#KnowUsToLoveUs- Sultan of San Antonio

Sultan of San AntonioKnown in the Office as: Sultan of San Antonio

Actual Name: Wesley (Wes) Salazar

Job Title: Senior Associate & Project Manager

Which college did you attend? Texas A&M, College Station – Class of 2005! Whoop!

Why landscape architecture? I went into the program thinking I would transfer into Architecture but found out I really enjoyed what I was experiencing and learning. I realized we are the profession that ties all the other disciplines together. I also had some pretty amazing classmates which made it even more worthwhile! It was a hard sell for my parents that the program was for five years, but it ended up working out.

What is your role in the San Antonio office? I wear many hats in the office, but that’s what I enjoy. I manage our team’s daily production, oversee coordination with our Houston office and project consultants, project scheduling, recruitment, billing and most recently, business development. The latter has been the most challenging because there is so much to learn, but it’s also very rewarding. It’s pulled me out of my comfort zone, I’ve met other like-minded professionals and it’s been a great experience. I also get to brag about all the cool work we do which makes it easier.

Which project at K&W do you feel most proud of? Why? Oh man this is a tough one, after over ten years I definitely have more than one. My top five: St. Luke’s Renovation in the Woodlands, Tavola, Young Ranch & Homestead master planned communities (MPC) and the Texas A&M Corps plaza renovation. St. Luke’s was one of the first large projects that I managed on my own and it was a big success. The MPC’s are special because of the amount of work that goes into them and how much leadership we have as landscape architects to drive them to completion. Homestead is the first MPC we have worked on in the San Antonio area, Schertz/Cibolo, so that is pretty exciting. The Corps renovation is a huge part of the campus’ history, to walk through it and experience it knowing it will be around for generations to come is surreal. I can’t wait to walk through it with my niece through it, you know she’ll be an Aggie!

Tell me some passions of yours. Two of my passions include mentoring/training and fitness. I don’t have kids, but I imagine the sense of pride I feel when one of my architects successfully leads a meeting or takes the lead on a project and succeeds, is a similar feeling. We invest a lot in our employees and when we can take the training wheels off and see them evolve into strong leaders, it’s a very humbling feeling.
A couple of years ago I realized we only have one life and one body to experience it with, why not make it an efficient working machine—that is my motivation to stay active and fit. I teach indoor cycling at JoyRide Texas and actively participate in half/full marathons, 160+ mile bike rides etc. I want to stay healthy and strong as long as I can.

How are the San Antonio and Houston markets different? How do you design the landscape differently? The two markets are definitely different in terms of project size and growth within the city but they also share the same core values. At the end of the day no matter where you are people want good customer service, someone who can listen to them and interpret their thoughts and a good, functional design solution.
What’s great about San Antonio is it’s had the opportunity to see how larger Texas cities have approached design and reviewed what has and hasn’t worked. The city is evolving at a good pace with a focus on inner city redevelopment. I have personally experienced the positive effects of this approach living close to downtown. It’s a great time to be in San Antonio.

What’s your favorite outdoor space to design? Over the years I found that management is what I love doing but when I do get a chance to sit and design I enjoy planting design, it comes the most naturally to me. It is also the first part of a project you typically see; it sets the tone for your experience.

What is your favorite part about working at K&W? The importance of family values, the relationships with my teammates and the work/life balance. We really do support and help each other out like a family should—no office is perfect but when it comes down to it we don’t leave anyone behind. We leave all egos at the door and work to accomplish what we came to do, work hard to play hard. We realize everyone has a family and life outside of these walls and that is what’s most important.

What was your favorite TV show/cartoon growing up? If I’m being honest, She-Ra Princess of Power! She’s a real strong, bada$$ woman.

What do you like on your pizza? Cheese, pepperoni and prosciutto—SoBro in San Antonio is my favorite!

What is your favorite season? Why? Our Texas winters are my favorite. It’s just cold enough to wear that really cool jacket you bought for the season, but right when the cold weather starts to get on your nerves spring is here!

If you weren’t a landscape architect, what would your dream job be? Probably a therapist, I’m pretty good at listening and figuring things out. I also have this internal desire to help people grow, succeed and realize their potential.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be? (famous or not, living or dead, fictional character or real) I would trade places with my uncle Manuel who passed away in the 90’s. He lived an amazing life living every day to the fullest. We only met a few times when I was very young but I still think of him every day. I would love to experience life through his eyes and shoes.

Do you have any advice for someone fresh out of college? A lot of LA programs focus very heavily on design, as a student you may feel that you have to be a designer to be successful within the profession. What students need to realize is that there are many avenues to take once you get into our profession: designer, manager, construction administrator, 3D designer, business development manager, detail specialist, irrigator and many more opportunities. Keep an open mind and try to get involved in as many roles as you can, figure out your strengths and then develop them. Pick a firm that recognizes this process and will foster your growth as a professional.  

Candy or popcorn? BOTH! I work out to eat what I want.

City or countryside? I love taking a quick trip to the countryside to escape reality. My partner and I started a tradition of taking a trip to Wimberley, TX with my family every summer—but I’m a city boy at heart. I thrive on the hustle and bustle of an evolving city and hate it when I can’t get data or internet service.

 

Sultan of San Antonio Wes Salazar Wes Salazar, Project Manager

 

Below are images of 3 noteworthy projects Wes has worked on: