Celebrating 50 Nifty Years & Counting
Part 3 · Innovation & Evolution: Meet The Next Generation of Teska Leadership
Bob Teska, founder of Teska Associates, once said of his management style, “Trust in yourself, trust in your team”. This approach has always been front and center at our firm and is the spirit through which the second generation of leadership came to be after Bob retired. Lee Brown, Mike Hoffman, and Nick Patera have guided Teska for two decades. Their combined creativity and innovation inspired and supported the very people we are pleased to introduce as Teska's next generation of leadership. While Lee, Mike and Nick aren’t going anywhere just yet, the reins are being passed to new members of the leadership team. Scott Goldstein, Jodi Mariano, Michael Blue and Sara Voelz are long-standing members of Teska and excited to continue its interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to planning and design!
"Through their combined creativity and innovation, Lee Brown, Mike Hoffman and Nick Patera fostered and guided Teska for two decades. While they will continue as part of the Teska team, they have also inspired and supported the very people we are pleased to introduce as Teska's next generation of leadership: Scott Goldstein, Jodi Mariano, Sara Voelz, and Michael Blue."
"Today’s challenges require a team built with respectful listeners, expert tacticians and the ability to convert community aspirations into thoughtful planning projects that get built."
- Scott Goldstein, Teska President
Scott Goldstein, FAICP, LEED AP · President
“Bob Teska and Lee Brown have been my greatest mentors. They set the standard for ethics and excellence in planning nationwide,” said Scott Goldstein FAICP LEED AP, newly named President of the firm. Scott acknowledges that today’s challenges require a team built with respectful listeners, expert tacticians and the ability to convert community aspirations into projects that get built. About working with client communities, Goldstein states creative design and thoughtful planning are integral elements of success, "I’ve seen it work time and again... projects that some people thought would never happen move to reality with the right support from a diverse team of talent and deep relationships across the community.” Leadership skills are not new to Goldstein, a former chair of his local plan commission and chair of Urban Land Institute (ULI) Chicago.
Jodi Mariano, PLA · Vice President of Design
Jodi Mariano, PLA, new Vice President of Design leads Teska's design studio, including public places and landscape architecture. Chances are you may have enjoyed a cup of coffee or attended an event at one of the many public spaces designed by the Teska Team; Fountain Square and the new Skate Park in Evanston, Schuyler Avenue in downtown Kankakee, Ainslie Plaza in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago, and the Downtown Wilmette Streetscape. In reflecting on her journey and path to placemaking Mariano shares, “I joined Teska in the early 2000’s and have been fortunate to work with Bob, Lee, Nick and Mike. Twenty + years later, our office is still committed to community, collaboration and creative thinking. How lucky we are to visualize design and watch places come to life -- Bob said it best: Now we’re into the future."
Sara Voelz · Principal Financial Officer
Sara Voelz will continue her role as Principal Financial Officer, leading financial operations of the firm. “It has been a privilege to work with such a talented team, especially seeing how they are able to meld their creative talents with the needs of a business. I think that’s one reason our staff work so well with such a variety of clients – because they understand themselves how small business works.” With offices in Evanston and Plainfield and a team of professionals living and working part-time in all corners of the region, from Northwest Indiana to Chicago to the western and northern suburbs, Team Teska is able to get to know our clients and communities with a familiar lens and grounded perspective.
Michael Blue, FAICP · Vice President of Planning
“I’ve known and worked with those who’ve led Teska for most of my career, and always had great respect for their approach and practice they built”, says Michael Blue, FAICP, new Vice President of Planning. Michael first collaborated with members of Teska’s leadership well before joining the firm during his time in the public sector, as well his long involvement with Illinois and national leadership of the American Planning Associations. "I was excited to join the firm over a decade ago and add my perspective to the mix," states Michael, who recognized the importance Teska placed on integrating team member skills into planning and placemaking. "I’m looking forward to carrying on that tradition and approach with our terrific staff."
"I’ve known and worked with those who’ve led Teska for most of my career, and always had great respect for their approach and practice they built."
- Michael Blue, Vice President of Planning
Meet the Band · The Right People Make All the Difference
If you’ve had a great time sharing ideas at a Teska community engagement event, appreciated how the built and natural environments merge in a Teska land plan, or found just the right development tool to promote public and private investment, odds are you’ve met the work of Erin Cigliano, Danny O’Brian and Pete Iosue. They and the whole Teska team bring their vision, skills, and passion to the work we do. From community outreach and design to landscape architecture to community planning, our interdisciplinary staff furthers the vision Bob set out 50 years ago, providing the heart and soul of everything we do.
