Michael Houston, President

Mr. Houston, President of HJA Design Studio, LLC, has over forty years of experience in Landscape Architecture. He founded HJA in 2010 with the goal of providing the firm’s clients with a level of design and planning expertise comparable to the best Landscape Architectural firms in the U.S. HJA specializes in Landscape Architecture, land planning, and project entitlements. His portfolio includes a wide range of projects, from the Sandglass Golf Course, Martin Downs and Hammock Creek in Martin County, to Terra Lago in the Village of Indiantown, P1 Motor Club private race community in St. Lucie County and the Vero Beach Resort in Vero Beach. Based in Florida’s Treasure Coast, Mr. Houston expanded HJA’s reach to the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South America, and also provides services to clients with projects along the Treasure Coast and beyond. He is the driving force behind helping all HJA’s clients achieve their vision with creativity and a focus on sustainable development principles, using a collaborative approach to problem solving with large or small teams.

The HJA team is known for its excellence in achieving complex land use, zoning, and site plan approvals, with a commitment to communication and proactive problem-solving. Mr. Houston is affiliated with several professional organizations and has received numerous awards, including the Florida Engineering Society award for Port St. Lucie’s EWIP Stormwater project, the Florida Builders Association award for Loxahatchee Club, and the Florida Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects award for Vero Beach Hotel & Club.

Todd Troxell, Vice President

Michael Houston, President of HJA Design Studio is proud to announce that Todd Troxell has been promoted to Vice President of the firm. Todd has been with HJA since its founding in 2010 and during that time has been instrumental in the firm’s growth and success. Todd is a graduate of the West Virginia University with a BLA in Landscape Architecture. Todd has been the principal designer and project manager on many of the companies high- visibility projects including the redevelopment of the Willoughby Golf Club clubhouse and pool, the Durbin mixed use community in St. John’s County near Jacksonville, the Townhomes of Hobe Sound in the Hobe Sound CRA and the recently completed Sovana senior apartment community in Stuart. Under his new role Todd will also focus on client development, staff growth and construction administration.

Erika Beitler, Project Manager

Erika earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida in 2016 and has since been a key team member at HJA Design Studio. She brings expertise in land planning, landscape architecture, urban design, and entitlements to clients on the Treasure Coast and across Florida.

Erika’s experience working with residential and commercial developers and municipality staff encompasses a wide range of projects including large- scale community planning, mixed-use developments, planned unit developments, multi-family complexes, commercial and industrial distribution centers as well as public sector streetscape and park enhancement projects.

Her project management and planning knowledge align to provide a thorough understanding of municipal regulations, site analysis and design, development applications and processes. Erika often leads the design team and ensures appropriate application process, and projected timeline for obtaining site and entitlement approvals for their projects.

Her goal for the profession of landscape architecture and planning is to make meaningful and lasting contributions to the community in which she lives with the focus of protecting the natural environment and a high quality of life.

Patti Tobin, Senior Project Manager

Patti has her master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Memphis and her bachelor’s in political science from the University of South Florida. She has over forty years’ experience in planning on the Treasure Coast. Patti has worked in the public sectors including with the City of Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, City of Fort Pierce, and the Town of Jupiter. Her private sector experience includes Director of Planning for the 4,000-acre Tradition community and now as a senior project manager with HJA Design Studio where she is managing a wide variety of complex planning and entitlement projects. Her planning and project management knowledge come together to provide our clients with a comprehensive understanding of project schedules, issues and best approaches to timely entitlements.

Patti has held a variety of planning, housing, and economic development positions, including experience in large scale projects such as developments of regional impact, housing including new construction, and regional planning.

Patti has been an active member of her community including over 20 years volunteering with Learn to Read of St. Lucie County, American Association of University Women, Friends of the St. Lucie County Library, and the St. Lucie County Housing Finance Authority.

Kristina Harkins, Administrative Assistant

Kristina plays a key role in the firms entitlement work by coordinating directly with County and City staff on submittal applications, schedules, resubmittals and approval follow- up actions. Kristina has built excellent working relationships with both local planning staff and our fellow consultants.

HJA Design Studio is seeking a Senior Landscape Architect to join our growing team in Martin County, Florida.

We are searching for a creative designer with proven design intuition, problem-solving, and project management skills.

We are a fast paced, dynamic company offering an energetic work environment. HJA offers competitive salaries, rich benefits packages, and a fun place to work. Interested candidates should apply with a copy of their resume.

This professional must be capable of visioning, developing, and advancing design concepts to create technically sound, innovative designs for implementation while successfully leading project teams.

The ideal candidate will have experience with proposal writing, creating and maintaining lasting client relationships and the motivation to engage in business development efforts. Registration with a current license is required.

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture and 7+ years of relevant work experience.

Please contact Kristina Harkins by email at kharkins@hjadstudio.com or by phone at 772-678-7200 extension 213.