An interview between Charles Barrett, Page media coordinator and Kevin Haynes, Page business development, to find out about Page’s growth in the Carolinas region and how Milton Hershey fits into Kevin’s vision.
In the heart of Research Triangle Park (RTP), Kevin Haynes is settled into a corner booth at Jubala coffee shop, his eyes occasionally drifting to the morning buzz in North Hills. With a steaming Americano in hand, Kevin is every bit the approachable, easygoing guy you'd want to sit with and chat about, well, just about anything.
As Page’s new business development director for our Raleigh office, Kevin is excited about weaving our company’s legacy into the fabric of the present. Fueled by his drive to impact how we innovate design, Kevin is looking to harness Page’s recent growth to be the region’s architecture and engineering firm of choice.
His ethos? Undoubtedly, "people." Whether he’s talking about design, his passion for community projects, or what happened last night in a baseball game – a sport he loves and coaches – his genuine energy is palpable. Join us as we dive deeper with Kevin, uncovering his vision for Page in the Carolinas and learning a few fun anecdotes along the way.
CB: Rumor has it that your love of business development has origins in a neighborhood lemonade stand. Any truth to that?
KH: Not exactly, but it is related to food and drink. Born and bred in Hershey, Pennsylvania I have chocolate flowing through my veins. My great-grandfather was Milton Hershey’s plumber, a job that led to the start of a successful Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) business in central Pennsylvania. I started working there when I was 15 – what began as a job sweeping parking lots led to a role in marketing and business development. This experience made me realize I had a passion for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) industry.
Carolina stole my heart when I was accepted into Duke University. After I joined Teach for America in the Old North State, I knew I was here to stay. Next came FMI, a management consulting and investment banking firm that specializes in the built environment. Over 10-plus years, I developed business strategies for more than 500 of the top companies in the industry. A lot of miles and four kids later, I began working full time in RTP. I’m always looking for AEC firms with that special sauce. Page has it. They’re looking to do things differently. Page’s approach to business is something I’ve rarely seen. And I wanted to be part of that in the Carolinas – Raleigh, and in Page’s new offices in Charleston, South Carolina, and Richmond, Virgina.
CB: Speaking of the Carolinas, why Raleigh?
KH: While Raleigh has its own unique charm and identity, I think it's essential to zoom out a bit. The Carolinas offer a rich tapestry of architectural styles, from big cities to small towns, and landscapes from coastal wetlands to mountain ruggedness. I'm familiar with the area and love working with the diverse communities here. When I was a teacher, I taught North Carolina history. Over the past decade, I’ve traveled the state for my three sons’ baseball teams. Raleigh's influence is undeniable; however, I'm keen to embrace the broader essence of the Carolinas region as we chart our path forward with Page.
CB: Can you expand on what makes Page stand out for you?
KH: I knew about Page’s impressive company history, design philosophy, and experience as a top-10 design firm. When you add that to Page’s recent growth, I also knew this was the perfect time to join the team. When you hear, ‘We’re a community of designers,’ not just architects and engineers, and ‘we stand beside our clients,’ instead of behind them, it shows this is a company whose tagline ‘Think what’s possible’ isn’t just for show.
CB: You mentioned design philosophy. What is that?
KH: For me, design philosophy is more about the relationship between the designer and the client as well as those who will live or work in a space. I don’t believe the philosophy can be owned by one person; instead, I think it’s shared. Together, we are creating and telling a story where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. As Milton Hershey said, ‘Determine what you want and why you want it. Once you understand, you can proceed in achieving it.’
CB: That is a unique view. How else do you plan to shake things up at Page?
KH: It’s more about moving forward. The ingredients are here, and now is the time to put them together. We’re excited about the intersection of the company and our community. Meetings are taking place with industry stakeholders, including owners, developers, engineers, and contractors. Collaboration is brewing, and concepts such as design build and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) will continue to evolve across the building segments. Here to stay is a team-based approach to delivering the best solutions.
CB: What are your long-term goals? How do you see Page progressing in the Carolinas in the next 10 years?
KH: In the words of Michael Jordan, ‘The ceiling is the roof.’ I couldn’t resist taking a jab at the school down the street in light blue. Kidding aside, Page is poised for greatness. Already a top 10 design firm with 21 offices across the globe, the company is just getting rolling here. Our portfolio covers nine market sectors, and the firm has the agility and experience to cover a variety of projects. My goal is to connect top talent at Page with our communities that want to achieve greatness. That’s what gets me jazzed.
CB: If you were asked to speak to a graduating class, what advice would you give the next generation?
KH: Have a dream and develop goals to get you there. Don’t be afraid to fail. Everyone knows about Milton Hershey, but how many know that it took several failures before he achieved success? A person’s character is forged during trials. Design is a process that takes many risks and often many failures before identifying an ideal solution. Be yourself, embrace challenges, accept failure, learn from it, and keep going. At Page, we have our own philosophy and ideas on design – the only thing missing is you. Together we can achieve, one story at a time.