Trendsetters: Executive Women

Mike Vogel | 10/1/2007

Drawn to the Business

Maria Hernandez [Photo: Daniel Portnoy]

Every so often, Maria Hernandez admits, she misses architecture. Though she keeps her architect’s license current, she traded design for development in 1994 when she joined Miami developer Codina Group.

She spent 11 years with Codina before moving to LNR Property, the Miami-based real estate company, and then last year joined Gibson Development, a small, Miami-based concern.

Hernandez, 47, runs the tenant buildout at Gibson’s Sam Remo, a 180,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use development in Coral Gables, and is project director for Park Place, a 185,000-sq.-ft. office and retail project expected to break ground this year in Doral.

Hernandez still gets to dabble in architectural drawing when working on interior space plans but prefers the business side of development and the world of land, construction and customer issues.

Hernandez is Cuba-born, Miami-raised and a University of Miami grad. “I’m definitely a Miami girl.”

Maria Hernandez

Gibson Development Partners
Project director, Miami

Quote:
“This is a very team-oriented business.”

Architects:
“They really want beautiful designs that last forever. I understand where architects are coming from. When you understand their world, you can work with architects more.”

Early jobs:
Jordan Marsh department store, the Sears’ candy department

Tags: Trendsetters