JERDE announced today a series of changes to its executive leadership. Paul Martinkovic has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. He will assume day-to-day leadership of the company and manage all business affairs of the firm. He joined the firm in 1990 and previously served as Chief Financial Officer and was also responsible for JERDE's global business development and marketing. John Simones has transitioned from his position as Chief Executive Officer and was named Chairman of JERDE's Board of Directors. He will retain his position as Design Director, overseeing all of JERDE's designs and architectural planning worldwide. 

"Paul has a long history helping to grow our firm, from opening foreign offices to improving our financial performance. His nearly 30 years of service to JERDE has been of great value and naming him CEO makes perfect sense," said Simones. "As I transition to focus my time on doing what I love—design—I know the day to day operations of our firm is in extraordinarily good hands. Paul has the complete confidence of our shareholders and Board of Directors to continue to drive the growth of JERDE."

Recently, Martinkovic joined a 10-day trade mission from Los Angeles to Asia led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. The delegation of business leaders and city officials traveled to Tokyo, Seoul, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hong Kong for a series of meetings with government officials and business leaders aimed at strengthening relationships and boosting investment and tourism in Los Angeles.  

"It's a privilege to move into the CEO role, which will allow me to work even more closely with our clients and our incredible team of professionals. JERDE has created iconic places around the world—visited by 1 billon people annually. I am looking forward building on that, through strategic efforts to enter new markets and expand our U.S. footprint," said Martinkovic. "Also, this decision frees John up to devote time to his passion of creating legendary projects and promoting and expanding the JERDE brand in collaboration with our teams around the globe."

JERDE has designed mixed-use and retail destinations throughout the world including such iconic places as Santa Monica Place, Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Mall of America in Minnesota, Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, Pacific City in Huntington Beach as well as Langham Place in Hong Kong, Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, and Kanyon in Istanbul.

Additionally, JERDE announced the appointment of Jon Niiro as Chief Financial Officer, Joe Marando as Chief Information Officer, and Ford Hasegawa as Chief Operating Officer. "As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, these new corporate changes will allow us to re-focus on sustained and strategic growth," said Tammy McKerrow-Poulos, JERDE shareholder and Sr. Vice President/Sr. Design Principal.