May eNewsletter

Moving Right Along: VIDA is Turning Dirt

BY WES GENTRY

After almost a year-long delay due to the pandemic, Southstar Communities’ VIDA development is on its way. Located in South San Antonio on the doorstep of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, VIDA’s first phase of development officially broke ground earlier this year. Phase One development of the 600-acre mixed-use, master planned community includes single-family homes, apartment complexes, commercial space, and almost 40 acres of greenways, trails, and open space including the town center we’re calling the Zócalo.

Can an Introvert Succeed in the Design Field?

BY DANIEL MARRUFO

When you think of a designer, you may picture someone extroverted and outgoing who dramatically sells their creative vision. You may wonder whether someone who is more introverted can also succeed in the design field. Having successfully worked in this field for the past 15 years, I can say that the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes.

As an introvert, I am a quiet person who speaks up only when needed. I am not one to look for the focus to be on me, except for maybe at our annual Christmas parties where I wear a cool Christmas jacket that I buy specifically for the occasion. When I am at work I am not much of a talker. Instead, I am concentrated and focused on my work. I believe that both extroverts and introverts bring value to the workplace in different ways, but sometimes the skills and values of introverts can be overlooked. Here are some ways that we bring value to the team.

Observations on Mentorship: Five Minutes that Matter Most

BY LANCE IPPLE

We all remember our first boss. Sometimes we look back fondly at all the great experiences and lessons they taught us; and sometimes, we tell our stories to show how much pain we could endure. Either way, all of us remember what it was like to be in a new role and recall those who mentored us along the way. I find myself entering a stage of my career where I am not only being mentored, but also mentoring others. It is in this new, latter role that I find myself remembering what it’s like to be in their shoes. As someone who literally still has the shoes from his first job after college, it comes easily. However, even as I write this, I can’t help but think that we could all take a moment to remember what it was like being in the role we are guiding others through.

In Other News

Project Spotlight

This month, the City Council of Page, Arizona unanimously approved our design for Indigo Ridge, a new community offering a mix of townhome style units, and featuring a large, central amenity space that sits on top of a ridge overlooking the valley. Who wouldn't like to wake up with this view? Congratulations to the project team, job well done!

Congratulations are in order!

We are thrilled to recognize the hard work and dedication of our employees!

Chip Mills has been promoted to Senior Vice President in Austin!

Chip has over 20 years of experience in land planning and real estate development for large scale mixed-use communities and a variety of real estate and economic development projects. A significant portion of Chip’s experience is in master planned communities involving multiple jurisdictions, requiring creative financial, infrastructure and design solutions, and providing long lasting economic impacts in the regions where they are located.

Welcome to RVi!

Anie Delgado has joined the Orlando office as Planning Project Manager.
Hannah Plate has joined the Orlando office as Landscape Architecture Project Manager.
Bob Moser has joined the Orlando office as Business Development Manager.
Shane Lekwa has joined the Austin office as Project Director.
Zachary Taylor has joined the Tempe office as Designer.