Tom Polucci elevated to HOK’s executive committee and Christopher Laul named new chief strategy officer.
HOK announced two important staff promotions this week. Tom Polucci, firmwide director of Interiors, joins the firm’s executive committee, its highest leadership group. Christopher Laul becomes the new chief strategy officer, strengthening the firm’s leadership team as it advances strategic growth initiatives across the practice.
“Tom and Chris are long-time colleagues who have meaningfully contributed to the growth and success of the firm,” said Co-CEO Eli Hoisington. “Tom brings a rare combination of strategic perspective, market insight and deep knowledge of HOK and the broader industry. Chris understands how design excellence, client relationships, market positioning and business development come together to drive growth. They are both exceptionally well suited to help lead HOK’s next chapter.”
Polucci joined HOK in 1997 and worked in both the St. Louis and Chicago studios before assuming his current role in New York. As firmwide director of Interiors, he has significantly expanded both the reach and design quality of the firm’s interior design practice, advancing key objectives for the company. He has also demonstrated strong firmwide leadership through his service on HOK’s board of directors, co-chairing the business strategy committee and participating in numerous company-wide initiatives.
In his capacity as a member of the executive committee, Polucci will work closely with Co-CEOs Eli Hoisington and Susan Klumpp Williams on strategy development, design matters and engagement with the marketing board and its leadership. This marks an important step in HOK’s succession planning strategy, with the careful integration of new members onto the executive committee over time.
As chief strategy officer, Laul will work across HOK’s regions, markets and disciplines to help sharpen the firm’s competitive position, support strategic investment and strengthen the connection between design excellence and commercial success. He has been with HOK since 2006 and has played a key role in the growth of the Northeast practice, helping expand its presence across New York, Philadelphia, and Boston. He serves on HOK’s board of directors and business strategy committee and co-chairs the firm’s marketing board.