Our Team

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Michael Hein, AIA Chief Executive Officer
Michael is a founding partner of HFW and brings 38 years of experience from the AEC industry to the company. As CEO, Michael leads, manages, and is accountable for driving the company’s vision, culture, fostering its big ideas, mapping out the strategic plan, and removing obstacles that threaten to disrupt the company’s success.
He is enthusiastic about problem solving! His approach begins with questioning why a problem requires a solution? This is a “go and see” tactic that does not happen in the board room, but out on the floor where the real action takes place. Once the problem is understood, the next question asks what is the desired outcome? These two empowering questions help address issues leading to successful outcomes.
Michael stays focused on delivering results through operational excellence, promoting leadership development, and engaging in client relationships. Michael has experience in talent acquisition and management, project management, risk mitigation and control and accountability. Michael also has an entrepreneurial mindset with past firm Ownership.
Michael obtained his Bachelor of Science in Geography with an emphasis in cartography and economic development from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from The City College of New York (CCNY) and a Master of Urban Planning/Architecture from The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY).
“There is a certain time when every problem is large enough to be seen and small enough to be solved. That is the precise time to take action!” Michael Hein, CEO, The HFW Companies
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Matthew Westphal, PE, SE Chief Growth Officer
Matthew, a co-founder of HFW, is the firm’s chief growth officer, with more than 25 years of experience leading national, multi-office firms. He brings a disciplined approach to project delivery, exceeding client expectations, structuring firms to maximize production, and preparing for ambitious growth.
He also has past firm ownership experience and an entrepreneurial focus. Matthew has led firms of 150-plus employees and managed a project portfolio of more than $400 million in construction costs, with individual projects exceeding $300 million in costs, and participated on project teams for projects exceeding $800 million in costs.
Matthew obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, with an emphasis on structures, from the University of Illinois. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
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Daniel Forguson, CVA, CPA Chief Financial Officer
Daniel is a founding partner and serves as Chief Financial Officer, working closely with the corporate development M&A team in evaluating and acquiring member firms, and ongoing portfolio optimization. Daniel also oversees the firm’s financial planning & analysis, accounting and project controls functions. Daniel has 15 years of leadership experience in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. Prior to joining HFW, Daniel served as Chief Financial Officer and Regional Project Controls Director for national AE firms. Daniel ensures exceptional financial performance instituting a culture of decision making based on forward looking metrics and forecasting, strict operational and project controls and hands-on project knowledge.
Daniel received a B.S. in Finance from Southern Illinois University, an MBA from Lindenwood University and a Masters of Accountancy from DePaul University. He is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the Construction Financial Management Association.
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Steven Summers, CEng, MIMechE Chief Operating Officer
Steven Summers, based in St. Louis, is HFW’s chief operating officer, with more than three decades of experience in the architectural and engineering (AE) industry. As an expert in project execution, management, and delivery, Steven has overseen major projects in the transportation, buildings, water & wastewater, and energy sectors around the globe.
His career is defined by his ability to develop and implement effective project management processes, systems, and teams that consistently deliver results. With his previous leadership roles at Jacobs, WSP, and TruGrid, Steve has a proven track record of driving performance, enhancing operational excellence, and ensuring quality outcomes for private, public, and federal clients.
Steven, in his role at HFW, oversees the firm’s overarching operations platform, which is designed to support the expanding HFW Partner Network and Partner firms in fostering accelerated growth across the network.
Outside of work, he enjoys classic rock, boating, woodworking, and motocross, while also supporting ocean preservation and plastic waste reduction initiatives.
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Michelle Huber, MBA Senior Vice President of Finance
Michelle is senior vice president of Finance at The HFW Companies and has been with the firm since shortly after it launched in 2020.
Michelle, in her role, has combined her years of AE industry and public accounting experience to oversee the accounting operations of HFW and its network firms. She uses both analytical and strategic approaches to provide essential data to other HFW leaders to assist with decision-making processes.
Michelle’s past experience includes successfully leading multi-entity finance teams, and she has established accounting best practices for multiple organizations. In her previous roles, she maintained complete oversight of accounting and budgeting for AE industry firms.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Later, she attained a Master of Business Administration degree from McKendree University.
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Susanne ‘Charli’ Buchberger Senior Vice President of Organic Growth
Susanne “Charli” Buchberger, as senior vice president of organic growth at HFW, leads enterprise-wide growth initiatives focused on strengthening collaboration across HFW’s network of architecture and engineering firms and accelerating sustainable, firm-led growth.
 
