At HEAPY, innovation is more than a buzzword – it’s a strategic priority. We’re excited to announce that Daric Hess has been appointed Chief Innovation Officer (CInO), reinforcing our commitment to shaping the future of engineering through bold ideas, emerging technologies, and transformative leadership.
While the CInO role is not new to HEAPY, Daric’s appointment marks a renewed focus on leveraging innovation to drive strategic growth. With nearly 30 years of experience, including 20 years at HEAPY, Daric brings deep technical expertise, visionary thinking, and a proven track record of leading complex projects, particularly in healthcare design. His leadership will be instrumental in accelerating our five-year strategic growth plan and expanding our impact nationwide.
As CInO, Daric will be responsible for identifying emerging trends, technologies, and service opportunities that position HEAPY ahead of market shifts. He will lead organizational changes to support the adoption of new ideas and technologies, oversee innovation execution from ideation through implementation, and ensure HEAPY’s capabilities align with the MEP 2040 Challenge to drive sustainable market impact.
Daric’s journey at HEAPY began in 2005 as an electrical design engineer. Since then, he has led some of our most complex and high-impact projects, developed innovative design tools, and shared his insights at national and regional conferences. Most recently, he served as Healthcare Practice Director, where he helped shape technical standards and drive innovation in healthcare design.
“Daric’s forward‑thinking leadership and technical expertise will help HEAPY create even greater value for our clients while shaping the future of our industry,” said Mark Brumfield, Chief Executive Officer. “This role reflects our belief that innovation isn’t just about ideas, it’s about delivering tangible results that move our clients and our colleagues forward.”
Daric shared his excitement about the opportunity: “I’m honored to step into this role at such a transformative time for HEAPY. We have an incredible team, a clear vision for growth, and a unique opportunity to lead the industry forward. I’m excited to unlock new possibilities for our clients and create more career-shaping opportunities for our colleagues as we expand nationwide.”
With Daric leading this next chapter, HEAPY is poised to redefine how engineering services are delivered – leveraging innovation to build sustainable, high-performance communities across the country. The future of the built environment is being shaped today, and we are proud to be leading the way.
