Chicago Creative Office

Ofa joined Amerigo in 2016 as Chief of People and Enterprise, overseeing all aspects of human capital and the evolution of the Amerigo enterprise globally. Prior to Amerigo, Ofa was the Global Head of Resourcing for BP, where she was responsible for recruitment activity across 26 business functions, supporting 17,000 internal clients worldwide. Ofa brings expertise in fulfilling human capital needs at global institutions such as HSBC and Nike and experience across various sectors, including trading, investment banking, healthcare, as well as experience working in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Fiji, and the United States. Ofa is passionate about cultivating a culture of humility, success and spirit at Amerigo. She received a Bachelor of Business from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Sydney.

After years of practice with some of the top national firms, Dan Kraiss now focuses on applying his design expertise and business acumen to making sure that BOX Studios excels in corporate interior design as well as base-building rehabilitation, new construction, health care, hospitality, fitness centers, and high-end retail sectors. As a working Principal, he contributes to the firm’s collaborative philosophy and outward vision. Mr. Kraiss considers stewardship of the environment and preservation of resources a matter of utmost importance and leads BOX Studios’ efforts in this essential area. Mr. Kraiss is especially inspired by the BOX Studios’ growing portfolio of technology and internet based companies. “We have taken these companies, most notably Groupon, from low-budget start-ups through explosive growth periods, to respected publicly traded companies,” says Kraiss. “They challenge us to provide more efficient, unique and progressive designs. To keep up with some of these companies’ phenomenal growth rates, we have to constantly reinvent the way we conceptualize and deliver designs and produce construction documents.” Dan believes in BOX Studios’ drive to use design as a tool to advocate progress toward better working conditions and flexibility to adapt to change. “As the digital transformation continues to spread through various business sectors, BOX Studios will be ready with innovative solutions at the forefront of office design for tech-savvy companies.” Dan Kraiss attended Northern Illinois University, receiving a Bachelor in Fine Arts, Interior Architecture degree. He is a member of the United States Building Green Council (USBC), a registered LEED Accredited Professional, and member of the Chicago Loop Alliance.

John Ryder has been a member of the Kelso-Burnett team since 1999 working as a Vice President, Branch Manager, Division Manager. Kelso-Burnett has been a leader in electrical and communication construction in Northern Illinois since 1908. Our complete capabilities include electrical, voice/data communication, central office, fire alarm, security, sound and audio-visual. John Ryder, a 1991 graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences, came into the electrical industry by becoming a Project Manager with Broadway Electric. At Broadway Electrical, John’s responsibilities included estimating, managing, and closeout documentation for various electrical projects ranging in size from a few thousand to one million dollars. In 1999, John joined Kelso-Burnett Co. as a Division Manager out of the Rolling Meadows branch location. Over the years with Kelso-Burnett, John has focused on the electrical construction of commercial office, institutional, tenant build-out, and design- build projects. His projects have ranged in size from a few thousand dollars to twenty million dollars. John Ryder has personally completed various large-scale projects for companies and organizations such as Allstate Insurance, Charles Shaw Technology & Learning Center, Dominican University, General Services Administration (GSA), Lawrence Hall Youth Services, Union Station, United States Postal Service (USPS), NU Willard Hall, and W.W. Grainger to name a few. In 2017, John was named Executive Vice President & COO of Kelso-Burnett Co and continues serving as the Branch Manager of Rolling Meadows, overseeing the performance of his branch consisting of five Division Managers. John’s branch completed the expansive 2011 Rivers Casino project in Des Plaines, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, Wrigley Field modernization and many projects throughout the Chicago land area. John furthers his education in the electrical industry as a member of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) of Chicago. John also is a supervising electrician for Cook County and held the title of “Contract Manager of the Year” in 2007 for Kelso-Burnett.