With more than 25 years of experience rooted in consulting and professional services, Charli brings a strategic, disciplined approach to growth leadership centered on long-term value creation, repeatable revenue expansion, and measurable performance outcomes across markets and disciplines. A civil and environmental engineer by training and a growth strategist by practice, Charli has spent the majority of her career advising senior leadership teams on organizational growth, market expansion, and performance improvement.
 
Prior to joining HFW, she served as strategist and director of business development at SmithGroup, an integrated national design firm, where she partnered closely with enterprise and regional leaders to shape growth strategy, align markets and disciplines, unlock cross-market opportunities, and significantly strengthen pursuit performance nationwide. Her work drove tangible organic growth by improving market focus, increasing win rates, deepening key client relationships, and enabling teams to pursue larger, more complex and multi-disciplinary projects.
 
Earlier in her career, Charli mostly held senior leadership roles at global business and financial consulting firms including Arthur Andersen, Marsh McLennan, and Deloitte. In those roles, she advised Fortune 500 and middle-market clients on environmental risk management, strategic planning, sustainability, and complex transaction-related challenges.
 
Charli earned a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, graduating cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and an Associate of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, graduating magna cum laude. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, graduating cum laude. She is based in Chicago.
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Scott Williams, PE Vice President of Operations
Scott Williams, P.E., HFW’s vice president of operations, supports the growth of the firm’s expanding portfolio of strategic partners, developing both shared economies of scale and synergies between HFW Partner firms that will allow them to leverage their expertise across a national AEC footprint built by HFW.
Scott brings to HFW an extensive operational understanding of infrastructure design guided by executable strategic vision and flexible, adaptive business structure. His goal: to help the leaders of HFW Partner firms align their operational visions with one another, identify synergistic growth opportunities and strategies, and then develop shared resources, including expertise, to achieve their visions.
He joined HFW from CRANSTON, an engineering, landscape architecture, surveying, and planning firm based in Augusta, Ga., that became an HFW Partner firm in June 2022. Since 2019, Scott served as president and CEO of CRANSTON, where he drove an aggressive growth strategy that resulted in record net revenue and culminated in the HFW partnership.
A graduate of the University of Georgia in 2002 with a BS in Biological Engineering, Scott dedicated a majority of his more than 20 years at the firm to successfully managing a diversity of civil engineering teams and projects, from municipal complexes, judicial centers, public transit facilities, and major land developments, to stormwater management, roadway infrastructure, dams and levees, and water and wastewater systems.
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Mike Desrochers, PE, PMP Vice President of Project Excellence & Delivery
Mike Desrochers, vice president of Project Excellence & Delivery for HFW, leads the development of a best-in-class project management initiative that includes standardized project controls, innovative project delivery processes, quality assurance, professional development for project managers, and an elevated client experience.
Mike, who joined HFW in the summer of 2025, brings with him more than three decades of architectural and engineering (AE) industry experience, most recently with similar leadership roles at TruGrid and Jacobs.
Throughout his career, Mike has led effective teams that have shown consistent, positive results in projects and programs in aviation, highway and bridge, transit, rail, buildings, land development, water, wastewater, and green energy.
He has project delivery experience in traditional design-bid-build (DBB), design-build (DB), and engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) methods.
Mike, a U.S. Army Veteran, is a graduate of Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys traveling with his wife to visit their adult children, as well as wood turning and managing his beehives.
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Kimberly “KP” Perryman, SPHR Vice President of Human Resources
Kimberly “KP” Perryman is vice president of human resources at The HFW Companies and brings more than 15 years of experience in talent acquisition and human resources to the role. KP is a dedicated executive with a passion for fostering growth, building strong teams, and creating positive workplace cultures. She excels in fast-paced, rapidly changing environments where she takes a data-driven approach and prioritizes efficiency.
As the VP of HR, KP leads strategic initiatives that empower employees and drive organizational success. Her expertise lies in scaling companies through the development of robust human resources and recruiting functions, supported by high-performing teams. She is committed to enhancing culture, establishing workforce skills development programs, attracting top talent, and designing efficient processes.
With a keen eye for strategy and a talent for project management, KP has achieved significant success over the years while always prioritizing a people-first approach. She thrives on challenges and is dedicated to creating environments where both employees and organizations can flourish.
KP earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance & Accounting from American Intercontinental University before going on to achieve her Master’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on management. She also holds active SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resources) and CMC (Certified Master Coach) certifications.
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Brenda Jimenez Vice President of Project Controls
Brenda Jimenez is a seasoned business operations thought leader with extensive experience driving growth and profitability through actionable financial analysis and strategic business insights. As the vice president of Project Controls at The HFW Companies, she leads the project controls functions across the organization and its network firms, ensuring robust performance through financial monitoring, reporting, and analysis.
Before joining HFW, Brenda made significant contributions at a global architecture and engineering firm, where she served as a senior project controls manager. There, she developed and implemented financial tools that enhanced visibility into project activities, improved cost performance, and enabled more accurate forecasting for multi-million-dollar projects.
Brenda consistently elevates organizational performance, delivering exceptional results with a strong focus on planning, forecasting, and process improvement. She has transformed operations with her visionary leadership, fostering commitment and accountability within teams and empowering leadership to excel through data-driven decision-making.
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Jerry Kut, Ph.D. Director of Quality
Jerry Kut, director of quality for The HFW Companies, leads in the development and execution of HFW’s quality management system across its national network of partner firms, focusing on meeting client requirements and promoting continual improvement.
Jerry, based in St. Louis, joined the firm in the summer of 2025, bringing with him 20 years of experience in leading quality management systems that support project execution, management, and delivery.
Before joining HFW, Jerry made significant contributions at WSP and TruGrid, where he likewise served as the director of quality.  There, he developed and implemented a robust quality management system that enhanced the project management process, systems, and methodologies that consistently delivered strong results.
Jerry earned a Doctor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Benedictine College.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his kids and family traveling, bike riding, playing pickleball, and supporting a local waste clean-up initiative by “adopting” a street near his home.
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Andrew Hager, PE, LEED-AP Director of Operations
 
