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.

Design Associate

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.

Administration

Haley Roddie

Haley began working for us in August of 2021. She works closely with John Recny, the firm’s principal, and is responsible for keeping the office organized and stocked, processing and ensuring deliveries, organizing and updating electronic files and paper archives, invoicing clients, office accounting, and various drawing production tasks.

Haley received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She previously worked in the non-profit sector as a recruiter and organizer and then as a fundraiser. In July of 2021, she decided to pursue a career in architecture. Haley is currently enrolled in architecture classes at Northern Virginia Community College and plans enrolling in a master’s program in the Fall of 2023.

Originally from Texas, Haley has lived in Northern Virginia for over six years. When she is not working at the HLR Oakton office or studying for school, she can be found hiking, exploring DC, or planning her next trip!

Office Manager

Susan Recny

Susan brings a needed organizational eye to the firm. She is in charge of time reports, invoicing, payroll, and other non-architectural but critical management and support systems that make the office well-run and efficient. She has previous experience working for a developer in Ohio before moving to Virginia.