We continue to have incredible team members join our Loveland Coworking Community. Today we would like to introduce you to two of our fierce females, Lori and Hayley with GreenbergFarrow. Greenberg is a full-service development, architectural, and engineering company working for national and international clients!
FIRST UP
Meet Lori
Q: Tell us a little about your career and journey
L: I went to school at CU Boulder and studied architecture, and eventually became an architect in Boston. I was a partner in a national firm and moved to Colorado to open their western office. I stayed in architecture for 24 years then decided I needed a change. I took a job with my favorite client, a Developer. My job was to move a project from its initial site plan concept through the City’s entitlement process, hiring the consultants as needed (architects, engineers, surveyors, etc). Once the project was approved by the City, I then had the construction documents completed and permitted; when permitting, engage the General Contractor, manage the construction and turn the project over to the end user / client. I learned a lot by taking a project from start to finish! During the ’09 downturn, I attended the CO School of Mines to obtain a MIPER, Masters of Political Economy of Resource Development. About 2 years ago I started working with GreenbergFarrow, with whom I used to contract. My position is a Development Manager, managing 25+ projects a year. My team works through entitlements and permitting and once the project moves into construction, I pass it off! Our development team includes about 40 people throughout the US.
Q: Give us your elevator pitch – describe your business in a few words and how you got the name.
L: GreenbergFarrow is a full-service development, architectural and engineering company; working for national and international client. The company is the combination of the two founder’s names. The company got it’s start by working on the initial Home Depot projects back in the 70’s and that’s how the company started.
Q: Have you always wanted to be doing what you are doing now?
L: I always wanted to be an Architect and I did that for 24 years. I didn’t know that what I am doing now was an option and I am very happy that my job exists and I am doing it now!
Q: How did you decide to choose coworking and what is your favorite part about it?
L: I was working out of my house and I was feeling isolated. I needed the separation from my home to my office. I needed to get out of the house! I didn’t want the commitment to a full lease in addition to the maintenance and IT that comes with having a traditional office building.
Q: How did you hear about desk chair workspace?
L: During a drive by to one of my favorite spots, Door 222.
Q : What is your favorite part about desk chair workspace? My favorite thing is all the different members and getting to know them. But really – it’s the wine! Q : If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be?
L: My current answer – Ruth Ginsberg (Supreme Court Justice) because she is a badass feminist! She really pushed for equality.
Q : What do you like to do for fun?
L: I love to ski and hike, and knit. Tonight, I am teaching my second knitting class at my home. (I’ll start another in Feb if you’re interested) When I have the time, I help people re-design their homes, which allows me to keep my brain engaged in architecture!
Q : Besides your own, what is your favorite local business?
L: I love Taste Local for lunch! And Door 222!
Q : Share something exciting with us
Current read is called “Cooked” by Michael Colum and it is about the decline of cooking and the emergence of prepared foods. Very interesting (would not fall into the ‘exciting category!)
Now we would like to introduce you to Hayley.
Meet Hayley
Q : Tell us a little about your career and journey
H: I went to school for Business Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Gonzaga University. After school, I moved to Seattle and worked for Microsoft in recruiting. When I decided I wanted to come back to Colorado, I switched careers and I worked for a nonprofit, Group Cares, as a project manager. After about two years with Group Cares, I was recruited into this position by Lori, who happens to be my mom’s best friend and a longtime family friend of ours. I had no idea this job existed but am glad it does! It’s been in incredible new endeavor thus far!
Q : Give us your elevator pitch – describe your business.
H: Lori and I work in development, we help large corporate companies obtain entitlements and permits for new commercial construction and tenant improvement projects across the US. We are managed out of Irvine, California, but GreenbergFarrow has offices all across the US … we just so happen to have the smallest office right here in Colorado!
Q : Have you always wanted to be doing what you are doing now?
H: I went to school to be a wedding planner and did wedding planning throughout college and into my time in Seattle. I helped with a couple weddings when I moved back to Colorado but stopped when I switched careers (project management) as I was able to keep the detailed oriented mindset just like I had when I was planning weddings.
Q : How did you decide to choose coworking and what is your favorite part about it?
H: I love co-working! I love the atmosphere and being around so many driven individuals!
Q : How did you hear about desk chair workspace?
H: My boss!
Q : What is your favorite part about desk chair workspace?
H: There are so many things I like about it, I am a people person and I really like that there are a lot of people around. Everyone has something unique to share! I love the gym in the basement, I just love it! I love the rooftop bar, I love the coffee and the beer! I also love the desk chair team, you all are awesome!
Q : If you could have a drink with anyone, who would it be?
H: Josh Abbott Band – I am totally obsessed with them right now and if I could have a private concert that, that would be awesome.
Q : What do you like to do for fun?
H: I am a very social person, so I spend a lot of time with people, whether that is friends or family. My parents live on Lake Loveland, so I like to boat as much as I can. I also enjoy frequenting the local breweries.
Q : Besides your own, what is your favorite local business?
H: Verboten Brewery, but I love them all.
Q : Share something exciting with us
I’m a big Gonzaga college basketball fan. Stop by to talk basketball anytime!