Andrew Hager, a director of operations for The HFW Companies, works with HFW’s operations team to ensure that the company and its HFW Partner firms run efficiently and effectively. As part of his role, Andrew works with the company and growing national network of partner firms to improve efficiencies and reduce costs while also helping them set strategic goals, bolster education and training, planning and monitoring day-to-day operations, and fostering greater collaboration among partner firms.
Andrew, based in St. Louis, joined HFW in December 2024 with 28 years of experience in the architecture and engineering industry. His most recent professional roles include director of operations, department manager, engineering group leader, and discipline leader, among other related AE leadership positions.
A graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Andrew holds professional engineering licenses in Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. He also is a certified LEED-AP.
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Daniel Bates, MPPM Director of Communications
As director of communications for The HFW Companies, Daniel Bates serves as the company’s brand champion, chief communications strategist, and content writer and editor, overseeing internal and external communications, publications, media relations, social media, and its Web presence.
Dan, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., who now is based in Augusta, Ga., also provides communications leadership and guidance to HFW’s growing HFW Partner Network, supporting their communications strategies, media relations, corporate narratives, and Web content development and helping them all stay connected.
Previously, Dan served as strategic relations lead for Augusta-based CRANSTON, a civil/structural engineering, landscape architecture, land surveying, and planning firm serving South Carolina and Georgia since 1967. There, he oversaw the firm’s branding efforts, marketing communications, and outreach. CRANSTON joined the HFW Partner Network in 2022.
A former business writer and editor, Dan has spent much of his career providing corporate communications, brand management, content strategy and development, program development, media relations, and strategic planning across a diversity of industries, including the AEC industry, higher education, health care, technology, financial services, nonprofits, and publishing.
He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing/Journalism. He later earned a Master of Public Policy and Management degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
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David Clark Director of Information Technology
As director of information technology (IT) for The HFW Companies, David Clark serves on the firm’s operations team, providing IT leadership and guidance to HFW and its growing network of HFW Partner firms.
David, a U.S. Army veteran, joined HFW from CRANSTON, a civil and structural engineering, landscape architecture, and land surveying firm based in Augusta, Ga., where he served as the technology and facilities lead for five years. CRANSTON joined the HFW Partner Network in 2022. David has been providing IT guidance and support to HFW since that partnership began.
Based in Augusta, David previously had served in network/systems administration, corporate management, and help-desk services in the military, as well as in the finance, manufacturing, education, health care and AEC industries. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Networking at Augusta Tech and his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management at the University of Phoenix.
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Jason Donker Director of Corporate Development
As director of corporate development, Jason Donker helps to lead and implement The HFW Companies’ merger-and-acquisition (M&A) initiatives and provide acquisition deal support in expanding HFW’s portfolio of AE Partner Firms across a national footprint.
 
