Power of Two: Hoefer Welker Restructures for Aggressive National Growth

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – April 23, 2026 – As it approaches its 30th anniversary, national design firm Hoefer Welker is making a bold strategic pivot, restructuring its top leadership to fuel its next era of expansion. The firm announced that John Castorina has been elevated to co-CEO, joining Rob Welker at the helm. Simultaneously, founder Mitch Hoefer is transitioning to the newly created role of Executive Chairman, a move designed to secure the firm’s long-term vision while the new leadership team executes an ambitious growth strategy.

This leadership shuffle is more than a change in titles; it represents a deliberate adoption of an unconventional management structure aimed at navigating the complexities of a rapidly growing national presence, which now includes a recent expansion into the competitive Orlando market.

A New Playbook: The Co-CEO Leadership Model

Hoefer Welker is embracing what it calls an “uncommon leadership model,” designed to foster mutual challenge and incorporate diverse perspectives at the highest level. While shared CEO roles have historically been rare, recent studies suggest they are gaining traction and can yield significant benefits. A 2022 Harvard Business Review analysis found that companies with co-CEOs outperformed their sole-CEO counterparts, delivering higher annual shareholder returns over time. The success of such a structure hinges on trust, clearly defined roles, and complementary skill sets—principles Hoefer Welker is putting at the core of its new dynamic.

The partnership between Welker and Castorina is built on this foundation. Rob Welker, who has served as co-CEO alongside Mitch Hoefer for over a year in preparation for this transition, is known for his strength in building relationships and acting as a trusted advisor to clients. John Castorina brings a design-focused, strategic, and analytical mindset, with a reputation for pushing creative boundaries and solving complex problems.

“The strategic decision to appoint John to co-CEO of Hoefer Welker stemmed from his unwavering commitment to the firm’s success; values of trust, discernment, creativity and empathy; and his collaborative approach,” Rob Welker stated. This combination of relational and analytical leadership is intended to create a balanced, resilient executive office capable of managing both internal culture and external growth simultaneously.

The Dallas Blueprint for National Success

The confidence in this new structure is backed by John Castorina's proven track record. Since joining the firm in 2015 as the managing partner of the Dallas office, Castorina has been the architect of significant regional growth. Under his leadership, the Dallas/Fort Worth presence has expanded to more than 60 employees and become an integral engine for the company.

His tenure has been marked by a series of high-profile project wins that have elevated the firm’s profile in Texas and beyond. Most notably, Hoefer Welker was recently selected as the lead designer for the monumental $400 million redevelopment of the Bank of America Plaza, Dallas's tallest skyscraper. This project, along with significant work for clients like UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Christian University, demonstrates a capacity for delivering complex, transformative projects.

Castorina's success in Dallas serves as a blueprint for the firm's national ambitions. His elevation to co-CEO is a clear signal that the firm intends to replicate the strategies that fueled its Texas expansion on a national scale.

“After years of being the managing partner of our Dallas office, I am honored to now join Rob in building off of the success he and Mitch established,” Castorina said. “I look forward to co-leading our firm, elevating our current standing and challenging and preparing our team for growth both fundamentally and figuratively.”

Charting a Course for Expansion

The leadership transition is a direct response to Hoefer Welker’s significant growth trajectory. The firm has consistently climbed the ranks of industry-leading publications. In 2024, it was ranked #450 on the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms list with $39.2 million in design revenue. Its robust portfolio has also earned it numerous top-tier rankings from Building Design + Construction in 2025, including #34 in Healthcare Architecture and #28 in Justice Facility Architecture.

This growth is not just on paper; it is geographical. The firm recently celebrated the official opening of an office in Orlando, Florida, complementing its established presence in Jacksonville. This strategic move into Central Florida is aimed at capturing opportunities in the region’s booming healthcare, education, civic, and commercial sectors. The Orlando office is led by a managing principal with deep expertise in healing environments, signaling a strong focus on one of the firm's core markets. This expansion builds upon a solid foundation of Florida-based projects, including a major VA Outpatient Clinic and work with Baptist Health.

The Founder's Enduring Vision

While Welker and Castorina steer the firm’s day-to-day and operational strategy, founder Mitch Hoefer’s transition to Executive Chairman ensures his three decades of experience will continue to shape the firm's future. This role is far from a simple retirement; it is a strategic repositioning designed to leverage his unique strengths.

Hoefer will now concentrate on high-level strategic initiatives that are crucial for long-term sustainability. His focus will be on “establishing new opportunities, securing clients and attracting the right talent for our firm.” In a competitive industry where relationships and top-tier talent are paramount, having the founder dedicated to these efforts provides a distinct advantage. This move allows the co-CEOs to focus on operational excellence and project delivery, while Hoefer scouts the horizon for new markets, cornerstone clients, and the next generation of design leaders.

“Without a doubt, these two will build upon the success of the past 30 years, taking our firm to new heights," Hoefer stated, expressing his confidence in the new leadership. As Hoefer Welker prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in August 2026, this carefully orchestrated transition demonstrates a firm that is not just reflecting on its legacy but actively building the foundation for its next 30 years of innovation and growth.