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4 AQ: It’s both humbling and with awe that we look back on our journey from 17 staff in two offices to a network of sev- en offices supporting 130 staff nationally. Garret Krishan, David Short, and I are surrounded by an extraordinary lead- ership team – our vision from about a dozen years ago was to cross-pollinate our respective K-12, student life, and mul- tifamily housing passions. This strategy led to the firm that we are a part of today. The addition of the healthcare and engineering teams in Charlotte, North Carolina, served to amplify the firm’s core strengths while broadening our foot- print and market reach. Our marketing and communica- tions and IT team have helped us to strengthen our brand, content, and messaging as well. As my friend Chester says: “This is just the beginning!” TZL: What are your key strengths? What do you feel the key strengths are for an effective leader? AQ: Truly listening and treating everyone equally and in a forthright manner serves to create a platform of mutu- al trust and respect. We also work hard to discern the little stuff from the big stuff – and not sweat the little stuff. TZL: How would you describe your leadership style? AQ: Listening and empowering others along with a low-ego approach reflects my core values and aim towards success- ful team building. TZL: To date, as CEO, what has been your greatest chal- lenge and how did you deal with it? AQ: When we first emerged on the national scene – leverag- ing and “cross-pollinating” our experience from respective geographic areas of the country was our greatest challenge. Our core values in client service and engagement ensured that we “always left a friend behind.” We cherish our incred- ible client base that has propelled us to earn the experience, resources, and talented staff that comprise our multidisci- plinary firm. TZL: What is your vision for the future of KSQ? AQ: To continue to emerge as the national, design thought leaders in the sectors that KSQ focuses on. TZL: Tell me about a recent project you’re especially proud of and why. AQ: Stony Brook University – West Side Dining. Collaborat- ing closely with SBU leadership, we were able to convert a ‘50s era “Brutalist” cafeteria building into a national level, retail collegiate dining center. The resultant glass “lantern” is the façade of the building and has become a beacon of res- idence life on the west side of campus. TZL: How have you helped your firm to outperform some competitors? What do you feel sets you apart? AQ: Our firm’s mission – the transformative power of com- munity – refers to the partnership we undertake with each client. Our methods in connection with client service and design excellence are the tools we use to help our clients make inspiring spaces that their stakeholders call home. We set out to connect our work directly to our client’s mission imperatives and provide added value. Q&A, from page 3

TZL: Is there any news you care to share about KSQ proj- ects or anything else? AQ: Last year we stepped back to re-examine our work – why we do what we do – and found our ability to bring peo- ple together is why design matters. Besides architecture, our firm includes interior design, planning, and engineer- ing. Design is what ties us all together. This process led to our rebrand and the firm becoming KSQ Design (instead of KSQ Architects and KSQ/Peterson). Led by Tom Hier (president of Biddison Hier), and Monica Roberts (KSQ Design senior associate), our firm is complet- ing a national collegiate research project called, “The Resi- dential Campus of 2025.” We are blending our own lessons learned with the most current successes and challenges gained from leading national universities. We will develop a brief to be published in 2017. We have exciting projects in each market sector right now, including a $137.5 million bond project at Kingston High School, the continued development of Worth Hills Village at TCU, the largest multifamily residential project underway in Ridgewood, Queens, and an interesting project that com- bines healthcare and higher education at Western Carolina University. TZL: Are you married? Do have you children? Pets? AQ: Maryellen and I have one canine son, Hunter, and three human sons: Dylan, Ian, and Connor. We love them all equally (well, mostly). TZL: What’s one thing most people at the firm don’t know about you? AQ: I love to cook. TZL: What’s a favorite vacation spot? AQ: Tuscany! TZL: What’s the last book you read? AQ: Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving. TZL: What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? AQ: Star Wars: The Force Awakens . TZL: What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever gotten? AQ: It was from my dad: “Measure twice and cut once.” TZL: Who is a leader who you admire? Why? AQ: Frank Lloyd Wright. He was a master planner and ar- chitectural designer who permitted nature to inspire him and his work. TZL: When you’re not working, what types of activities do you enjoy? AQ: Hikes with Hunter, Maryellen, and the boys. I also like

to paddle-board, ski, read, and cook. TZL: Do you have a favorite lunch? AQ: Sushi.

THE ZWEIG LETTER June 27, 2016, ISSUE 1158

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