ST. LOUIS – The HFW Companies (HFW), in a move designed to strengthen HFW’s and its Partner Network’s ability to accelerate growth and expansion, has announced several strategic changes within its leadership team.
HFW has created a new C-level position, chief growth officer, that will focus more on collective growth opportunities, including mergers, acquisitions, and business development, according to Michael Hein, AIA, chief executive officer and co-founder of HFW. HFW co-founder Matthew Westphal, PE, SE, who previously held the role of chief operating officer, has transitioned into the chief growth officer position.
At the same time, HFW has elevated Steven Summers, CEng, MIMechE, to the role of chief operating officer. HFW initially hired Summers, a 33-year AE industry veteran in building and running project management operations for several industry giants, to develop HFW’s Project Excellence & Delivery initiative.
“Steve has been recognized internationally for his ability to build and lead high-performing teams that drive high-quality project delivery and client experiences, with predictable and consistent outcomes,” Westphal said at the time of Summers’ hiring.
Summers, in his new role, said he will focus largely on continuing the development and implementation of “consistent, cohesive, and efficient operations leadership” across the HFW Partner Network, as well as instilling best practices in operations and project delivery, along with implementing shared tracking and reporting tools.
“I also plan to enhance our attention on people-focused programs – talent development and recognition, with a greater emphasis on building a collective culture of safety and wellbeing,” Summers said.
Assuming the role of vice president of Project Excellence & Delivery (PE&D) will be Michael Desrochers, PE, PMP, who joined HFW last summer as a director of PE&D. HFW co-founder Daniel Forguson, CVA, CPA, meanwhile, will continue to serve as chief financial officer.
HFW, a professional services company founded in 2020, powers a premier, best-in-class, national network of architecture and engineering companies. HFW amplifies the collective expertise of its network and provides the platform and resources needed to accelerate growth and create greater long-term value for the Partner firms, shareholders, employees, clients, and investors.
HFW’s Partner Network currently includes a portfolio of 10 strategic Partner firms with a combined 700-plus employees and collective annual revenues that place HFW at No. 203 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 ranking of the largest AEC companies in 2025.
“As we continue to position HFW and our Partner Network for future growth, these strategic changes are designed to strengthen the breadth and focus of our leadership,” said Hein. “We look forward to the growth opportunities that certainly will arise for both HFW and our Partner Network as a result of these strategic adjustments.”
For more information about The HFW Companies and its HFW Partner Network, contact Daniel Bates at 412.310.3167 or at daniel.bates@hfwcompanies.com.