Martin P. Goldsbrough, President

Prior to co-founding Firma Design Group with Michael Tarnoff and Mike Cook in 2011 (previously Land Development Solutions, Inc from 2000 ‘till 2011), Martin was Principal of Martin Consulting, a land development and construction service company in Novato. Earlier, he was a Principal and project manager at CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc., and from 1970 to 1980 was employed at the Marin Municipal Water District.

His areas of expertise include project management, entitlements, plan processing through government agencies, and civil engineering design.  He has 37 years of experience in project management and coordination of residential and commercial developments, land entitlement processing and coordination through the local, state, and federal agencies, construction supervision, feasibility studies, and the design of residential and commercial infrastructure improvements.  He has successfully represented clients before the many review agencies whose approval was needed before projects could proceed; and he coordinates the engineering design and other design disciplines on numerous projects from inception through construction completion.

Marty is a motorcycle buff and enjoys riding throughout the Bay Area and beyond.  He especially likes spending time with his family and many grandchildren – both in Sonoma and in southern California.  In his spare time, Marty enjoys shooting pool and listening to live music.

Michael L. Tarnoff, Vice President of Engineering

Michael Tarnoff joined with Martin Goldsbrough and Mike Cook in 2011 to create Firma Design Group (after creating and working at Land Development Solutions, Inc. with Martin from 2000 to 2011), following more than 13 years in engineering project management and coordination of residential and commercial developments.   Michael received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, in 1987, and was certified as a Registered Civil Engineer in 1991 (California License No. C 48596).

Before LDSI incorporated, he worked for other engineering companies in Northern and Southern California, as well as serving as an independent engineering consultant. His expertise includes entitlement processing and coordination, the preparation of feasibility studies for new residential and commercial development, the design of residential and commercial infrastructure improvements, including mass and site specific grading, drainage, sanitary sewers, and water distribution systems, cost estimating and construction administration, and plan processing with local, state, and federal agencies.

Michael’s even temperament, financial sense, negotiation skills, and broad experience distinguish his work with clients, contractors, architects, and city planners. In his spare time he volunteers for several non-profit fund raising events, is president of the board of directors of O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley, and for eight years was a Big Brother for Marin Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Michael A. Cook, Vice President of Planning & Landscape Architecture

Mike created Firma Design Group with Marty and Michael in early 2011. Prior to forming the partnership, Mike was Principal of Michael A. Cook, Landscape Architect, a planning and landscape architecture firm based in Santa Rosa, California for over 3 years. For the eight years prior to his own firm, Mike worked for two different landscape architecture firms in the North Bay as a Project Manager and Senior Landscape Architect. Mike recently became a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) that enables him to not only design highly-efficient landscape and irrigations systems, but also allows Mike to audit the systems (his design or not – per California Building Code) to ensure that the installation has been installed correctly and that the equipment and layout is the most efficient (this certification is completed through the Irrigation Association). Mike was appointed to the City of Santa Rosa Design Review Board in January, 2011.

Mike attended California State Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo, California for his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree (2001). While at Cal Poly, SLO, he was involved in the University community by starting the Cal Poly Golf Association and eventually the Division IAA Golf Team and belonged to the Student Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Following graduation and meeting the requirements for the State Licensure Exam, Mike became a licensed landscape architect in 2004 (RLA #5123). As a landscape architect, Mike has worked on most every type of project throughout California and takes pride in knowing that he is qualified to work with any owner in California, whether it be a private homeowner or a large municipality.

Mike enjoys playing golf when he’s not working, has two young daughters and lives in Santa Rosa with his family. He volunteers his time in many different ways and believes in making Santa Rosa/Petaluma and the North Bay an attractive place for doing business.

Kent Carothers, Project Manager

Kent Carothers joined Firma Design Group in 2006 as a project manager with a wealth of experience gleaned from years of successful engineering project management for residential, municipal, and commercial site development projects. Kent received his civil engineering degree in 1994, and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in both California and Texas. Before joining Firma Design Group, Kent worked for 12 years with other engineering firms in those states, specializing in Land Development and Public Works projects.  He served as department manager for all the residential design projects in Texas for Doucet and Associates.  His wide range of experience includes planning, civil engineering design and project management for single family residential developments, recreational facilities, retail and shopping centers, wineries, multifamily dwellings, office complexes, and municipal projects, including schools and airports.

Kent has extensive experience in grading and utility plan design, storm water detention, storm water quality design, ADA compliance, commercial retail site design, roadway design, erosion control, subdivision master planning, and processing permits through city, county, state, and federal agencies. Recent projects include tentative maps, construction plans for North Bay subdivisions, residential hillside grading plans, and site construction plans for senior housing developments.

Kent searches out cost-effective ways to comply with new regulations, and focuses on the details of construction documents.  As a commercial pilot, he enjoys aviation activities during his free time.  He also likes spending time with his family and participates in various forms of outdoor recreation.

Kristine Willis, Designer

Kristine Willis joined the Firma Design Group team in 2006 as a designer with many years of civil engineering and land surveying experience. Kristine supports the project managers in the design of residential subdivisions, commercial developments, multi-family projects, and public works projects.

Before joining Firma Design Group, Kristine worked for land surveying and engineering companies in California and Texas. Her wide range of talents includes a solid understanding of the plan production process, construction surveying requirements, and construction standards. She has extensive experience in utilizing the most current computer programs for grading, drainage, utility plans, roadway design, parking lot design, subdivision lot layout, and quantities estimation. Kristine selects and adapts current computer techniques for project plans, design documents, and specifications, and assists in the preparation of all necessary engineering analyses and submittals.

Kristine’s recent projects include design of construction plans for a condominium project in Petaluma, a low cost housing project in Novato, and a multi-family mixed-use development in Santa Rosa. In her spare time, she enjoys home improvements and spending time with her family in the wine country.

Steve Kovanis, Landscape Designer

Steve has been widely involved in the California landscape community for over ten years through employment and volunteer opportunities, and is experienced with a wide range of projects from initial concept through installation and maintenance. Years of hands-on gardening and landscaping experience have provided Steve with an intimate knowledge of plants, and understanding of how they can enhance the quality of any project.

Steve’s professional experience includes endangered species habitat restoration in Marin County, residential and commercial design/installation projects throughout the North Bay Area, design of a community garden in Santa Rosa, California, and many drought tolerant, low maintenance gardens in the Bay Area and Central Coast, California. Steve’s combination of education, work experience, and technical ability offer a unique perspective to the design profession. Land stewardship and sustainable principles are the foundation to Steve’s design philosophy, and he uses his plant expertise to create beautiful, sustainable landscapes that are beneficial to the environment.

Carolyn Kintzley, Office Manager

Carolyn joined Firma Design Group (FDG) in 2011 as the Office Manager when FDG acquired Ralph J. Alexander & Associates. She is responsible for daily office tasks and coordinating work, and communicating with their many clients. She worked for over 9 years for Ralph J. Alexander & Associates, as their Administrative Assistant. Prior to that, Carolyn worked as a Certified Massage Therapist for several years.

In her spare time, she can be found volunteering with her dog Bell at local senior care facilities, spending time with her family, and making jewelry.