KTGY, an award-winning national design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments, and urban design, today announces its Board of Directors has named William Bate as the firm’s new Chief Executive Officer. Bate will succeed longtime CEO Trica Esser, who has been with KTGY since the firm’s founding in 1991 and served as CEO since 2006. Esser will remain at KTGY, serving as a strategic partner and advisor to Bate to ensure continuity, stability, and a smooth handoff. Esser will also retain her role on the Board of Directors.
“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,” said Jill Williams, chairman of the board. “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.”
Bate brings a people-first mindset along with a track record of building strong teams and mentoring the next generation of leaders. His leadership approach embodies KTGY’s core values of design, collaboration, care and partnership. Bate joins KTGY from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he served as Managing Director and Partner and led the North America Real Estate and Cities practice. He brings deep expertise in strategy, operations, digital transformation, and M&A, along with a proven record of driving large-scale growth across the real estate and services sectors. Bate will be based in the firm’s East Coast office, which originally opened in 2010 and relocated to the heart of Washington, D.C., in 2024.
“I’m honored to join KTGY at such an exciting moment in its journey,” said William Bate, CEO. “This is a firm with a strong legacy and a clear sense of purpose. I look forward to working alongside the team here to shape what’s next and deliver meaningful impact for our clients and communities.”
To ensure a smooth transition, Esser will serve as Advisor to the CEO and maintain her position as a shareholder and member of the Board of Directors. Having successfully served the firm for more than three decades, Esser grew KTGY from a single office in Irvine to a national presence with seven offices across the country.
“I’m so grateful for the last 35 years at KTGY, and look forward to acting as a strategic partner and advisor to Will as he takes on the role of CEO at KTGY,” said Tricia Esser. “We’re confident that he brings the talent, vision and heart needed to guide KTGY into a new era of growth and long‑term success.”
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.
