The Team

Denis Gervais – President, apdiq  | Co-founder of Gervais Harding Associates (GHA) in 1985, Denis has over 35 years experience in the retail and development design industry. His retail solutions produce concepts that surpass design to produce revenue-generating opportunities for property owners. These accomplishments are consistently recognized by the leading design industry associations for creating innovative shopping environments.

In 1971, Denis graduated with a Bachelor’s of Interior Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. His professional career has included teaching design at Dawson College of Interior Design, Montreal, where he also served as departmental chair. Denis is a frequent lecturer and guest panelist at retail industry forums, as well as a judge at various international design competitions.

Steve Sutton – Vice-President, apdiq, isp | A GHA design studios partner since 1988, Steve has 30 years experience in the retail design industry. An extensive store planning and construction background at his own retail design firm preceded his association with GHA. With a degree in Architectural Technology from Vanier College in 1980, Steve’s retail savvy and architectural training are complemented by his creative problem-solving skills. His ease at working with a diverse client base on either large-scale developments or small-scale stores serve to reinforce a loyal clientele and attract a new expanded base.

Frank Di Niro – Vice-President | A GHA Partner since 1997, Frank joined the firm in 1992 as an established retail designer after several years with other corporate and retail design firms in Montreal. Frank graduated in 1986 from Dawson College Interior Design Program. He has a particular expertise in tenant liaison as it relates to shopping centre development projects and is responsible for leading GHA teams to win numerous awards for design excellence. Frank’s focus on the broad international market for retail design trends infuses the firm’s projects with a global appeal resulting in an increasingly diverse portfolio.