Meet Our Team

Armed with a Master’s Degree in Architecture, Mark began his career and honed his craft as a dedicated design vendor for Compass Group, the largest contract foodservice company in the world.

Mark acquired VBD with a goal of elevating the company into a boutique firm whose purpose is to create experiential foodservice concepts that are inviting, innovative, and unique.

When Mark isn’t ideating the next project, you can find him hitting the slopes with his family, in Ocean Isle with a line in the water, or enjoying a fine cigar and a delicious bourbon.

An avid woodworker and DIY enthusiast, design & build has always been in Keith’s blood! After earning his degree and working for 8 years in the architecture field, he left Ireland for new adventures in the USA.

Keith has been with VBD for over 16 years and as Partner, leads our San Jose, CA office. Passionate about client success, Keith has played a lead role in managing the design of large-scale foodservice facilities. 

When Keith isn’t at the office, he enjoys travel, live music, hanging out with his wife and pups Emmet & Oreo, and taking in a Manchester United match with a Guinness - he is Irish after all!

As our resident steak connoisseur, Kathy can tell you exactly what seasoning (salt & pepper) and temperature (around 500 degrees) and on what cooking device (grill) it takes to get the perfect sear on a good ribeye. 

Designing for nearly 40 years in foodservice, she has seen, designed, and implemented just about every kind of commercial kitchen. As a witness to trends, technology, and technical advancements, she has always been an early adopter of new ideas and efficiencies.

When Kathy isn’t putting foodspaces together, you can find her chilling with her doggos Lacey and Toby, sipping on sweet tea with lemon, and of course enjoying a great steak!

Growing up in an area of Ireland that predates Irish history it’s no wonder Rickie became interested in Architecture! After mastering Architectural Graphics in Carlow, he headed to Dublin for his Bachelor’s Degree then west to the USA to build his career.

With over 20 years experience as an Architectural Technologist, Rickie joined VBD in 2014 and leads our San Antonio, TX office. With his team, Rickie has led some of VBD’s most technologically advanced projects for clients such as Capital One and Amgen.

When Rickie isn’t pushing the boundaries of Foodservice and Architectural Design, he can be found cheering on the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Astros or Rory McIlroy with an Old Fashioned in hand or hanging out with his family, searching for the best breakfast taco!

Gifted with creative, technical and leadership skills, Danielle is a phenom at VBD! With over 25 years of experience in the architectural field, Danielle has led multidisciplinary teams of all sizes.

She started her career at VBD as an experienced Project Coordinator and was promoted to Senior Project Manager and Studio Lead. Danielle is laser-focused on producing projects with her team that transform dining spaces into culinary experiences, no matter the sector.

When Danielle is not being a rockstar at work, she can be found exploring her newly adopted hometown, Charleston, with her wife. She is a coffee connoisseur, always on the hunt for the perfect iced latte she can enjoy while walking her senior Lab, Aspen!

Jimi is a Senior Foodservice Consultant at VisionBuilders & Design; a Charlotte-based firm focused on experiential foodservice and culinary design. Jimi has worked at VisionBuilders Design for over ten years as an experienced Foodservice Consultant and has over 20 years of experience in the Foodservice Industry.

Jimi has played a lead role in designing custom foodservice solutions as well as managing Construction Administration for B&I, Retail, Higher Education, K-12, and Healthcare facilities.

Nidia is one of our talented foodservice designers who's been crafting beautiful and functional spaces with us for almost 2 years. She is originally from Mexico but was raised in North Carolina and is proud to call Charlotte home.

When she's not designing top tier foodservices spaces, you can find her sipping on a glass of freshly made lemonade, enjoying a delicious slice of flan, or cuddling with her 3 dogs Lola, Coffee, and Oreo. As an avid soccer fan, Nidia roots for Real Madrid, and she never misses a match. With Nidia on your team, your foodservice space is guaranteed to be a winner with her signature innovation and creativity.

