ABOUT

Pete was born and raised in Michigan, and moved to Hampton Roads in 2004. He received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan in 2004, a Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon at Portland in 2009, and joined the RFS Architects team in 2010. His primary interests in architecture involve how the built environment influences society, and how people use the structures that they design. Pete is a registered architect in Virginia and seven other states, and a member of the AIA and NCARB.

Email: [email protected]

Trish is a certified Interior Designer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been with RFS Architects since 1988. Her responsibilities include project and construction management, specification writing, space planning, interior design and IT management.Trish uses her construction knowledge, attention to detail and problem solving skills to create the best possible end result for every project.

Email: [email protected]

Donald was born and raised in North Carolina where he graduated from a two year architectural technical program at Coastal Carolina Community College in 1995. He spent three years with McPherson Design Group working in structural design and technical detailing. Since joining RFS in 1999 he has gained valuable experience in hospitality, industrial/processing, retail/grocery, office buildings and shopping centers. He is well versed in all areas of technical design, code research and construction phase documents.

Email: [email protected]

Jeremy Jones is a Senior Architect and has been with RFS Architects since 2005. He was born in Norfolk and has lived in the Tidewater Area all his life. Jeremy’s passion for architecture started at an early age with his love of drawing, painting and building models. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Hampton University. Jeremy became a registered architect in 2009. What inspires him every day is the ability of an architect to transform someone’s idea, by combining creative design, technical requirements, surrounding conditions, and problem solving into a reality of the built environment. He has been a member of the AIA and NCARB since 2002.

Email: [email protected]

Project Manager | Design Associate

Master of Architecture, Hampton University (2013)
Associate of Science in Interior Design, Tidewater Community College (1998)

Corrie Machado is the newest Project Manager at RFS Architects, who began work with the firm in June 2023.  She started her career in the field of interior design and decided to pursue architecture after several years of experience designing for healthcare facilities.  She enjoys working on technically challenging projects that require thorough attention to equipment and space planning.  Her design experience also includes the construction of luxury waterfront homes, hotel & restaurant hospitality projects, community buildings and retail properties.  Corrie strives to provide her clients with projects that are detailed to create a cohesive architectural language expressed throughout the exterior and interior design.

Johnny was born and raised in the Philippines, and moved to Virginia to be with his family in 2014. He received his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Saint Louis University in the Philippines. Before he moved to the U.S. he had a diverse experience in the field of architecture, including design and construction, teaching and heading a campus planning and development office. He joined RFS Architects in 2015 as a CAD Technician. Johnny is hard working and loves doing architectural work. He loves to spend the weekends with his wife, sampling the gastronomic delights Virginia has to offer.

Email: [email protected]

Administrator

Hope Round is an experienced professional with a diverse background in administration, data analysis, and project management. She began her career working with nonprofit organizations, where she honed her skills in data analysis and administrative support, helping drive efficiency and improve operations for various mission-driven initiatives.

Hope then transitioned to Tidewater Community College, where she worked closely with the Dean of the Arts and Humanities Division. In this role, she contributed to the smooth administration of academic programs, managed key data reporting functions, and supported a variety of initiatives that fostered educational excellence and community engagement.

Currently, Hope brings her extensive expertise to RFS Architects, where she applies her administrative and analytical skills to streamline operations, improve data management, and support the firm’s project goals. Her unique combination of experience in education, nonprofits, and architecture makes her a valued asset in the workplace, always focused on enhancing processes and contributing to the team’s success.

CADD Technician/Designer/Associate AIA

Joy Salonga is a passionate and dedicated CADD technician/designer at RFS Architects, with a belief that architecture is more than just building spaces—it’s a powerful medium for expressing emotions and nurturing connections. She sees architecture as a reflection of our aspirations, created with love to inspire and encourage.

With a diverse range of experience, Joy has worked on projects spanning high-end residential, multifamily, commercial, healthcare design, and government sectors including DoD, municipalities, and state educational institutions, from K-12 to higher education. Her expertise covers all phases of design, with a strong focus on construction administration.

Joy earned her Bachelor of Architecture from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego, CA, where she studied urban master planning and neuroscience design. She brings a thoughtful, human-centered approach to every project, striving to create spaces that harmonize with the human spirit and enhance positive emotional experiences.

