Our People
Since the formation of The Coxe Group in 1976, we have remained an organization of about a dozen consultants who work collaboratively to meet the needs of our clients. Our backgrounds are diverse — including past and current architects, authors, professors, technology experts, marketing experts, recruiting specialists, financial advisors, behavioral scientists, and more. We bring a broad range of perspectives, insights and skill sets to every client engagement — sharing a desire to help our clients excel.
We invite you to learn more about our team of consultants.
Principals
Recognized as a pioneering force in management consulting for professional service firms, Hugh Hochberg credits his success, at least in part, to a short attention span.
"I'm interested in a lot of different things. I like change — different people, different firms, different issues. That's what makes consulting a good fit for me."
Hugh recognized a passion for architecture and design at an early age. After earning a B.S. and a B.Arch. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he started his own architecture and planning firm. During an economic downturn, he took the opportunity to go to graduate school — earning an MBA from Harvard. After the pomp and circumstance, he re-entered the design world in a management capacity.
After some time, Hugh left the structured office life in favor of consulting. He joined The Coxe Group in 1976, became a partner, and has never left.
In his 30-plus years of consulting, Hugh has helped more than 700 professional service firms organize and manage their practices and solve problems in virtually every area of professional practice.
In addition to his client work, Hugh and others at The Coxe Group continually immerse themselves in industry-related topics — always looking to uncover new insights and share knowledge.
"We've been doing this a long time, and we feel it's important to report on what we observe. We write for ourselves as much as for our interest in furthering the profession, and adding value for our clients."
Hugh has contributed to several publications including Progressive Architecture, Architecture, Design West, Oregon Architect, and Oregon Business. He is an author in the AIA Handbook of Professional Practice and a co-author of Success Strategies for Design Professionals (McGraw-Hill).
"I write about what's happening now and speculate about what's coming next. I'm personally very curious about what's around the bend and working backwards to put strategies in place today, that help us get there."
When he isn't consulting or putting pen to paper, Hugh shares his knowledge with students and colleagues of the profession. He has lectured at the Universities of Pennsylvania, Cal Poly/Pomona, Wisconsin, Sydney, and Melbourne, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. And he has taught at Harvard, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Washington.
Hugh has conducted seminars and spoken for a variety of organizations:
- The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
- Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)
- Professional Services Management Association (PSMA)
- Association of Professional Design Firms (APDF)
- Australian Consulting Engineers Council
Despite his dedication to his craft, Hugh loves the great outdoors. He likes to cycle, snow ski, and fly fish — all of which he does on a regular basis in the company of clients and colleagues, as often as his friends and family.
"I'm always learning from the people around me. Whether I'm in an academic setting, an office. or riding a chair lift. I'm just an inquisitive guy. It goes back to my short attention span."
Hugh lives in Seattle.
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Dr. Thomas Kvan is a consultant with The Coxe Group in addition to serving as Professor of Architecture and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning at the University of Melbourne.
His background is diverse, including a career path that criss-crosses the globe from Asia, to Europe, Africa, the United States and Australia.
"I grew up in a very multi-cultural environment. I formed an appreciation for how cultures approach challenges and opportunities in different ways. This applies to the practice of architecture and engineering — and it has driven my curiosity and engagement in the profession."
Tom first studied architecture at Cambridge, England. Upon graduation, he took an architectural design position in Africa where he spent two years doing sustainable projects in the healthcare sector.
In 1980, Tom moved to the States where he earned an M.Arch. from UCLA.
"I threw myself into digital applications as it was clear that the emerging field of computational devices would help us address many of the process issues, as well as the conceptualization, of design. This led to some consulting around the integration and application of digital systems, in design and management, in architecture and engineering professions."
Tom took his expertise to a Santa Monica-based software company, Computer Aided Design Group where he worked for five years. He then joined a Swiss architecture practice, Suter+Suter, as a principal at the US-based office before being accepted as a Principal in The Coxe Group. He then took his expertise to Asia, joining the University of Hong Kong.
Dr. Kvan has been an integral part of the development and delivery of technology and quality management services as a Coxe Group consultant.
"It's always been clear to me that the execution and delivery of good design is reliant not only on our capacity to have good ideas, but also on our capacity to realize and deliver these ideas. While much of our attention is on the concepts and the articulation, there's not much that prepares us to be able to deliver these through collaborative teams. That's where I focus my attention."
Dr. Kvan's career includes time as professor and Dean at the Universities of Hong Kong and Sydney, before assuming his current role at the University of Melbourne.
"Working with students and research affords me a view of the next generation in this profession. I believe all of the consultants at The Coxe Group are engaging with developing futures. We pride ourselves on seeing around corners or over the horizon."
Tom has authored over 100 papers and book chapters on management, marketing, and digital practice. He has assisted many national and international organizations:
- National Committee on CAD Layering Guidelines
- International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) Computer Applications Council
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Practice Committee to review the Handbook of Practice
- US/USSR Committee on Housing and the Building Industry
Dr. Kvan is also active in a number of professional associations. He is Past President of the Hong Kong Chapter of IFMA, founding President of The Association of Computer Aided Architectural Design and Research in Asia, and serves on the boards of several journals and professional organizations, including IFMA, and the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). He was recognized by the Royal Institute of Childhood Surveyors (RICS) for his breadth of work in the design and delivery of facilities.
"My entire career, from student to Dean, has been driven by my interest in achieving successful design through successful processes — whether human, analog or digital."
In addition to university teaching, Dr. Kvan has instructed courses for AIA, IFMA, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS).
When he isn't working, Tom loves to read everything from autobiographies, to social analysis, to novels. He is an avid scuba diver and sailor, exploring areas of the Pacific and the Mediterranean.
"I travel a lot. I like intense cities or small, rural villages — anywhere that offers a unique perspective. I also do a lot of cooking. It's an interesting way to understand a culture."
Dr. Kvan has lived on five continents and is fluent in Chinese, Danish, and English. He currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.
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