BENTONVILLE, Arkansas – September 11, 2025 —HFA Architecture + Engineering today announced that AEC technologist Brittany Pylant will spearhead the company’s change-management strategy as Vice President, Technology + Digital Innovation.
Pylant, who previously oversaw data- and tech-driven process improvements across HFA’s design studios, “is well positioned to keep HFA at the forefront of AEC tech innovation,” said HFA President and CEO Dave Wilgus.
Her responsibilities include helping shape the company’s future vision, pilot game-changing technologies and achieve seamless, enterprise-wide digital integration.
“Brittany is eager to collaborate with our leadership and internal teams, key clients and industry colleagues to drive mutually beneficial innovation,” Wilgus said. “We can’t wait to see what she will achieve as HFA’s first VP of Technology + Digital Innovation.”
Pylant takes the job during a time of growing opportunities for AEC to use data and technology to bolster results. “It’s everything from artificial intelligence (AI) automation and building information modeling (BIM) to greater integration of design, construction and financial and accounting data,” she said.
At the same time, Pylant noted, many AEC companies are struggling to chart a path forward given the plethora of tech options at their disposal. “Beyond internal education, part of my new role involves interacting more with clients and partnering with them on the technologies that will truly make a difference for them,” Pylant explained.
That could involve sharing HFA’s experience with middleware or Autodesk Construction Cloud or sitting down with clients to learn about their pain points and develop solutions. “It’s almost like changing the script of what HFA can offer,” Pylant said. “It’s not just our services or our deliverables—it’s an opportunity to partner.”
In keeping with HFA’s people-first culture, Pylant will work with the studios and upwards of 30 HFA colleagues in areas that include:
- innovation strategy
- operations
- business technology (enterprise resource planning)
- design technology (BIM + visualization)
- custom integration solutions (CIS); and
- IT/systems.
“A big component of this new role is being able to focus more on our people and their ideas and needs,” Pylant said. “Our intention is not to bring in cool new tools for the sake of it. We want relevant ideas and solutions to come from our studio members in ways that help them master their craft.”
HFA’s recent AI innovation contest is an example. Studios provided nearly two-dozen creative ideas. One of the top five solutions that emerged is now in development by IBM. “We are even rolling out an app that will make it easier for our teams to submit ideas,” Pylant said. “It’s about facilitating continuous improvement.”
In addition, Pylant will consult with HFA’s teams to make sure they have the resources they need. “Creating that capacity is important to growing our existing culture of teamwork, curiosity and experimentation,” Pylant said. “That’s what ultimately leads to innovation.”
Team members also will be encouraged to pursue professional development and technical learning and to travel to events like Autodesk University and IBM’s TechXchange and Think conferences. Those focused specifically on digital innovation also will closely track emerging solutions from the likes of Apple, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, OpenAI and NVIDIA.
“It’s about taking a step back and looking beyond AEC to the broader tech world,” Pylant said. “What can we glean from them to stay at the forefront of where the AEC industry is headed?”
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About HFA Architecture + Engineering HFA is an employee-owned, nationwide architecture and engineering firm with offices in Bentonville, AR, Fort Worth, TX, Franklin, MA, Springfield, MO, and Mexico City. With 35 years of experience, HFA has become a trusted partner for a diverse range of clients, providing comprehensive services that combine design innovation and project delivery excellence. The studio's portfolio includes commercial projects in retail, industrial, mixed-use/office, restaurants, healthcare, hospitality and entertainment spaces. To learn more about HFA and their work, visit https://www.hfa-ae.com/
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