People

We want our office to be a stimulating and creative work environment. We all share one, big, open studio without walls or doors where we constantly rub shoulders and easily engage in informal discussions. The studio itself encourages a healthy exchange of ideas and reflects the transparent way we do business.

We work in a collegial setting of collaborative project teams, each one led by an experienced principal involved for the entire project, from planning and design to contracts and construction. Our talented staff provide personal service and attention to build positive relationships among all team members.

Interested in becoming part of our firm?

Email a cover letter, resume and sample portfolio.

Thomas L. Kerns, FAIA

Tom loves basketball, architecture and being a player-coach. As a team player, he is fast and agile at serving up design ideas, details and sketches. As a coach, he keeps the whole team focused on the game at-hand -- meeting client goals and solving user needs.

Tom's peers call him "an architect's architect" and Virginia Society AIA recognized him with its highest honor, the William C. Noland Award. In his spare time, Tom paints watercolors, collects architecture books, travels with his wife and spoils his grandchildren.

Tom graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Ohio State University, worked for the Navy and for two architecture firms, VVKR and Leo A. Daly, before co-founding Swaney-Kerns Architects in 1974. Tom is an NCARB-certified Architect licensed in many eastern states.

Brian J. Frickie, AIA, LEED AP

Brian is a visionary leader with an uncanny ability to keep his eyes on both the big picture and the details required to achieve it. He has an intuitive understanding of the building process, persistently applies it to help others, always sets high expectations, and demands the most of himself.

Brian believes in the future of architects and architecture, serving as Virginia AIA President and leading an Honors Academy for young architects. He reads spy thrillers, collects art by out-of-work architects and slow-cooks perfectly moist, tender, fall-off-the-bone pork BBQ.

Brian graduated with Bachelors of Environmental Design and Architecture from Auburn University. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and an NCARB-certified Architect licensed throughout the mid-Atlantic. Before joining Kerns Group, he worked with two DC-area firms.

Sean E. Reilly, AIA, LEED AP

Sean grew up in Chicago where he became fascinated with the Loop, the “El”, the museums, Evanston and Wrigley Field and, at the ripe old age of 17, decided to become an architect. He believes in solving real problems that both touch the heart and improve the environment.

Sean sketches good buildings while traveling and loves to follow baseball and basketball, remembering his own playing days and seasons coaching his kids' teams. He teaches in his parish church, volunteers with So Others May Eat and currently serves the AIA as an officer in the local chapter.

Sean graduated from Illinois with Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and is an Architect licensed in Virginia and Florida. Before joining Kerns Group, he worked in New York City at EEK and FXFowle.

Andrew Y. Cheng, AIA, LEED AP

Andrew grew up in Hollin Hills surrounded by natural light, open floor plans, and rooms of glass. At Kerns Group, he uses his natural talent for managing projects with a persistent attention to detail that insures everyone gets what they need when they need it.

Out of the office, Andrew enjoys tennis, soccer, basketball, and builds computers, occasionally finding time to play video games with his two sons. Andrew also serves as a community volunteer, a guest speaker at AIA Chapter events and a youth sports coach.

With his architect father's encouragement, he went to UVA for a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and to Virginia Tech for a Master of Architecture. Andrew is a LEED Accredited Professional, a licensed Virginia Architect and worked at OP&A before joining Kerns Group.

Paul Beckmann

"Under Construction" - please come back soon.

Kylee Besecker

"Under Construction" - please come back soon

Karen Reilly "Under Construction" - please come back soon

Julia Hunger

"Under Construction" - please come back soon

Derin Ozler

"Under Construction" - please come back soon.