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Leadership Team

At the heart of any company is its people.
Keeping that heart healthy is its leaders.

Vision In Action: ESD Leadership

Executive Chairman

Chief Executive Officer

President

Senior Managing Director | Technical Support Services

Senior Managing Director | MEP Engineering

Senior Managing Director | Operations

David Weihing

Senior Managing Director | Structural Engineering

Managing Director | Mission Critical Facilities

Managing Director | Marketing, Brand, and Business Development

Managing Director | Accounting and Finance

Managing Director | Technology

Julie Nagle

Managing Director | Human Resources

Managing Director | Commercial Building Solutions

Julia Gudino

Director of Human Resources

Christy Picker Rothchild

General Counsel

Christy Weed

Director of Marketing

Direction and Perspective: ESD Advisory Board

In addition to board members Executive Chairman Raj Gupta and Chief Executive Officer Zackery House, ESD is advised by a distinguished group of industry professionals:

David Gensler

ESD Advisory Board Member

Duane Jackson

ESD Advisory Board Member

Meredith Mendes

ESD Advisory Board Member

In Honor of Our Founder

Hem Gupta founded ESD in 1967, after working for Perkins+Will and for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. ESD grew quickly. The firm became the largest MEP firm in Chicago within its first 10 years of existence, a position it still holds today. Why were clients so willing to work with Hem and his fledgling firm? “People tell me he was authentic, and it was impossible not to like him,” his son Raj Gupta said. “He was also a good engineer and a good businessman — It’s unusual to find all of these qualities in one person.” Hem Gupta passed away in February 2017 at age 85, 50 years after founding the company that he steered to great success.

See What Happens When We Work Together

Creativity, insight, partnership. Better spaces to work, to live, and to plan for the future. See how our various people come together on these projects as we continue to make history.

Confidential Large Nationwide Technology Client
Services: Automation, MEP/FP Engineering
10-30 South Wacker Drive Lobby Repositioning and Expansion
Services: Eco+Energy, MEP/FP Engineering
Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
Services: Eco+Energy, MEP/FP Engineering
320 South Canal Street
Services: MEP/FP Engineering, Technology

News and Events: A Prism of Possibilities

The various facets of our Services are reflected in the thought leadership, instructional videos, podcasts, and other information offerings we post regularly. Check out the latest.

ESD Win Honors for Innovative Convention Center Project

ESD’s work on the Las Vegas Convention Center continues to win acclaim for its application of innovative design and effective use of energy—this time with an honorable mention for the 2023 ASHRAE Award for Engineering Excellence. (Learn more about ASHRAE Technology Awards.)

Women Describe Career Paths in AEC Industry

Women and minorities often face unique challenges in the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. That is why a group of female professionals recently gathered to share their experiences and insights working in a male-dominated industry. (Learn more about Women in Construction.)

Lardenoit Joins Panel to Discuss Women in Construction

The number of women in the entire U.S. construction workforce came in at just under 11 percent in 2022. While that percentage continues to climb, ESD Workplace Solutions Practice Leader Julie Lardenoit says more can be done to support women in the construction and engineering fields. (Learn more about this event.)

Design for Tomorrow Plan for the Day After

The future isn’t distant: It starts today. Let’s solve problems together. Let’s build solutions.

Let’s Connect. What’s On Your Mind?

Interested in Making a Difference?

Our mission to improve society through the built environment is brought to life through our people. Are you ready to make a difference?

Join Our Team