Kevin Blair
President and CEO
Kevin is a hands-on leader who prefers to spend his time on the front lines of our business at NewGround.
He is responsible for setting the strategic vision of our company and leading our management team to execute that strategy. As a thought leader in our industry, Kevin is a sought-after speaker and has become a well-regarded industry futurist on retail delivery and corporate experience trends.
Kevin is driven to ignite transformation in our clients’ organizations and to lead our integrated delivery team to create dynamic, differentiating experiences that drive growth and achieve success.
In his free time, Kevin pursues active hobbies such as running, sailing, SCUBA diving, mountain climbing, and backpacking.
Mike Crane
COO
With over 17 years of international retail project management, real estate services, and multi-family residential construction experience, Mike’s role with NewGround manages all functions of project management and implementation. He leads the business unit to achieve company objectives for growth, revenue, and profitability.
After serving our country in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Germany as a US Army Captain and a recipient of the Bronze Star for meritorious service, Mike now resides in Chicago with his wife Jen, and their three children, Connor, Kellen, and Vivienne.
Much of his free time is spent at his kids’ events, coaching their football and baseball teams, and keeping them active. Chicago Bears and Cubs games are enjoyed frequently, but Army football is a weekly Saturday priority.
Greg Ward
President, Canada
As President, Greg is responsible for our overall operations, new business development, architectural planning, design, and management for NewGround’s Canadian operations. For over two decades, he has led NewGround Canada, developing lasting relationships with institutions from coast to coast. Always looking forward, Greg is passionate about driving innovation in architecture, design, and strategy for financial institutions. Greg’s hobbies include cooking at home, cycling, rowing, reading, and SCUBA diving.
Scott Florini
President, Canada
Scott oversees all Strategy services at NewGround, which includes developing in-depth market and economic studies, workplace strategies, and feasibility analyses.
The Strategy Team conducts field work, on-site Discovery sessions, and collaborates with NewGround’s Design and Environmental Teams to provide the best facility solutions for clients. Scott has over 25 years of experience in consulting for financial institutions and is driven to solve problems and share knowledge with our clients and team members.
Scott has a knack for remembering places, directions, and geography, and when traveling he tries to visit as many historical sites as possible. In his spare time, Scott also enjoys playing golf and watching baseball.
Paul Courter
CFO
As the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President at NewGround, Paul is responsible for the financial performance of the Company and leads the Shared Services team.
Contract pricing, treasury management, risk mitigation, and employer compliance are all functions of the centralized Shared Services team and Paul collaborates and works directly alongside other leaders to solve problems and improve our processes.
He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and received his Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. Outside of work, Paul enjoys family vacations with his spouse and children.
Susan Fischer
SVP, Interiors
Susan is a Registered Interior Designer with more than 18 years of expertise in commercial interior design across financial, workplace, retail, and hospitality sectors. As the SVP of Interiors, she leads a dynamic team comprising of Interior Designers, Procurement Specialists, Environmental Graphic Designers, and Digital Services.
Susan upholds the highest design standards on all projects, challenging the status quo to craft exceptional spaces that enhance company culture, foster brand loyalty, and promote employee well-being.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Susan engages in diverse activities, including rollerblading, practicing Krav Maga, and volunteering as the Assistant Troop Leader for her twin daughters’ Girl Scout troop. She also enjoys attending art fairs, festivals, and exploring local parks with her family and their dog.
Jeff Ensweiler
SVP, Business Development
Jeff is responsible for leading, training, hiring, and developing our Sales Team at NewGround. His role involves strategizing opportunities, managing territories, and anything that helps support our Sales Team in their efforts.
He is passionate about helping our Sales Team develop, and his favorite part of his role is seeing them succeed.
In his spare time, Jeff enjoys playing guitar, golf, boxing, cooking, and spending time with his family. Jeff is the proud husband of Allison and father to Roman.
Bill Bily
SVP, Design
With over 20 years of design experience, Bill’s role allows him to expertly lead the Architecture Team and make informed and experienced decisions. His unique design creations have captured the attention of consumers throughout his career, and he continues to assist in designing innovative spaces that shape new market trends.
Bill has worked on design projects for top retailers like Nike, Disney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Discover Mills, Lotte Department Stores, and Marriott’s Residence Inns. He has worked and collaborated in retail, entertainment, financial, and hospitality industries.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. He is a member of the American Institution of Architects and is AIA certified.
We’re committed and dedicated to our people, both inside and outside of NewGround.
There is nothing more thrilling for us than to see our clients and employees succeed. Our business is about transforming big goals into achievements that our clients and people celebrate.
Our talented team members are driven from within to be the best in the industry. We have a deep passion for strategy and a knack for flawlessly executing the smallest details.
We think beyond the present to where your organization is going. Combining research with creativity, we bring the spaces of the future into reality today.
We build spaces that foster human connection and believe that the best ideas result from the collision of different perspectives.
Openness, clarity, and transparency are critical to building and maintaining successful relationships. We take the time to communicate and listen with care.
Let’s imagine your future, and build it together.