Jason, as part of his role, also supports the development of strategic growth partnership plans, the creation and negotiation of deal terms, and the development of a strong deal flow pipeline across a national footprint. He is based in Tampa, Fla. Jason works with HFW’s M&A team and other stakeholders to close those transactions.
He previously served as finance manager at Tampa-based Cascade Residential Services, a $100 million-plus-revenue company with 500 employees. Other experience includes corporate financial planning and analysis, managing deal transactions, managing deal portfolios, and mediating conflicts and negotiations between buyers and sellers.
Jason earned a Master of Science degree in Finance from Florida State University and, later, a Master of Science degree from the University of South Florida in Exercise Science. He also completed Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Real Estate, both at Florida State University.
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Lance Cheely, PLA, MBA, LEED AP Director of Projects, Southeast Region
Lance Cheely brings a practical, delivery-focused approach to his role as The HFW Companies’ director of projects for the Southeast region, grounded in 17 years of professional experience across planning, design, and project leadership.
His work is driven by a clear belief that strong project outcomes come from equipping project managers with the tools, systems, and support they need to lead confidently and deliver at the highest level.
Earlier in his career, Lance spent 5 years running his own landscape architecture practice, giving him firsthand insight into the realities of business operations, client relationships, and delivery accountability. He later joined CRANSTON, which became an HFW company in 2022. There, he served in multiple leadership capacities, including 5 years as director of landscape architecture and 2 years as its manager of projects.
During his tenure there, Lance was a key contributor to CRANSTON’s leadership team for 3years and played an active role on the firm’s Unanet A/E (ERP) and Unanet CRM implementation teams, helping align project delivery with scalable, firm-wide systems.
Lance’s leadership philosophy centers on people—developing project managers, fostering clarity in roles and expectations, and building teams that are both technically excellent and resilient under real-world pressures. He is known for bridging strategy and execution, translating high-level goals into practical processes that support consistent, high-quality delivery across disciplines and offices.
Lance holds a Master of Business Administration degree and brings a thoughtful, business-minded perspective to project management, with a focus on delivery certainty, accountability, and long-term organizational health.
In his firm-wide role at HFW, Lance works closely with leadership and project teams to strengthen project delivery practices, mentor emerging leaders, and support the firm’s continued growth.
Outside of work, Lance is a husband of 15 years and a proud father of four, a role that continues to shape his values around leadership, service, and stewardship, both professionally and personally.
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Hortencia Williamson Lead Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Hortencia Williamson is an experienced talent recruiter and strategist on both a national and international scale, as well as across a diversity of industries, where she has built entirely new departments from the ground up, including executive leadership.
Hortencia’s previous experience includes spearheading the recruitment strategy of companies and managing end-to-end processes, from sourcing top-tier talent to onboarding. Her achievements include building and implementing a custom Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that streamlined recruitment and improved the candidate experience. That initiative resulted in the successful hiring of more than 70 employees in 2 years.
Hortencia excels in partnering with hiring managers to align hiring needs with team objectives, ensuring a seamless and effective recruitment process.
Hortencia holds an HR Generalist Certification and HR Business Partner Certification from AIHR, equipping her with the tools and knowledge to navigate complex HR tasks to add value to the business. Bilingual and adept in data-driven decision-making, Hortencia combines strong sourcing abilities with technical knowledge, communication skills, and a strategic mindset to drive high-performing teams and support individual career growth.
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Shreena Fulani Senior Business Intelligence Analyst
Shreena Fulani, a senior business intelligence analyst with The HFW Companies, supports the financial planning and analysis functions for both HFW and HFW Partner firms. As a part of her role, Shreena works to improve project financials and operational efficiencies. 
Her passion, she says, is in data storytelling, data strategy, and bringing actionable reporting with visualizations to HFW.
Based near Kansas City, Mo., Shreena is a strategy-focused professional with more than a decade of experience in developing insightful reports to drive business decisions, collaborating with cross functional teams, and implementing process improvements.
 Shreena is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking.
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