John Mares

Los Angeles, CA USA

Much like the puzzles he enjoys in his free time, architecture provides John with an outlet for creative problem-solving in his professional life. In his role, he leads people and projects within the Aviation sphere, helping reconcile what are often contradictory and competing requirements. Also responsible for business development and strategic management, John helps us continue to grow by integrating the latest technological advancements into our designs and buildings.

Technology aside, John says “the true measure of a project's success is whether or not users and occupants thrive within it.” Over his more than 35-year career, John’s work has focused on the nature of human interaction, and as such, he serves as our in-house CASp specialist. John believes the foundation of successful design lies in the careful analysis of factors like circulation, activities, and adjacencies — all considerations in the Long Beach Terminal Area Improvements Project he is most proud of. “We were able to create a unique project vision which blends both the public, community potential of the space with the private, security realities of an airport operation,” he says.

Beyond architecture, John’s interest in space translates to a passion for exploring and taking care of the spaces around him — the earth, sea, and sky — and he even holds a commercial pilot license. “I love adventuring within all three realms, but I also realize that our resources are limited and our impacts are great,” John says, “so I do my best to minimize my footprint.”