Cecilia was born and raised in Brazil where she received her Bachelor of Architecture and Urban Development of Pernambuco. She has 10 years of experience in Brazilian architecture and more than 4 years in American architecture where she has contributed to many design projects. Cecilia used to live in Tucson, AZ and moved to Virginia in the summer of 2015. She is interested in interior/exterior design and construction and enjoys being part of the RFS Architects family as a CAD technician. Cecilia loves to spend her free time with her husband and kids, traveling and playing.

Email: [email protected]

After Bob received a Bachelor of Architecture degree and B.S. degree in real estate development from Syracuse University, he left the snow and relocated to Tidewater Virginia. He has been an architect and principal of RFS Architects for more than thirty years, focusing mostly on managing a wide variety of projects for commercial and governmental clients. He is a member of AIA and CSI; is NCARB certified; and has been a USGBC LEED AP for more than twelve years. His Suffolk Health & Human Services Building received a LEED Silver rating for sustainable design and two of his recent multi-family housing projects were awarded Earthcraft Certification for energy savings. Outside of work, Bob enjoys the outdoors and is a runner whose favorite marathon races were at Boston and New York.

Email: [email protected]

CADD Technician

Maggie Sykes is a seasoned CAD Technician with a diverse background in commercial arts, visual merchandising, and architectural drafting. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Maggie’s career began with her studies in commercial arts, which laid the foundation for her creative and technical skills. She went on to work as a visual merchandiser for NEX, where she honed her eye for design and detail.

After transitioning into the architectural field, Maggie pursued further education to become a CAD technician. She then spent several years as a board drafter for the NEX Facilities Department and various private architectural firms. In these roles, she supported upper management and architects by performing field work, creating concept drawings, preparing contract documents, soliciting bids, and tracking project progress.

After retiring from NEX, Maggie chose to remain active in her field and is now contributing her expertise to RFS Architects as a CAD Technician. With her extensive experience and commitment to excellence, Maggie continues to play an integral role in delivering quality design and technical support on a variety of projects.

Project Manager | CADD Technician

Aubrey began working with RFS Architects in 2016 in administration assistance helping run the office but quickly moved to CADD technician and today works as a project manager.  Aubrey enjoys working on large retail projects and has received high praise from clients for her reliability and great communication! Outside of the office, Aubrey enjoys doting on and riding her thoroughbred horse Giovanni, casually riding and training in disciplines of dressage and eventing. Experience training with Giovanni and previously managing large equestrian boarding farms has helped Aubrey develop physical and mental skill sets such as problem-solving and a strong work ethic making her an instrumental addition to any project team. Aubrey is also the loving mom of RFS’s retired security supervisor, Behren.

Email: [email protected]

Front Desk Coordinator | CADD Technician | Field Worker

Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Gabby Zoby brings a diverse skill set and a passion for problem-solving to her role at RFS Architects. She attended Old Dominion University, where she majored in Geography with a concentration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), laying the foundation for her technical expertise.

Gabby joined RFS Architects in 2023 as a part-time receptionist, quickly demonstrating her adaptability and eagerness to contribute. Today, she manages the front desk full-time, while also taking on responsibilities as one of the firm’s CADD Technicians and Field Workers. She plays a key supporting role in assisting the firm’s four principals on various ongoing projects, always willing to step in wherever needed.

Whether she’s tackling complex tasks at the office or embracing new challenges outside her comfort zone, Gabby is always ready to learn and grow. When she’s not working, you can find her piecing together a puzzle, building her latest Lego set, or enjoying a nap with her senior Cockapoo, Schmoogy.
Gabby’s dedication, flexibility, and collaborative spirit make her an invaluable member of the RFS Architects team.

Behren became a part of RFS in early 2020 when most of the staff, due to Covid, began working remotely. Since it was imperative to maintain some onsite personnel, Behren joined the firm and quickly became our security supervisor. He came with very little office experience but had settled into his role of eagerly greeting visitors and keeping a keen eye on everything. As Covid had begun to settle and everyone had started working in the office again, Behren decided to retire his services from RFS to pursuit studying abroad and enjoying long walks on Carova Beach, NC in his free time.