OUR TEAM

BRIAN NENNINGER

Founder/President

Brian J. Nenninger is the Founder and President of Orion West, LLC, a real estate development, land use, and project management firm founded in 2020 to help owners, investors, and public partners navigate complex development opportunities throughout the Southwest. With more than 30 years of experience leading real estate development, acquisitions, land use, and construction projects, Brian is recognized for helping clients make the critical decisions that shape successful developments long before construction begins.

Prior to founding Orion West, Brian held executive leadership positions with Drury Southwest, directing hotel acquisitions and development efforts nationwide, including the award-winning Drury Plaza Hotel in downtown Santa Fe. Earlier in his career, he held global engineering and project leadership roles with The Dow Chemical Company, leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering major capital projects throughout the world.  

Brian's experience spans hospitality, healthcare, multifamily, mixed-use, and destination development. His expertise includes development strategy, municipal approvals, public-private partnerships, owner representation, and complex project execution. He is known for bringing together owners, investors, municipalities, design professionals, and contractors to build consensus, solve difficult challenges, and move projects confidently from vision to completion.

Today, Brian advises clients through every stage of the development process—from evaluating opportunities and structuring development strategies to guiding planning, design, construction, and project completion. His approach is grounded in sound judgment and lasting relationships.

 STEVE HOWARD

Senior Project Manager

 Steve Howard shares his 40 years of experience and accomplishments in leading commercial and residential development, architecture, construction, and real estate projects from concept through completion. Proven expertise in strategic planning, design, entitlements, land development, project management, and design-build delivery across a diverse portfolio including commercial, healthcare, hospitality, retail, financial, religious, residential, and mixed-use developments. Recognized for building high-performing teams, fostering strong client relationships, and delivering innovative, client-focused solutions that balance design excellence, operational efficiency, and successful project outcomes. Steve combines advanced education in architecture and management with extensive hands-on leadership to guide complex development initiatives to successful outcomes. 

  MAUREEN MESTAS

Development/Transaction  Strategies Specialist

Maureen Mestas, MCNE, is a New Mexico native who brings more than 35 years of professional experience, industry expertise, and strategic resources to Orion West, LLC. She began her career in the legal field as a paralegal, specializing in transactional law and insurance defense litigation. This foundation provides her with a comprehensive understanding of contracts, risk management, and the legal complexities of real estate transactions, water rights acquisitions/transfers and development projects.

Maureen's legal background, combined with her extensive real estate transaction experience, enables her to structure transactons and projects thoughtfully, anticipate challenges, and guide clients  through every stage of the process. Her attention to detail, strategic approach, clear communication, and commitment to efficiency help clients navigate complex details, contractual commitments  and timelines with confidence. She contirbutes her expertise from initial planning through completion. 

Maureen is a highly skilled negotiator and mediator whose expertise has been developed for more than 25 years. She holds the prestigious Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE) designation, reflecting her advanced training and commitment to achieving exceptional outcomes for her clients.

Further strengthening her capabilities, Maureen completed more than 2 1/2  years of advanced coursework and certifications through the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, where she studied sophisticated, multi-dimensional negotiation strategies for resolving complex transactions and stakeholder interests.  She applies these proven methodologies to every aspect of her professional efforts.  She is known for helping clients navigate complex transactions and projects, mitigate risk, and achieve successful, beneficial outcomes.

 Maureen also assists in overseeing daily operations, providing management of administrative functions, business processes, and staff. 

GINGER GUTHREY

Project Planning & Coordination Specialist

Ginger Guthrey provides project support in commercial and land development projects throughout New Mexico. She coordinates permitting, land use approvals, project documentation, consultant and contractor communications, and project schedules, working closely with architects, engineers, attorneys, and government agencies to keep projects moving forward efficiently. With more than 20 years of experience supporting executive leadership and managing complex business operations in the real estate development and energy industries, Ginger brings exceptional organizational skills, proactive communication, and a collaborative approach to keeping projects on track. She is committed to helping clients successfully navigate the development process from planning through construction.