Building a Legacy: A Conversation With Mitch Hoefer

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Mitch Hoefer has spent more than three decades shaping Hoefer Welker, building a firm grounded in design excellence, a culture centered around people and success built from client relationships. What began as a humble three-person venture has scaled into an industry powerhouse of more than 200 team members across five regional offices, fueled by geographical expansion and a diversified portfolio of building types. Yet, when asked about the key to the firm’s accomplishments, his answer was very clear: the talented team and leadership partners surrounding him. As Mitch prepares for retirement, we reflect on the journey that led him to start the firm, how it’s grown and the legacy he hopes to leave.

Mitch began his career as an architect at a major international firm headquartered in Dallas, among the nation's largest. During these foundational years, he acquired essential knowledge of the industry, expansive project experience and a clear understanding of what drives success in an architecture firm. After spending a decade working in Dallas, Mitch sought to create more personal relationships with co-workers and clients, leading him to the idea of starting a firm of his own. After evaluating a few different paths, Mitch made the decision to relocate to Kansas City, joining forces with David Wysocki to establish Hoefer Wysocki. The pair built the company from the ground up and quickly learned to overcome any challenges that came their way. Over the years, the firm thrived with a focus on client relationships and strategic growth. Following Wysocki's retirement in 2012, the firm continued to evolve. In 2015, Rob Welker was promoted to president, and in 2021, the firm rebranded as Hoefer Welker to recognize his significant leadership.

No matter the era of the firm, for Mitch, Hoefer Welker has always been about more than just buildings; it has been about hiring the right people. These are individuals who care as much about the community and the clients they work for as they do about the work. The firm’s culture has always been anchored in a "work hard, play hard" philosophy, where people enjoy the work they conduct while also creating significant impact within the communities of their projects. Hoefer Welker’s first landmarks in the Kansas City region, like the Pinnacle Corporate Center, the Leawood Justice Center and the Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute, are evidence of this, exemplifying the firm’s reputation as an impactful, interdisciplinary practice across various sectors. These three projects represent efforts from Hoefer Welker’s first master plan and incorporate three different building types. Other notable projects include FBI Kansas City Field Office, KCPD South Patrol Station, 46 Penn Centre, WellSky Headquarters, The Offices at CityPlace and repeat clients like AdventHealth for their Birthing Center, Cancer Institute, Gateway Medical Office Building, among others.  

"Since the beginning, I've sat in on candidate interviews because I wanted to ensure we were bringing in people who wouldn't just be great at their jobs, but who would genuinely enjoy being part of this team," said Mitch. "Culture is contagious. When you hire people who love coming to create every day, the quality of effort is something you simply can't contain."The firm’s magnetic culture is evident as its presence has expanded to a team of more than 200. As the team has grown, the firm’s national presence has also expanded beyond its home base in Kansas City with offices in three other markets: Dallas/Fort Worth, Jacksonville and Orlando. Recently, the firm was ranked #40 on Building Design + Construction’s list of the Top 90 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2026. With Hoefer Welker’s geographic and team expansion, the firm has added services beyond architecture and interior design, including integrated mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, clinical technology solutions and sustainability. 

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Mitch and the firm’s leadership team, which includes leaders from some of the largest national architecture firms, have built a diverse group of talent and specialists, enabling the firm to expand into new building types and industry verticals. Originally known for its commercial, healthcare and civic design, the firm’s portfolio now spans education, government, mixed-use, multifamily, retail & hospitality and workplace projects. 

“Our industry has seen so much evolution over the last three decades, and one key to success is having a talented group of experts in a diverse pool of industry sectors,” Welker continued. “The firm’s diversity across multiple sectors has generated a broad track record of work, which has allowed the firm to stand the test of time.” 

 
In recent years, Mitch began planning for his retirement. This led him and Rob Welker to strategically expand the firm to 14 partners and name John Castorina as co-CEO. With this transition, Mitch moved into the role of executive chairman, confident that the firm remains in capable hands while allowing him to focus on securing clients and attracting talent for the firm. This thoughtful succession is just one example of Mitch’s intentional leadership and proven success of the firm’s mission, centered around its people.

As Mitch nears his true retirement, his career consists of an expansive portfolio of work and the steadfast team that’s brought projects and clients’ visions to life. This includes early career milestones like Pali Momi Medical Center in Hawaii, office towers in San Francisco, Miami and Dallas and Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, to current projects such as the 800 Grand Tower and 16th & Broadway in Kansas City. This work fostered more than just results, as he’s built long-standing relationships with colleagues, clients, consultants and industry partners. 

"I love that the legacy won’t end with me," Mitch says. "I know that with Rob Welker and John Castorina at the helm, the firm will continue to grow, evolve and get bigger and better. The most important thing is having a team that loves what they do and continues to create things they’re proud of. That is the legacy I am proud to leave."

For Hoefer Welker, Mitch Hoefer leaves behind more than just a firm; he leaves behind a standard of excellence and a culture that prioritizes the people who make the work possible. As the firm moves into its next chapter, that foundation remains strong, ready to support the next generation of architects, designers and engineers.