SPOTLIGHT ON: Hugh Lester

Title: Sr. Director of Special Projects 

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology – University of Kansas – 1990

Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture – 2000

Master's Degree in Corrections – Western New Mexico University – 2013

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Engineering  – Stevens Institute of Technology – 2015 Doctoral Coursework in Sociotechnical Systems – Stevens Institute of Technology – 2018

First Job:  Architectural Intern | Goldberg Group Architects, LLC – 1998 

Joined ModCorr: 2025

With almost three decades of experience in justice, corrections, and secure-facility design, Hugh Lester has built a nationally recognized career spanning architecture, planning, research, and leadership. "My primary responsibility in that first architectural internship was to lay out the Tillman County Law Enforcement Center (jail) in Frederick, OK.," Lester explained. "So, my first project was a jail, and my focus has been justice architecture from the start." In later roles, Hugh held senior design responsibilities on large, complex justice programs and contributed to major public-sector projects, primarily at the county level. Lester's work has consistently focused on thoughtful, research-driven justice design, with an emphasis on integrating physical planning, electronic security systems, and operational considerations to support safe, functional, cost-effective and humane facilities to drive positive outcomes for everyone involved.

In his current role as Senior Director of Special Projects at ModCorr, Hugh explains "My daily work currently involves the up-fit of a new ModCorr factory, including the complex coordination of the spatial relationships between equipment provided by multiple vendors providing various levels of design assist. The manufacture of offsite modular assemblies is necessarily complicated and the associated performance requirements and tolerances difficult to achieve." Working diligently to ensure ModCorr's new factory in Pennsylvania is successful, Lester is leveraging his extensive experience, education, and problem-solving skills to ensure this state-of-the-art facility becomes a game-changing asset to customers in the NE. 

"ModCorr is based on the idea that an optimized solution can be developed, then iteratively refined, while still allowing for customization. The result is continuous improvement and maximized efficiency, similar to the automobile industry – which translates to time and money savings for the owner on top of a proven solution." In parallel to the factory upfit in Allenwood, PA, Lester is exploring unique approaches that can provide improved outcomes for the corrections and behavioral health sectors, in the form of new product lines. 

For Hugh, "ModCorr’s approach appeals at a core level. It is the only company pursuing off-site modular construction on such a large scale and at such levels of complexity. It’s a game changer." At ModCorr, we’re working to meet the industry's urgent and evolving need for facilities that are tailored, durable, and permanent.