About Don

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Don Hensley, AIA, is the Founder and CEO of DON HENSLEY GROUP, LLC, an advisory firm dedicated to creating profitable growth in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry (AEC).  Don has more than thirty years experience driving profitable growth as an executive, majority owner, and board member for top global firms in the AEC Industry.  Don takes what global firms know about creating profitable growth and creates unique, custom, strategies that allow his client’s to achieve the same success, no matter their size.  Our current clients include domestic and international architecture, engineering, construction and private equity firms focused on U.S. Markets. 

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As the Founder and CEO, Don leads all consulting assignments and personally crafts the strategies with clients allowing them to enter and capitalize on geographic and market segment opportunities, to optimize their organization, develop leadership and transfer ownership.  His work includes identifying market opportunities, analyzing internal company infrastructure and driving consistent performance. He frequently engages in reviewing clients' marketing, sales and customer service abilities to identify gaps and leverage their abilities to win profitable commissions. Don’s work includes creating go-to-market strategies, skills building, coaching and culture development.  

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Background

Before founding DON HENSLEY GROUP, Don was an executive, majority owner, and board member for SHW Group.  His twenty five years of leadership were instrumental in the firm’s successful growth from fifty to more than five hundred professionals.  He led acquisitions, CEO transitions, organizational and technology realignments, cultural enhancements, and the expansion of new markets and new geographies.  Don’s collaborative leadership was key in elevating the firm to global recognition as a top design firm and as one of the best A/E firms to work for in the nation.  Serving on the Board of Directors, Don was instrumental in the strategy and negotiation for the successful sale of SHW Group to Stantec, a publicly traded global design company.  

 

At Stantec, Don served as a Vice President of Buildings, responsible for executive leadership, acquisition integration and strategic planning for the four thousand professionals in the Buildings Division.  He also served as Global Market Leader for two markets, located in twenty business centers across four countries.  Over the five years of Don’s leadership these markets more than doubled in revenue.

 

Don also had the privilege to serve Cannon Design as Principal, Market Leader and LEO A DALY as Vice President, Managing Principal, providing leadership to both organizations during and immediately after the pandemic.  During these unprecedented years, both companies were shining examples of creativity, entrepreneurship, resilience and leadership.  The challenges were great as were the business transformations, and the invaluable lessons learned.  

 

Don’s knowledge of the industry, markets, clients, and experience building companies through profitable growth strategies, make him a sought after consultant to firms seeking the same successful growth in the U.S. architecture, engineering and construction markets.

 

Capabilities

• Market Growth / Segmentation Strategy

• Revenue Growth Strategy

• Go-To-Market Strategy

• Organizational Development

• Leadership / Business Development Training

• Succession Planning

• Culture Definition and Growth 

 

Industries

• Architecture

• Engineering

• Construction

• Building Products Manufacturers

 

U.S. Markets

• Education Sector

• Science & Technology Sector

• Healthcare Sector

• Hospitality Sector

 

Education, Membership and Affiliations

• Bachelor of Architecture, Texas Tech University

• Board of Directors, SHW Group

• Board of Advisors, Texas Tech University College of Architecture

• Board of Advisors, Dallas Stars Education / Health Programs

• Visiting Faculty, Texas Tech University College of Architecture (Design / Business)

• American Institute of Architects

• United States Green Building Council, LEED Accredited

• Dallas Real Estate Ministry and Builders of Hope