NORR Group appoints Brian Gerstmar as president and CEO

Design and engineering consultancy NORR Group has appointed Brian Gerstmar as president and CEO. Gerstmar replaces Victor Smith, who headed the Toronto-based consultancy for the past 15 years.

NORR was founded in 1938, and provides architecture, engineering, interior design, project management, security, and sustainability consulting services to a wide range of industry clients. The company has more than 750 professionals in 17 offices across Canada, the US, UK, and UAE.

NORR’s new president and CEO, Brian Gerstmar, has been with the firm for over 30 years. He joined the company in 1986, working his way up the company ranks. In 2006 he established sister company Cion, which specializes in advisory services for property manager and building owners.

Gerstmar was promoted in 2008 to VP of operations for NORR’s Eastern Canada region, and then afterwards served as president of the US division. Prior to being named CEO, Gerstmar was NORR’s chief operating officer.

Victor Smith, Gerstmar’s predecessor as CEO, is stepping down after 15 years at the helm of the global consultancy. "Our companies, clients and partners have benefitted from Brian's leadership in shaping and growing a culture of great design and unparalleled service across our 14 market sectors in North America and across the world," Smith said.  "With his great strategic sense and strong command of technology, he is the right person to lead our group of companies through a time of significant change in the A&E industry."

NORR also announced three new appointments to its board of directors: Bruce McKenzie, vice president (Calgary), Peter Dubin, vice president (Chicago) and Jonathan Hughes, executive vice president (Eastern Canada).

"Our brand is strong and our future is bright," Gerstmar commented. "Recently, we have spent considerable time re-envisioning our business development approach, developing our centers of excellence, and strategizing on how we can maximize the potential of our diversified practice, both in terms of services and market sectors. Now I want to share these ideas with our clients so that they can realize the true potential of selecting NORR as their business partner."

The firm’s most recent high-profile engagements include The New Toronto Courthouse; the proposed tallest residential tower in Calgary’s Beltline district; and Ciel Tower in Dubai – which will be the tallest hotel tower in the world with both hotel and serviced apartments.

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