Our Background


The principal and founder of the Monte Bella Group is John B. Hester, AICP. Other members are added to the team as needed depending on the project.


John B. Hester, AICP

In addition to his work with the Monte Bella Group, John has had extensive public, private, and non-government organization experience in a broad range of projects:


Public


Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (Created by interstate compact between California and Nevada)

Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Executive Director responsible for all operational departments including Long Range and Transportation Planning, Current Planning and Code Compliance, Environmental Improvement, and Research and Analysis.


City of Reno, Nevada

Assistant City Manager, Redevelopment Administrator, and Community Development Director.


Washoe County, Nevada

Community Development Director, Water Resources Director (Acting 1 year), Comprehensive Planning Director and Assistant Director.


Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (Cincinnati metropolitan area)

Regional Planning Department Regional Planner.


North Central Texas Council of Governments (Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area)

Research and Planning Coordination Department Planning Associate.


City of Fort Worth, Texas

Planning Department Inner City Study Urban Design Team.

Private


Citygate Associates (Northern California based management consulting firm)

Senior Associate conducted performance audits for local governments in California, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.


Dunkin-Sefko Associates (Dallas based urban planning consulting firm)

Associate responsible for development and application of a PC fiscal impact analysis system used to evaluate growth corridor, annexation, stadium expansion, and other similar proposals.


Non-Government Organizations

Pro-bono and paid projects ranging from a college preparatory school campus plan, to strategic planning for Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful and the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, to facilitation for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.