CHICAGO, IL Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD), an international leader in the design of high-performance buildings, mission critical facilities, workplaces, and health, science and education environments, promotes seven employees to the position of vice president.

The seven are Mohsen Aghai, Daniel Burggraaff, Shelby Goldman, James Gronek, Julia Gudino, Mike Matthews, and Jose Orta.

Mohsen Aghai has provided electrical engineering system design for domestic and international projects, including supporting ESD's international initiative by acting as Electrical Director in the firm's Abu Dhabi office. He has gained expertise in the design of electrical power distribution systems from the schematic design phase through the construction document phase. He joined ESD in 1995.

Daniel Burggraaff is an integral member of the high performance building team. Working closely with clients such as McCormick Place, Navy Pier and KPMG, his efforts have been instrumental in the ongoing success of the team. He is engaged in project management and mechanical systems design for commercial buildings, educational facilities, data centers and tenant build-outs. He joined ESD in 2000.

Shelby Goldman serves as a senior level project manager within the workplace solutions group.  She has made a significant impact on the industry with her innovative approach to delivering best-in-class engineering consulting services. She joined ESD in 1998.

James Gronek has a wealth of Bay Area experience in the design of commercial high-rise core and shell, workplace interiors, cultural and performance spaces and retail markets. At ESD he has served as the San Francisco, California, studio leader, project manager and senior mechanical design engineer. He joined ESD in 2015.

Julia Gudino leads ESD's human resources team, helping to make the company a place where people want to work. As Director of Human Resources, she balances the needs of the ESD staff according to changing market conditions, a complex legal environment, skill development, and career opportunities. She joined ESD in 1999.

Mike Matthews is involved with many of ESD's process improvement efforts and is co-leading an evaluation of the firm's financial system platform. As director of accounting, he supports process improvement, streamlines reporting, integrates platforms and leads the accounting team through his knowledge of accounting principles. He is involved with tax compliance and oversees the state licensures across the firm. He joined ESD in 2014.

Jose Orta has helped lead the engineering efforts on projects that have earned more than a dozen industry awards, including Motorola Mobility, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and others. He is actively involved in ASHRAE and is instrumental in helping develop much of the staff, with a keen focus on highly effective project management strategies. He joined ESD in 1994.