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Our People
MICHAEL D. BARNES
Michael D. Barnes, A.I.A., N.C.A.R.B., has provided architectural services for over 31 years on a variety of successful commercial, residential, industrial and religious projects. He is known throughout the East Coast for his specialization in religious projects.
His church architecture includes a special expertise in church programming, long-range master planning, church design and sanctuary design. Mr. Barnes has designed sanctuaries for over 400 church commissions with sanctuary seating capacities ranging from 100 to 10,000.
He has also authored several books. His most recent published book is Arise & Build, Mastering the Realities of Church Building. The end result of this groundbreaking book is a powerful manifesto on church master planning--- a paradigm which catapults a pastor’s God-given vision into the very health of the church’s leadership, congregation and larger community.
He is best known as a true visionary that combines the professional giftings of an architect with the care and concern of close friend.
R. BARTLEY McELFRESH
R. Bartley McElfresh is the head of the design department and Senior Associate with the firm. Bart brings a unique design talent with over 27 years as an architectural designer. He has a passion for serving clients and is gifted with creative thinking and problem solving. Bart plays a significant role in creating and refining building designs in order to fully enable our client's business, work or church ministry to thrive and grow.
As the head of the design department and as Senior Associate, Bart's primary functions are creating appropriate and progressive design solutions for our client base.
EVERETTE B. JONES, JR.
Everette B. Jones, Jr. is an Associate with the firm and holds a Bachelor degree from Virginia Tech. With approximately 16 years experience in the architectural industry, he brings to Barnes Design Group an expertise in the area of construction document preparation. His past experience includes governmental and private architecture with a previous firm in Norfolk, VA.
As a leader in the production document department, Everette utilizes his giftings by working with our clients and consultants to ensure that the construction drawings will fulfill the vision that will best serve our clients when the construction process begins.
JIMMY CLEMMER
Jimmy Clemmer came to Barnes Design Group with over 22 years of experience in design, engineering and construction. He is a graduate of Dabney S. Lancaster College with a Degree in Mechanical Design and Engineering Technology. After three years in residential design and construction, he served as a project manager for a local Consulting Structural Engineer for 19 years. He has extensive experience in the production and coordination of construction drawings.
Jimmy’s primary function as Associate and Project Manager is to take a project from the early stage of design concept to complete construction drawings. Along with the production of the Architectural drawings, he assists in the coordination effort between Architect, Owner and Contractor through the pricing process. His duties also include Construction Administration for Barnes Design Group during the entire construction phase of many of our projects.
MICHAEL KEY
Michael Key has a B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Southern Mississippi. Though his degree centered mainly on architecture and design, his calling in life is to focus primarily on producing architectural illustrations and 3D computer animations. With over 10 years of professional experience as an architectural illustrator, he hopes to "bring to life" the unique architectural concepts and designs created by the talented designers at Barnes Design Group.
As head of the 3D Architectural Illustration Department, his primary duties are to create detailed 3D computer models, illustrations and animations for our clients. In doing so, their vision of the projects will be realized well before the construction actually begins.
THOMAS E. PERRY, JR.
Thomas E. Perry, Jr. has been a design architect with Barnes Design Group for over 27 years now. He began with the firm by heading the Suffolk branch office back in 1987. He holds an Associate degree in Architectural Technology and a Bachelor degree in Industrial Technology.
He currently plays a significant role in the construction document department by working with a variety of clients on a number of different projects. His expertise is in the area of construction documents with an emphasis on church, residential and industrial detailing.
BABATUNDE ADEKOJE
Babatunde Adekoje comes to Barnes Design Group from Zaira, Nigeria. He has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University. He is presently seeking a degree in Building Construction Technology from Norfolk State University.
He currently works in the Construction Document Department and applies his talents in producing construction documents for a variety of church projects.
GABRIEL H. BARNES
Gabriel H. Barnes is Vice President of Barnes Construction Group, L.L.C. Working hand in hand with Barnes Design Group, his team uses construction knowledge and field experience to assure each client a peace of mind, knowing their facility will be built with care and quality.
After working extensively with a local Virginia Beach Builder and Developer, Gabriel Barnes secured his Class A Contractors license as well as his Virginia Real Estate license. Shortly thereafter, Gabriel founded Barnes Property and Development, which specialized in residential construction and renovation throughout Hampton Roads.
Gabriel Barnes then joined forces with Barnes Design Group to start their construction division, Barnes Construction Group, L.L.C. To date, Gabriel Barnes has completed several successful building projects including, restaurants, daycares and several church facilities.
Gabriel resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia with his wife, Milissa, and their two children.
CLINTON B. JOHNSON
Clint Johnson holds a Bachelor Degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech. With over 30 years experience in construction management, Clint has served in many different areas including single jobsite supervision, project estimating and management of multiple projects. Clint has also served as a safety director and OSHA coordinator.
CANDICE BARNES
Candice Barnes has been intimately associated with the firm of Barnes Design Group since 1989. Prior to that time, she had been trained in human resources, payroll, business accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable. She had also served as an Executive Assistant for many years in the construction industry.
Candice is the Director of Administration and Finances. She is very professional and gifted in the area of business accounting and maintains all of the company's financial records. She is outstanding at managing the general operations of Barnes Design Group and excellent in client relationships.
LUCY CRONON
Lucy Cronon joined Barnes Design Group in 2007. She has over 25 years experience in various aspects of the architectural, engineering and construction industry.
Lucy is knowledgeable in all areas of administrative duties in our architectural and construction firms. Her regular duties also include accounting practices such as payroll, accounts payables and accounts receivables.
As the first contact to clients, Lucy enjoys working with all of our churches and subcontractors in assisting them in every way. With a positive attitude, she always gives God the glory.
KIMBERLY PORTER
Kimberly Porter joined Barnes Design Group, P.C. as the Marketing Coordinator in 2006. She holds a degree in Business and Marketing from Old Dominion University. She runs Barnes Design Group’s direct mail campaigns, website revision, Arise & Build Church Building Conferences and much more. Kimberly is very gifted in organizational skills and possesses a willingness to serve our church clients whole heartedly.
