# Meet Kayla Hodge: Expanding Our Ancillary Expertise
We're excited to welcome **Kayla Hodge** to the Tangram team as our newest Ancillary Specialist. With her extensive background in hospitality design and FF&E sourcing, Kayla brings valuable industry connections and expertise that will benefit our clients across diverse commercial projects.
## From Design to Business Development
Kayla's career path offers a unique perspective on the commercial design process. She began as an Interior Designer at Hatch Design Group, where she specialized in specifying finishes and furniture, fixtures, and equipment for restaurant interiors and exteriors. Her very first project was a hotel renovation—a challenging introduction that set the foundation for her hospitality design expertise.
Most recently, she served as a Business Development Manager at Designform Furnishings, where she managed sales across Northern California and Northern Nevada. Her portfolio included dining chairs, stools, lounge furniture, table tops, and bases—essential elements for creating functional, attractive commercial spaces.
## Getting to Know Kayla
Originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Kayla has embraced the adventurous spirit of the West Coast. She recently conquered rock climbing and completed the challenging Half Dome hike in Yosemite—a testament to her determination and willingness to tackle ambitious goals.
When she's not exploring the outdoors, you'll find Kayla enjoying Thai cuisine ("Sweet, salty, and spicy—the perfect mix of flavors!") and maintaining her famously healthy appetite. If given the chance, she'd love to have lunch with architect Frank Gehry, whose innovative work continues to fascinate her.
## What Kayla Brings to Tangram
**Extensive FF&E Resources**: Kayla describes herself as a "resource library" for furniture, fixtures, and equipment sourcing—an invaluable asset for commercial design projects.
**Hospitality Design Focus**: Her experience with restaurants and hotels provides specialized knowledge for these demanding commercial environments.
**Sales and Specification Experience**: Having worked both sides of the equation—as a specifying designer and a sales professional—Kayla understands the complete project lifecycle.
**Passion for the Industry**: What excites Kayla most about joining Tangram? "Getting back to doing what I'm passionate about and being able to share it with others on my team."
## Looking Forward
Kayla's combination of design training, sales experience, and extensive industry connections positions her to support our clients' FF&E needs effectively. Her background in hospitality design particularly strengthens our ability to serve restaurants, hotels, and other commercial clients who require specialized furniture and fixture solutions.
Welcome to the Tangram family, Kayla! We're excited to see how your expertise and resource network will enhance our project outcomes.
