Our Staff
Christian Lessard, President, is the founding principal of Lessard Group Inc. and widely recognized as a design innovator and a market trends oriented designer. Mr. Lessard is highly conversant in land planning and rezoning, high, mid and low-density developments, large-scale multi-family mixed-use and urban infill projects. Additionally, he has a thorough knowledge of both construction and development criteria. Mr. Lessard is a registered architect in eighteen states and is NCARB certified. His articles have been published in Builder Magazine, Urban Land Institute and Professional Builder. As a featured speaker, his expertise is sought in several seminars, at national conventions and trade shows including ULI, AIA, International Builders’ and Multi-Family Housing. He actively participates in the Urban Land Institute and National Association of Home Builders, Northern Virginia Builders Industry Association and numerous land development and code committees. Formerly, he was Chairman of the Housing Committee for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Trustee for the Multi-Family Council.
Andre Abushacra is Lessard’s Regional Director in the UAE and offers clients over 20 years of international experience, including the last 8 spent working on projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. His solid design and design management skills, his construction knowledge, and his ability to effectively lead and coordinate between design teams, contractors and engineers have allowed him to be successful in all phases of project development.
Anurag Parmar is the Regional Director of Lessard’s India office located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat India. Mr. Parmar has over 20 years of experience working on award-winning design projects around the world, including a great deal of project work in his native country, India. Mr. Parmer’s career highlights include numerous high rise multi-family projects, apartment buildings and mid-rise multi-family construction. His strong attention to detail coupled with excellent management skills ensures the highest of quality for highly-detailed projects. He possesses a strong background in Site Planning to Construction Administration. Mr. Parmar received his Bachelors of Architecture from the MS University of Baroda and his Masters from University of Texas. Mr. Parmar is a Registered Architect.
John Jenkins heads Lessard’s High-Rise Multifamily Group with projects ranging from multifamily residential, mixed-use high/mid-rise structures, urban design and infill projects. A graduate of Yale University and with a Master’s degree from Rice University, Mr. Jenkins combines an understanding of construction with 18 years of international architectural practice to enable him to produce high-level designs while maintaining cost-sensitivity. Mr. Jenkins focuses on development of long-term client relationships by providing superior service. He participates actively throughout the various planning, design and construction phases and lends his land planning, zoning, value engineering and construction expertise to each assignment. Additionally, Mr. Jenkins has thorough knowledge of market influences, competitive product, land values and socioeconomic factors. He is a registered architect in multiple states and a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. He is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S Green Building Council, and the Urban Land Institute.
Jay Khoriaty
Principal, Multi-Family, Residential & Military Privatization
JayK@lessardgroup.com
703.760.9344
Jay Khoriaty brings 26 years of international design, construction, project management and contract negotiation experience to his projects. Specializing in high-rise, multi-family and mixed-use commercial projects throughout the United States, Southern Europe and the Middle East, he uses quality control management to deliver his projects on time and within budget. As a Principal for Lessard, Mr. Khoriaty enjoys a close collaboration with his client’s team. Functioning as the client’s main point of contact, he assumes full accountability for his projects including design, contract administration and management of the Lessard project team. Since 2002, Mr. Khoriaty has led the Lessard military privatization team with ten privatized housing project submissions for the Army and Navy and has been awarded three of these projects. He keeps current with all military housing requirements in preparation of future endeavors. Mr. Koriaty is fluent in English, French and Arabic.
Steve Gang heads up Lessard’s Urban Design Group and has more than 20 years of experience encompassing all phases of urban design, land planning and landscape architecture. A formally trained landscape architect, Mr. Gang is considered a visionary by his clients. He has a thorough understanding of critical issues that impact the real estate design process—design, construction, financial impact and marketing. His expertise in planning, zoning and architecture enables him to plan communities that consecutively win numerous awards. Mr. Gang works in collaboration with the development community and has developed close long-term relationships with his clients. He is well respected by the planning commissions, county counsels and local citizen groups for his in-sight and expertise. These credentials enable him to impart his vision on a variety of project types—from inner-city neighborhoods to new multi-thousand acre mixed-use communities. Mr. Gang is an active member with ASLA, Urban Land Institute and the Congress for the New Urbanism.
Jack McLaurin manages Lessard’s Single Family and Townhome department with projects ranging from large single family suburban residences to high-density urban infill developments. His understanding of construction combined with 20 years of architectural practice enables him to produce high-level design while being sensitive to cost. This unique combination of talent and experience results in developments which sell quickly and reap profits for his clients. His clients encompass both small and large volume builders, as well as, national builders and developers. He participates actively throughout the various planning, design and construction phases and lends his land planning, zoning, value engineering and construction expertise to each project. Additionally, Mr. McLaurin has thorough knowledge of market influences, competitive product, land values and socio-economic factors. He helps his clients position their product in the marketplace and maintain long-term value. As a result, he enjoys many repeat assignments from loyal clients. Mr. McLaurin is a registered architect in various states. He frequently participates in the National Association of Home Builders, the American Institute of Architects and its PIA Housing Committee. He co-chairs the NAHB Design Education Subcommittee and is actively involved with the Northern Virginia Builders’ Industry Association and its Monument Awards Program.
Jon Penney runs Lessard’s Commercial and Interiors Departments and has more than 12 years of experience in the architectural profession spanning both new construction and renovation projects. These projects cover a broad range of building types including automotive, retail, office, medical, industrial and mixed-use. Mr. Penney focuses on leading his team through a comprehensive feasibility study to design concept through construction for each of his projects. He has developed a thorough understanding of economic and market conditions which enables him to provide an optimum program in any commercial development. To that end, Mr. Penney works closely with the owners, developers and contractors at the onset of a project to achieve the most viable economic and creative solution available. He is a registered architect and a member of AIA, Urban Land Institute (ULI) and International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).