Since joining Gensler in 2006, Eric’s leadership and design oversight has transformed workplace environments for an array of clients across the globe, including Wilson Sporting Goods, Northwestern University, Capital One, Procter & Gamble and GE. Eric has worked with his teams to solve some of his clients’ most complex problems through an inclusive and adaptive leadership style. He has extensive experience completing projects for clients in financial firms, professional services, technology and consumer goods industries — bringing a sharp perspective and clear humility that inspires clients and colleagues alike. Eric is a Registered Architect and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Catholic University of America and a Master’s of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

An exceptional communicator, innovator, and visionary leader, Cheryl Durst has spurred progress, driven change, and encouraged the expansion of the Interior Design industry. As the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Cheryl is committed to achieving broad recognition for the value of design and its significant role in society, through both functionality and engagement in every day work spaces and the built environment. Demonstrated by her active involvement in connecting industry professionals, including designers, manufacturers, clients, end- users, and employers, she has worked to promote an understanding of how design impacts human behavior and affects all aspects of shared spaces. In 1997, Cheryl joined IIDA as the Senior Director of Education and Professional Development. Promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer in 1998, she began the task of rebuilding and redefining the organization, which was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy and closure due to tenuous member relationships and organizational mismanagement. Despite these significant challenges, Cheryl implemented an aggressive fiscal redevelopment and turnaround strategy that incorporated a series of presentations, critical member outreach, and transparent communication efforts to earn back stakeholder trust. Through her efforts, she was able to revive the association and reposition it as a profitable enterprise, integral to the interior design community and dedicated to furthering the profession of interior design. Today, with 15,000 members across 58 countries, Cheryl oversees the strategic direction of IIDA, curates and publishes Perspective, the association’s thought-leadership journal, manages a team of 25 professional staff members, leads the 10-member International Board of Directors, and directs all outreach and programmatic efforts, including more than a dozen annual global design awards programs, which recognize worldwide excellence in interior design. Cheryl is closely associated with the organization’s vision and mission and is deeply involved in engaging design industry leaders and the client community on the myriad issues that encompass the intersection of design, business, and strategy. Cheryl’s ability to engage audiences with insight and humor has positioned her as a sought-after keynote speaker, guest lecturer, panelist, and moderator at both domestic and global conferences and seminars. With topics ranging from “The Future of Design” to “The Impact of Culture, Brand, and Place,” her presentations explore the value of design as a social, cultural, and economic force. In addition, she delivered the commencement address at the New York School of Interior Design, receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts for her contributions to the industry, and was the Martin Luther King Guest Lecturer at the School of Architecture, University of Michigan. An enthusiastic and energetic volunteer, Cheryl has participated on numerous boards and committees, including the Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Harrington College of Design, US Green Buildings Council, the Kohl Children’s Museum Women’s Board, and the Literacy Foundation of Chicago. She holds dual bachelor degrees in print journalism and economics from Boston University and is a LEED-accredited Professional (LEED AP). Prior to Cheryl’s tenure at IIDA, she was the Director of Programs and Education with Merchandise Mart Properties in Washington, DC. Cheryl’s industry experience also includes employment with Knoll, American Seating, and Westinghouse Furniture Systems. She is a member of the World Future Society and firmly believes in the connection between place, history, and human behavior, as well as the effect attitude, culture, and design have on shared-space environments. She is the creator and curator of the innovative IIDA series, What Clients Want, which examines the designer/client relationship. In recognition of her contributions to IIDA and the profession of design, Cheryl was awarded Honorary IIDA Fellowship by her International Board of Directors in 2009. In 2015, she was named one of Newcity’s Design 50, an annual list of influencers who promote and present design in Chicago. Cheryl has also been referred to by Interior Design magazine as “an ambassador for innovation and expansion, and a visionary strategist.”

