BIA/SO CA 50+ Housing Council Names KTGY's Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP, SAGE "Person of the Year"

IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that Manuel G. Gonzalez, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CAASH and Principal of KTGY Group has been named 2009 SAGE "Person of the Year" by the 50+ Housing Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. This prestigious award honors an individual for their commitment, personal compassion and professional contributions to housing and related services to residents 50+.

In his more than 25 years of practice in residential development, Gonzalez has been responsible for the design, construction and renovation of nearly 6,000 active adult housing units including the design of more than 50 active adult communities. More than 30 of those communities are scattered from the desert to the sea throughout all of Southern California. Gonzalez's dedication to excellence and sustainable design solutions have set new industry standards and have earned him more than 70 national, regional and local design awards including 25 for work in the 50+ Housing market alone. This year, Gonzalez won his fifth NAHB 50+ Housing Gold Award, which was for the Echo Park Senior Community. Echo Park is currently a 2009 SAGE Award finalist.

Gonzalez is the senior partner in KTGY's Santa Monica office and president of KTGY Group, Colorado. He is a licensed architect in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Indiana; and has been featured in Who's Who in 50+ Home Building and in 50+ Builder's Architect of the Year.

Andy Bowden, the 2009 president of the 50+ Housing Council Board and principal at Land Concern in Santa Ana, Calif., notes, "Long regarded as an expert on 50+ housing, Manny Gonzalez has helped lead the way in residential design for our aging population. A past president of the 50+ Housing Council BIA/SC, he has helped develop new ideas, concepts and strategies targeting the specific needs of seniors. Manny's commitment to the 50+ industry as a whole as well as his proven leadership and guidance working with the 50+ Housing Council has demonstrated that he is a true leader and innovator in the field of 50+ housing."

Bowden continues, "Manny is always incorporating new and innovative design into each of his projects, pushing the envelope and creating successful communities while providing exciting design solutions. His knowledge, his commitment and, above all, his passion to this industry is a testament to his vast abilities. We are very proud to name him the 2009 SAGE Person of the Year."

A renowned international speaker, author and media expert on the 50+ Housing industry, Gonzalez will be speaking at several upcoming industry events including the Multifamily Executive Conference on October 12 in Las Vegas, NV; Big Builder magazine's pioneering virtual program on November 9; and two sessions at the International Builders' Show in Las Vegas on January 20 and 21.

Gonzalez has served as Chair of the AIA Housing Committee and a Board of Directors Member for the BIA. He actively holds a leadership role on numerous national committees for the NAHB Multifamily Leadership Board, The 50+ Symposium and University of Housing, and has served two terms as President of the Seniors Housing Council for Southern California.

In 2008, NAHB 50+ Housing Council honored him for his accomplishments in the 50+ housing industry and awarded him with the Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) designation. He is currently on the Editorial Advisory Board of 50+ Builder and BUILDERNews magazines; and has written and contributed to scores of articles on residential design.

An 8th generation native of Los Angeles, Gonzalez is also dedicated to community service and youth sports. Following half a dozen years on the Malibu Little League Board, Gonzalez has now taken to the pool and serves as President of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club and Vice-chair of the Coastal Zone for USA Water Polo.

Gonzalez and other award winners will be presented with their awards at the 15th annual SAGE ceremony on Wednesday, November 12, 2009 at The Turnip Rose, Grand Newport Plaza, 1901 Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, Calif. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. For more information about attending this event, visit www.50PlusHC.com. To register, call (909) 396-9993 or email pnearhoff@biasc.org.

About 50+ Housing Council
50+ Housing Council provides networking, education and partnering prospects for Southern California professionals involved in every aspect of building housing specifically for persons aged 50+ − active adult, "age-targeted," senior condos, 55+ apartments, CCRC's, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's care and more. For more information, visit www.50PlusHC.com.

About BIA/SC
The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIA/SC) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 1,800 member companies employing over 200,000 persons who are engaged in all aspects of building homes and communities throughout Southern California. For more information, visit www.biasc.org.

About KTGY Group, Inc.
Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland, Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.

KTGY Principal David Senden Invited to be Speaker at BIA/OC Event

IRVINE, CALIF. - Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is pleased to announce that KTGY’s Principal David Senden has been invited to participate in the Orange County Chapter’s Building Industry Association (BIA) and Urban Infill and Multifamily Housing Committee Workshop Program: “So You Think You’ve Got Infill? Think Again!” held on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the Embassy Suites Anaheim – North at 3100 East Frontera in Anaheim, Calif. Registration and breakfast start at 7:30 am, the program runs from 8:00 am - 11:30 am. There is an optional project tour of The Crossing, a new urban infill, transit-oriented, resort-style apartment community developed by SARES-REGIS Group and designed by KTGY, immediately following the program.

Senden will participate in the panel, “It’s Process, Not Project,” which will be moderated by John O’Brien of Brookfield Homes, and include CJ Amstrup of the City of Anaheim, Jim Ivory, Bill Montgomery and Mike Winter with SARES-REGIS Group, Jay Ruby of Urban Resource Corp., and Michael Schrock of Urban Arena as additional panel members. Panelists will discuss the development challenges they have faced and will feature an in-depth case study on “The Crossing” in Anaheim. Attendees will get to learn about the development process from pre-development due diligence through project/land planning and design, as well as sales and marketing. Attendees can take a tour of The Crossing, which is currently under construction and will feature 312 apartments and 39 live/work units at 3530 E. La Palma Avenue, a former industrial location, in Anaheim. The City of Anaheim will also offer its development vision for this area of the city at the workshop.

Always with design quality and integrity, Senden provides the “big picture” vision for projects varying from infill mixed-use developments through large scale planning efforts. His knowledge and experience of residential product as well as his ability to stay on the cutting edge of design makes Senden an invaluable member of any development team. He leads a team of designers and planners who work hand-in-hand with the local jurisdictions, developers, and community. A reputable history of work for many of California’s major builders and developers as well as a string of smaller scale intimate projects mark Senden’s diverse portfolio.

Please call Philly Pemberton at 949.224.0321 or register online at www.biaoc.com. Deadline to register to attend workshop is September 18.

About BIA/OC

The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Orange County Chapter (BIA/OC) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 1,000 companies employing over 100,000 people affiliated with the home building industry. The BIA/OC is one of seven chapters and eleven councils that make up the BIA of Southern California. The BIA/OC is also affiliated with the California Building Industry Association (CBIA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). An active board of directors and 11 committees, made up of leaders from local builders, trade contractors, and businesses associated with the real estate industry, lead the BIA/OC in its mission to promote proactive participation in the development of complex economic and community issues in Orange County. For more information about BIA/OC, visit www.biaoc.com.

About KTGY Group, Inc.

Established in 1991, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland, and Santa Monica, and in Denver. See www.ktgy.com.