Our Team

Principal/Architect

John J. Recny, AIA

For almost 40 years as an Architect in Northern Virginia, 22 of them at HLR, John has dedicated his professional career towards designing successful building projects for educational, institutional, and faith communities, as well as developers and other business owners. As the leader of a small business, he establishes the firm’s design quality and vision, and handles firm finances, business development, and staffing, and he understands other small business have the same concerns and needs.

John’s dedication to quality yet budget-conscious design solutions, his ability to use technology to improve the quality and efficiency of drawings and specifications, his ability to coordinate the work of the many engineers and other consultants during design, and his fair enforcement of construction contracts have resulted in a good rapport with local Contractors and clients, and the completion of many successful building projects over the years.

Originally from Ohio, John earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kent State University, and holds an NCARB certificate as well as architectural registration in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Senior Project Manager

Christopher Beck, Assoc. AIA

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

Carolina Gelvis, Intl. Assoc. AIA

Carolina brings over ten years of varied experience from all over the world. Having worked in Colombia and Australia, as well as California, she has a unique perspective that enriches the designs she produces. She has participated in a variety of design competitions over the years, and has experience working with several different project types, from government facilities to schools and multi-family residential buildings. Along with being one of our designers, she has emerged as a firm leader, successfully managing several of our projects and mentoring the younger staff.

Carolina earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pontificia University Javeria in Bogota, Colombia, where she also received her LEED certification.

Design Associate

Matthew Hawkins, Assoc. AIA

Matthew is an emerging professional who has taken on many responsibilities in our firm, from production and construction administration on our larger projects to improving client relationships in the management of several long-standing corporate restaurant clients. His knowledge of Revit improves our design, presentation, and production abilities, and he offers a fresh perspective to many of our ideas and designs.

Matt earned his undergraduate degree from Kent State University and is pursuing his Master of Architecture Degree at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Design Associate

Bharathi Ilango, Assoc. AIA

With a focus on interiors and previous experience in kitchen design, Bharathi provides enlightened design input on several of our projects. Her ability to communicate those designs graphically to our clients helps make our projects successful. She is also an important part of our production team on our larger projects,

Bharathi earned her Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Madurai, India, and her Associate’s Degree in Interior Design from Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland.

Project Manager/Designer

Gissela Boza, Assoc. AIA

Gissela is one of our designers, and leads our Revit transitional team. In addition to excellent design and rendering skills, she sets our standards for BIM on our more complicated projects. In her previous position, she worked with the Bureau of Overseas Building Operations on technically complicated and highly secure Federal government projects that involved great attention to detail. She applies that knowledge to every project at HLR.

Gissela earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Studies from the Peruvian University of Applied Studies in Lima, Peru, and her Master of Architecture degree from the Virginia Tech.

Design Associate

Jasmine Abdelrahim, Assoc. AIA

Jasmine is an integral part of our team, providing essential and energetic support for our project managers in production, design, and construction administration. Her presentation skills help communicate our designs to clients. She also assists the Principal with the firm’s business development and social media marketing.

Jasmine earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Environmental Design degree from Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Administrator

Jean Warber

Jean brings a needed organizational eye to the firm. She is in charge of time reports, payables and receivables, and other non-architectural but critical management and support systems that make the office well-run and efficient. As a former electrical apprentice, her interest in building design make her a perfect fit for this role.

Jean earned her Associates of the Arts degree from Manatee Community College in Florida.