Mr. Pachucki is Founder and Principal of the IBT Group LLC, which focuses on creative urban developments in metropolitan areas. Current projects include 1200 Fulton, a full-block creative office, retail and entertainment complex in the West Fulton Market area of Chicago. Mr. Pachucki is responsible for strategic management of all development activities for IBT Group including pipeline, acquisition, financing, planning, leasing and project execution. He has over 30 years of real estate experience and has been involved in the development of over ten million of square feet of office, residential and retail space throughout the country during his career. Prior to the formation of the IBT Group, Mr. Pachucki started and oversaw retail development in the Midwest for Opus Group of Companies, a family owned real estate company which was one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the country. Prior to OPUS he spent several years with Balcor as Vice president where he was responsible for an extensive national portfolio of 2,000,000 square feet of commercial space and 60,000 residential units. An architect by training, Mr. Pachucki spent several years with at the time the largest architectural firm in Wisconsin, Mochon, Schutte, Hackworthy & Juerisson, where he was involved in various aspects of the design process for institutional and commercial buildings including airports, schools and residential projects. Mr. Pachucki graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and also completed graduate level studies at the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Richard H. Tucker, CEO, formed Tucker in March 1996. Tucker draws on Mr. Tucker’s 39 years of experience in the development, redevelopment, financing, leasing, and management of real estate assets. Utilizing his expertise, Mr. Tucker has developed and/or acquired over ten million square feet valued in excess of $1 billion. Mr. Tucker is a leader in various influential industry associations. His leadership roles include past Co-Chair of the National Open Air Committee; past Director of the Illinois State Committee; and past Chairman of the Illinois governmental Affairs Committee. Mr. Tucker is also an active member of both the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and serves as a frequent panelist at various national real estate conferences and other educational forums.

R2 currently owns and operates more than 1.5 million square feet of real estate, primarily in Chicago and the Midwest, and its principals share deep industry experience, having transacted more than $1 billion in real estate investments on behalf of previous ownership structures in all major asset classes and investment strategies. From 2007 to 2011, R2 principals built and eventually liquidated a highly successful student-housing platform at several major Midwestern universities. Since 2011, the R2 principals have consolidated more than one million square feet of creative office assets in Chicago and the Midwest, building a vertically integrated platform to manage all aspects of the investment process. R2 is a widely experienced developer, having completed multi-family, mixed-use, retail, and office projects, and is currently developing two mixed-use developments on Chicago’s Goose Island that total more than 700,000 rentable square feet. In addition to its core platform, R2 operates several discretionary funds to programmatically pursue its real estate investment strategies.

As a member of Skender’s executive leadership team, Clay plays an integral role in strategic business initiatives, particularly those relating to operational excellence and building customer relationships. He also oversees and collaborates with Skender’s team of interior project executives, who develop and execute the growth strategy for Skender’s award-winning interior construction market. With nearly 20 years of construction experience, Clay has directly managed or overseen millions of square feet of interior tenant improvement work, including many of the most prestigious and pioneering projects in recent Chicago history. His interior construction expertise spans numerous sectors, such as law, technology, financial and professional services, and non-profit. Skender tailors its preconstruction and construction services to every project, proactively addressing each client’s unique needs. With a focus on efficiency, quality and delivering tremendous value, Clay helps direct the production and successful implementation of these client-focused project delivery plans. Clay volunteers with the homeless shelter network BEDS Plus Care and is a long-time coach of

Since 1988, Paul Fishbein has established a distinguished track record in commercial real estate by creating innovative solutions resulting in significant savings for his clients and returns for his investors. He has experienced success as both a commercial real estate broker and developer with over $750 million in transactions and developments to his credit. Paul is a Founding Partner of Merit Partners, a Chicago based firm focused on the re-development of the 1.5 million square foot former Marshall Field campus at 4000 West Diversey. Prior to Merit, Paul spent 16 years as a partner with Centrum Properties and Amerimar Enterprises where he was a partner in charge of the 1.6 million square foot Montgomery Wards campus at 600 West Chicago and 600,000 square foot Lafayette Corp. Center in Boston.