KTGY, an award-winning national design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments, and urban design, today announces its Board of Directors has elevated five leaders within the firm.
The firm is proud to announce the elevation of five key executives, continuing the firm’s commitment to generation-to-generation leadership. Each will play a role in advancing the firm’s vision and long-term success.
Brad Golba, Principal: Based in Irvine, Calif., Brad has been promoted to principal and has accepted a role as shareholder as of March 2026. His specialty lies in finding innovative design and code-compliant solutions for his clients and the single family and multifamily developments his team designs.
Joe Hesselbach, Chief Financial Officer: Joe, based in Irvine, Calif., leads and advises the firm on all financial matters, and as of March 2026, has accepted a role as shareholder. Leveraging financial and operational data, Joe drives financially smart decision-making, while furthering KTGY’s strategic, business and growth initiatives.
Melissa Jaro, Executive Director, Human Resources: Based in Irvine, Calif., Melissa has been with the firm for five years. Her role is now being expanded to include ownership-level corporate decision-making, along with a voice on key decisions traditionally reserved for shareholders of the firm. In this expanded role, she will participate in shareholder discussions, helping shape key strategic initiatives that guide the future of the firm.
Sam Luckino, Principal: Based in Chicago, Ill., Sam has accepted a role as shareholder as of March 2026. With more than two decades of experience shaping the built environment across the globe, Sam brings high caliber design and management practices to each new mixed-use, multifamily and hospitality development.
Zac Miles, Principal: Promoted to principal in 2025, Zac leads KTGY’s high-density production team in Oakland, Calif., and as of March 2026, has accepted a role as shareholder. His leadership experience and attention to detail delivers high-quality multifamily residential housing, in one of the country’s most challenging development environments, to create neighborhoods of enduring value.
KTGY’s diverse service offerings and local expertise, combined with its commitment to generation-to-generation leadership, continue to propel the firm’s growth. In 2025, the highly ranked firm was named #35 on Architectural Record’s Top 300 Architectural Firms and #30 on Interior Design’s Rising Giants list. KTGY has 400+ employees across seven offices in Chicago, Ill.; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Irvine, Calif.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Oakland, Calif.; and Washington, D.C.
About KTGY
Design lives at KTGY. Founded in 1991, KTGY is an award-winning firm of architects, designers and planners that realize new possibilities through inspired design. Everything we do, from architecture and interior design to branded environments and urban design is based on a people-centric storytelling and design process that creates memorable experiences nationwide. Guided by our mission to bring innovative design to all people and places, we partner with our clients to envision spaces that make a positive impact on people and their communities. Visit www.ktgy.com.
