Dakota DesignStaff

Agency Bio

Dakota DesignStaff, Inc. is a search and placement firm providing design and technical staff for busy architecture, Interior Design, engineering and construction firms as well as corporate and institutional facilities departments in the metropolitan Boston and New England area and beyond. We are the only BSA (Boston Society of Architects) related staffing agency that is owned and operated by a registered, AIA Architect. This web site serves both candidates looking for work as well as companies looking for staff. Although we specialize in temporary staffing assignments we also provide temp-to-hire and direct hire placement. All staff have proven CAD skills and in most cases they have architecture or engineering degrees or commensurate experience. Our temps are pre-screened by a licensed Architect including personal interviews, portfolio review, reference checks and CAD testing.

John Donahoe, Jr. AIA | Dakota DesignStaff, Inc., President / Architect

Email: jdonahoe@dakotadesignstaff.com

Dakota DesignStaff, Inc., President John Donahoe, AIA is a licensed architect with over 25 years of industry experience and since 1985, a member of the AIA, BSA and NCARB. John has worked for several prominent Boston architecture firms including DiMella Shaffer where he was an Associate and Director of CAD. In 1990 John joined Sigma Design International as their National Technical Marketing Manager for the ARRIS CAD program where he was instrumental in the development of visualization products, training programs and worldwide user groups.

In 1993, John founded Dakota CAD Services and subsequently Dakota DesignStaff, Inc. with the goal of providing skilled architecture, engineering & construction staff specifically for the Building Design profession. Having experienced, survived and even prospered during several economic downturns during his career John is uniquely positioned to assist both clients and candidates with unique business solutions, even in a difficult economic environment.

John holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Berklee College of Music. John can be found performing on Saxophone and electric violin most weekends in New England theatre’s and nightclubs.

Eric Wright | Vice President / Architect

Email: ewright@dakotadesignstaff.com

As Vice President for Dakota DesignStaff, Inc., Eric oversees Dakota’s day to day operations with business development and recruiting initiatives with an emphasis on growing Dakota’s presence in the engineering and construction sector.

Eric has over 10 years of experience in Boston and New England firms in such capacities as Detailer / Designer, Job Captain and Project Manager. Eric’s extensive experience as a design professional in Boston firms, including Bergmeyer, Cubellis and Arrowstreet offers a unique service to clients in helping them achieve specific staffing goals as well as helping candidates with projected career goals.

Eric has provided pro-bono services to international clients for pre-design services that include a sustainable village resort on the island if Ille-Veche, Haiti. In 2006 Eric was recognized for his work on a local skyscraper design through the Common Boston / BSA competition. In 2009 Eric won an award in the national skyscraper competition from the Illinois Institute of Technology and Chicago Architecture Today for “Most Innovative Design Concept” through the Boston Architectural College.

In 2002 Eric was selected to be a member of the U.S. Men’s Semi-Pro National Baseball Team versus Cuba and is currently a Manager/Player for the Boston Braves in the MSBL.

Jessica Scott | Office Manager / Interior Designer

Email: jscott@dakotadesignstaff.com

Jessica Scott joined Dakota DesignStaff, Inc. as the Office Manager in February 2007 after successful careers in Medical Record Management and Administration, at Cambridge Health Alliance and Retail Management, for Express.

In addition to her work at Dakota, Jessica is finishing her Interior Design and Business Management degrees, and has gained substantial residential design experience. While this process has been quite enjoyable she finds that she gets even more satisfaction from helping both clients and candidates better their lives by making great connections and providing them with personalized service during an often difficult and stressful time.

Outside of her work at Dakota and pursuit of education of all kinds, she deals Black Jack for special events and charity function “Casino Nights,” and enjoys photography, traveling (having visited and spent time in over half of the 50 United States, including Hawaii and has a trip to Alaska is in the works) and spending time with her 3 nephews and dog Cecillia.

Jeff Simeone | Director of Business Development & Social Media

Email:jsimeone@dakotadesignstaff.com

As the Director of Business Development & Social Media for the firm Jeff’s primary goals are to establish new client relationships, manage existing relationships, recruit and connect with top AEC industry professionals and handle the firm’s social media campaign. Jeff’s background in permanent executive level searches adds to the firms already diverse staffing capabilities in the AEC industry and his experience in blogging and social networking will keep the firm up to date with the social networking movement.

Jeff comes to Dakota with five+ years of recruiting and client management experience focusing in the architecture, engineering and landscape architecture fields, most recently with SullivanKreiss Executive Search. Jeff prides himself on outstanding client relations and is always willing to take the extra steps necessary to accommodate his clients. Simeone has placed candidates throughout the United States ranging from Architectural Project Managers, Water/Wastewater Engineers, Landscape Designers, Interior Design Professionals as well as more specialized positions such as Greenhouse Gas Consultants, Asset Management Consultants and Sustainability Experts.

Jeff has a bachelor’s of arts degree in Human Resource Management from Clark University and currently resides in Holden, MA with his wife, Tracy and daughter, Maya. In his free time, Simeone enjoys skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, traveling, listening to music as well as attending local networking events and meeting new people.