admire? JH: My dad. He was dedicated and had a strong moral com- pass. I also admire President Lincoln. He surrounded him- self with people who were unlike him. TZL: When you’re not working, what types of activities do you enjoy? JH: Family trips and cruises, trout fishing (it allows me to totally disconnect), and following Michigan football. TZL: What’s your favorite lunch? JH: A BLT – actually – anything with bacon. The Auburn Hills crest on the University Drive bridge is another first in Michigan, the result of OHM Advisors working with MDOT/FHWA, and a municipality for third-party branding of state-owned bridges.

THE ZWEIG LETTER November 28, 2016, ISSUE 1177

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