John Townsend

CEO

With four decades of expertise spanning clean technology, community empowerment, and environmental restoration, John...

Nicole Johnson

COO

With over 20 years in urban and regional planning—most of it in the public sector—Nicole has seen the development process from every ang...

Sandy Baily

Development Specialist

Sandy L. Baily brings over four decades of specialized experience in California municipal planning and housing policy implementation. She...

Curt Wilson

VP of Project Management

Curt Wilson brings unparalleled expertise to our clients at Build by Design. As a key member of our leadership team, Curt helps California

John Townsend

CEO | Sustainability Strategist

John’s diverse portfolio spans multiple industries and applications. His contributions include pioneering solar and geothermal energy systems, developing intelligent water management technologies, championing regenerative agriculture initiatives, and advancing deep-sea exploration capabilities. From strategic collaborations with NASA and Google to educational leadership in STEM programs, his work consistently emphasizes meaningful impact and enduring value creation.

At the heart of John’s mission lies an unwavering conviction: the climate crisis is solvable through collective action, leveraging existing tools, emerging technologies, and human ingenuity. He dedicates himself to cultivating emerging leaders, forging robust public-private alliances, and pioneering residential designs that transcend net-zero targets to achieve net-positive environmental impact.

Nicole Johnson

Chief Operating Officer

With over 20 years in urban and regional planning—most of it in the public sector—Nicole has seen the development process from every angle. She’s reviewed countless projects, worked alongside city planners, and collaborated with community leaders on everything from single-family homes to large commercial developments.

That insider experience taught her exactly where property owners struggle when navigating city processes—and how the right guidance changes everything.

Now, in the private sector at Build by Design, Nicole uses that knowledge to help homeowners successfully navigate SB9 development. She translates complex planning requirements into clear action steps, anticipates what cities will ask for, and positions projects for approval the first time.

Nicole’s passion: Making housing solutions accessible to real families. She knows SB9 opens incredible opportunities—whether you’re creating housing for family, generating rental income, or increasing your property value. But she also knows the process can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly where she excels.

Nicole guides property owners from initial feasibility through final approval, handling the planning strategy, city coordination, and problem-solving along the way. Her approach is collaborative, practical, and focused on making SB9 work for your specific goals and vision.

As both a planning professional and a mother, Nicole understands deeply that housing solutions must serve real families and strengthen communities. Every project she touches reflects that commitment—helping property owners navigate local government processes while creating homes that matter.

Sandy L. Baily

Development Specialist

Sandy L. Baily brings over four decades of specialized experience in California municipal planning and housing policy implementation. She has established herself as a leading expert in navigating complex permitting landscapes and accelerating housing production while ensuring regulatory compliance
As Director of Community Development for the Town of Los Gatos, Sandy managed comprehensive community development operations, overseeing Planning and Building Divisions while serving as a key liaison to elected officials. Her strategic leadership approach enabled her to streamline approval processes, implementing digital permit tracking systems that reduced approval timelines by over 30%.
Sandy’s expertise encompasses California Housing Elements, state housing laws including SB 9 and ADU provisions, CEQA requirements, and zoning ordinances. Throughout her career, she has successfully guided property owners, developers, and organizations through intricate permitting processes, consistently identifying optimal pathways to project approval.
Known for her exceptional stakeholder collaboration skills, Sandy has built effective relationships with property owners, developers, elected officials, and community members. Her ability to translate technical requirements into accessible guidance and her commitment to balancing regulatory compliance with practical implementation make her an invaluable resource for navigating California’s evolving housing regulatory environment.

Curt Wilson

Vice President of Project Management

Curt Wilson brings unparalleled expertise to our clients at Build by Design. As a key member of our leadership team, Curt helps California property owners, developers, and organizations cut through red tape and navigate the state’s intricate housing permitting processes.
Before joining Build by Design, Curt partnered at GKW Constructors, Inc., where he managed operations and cultivated strong client relationships. During his time as Estimator/Project Manager at Sterling Building Contractors, he achieved record-breaking sales and production results, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.
His diverse background includes successfully leading Watson Realty and founding Wilson & Associates, an executive consulting firm—experiences that enhance his ability to understand and address the unique needs of each client Build by Design serves.
Curt is passionate about Build by Design’s vision that every Californian deserves access to quality housing. This commitment drives his dedication to seeing every project through to successful completion, ensuring our clients can focus on building communities while he handles the regulatory complexities