Our Team

Principal/Architect

John J. Recny, RA, NCARB

John has been dedicated to designing successful building projects for educational, institutional, commercial, medical and faith communities for over forty years. He has been with HLR since 1998 and became the sole principal of the firm in 2017. As the leader of a small business, he establishes the firm’s design quality and vision, handles firm’s finances, is responsible for business development and staffing, and understands other small businesses have the same concerns and needs.

John is dedicated to high quality yet budget conscious design solutions, using technology to improve the efficiency of the firm’s drawings and specifications. He leads teams of engineers and consultants during design and enforces construction contracts for the firm’s clients. All of this has led to positive professional rapport with local contractors, engineers, consultants, and clientele and the completion of hundreds of successful projects.

Originally from Ohio, John received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kent State University in 1981. He holds an NCARB certificate and is a registered architect in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania.

Senior Project Manager

Christopher Beck

Chris brings more than 30 years of building experience and knowledge, many of those years with HLR, going back nearly to when the firm first opened its doors. His professional journey includes several years working in building forensics, where he became an expert on how buildings “go together” successfully. He applies that knowledge to our design projects with practical and detailed solutions to construction challenges. In addition, Chris leads the team on many of our largest projects by coordinating and organizing the production both in-house and with our consultants.

Chris works closely with the firm’s Principal on building design and establishing our drawing content standards, and mentors the rest of the team in producing top-quality construction drawings and specifications that execute the vision for each project.

Project Manager / Designer

Cinthia Suarez

Cinthia is a Virginia based designer and has been practicing in the United States for over 10 years. She is originally from Bolivia and earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Privada Boliviana-Cochabamba. She is a licensed Architect in Bolivia and is in the process of attaining a license in Virginia.

Cinthia’s impressive background includes assisting with or managing large residential projects, residential additions and renovations, medical and dental offices, corporate offices, commercial and retail spaces, banks, industrial projects, and religious and community spaces. She has designed and managed projects from initial programming through construction, developing space layouts, code compliance review, material selections, and full construction documents.

Her expertise allows her to coordinate with consultants and contractors, consult with clients, and manage submittals and construction contract administration. She is also proficient in 3D rendering software (VectorWorks, AutoCAD, Revit, and Sketchup) and works with the Principal to visualize our buildings for our clients.

Cinthia works closely with the firm’s Principal and Senior Project Manager on architectural and interior design and is an integral part of the HLR team.

Design Associate

Diego Perez Saavedra

Diego earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the Universidad Privada Boliviana. A lifelong student, Diego is currently working toward an Associates of Interior Design at Universidad Privada Boliviana and certification in computer aided design at Northern Virginia Community College.

He has been working within the architecture and design field, either in the US or overseas, for 18 years. His work experience spans site analysis, concept work, construction documents, construction administration, and interior design for commercial and residential projects. Diego is passionate about design, from the general conceptions to the final details of any project. His goal is always to create iconic and unique environments that fulfill the needs of the client.

Diego’s passion, experience, and excellence in drawing production software makes him a valuable member of the team. He works closely with Chris and John to provide the technical construction details necessary to make our projects successful.

Office Manager

Bridget Clark

Bridget began working for us in June of 2023. She works closely with John Recny, the firm’s principal, and is responsible for office upkeep, filing system maintenance, client invoices, and office accounting.

Bridget is near completing her bachelor’s degree of Interior Design and Architecture at Marymount University. Originally from Maryland, Bridget is a local to the DMV and has worked in the area for over five years. Her experience includes working with a residential interior designer in Washington, DC and working within the operations department at a non-profit organization in Arlington, VA.

Bridget is highly detail-focused, goal-driven, and people-oriented. Enrolled in design and computer aided design courses since middle school, Bridget brings her enthusiasm for design and organizational skills to bear to serve our team.