At DHJ, we specialize in bringing your vision to life through a comprehensive suite of design, construction, and contracting services. As a vertically integrated company, we manage every aspect of your project from start to finish, ensuring a seamless process and superior results. From entitlement and site planning to interior and landscaping design, and general contracting, we handle it all.
Our firm is led by three dedicated professionals—David Olson, Henry Ramirez, and Jaret Padilla—each bringing a unique blend of expertise in development, field operations, and design to guide your project every step of the way.
David Olson
General Contractor, Principal
I was born and raised on the vibrant westside of Los Angeles, where I developed a passion for competition, teamwork and dedication to service greater than myself. During my time at Loyola High School, I had the privilege of not only playing on championship varsity football and volleyball teams, but volunteering for various school & community causes; experiences that taught me the value of commitment, perseverance, and humility.
I continued my academic and athletic journey at Harvard College, where I earned my degree with Magna Cum Laude honors while lettering on the varsity volleyball team. After graduating, I began my professional career in commercial real estate development at Majestic Realty Co. in City of Industry, CA. There, I served as a Development Partner and Director of Capital Markets, gaining invaluable experience in the world of construction management, capital markets, development and real estate.
My path then took me up north to San Francisco, where I founded the development arm at West Valley Properties, further honing my skills in the development sector.
For the past 15 years, I have ventured out on my own as a residential real estate investor and licensed broker, developer, and general contractor. My specialty lies in custom residential remodels and ground-up developments from concept design, architectural and engineering, through entitlement, permit processing and general contracting / building.
My success is a direct product of the expertise I’ve refined from the wide range of experiences earned in real estate, design, general contracting and construction. It is amplified by my proven ability to combine structure, organization, vision, and construction knowledge seamlessly with well-developed project management skills and leadership qualities through every phase of the construction process. I am devoted to creating meticulously crafted, thoughtful spaces that enhance and enliven those who inhabit them.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. I look forward to connecting with you and working together to bring your project visions to life.
Henry Ramirez
Architectural Design, Principal
My interest in architecture, planning and development started at a very early age influenced by my mother and LEGO. She studied architecture in Colombia during a time where it was rare for women to go for a higher education. I obtained a BA in architecture and proceeded for post graduate studies in architecture and urban planning at Cal Poly Pomona.
During my 28 years of professional experience, I have worked on small and large scale residential (single family homes, multifamily, mixed use development), commercial, industrial and healthcare projects. In addition, I worked very closely with developers designing entire residential communities with different types of housing and some of them with a commercial component.
The beginning of my career started in small firms and it evolved to work in large firms.
During this process, I learned that a successful project includes:
- listening to your clients. That step seems so crucial—it’s about more than just fulfilling a brief; it’s about truly understanding their vision and how they want to interact with the space.
- Understanding that every new project is different and we should be strategic with our approach.
- Projects evolve and the design process shall be a mutual collaboration between consultants and clients. There is a lot to learn from each other to achieve a successful project.
- A clear understanding of the regulatory process at the Local, State and Federal levels go hand in hand with with a very successful design.
I approach every project like it is my own and love to think that teamwork produces very special projects.
Jaret Padilla
Engineering Design, Principal
Jaret combines a creative vision with a deep commitment to client satisfaction. He works closely with homeowners to bring their ideas to life—translating concepts into functional, beautifully crafted spaces. With a background in design and a talent for communication, Jaret ensures that every project reflects the client’s personality, needs, and goals while keeping the process seamless and stress-free.