The board of directors of design firm KTGY has named William Bate as the company’s new CEO and elevated five leaders within the firm. Bate will succeed longtime CEO Tricia 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. She 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, KTGY. “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 joins KTGY from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he served as managing director/partner and led the North America Real Estate and Cities practice. He will be based in the firm’s East Coast office, which originally opened in 2010 and relocated to Washington, DC, in 2024.
“I’m honored to join KTGY at such an exciting moment in its journey,” he said. “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.”
Esser will serve as advisor to the CEO and maintain her position as a shareholder and member of the board. Having served the firm for more than three decades, she 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,” she said. “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.”
In tandem with the new CEO, the company has promoted five executives
- Brad Golba, principal: Based in Irvine, CA, he has been promoted to principal and has accepted a role as shareholder as of March 2026.
- Joe Hesselbach, CFO: Based in Irvine, CA, he leads and advises the firm on all financial matters. As of March, has accepted a role as a shareholder.
- Melissa Jaro, executive director, HR: Based in Irvine, CA, she has been with the firm for five years. Her role is now being expanded to include ownership-level corporate decision-making, as well as a voice in key decisions traditionally reserved for the firm’s shareholders. In this expanded role, she will participate in shareholder discussions, helping shape key strategic initiatives that guide the future of the firm.
- Sam Luckino, principal: Based in Chicago, he has accepted a role as a shareholder as of March.
- Zac Miles, principal: Promoted to principal in 2025, he leads KTGY’s high-density production team in Oakland, CA, and as of March, has accepted a role as shareholder.
