HFA Architecture + Engineering Appoints Randy Sauer Senior Vice President

Veteran retail design leader will oversee a team of 160-plus professionals serving major retail and grocery clients across North America.

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HFA Architecture + Engineering today announced that Randy Sauer, AIA, has joined the employee-owned firm as Senior Vice President. He will oversee a team of more than 160 professionals focused on collaborative, highly efficient project design and delivery for diverse retailers and grocers.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Sauer brings more than 30 years of experience in both architecture and business development. "Randy has led and grown the retail and grocery practices at some of the country's best-known AEC firms, helping clients better serve their customers and adapt to rapid change," said Dave Wilgus, CEO of HFA. "His people-first leadership philosophy and commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration make him a strong fit. We're pleased to welcome Randy to HFA."

Sauer joins the firm after six years as a business development executive at Boise, Idaho-based ESI Construction, known for its large retail and grocery practice. Earlier in his career, he held vice president and principal-level roles at several national and international architecture and engineering firms, including Core States Group, DLR Group, Gensler and MG2.

His grocery-sector clients have included Whole Foods Market, Target, Safeway and multiple Kroger-owned brands. On the retail and restaurant side, Sauer has worked with brands such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Nike, H&M, Vans and Petco, to name a few.

His new role includes strengthening collaboration across HFA's retail-focused disciplines, including architecture, structural engineering, refrigeration, fueling, permitting and MEP engineering. His team's projects include remodels, new store design, brand refreshes and more. "What drew me to HFA was the opportunity to work with such a large and talented team to support clients that are seeking nothing less than to set the standard in retail and grocery innovation," Sauer said.

A believer in servant leadership—a philosophy he studied as part of his graduate education—Sauer said his management style centers on supporting his team rather than the other way around. "That guides me in my interactions with people every day," he said.

Meeting the Moment in Grocery and Retail
Sauer joins HFA at a time when many grocers and retailers aim to maximize their efficiency to better meet intense consumer demand for lower prices and convenience. "HFA's multidisciplinary teams live and breathe best practices related to customer pickup, fulfillment centers, automated distribution centers and more," he said. "It's tremendously valuable experience for our clients."

HFA's fueling practice is a differentiator as well, Sauer added. The company has completed fueling projects for the likes of 7-Eleven, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, Stripes Convenience Stores, Kum & Go, MAPCO Express, Parker's Kitchen and Jiffy Trip. "Adding both traditional and EV fueling options is a growing retail trend," Sauer said.

He noted that value-focused grocers have the opportunity to shine in today's price-conscious economic environment. "Often this is when they do most of their capital work, because they can build customer loyalty by delivering value when it counts the most," Sauer explained. "Prices are high enough today that at times it can feel like a recession to some consumers. Efficient project design empowers retailers to keep on delivering those lower prices their customers depend on."

About HFA Architecture + Engineering
HFA is a 100% employee-owned, multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm with more than 30 years of experience and offices in Bentonville, Arkansas; Fort Worth, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland; Springfield, Missouri; Boston and Franklin, Massachusetts; and Mexico City. With a team of 650+ professionals, HFA delivers client-focused design solutions across retail, hospitality, industrial, healthcare, and science and technology sectors.

Media Contacts: At Jaffe Communications, Joey Linde, (908) 789-0700, [email protected]

SOURCE HFA Architecture + Engineering