The Team

Denis Gervais, ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), APDIQ (Association professionnelle des designers intérieurs du Québec) | Co-founder of GHA in 1985, Denis has over 35 years experience in the retail design industry.  His commitment to producing successful retail environments through innovative design and in-depth market understanding has been consistently recognized by the design industry.  GHA’s retail projects have rewarded property owners and developers with outstanding results. Professional career achievements include teaching design at Dawson College, Montreal, where he also served as Chairman of the Interior Design department.  Denis is a frequent lecturer and panel judge at various international forums and design competitions, respectively.  With a Bachelor’s of Interior Architecture, Denis is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design.

Steve Sutton, ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), RDI (Retail Design Institute) APDIQ (Association professionnelle des designers intérieurs du Québec | 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.  Steve’s retail savvy and architectural training are complemented by creative problem-solving and team-building techniques that consistently drive GHA design teams to outstanding achievements.  His ease at working on either large-scale developments or small-scale stores has served to reinforce a loyal clientele and attract a new expanded base.  Steve graduated from Vanier College in 1980 with a degree in Architectural Technology.

Frank Di Niro, ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) | 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’s focus on the global market for retail design trends and fashion-forward concepts has injected the firm’s projects with an international appeal keeping GHA at the cutting edge of the design industry.  He has a particular expertise in tenant liaison and out-of-the-box approaches to urban streetfront retail as they relate to shopping centre and outdoor development projects.  Frank graduated in 1986 from Dawson College with a degree in Interior Design

Nick Giammarco, ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), RDI (Retail Design Institute), DDI Advisory Board (Display and Design Ideas) | A partner at GHA design studios leading the Detroit office, Nick has 25 years of retail design experience.  Nick is that rare designer whose passions, values and talents are perfectly aligned to design environments that resonate with consumers. Born and raised near Rome, his unique perspective spans both hemispheres.  He has an acutely intuitive sense for store planning, design and brand positioning which deliver measurable improvements in customer experience, operating results and brand value. Nick studied at Lawrence Technical University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

Paola Marques, ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), RDI (Retail Design Institute), DDI Advisory Board (Display and Design Ideas) | A partner at GHA, Paola has specialized in branded retail environments such as the ICSC and NASFM award-winning Fido stores and kiosks, as well as large-scale mall projects such as Lougheed Town Centre in B.C and the International ICSC and SADI award-winning expansion of Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.  Currently, she is lead designer for the programming and renovation of the Calgary Eaton Centre, rebranded as the Core.  Paola’s deep commitment to her projects fosters long-term relationships with her range of clients who entrust her with developing bold new tenant storefront criteria or driving store designs and brand merchandising strategies.