Meet Tracy, one of our foodservice design masterminds with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. Although she's only been with our company since January 2023, her passion for creating functional and stylish food spaces has been driving her career for decades. 

When she's not dreaming up the perfect kitchen layout, you can find her sipping on a refreshing rum and coke or indulging in anything chocolate. But her true pride and joy is her rescue Pitbull Bodhi, who keeps her on her toes and constantly laughing. Although she calls Kansas City home, she's an avid Green Bay Packers fan and cheers them on from afar. With Tracy leading the charge, your foodservice space is sure to be both functional and fabulous.

After seeing groundbreaking movies as a teen like Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, and The Matrix, Adrian became fascinated with VFX (visual effects for us laypeople). He was enthralled with the technology used to create everything from dinosaurs to bending spoons. This led him to pursue an education in VFX, hoping to one day create mind-blowing effects and scenes of his own!

And that’s exactly what Adrian did; he embarked on an 11-year career in South Africa as a Motion Graphics and 3D VFX artist.  Today as Principal, Adrian leads the graphics team in creating photorealistic environments for all our architectural, foodservice, and interiors projects. The renderings he and his team produce are so good, it is nearly impossible to tell what is CG and what is real!

When he is not busy rendering the latest cafe, restaurant, healthcare or higher education project, he can be found hanging out with his family or working on another favorite creation: craft beer. In fact, Adrian produces award-winning brew with several recipes garnering national and international attention!

Inspired by his love for architecture in design, Sal couldn’t imagine a future where he wasn’t involved in creating amazing graphics! After receiving his degree from Living Arts College in Raleigh, NC he went on to create architecture and environmental art for video games. Later in his career he made the transition from gaming to 3D visualization which stemmed from his love of architectural photography.

To our great fortune, Sal joined our team in 2011 with a passion for creating 3D renderings that are like looking through a window at the future. By creating stunningly detailed renderings, Sal inspires clients and assists them in visualizing their future project.

When Sal is not flexing his artistic muscles, you will find him riding his high-speed electric scooter, shredding the streets of Charlotte.

Meet Larissa, our 3D rendering artist extraordinaire. With 15 years of experience under her belt, she's been bringing our visions to life since 2008.

When she's not busy creating stunning visuals, you can find her sipping on Thai Tea Boba, jamming out to Lady Gaga, or snacking on burritos and strawberry milkshakes. She's also an avid PC gamer and a proud collector of over 75 semi-rare houseplants. But don't let her green thumb fool you - her heart belongs to her 14-year-old Bichon Frise, Vivi. Originally from Colorado, she's now living her best life in sunny LA.

Jessica is one of our extremely talented interior designers with a passion for creating stunning spaces. With 8 years of experience and a knack for uncovering unique design solutions, she's been a valuable addition to our team since 2019. 

When she's not transforming spaces, you can find her sipping on a refreshing Aperol spritz, cheering for the Carolina Panthers, or planning her next international adventure. And of course, she always makes time for her furry canine companions Leddy and Chloe, the ultimate design assistants.

Gloria is a highly skilled member of our interior design squad who comes to us from Boston and has been with VBD since March 2020. With almost 7 years of experience crafting stunning spaces, she knows how to bring any vision to life. 

When she's not busy designing interiors, she's likely whipping up a delicious meal in the kitchen while sipping on a refreshing cocktail, traveling, or watching a Celtics game. With a passion for both design and adventure, Gloria is always up for a challenge and ready to create something truly extraordinary.

Meet Julia, one of our interior design experts who's quickly made her mark on our team since joining in July 2021. With 2 years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, she's always ready to get creative when it comes to bringing spaces to life. 

When she's not immersed in design, she's on the hunt for the perfect local craft IPA to add to her collection, exploring the scenic beauty of the mountains, or enjoying a slice of cheesecake. And let's not forget her discerning palate for sushi, which she considers a true art form. With Julia on board, you can expect nothing less than perfection in every project she tackles.