Educator housing is heating up—here’s what you need to know. Recenlty, Kitchell’s Tony Mirenda led a powerful, packed CMAA session on Educator Workforce Housing—so engaging it went 30 minutes over and nearly everyone stayed. Why? Because this topic is critical for California school districts right now.

Here’s what you need to know:

✅ The need is growing – Demand is spiking across the state and beyond
✅ Policy momentum is building – AB 1021 strengthens the path paved by AB 2295
✅ The work doesn’t end at occupancy – Leasing, maintenance, and tenant issues persist
✅ Voice of staff is vital – Regular surveys help districts stay aligned with workforce needs
✅ Finance is everything – Local bonds and creative capital stacks are key
✅ Champions lead the way – Every successful project has a passionate internal advocate

How Kitchell helps? Districts need a quarterback. Kitchell brings a fully integrated team—program & construction management, architecture, engineering, and project controls—to guide projects from vision to move-in.

Ready to explore what’s possible for your district? Contact Tony Mirenda at tmirenda@kitchell.com.

Let’s turn ideas into impact—and bring meaningful educator housing to life.

Kitchell is pleased to announce the promotion of Heather Brown to Executive Director of Engineering Architectural Services (EAS). With more than 25 years of industry experience, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of excellence to her new role.

Heather is an esteemed leader in the construction industry, renowned for her conceptual thinking and meticulous approach to project management. In her role as Kitchell’s Executive Director of Engineering and Architectural Services, she will be responsible for the Department’s growth and success, by effectively executing the Department’s annual business plan, as well as strategic plan.

Heather’s journey into mechanical engineering began with the ambition of becoming a fighter jet pilot. However, after discovering she was near-sighted, her career path took a turn when she secured an internship at a mechanical engineering firm. This experience ignited her passion for the field, leading her to excel as a mechanical engineering professional. Over the years, she has worked on a diverse range of projects, including public, healthcare, K-12/higher education, and commercial facilities. She particularly enjoys the complexities of healthcare projects, which allow her to leverage her problem-solving skills to address and resolve intricate challenges.

Despite her extensive background, Heather is known for her fearless approach to leadership and her willingness to embrace new challenges. She has played a pivotal role in enhancing Kitchell’s processes, by encouraging the EAS Department’s entrepreneurial spirit that led to the development and success of our Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) SQL Server and FCA Dashboard. In addition to being a licensed mechanical engineer in California and Arizona, Heather is also a LEED Accredited Professional, underscoring her commitment to sustainability to the built environment.

In her personal time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, and their two children, Sofia and Olivia. Family is very important to her, and she appreciates all the moments they spend together, whether it’s watching Sofia and Olivia play sports, playing games at a local brewery, or traveling domestically and internationally.

Heather attributes much of her professional growth to her time at Kitchell, stating, “Without Kitchell, I don’t think I’d be the leader I am today. For the past 20 years, they have stretched and challenged me into the person I am today.”

Bill Johal, Vice President of Business Development at Kitchell, commented on Heather’s promotion, saying, “Heather’s dedication and innovative mindset have been invaluable to our team. Her ability to foresee potential challenges and address them proactively has significantly contributed to our success. We are excited to see her continue to drive excellence in her new role.”

Kitchell is confident that under Heather’s leadership, the Engineering Architectural Services Department will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional results for our clients.