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ON THE MOVE ANKROM MOISAN WELCOMES GARY GOLLA AS HOSPITALITY STUDIO CO- LEADER AND PRINCIPAL Ankrom Moisan, a leading architecture, interior design, brand, and planning firm, is excited to announce the appointment of Gary Golla as Hospitality Studio Co- Leader and Principal. With over 31 years of architectural experience and a deep- rooted passion for hospitality design, Golla will play a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s hospitality architecture practice, fostering client relationships, and driving business development across target markets. “Gary’s leadership, creativity, and deep understanding of both the design and business sides of the industry make him an incredible asset to our firm,” said Dave Heater, president of Ankrom Moisan. “His experience across a broad spectrum of hotel projects and his ability to cultivate strong partnerships with developers will be key as we continue to expand our Hospitality Studio.” Throughout his career, Golla has been instrumental in shaping innovative environments, having designed and delivered 18 built hotels encompassing more than 3,000 guest rooms. His extensive portfolio spans a diverse range of project types, from boutique properties and large-scale branded hotels to adaptive reuse projects that
breathe new life into historic buildings. Notably, he crafted the transformation of The Nines in Portland, figuring out how to convert a historic 14-story department store into a luxury hotel. This showcased his ability to seamlessly integrate architecture, history, and community impact. “Hotel design is about more than just creating beautiful spaces – it’s about designing stays that provide a comfortable and engaging home base while enriching a guest’s sense of place and discovery,” said Golla. “Ankrom Moisan’s reputation for thoughtful, high- quality design across multiple disciplines aligns perfectly with my approach to hospitality architecture. I’m excited to collaborate with our teams and clients to create spaces that guests remember and return to.” Golla’s expertise extends beyond design; his background includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from Portland State University. With a strong foundation in both architecture and real estate development, Golla approaches projects from a creative and financial perspective. His ability to balance design aspirations with market feasibility enables him to collaborate effectively with owners,
developers, and brand partners, ensuring that each project meets the functional, financial, and experiential goals of all stakeholders. Prior to joining Ankrom Moisan, Golla spent 20 years at SERA Architects, where he was one of the leaders of the firm’s hospitality studio, growing it from a single project into a robust portfolio of high-profile developments. He also served as a key voice in sustainability within the hospitality sector, speaking at national conferences on the intersection of green design and operations. Golla’s appointment reinforces Ankrom Moisan’s commitment to delivering forward-thinking hospitality solutions that enrich communities, respect local culture, and drive long-term value for owners and guests alike. He will be based in the firm’s Portland office, working closely with teams across Ankrom Moisan’s Seattle and San Francisco locations. Ankrom Moisan collaborates across architecture, interior design, urban planning, and brand identity for eleven industry sectors. We’re based in Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco and work across the entire West Coast and beyond. Every day, our architects and interior designers help our clients and their communities thrive.
“As a part of the strategic planning process that AEC firms go through, after days or weeks of wordsmithing their mission and vision, many then feel obligated to articulate their ‘company values’ ... I have always been very critical of the values statements companies in our industry develop and post on the wall in their lunchrooms and conference rooms.”
MARK ZWEIG, from page 5
I am certain I have seen each of these and more in the values statements of firms in this business. Maybe it’s time for those of you who are captains of your ship to take a serious look at this stuff in your strategic plan and instead of fluff, focus on coming up with some substantive actions that will actually prepare you for what could be rough seas ahead. If you need our help with this process we are here to do it. In any case, with or without us, rethinking some of this stuff may help develop more confidence in your people for your leadership abilities if you do! Mark Zweig is Zweig Group’s chairman and founder. Contact him at mzweig@zweiggroup.com.
STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSULTING Zweig Group’s strategic planning consultants deliver a customized, unique, and differentiated experience utilizing our expertise to follow successful and proven structures that allow you to meet your goals while respecting your firm’s specific culture, history, and values. We deliver a real plan, with real goals, real action items, and real accountability. Click here to learn more!
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THE ZWEIG LETTER APRIL 28, 2025, ISSUE 1583
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