Our Team | James River Architects

PRINCIPAL & OWNER

MARK WEST

Mr. West has practiced architecture throughout the Southeast, U.S. He currently holds licenses in VA, TN, KY, and AL. He has provided professional services to clients from Minnesota to Texas and Pennsylvania to Florida (and one unique project in Utah). Mr. West was the Project Architect on the first LEED Silver Certified building in the state of Virginia, and dozens more LEED certified projects over the years. In 2012 he co-authored the revision of the USGBC's LEED for Homes Reference Guide, a national standard for sustainable design and development. He has received a number of design and service awards for his work in promoting sustainability in architecture.

When he is not working at JRA, Mr. West enjoys spending time with his wife and four kids, serving at church, and playing golf.

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

RICK MOBERG

Mr. Moberg has practiced architecture for more than fifty years. He holds licenses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. He is active in the community, having served as the York County EDA chairman, Greater Williamsburg Partnership past vice-chair and board member, and York County Comprehensive Plan Committee member, earning several Volunteer of the Year awards from York County. Mr. Moberg has received numerous awards for design excellence during his career.

When he is not working at JRA, Mr. Moberg enjoys taking his boat out on the Chesapeake Bay, doing bonfires with his children and grandchildren, and cheering on his wife as she works on her 2nd book.

WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE.

RAYMOND SPENCER - SENIOR ARCHITECT

Rspencer@jamesriverarchitects.com

Ray received his architectural degree from Virginia Tech, before receiving his license as an architect in 1978. He worked for two architectural firms in addition to having his own firm for a dozen years, before helping to form James River Architects in 2004. His past projects are as diverse as McGlothlin-Street Hall on the Sunken Garden at the College of William and Mary, to the carousel building in the courtyard of the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton.

His personal interests include photography and building his own house almost single-handedly.

PETER J. AYLSWORTH - SENIOR ARCHITECT

PeterA@jamesriverarchitects.com

Peter is passionate about design, architecture, and making. He is a licensed architect with 25+ years of professional practice. Project experience includes residential, retail, healthcare, faith-based, commercial, automotive, and a variety of other project types. He is also a maker and sculptor, with work ranging from custom furniture to commissioned sculpture pieces.

Peter received a Master of Architecture degree, with a Certificate in Preservation Planning & Design, from the University of Washington, following two Bachelor of Arts degrees, in Architectural Studies and English Literature. Peter enjoys assisting young design professionals with his goal to ignite a passion for design while challenging them to become people who will change their world through creative problem-solving.

KEVIN WIGGINS - PROJECT MANAGER

Kwiggins@jamesriverarchitects.com

Kevin is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and attended Virginia Tech for his graduate studies in architecture. He began his professional career working for firms in both Virginia and North Carolina, adding his talents to projects such as the Frank H. Kenan Football Center and Chancellor’s Box at the University of North Carolina. He is one of the founding members of JRA and has worked on the just about every project in JRA’s portfolio.

In his spare time Kevin enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, and his hobby is drawing comics, in which he has been fortunate enough to assist on issues of Witchblade, Wonder Woman, Star Wars, and Deadpool, to name a few.

SHELBY B. HAGGARD - PROJECT MANAGER

ShelbyH@jamesriverarchitects.com

Shelby graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2017 with a degree in Architectural Science. She started her design career in 2014 as a Kitchen & Bath Designer for a family-owned business in Bowling Green, KY. In March of 2016, Shelby started working for Exoterra Architects in Nashville, Tennessee. She now works with Exoterra d.b.a. James River Architects following their merger in 2022. Shelby has experience with design, project management, permitting, and construction phase services. She has worked on a wide range of commercial, residential, mercantile, municipal, and faith-based projects. She works on projects throughout the Southeast U.S.

In her off hours, Shelby participates in ballroom dancing, weekly tabletop game nights, and reading fiction novels. She always looks forward to spending time with her husband (DJ) and dog (Moose). Her favorite TV shows include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Reign, and Parks & Rec. Additionally, Shelby is working toward her professional license in Architecture.

GARETH PIETERSE - BIM MANAGER

GarethP@jamesriverarchitects.com

Mr. Pieterse joined James River Architects (JRA) as a Project Assistant in May of 2022. He had previously worked in architectural firms in South Africa specializing in multi-family homes with brick and concrete construction. Mr. Pieterse has a solid understanding of design and construction methodologies and has been eagerly learning new means and methods of both design and construction practices in the United States. He also has a broad knowledge of computer science, Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D rendering and animation, various professional softwares, and Information Technology (I.T.). Project experience includes education, mixed-use, commercial, factory/industrial, commercial, healthcare, and residential.

ANGELA D. MARTIN - PROJECT MANAGER

AngelaM@jamesriverarchitects.com

Angela Martin joined James River Architects as a Project Assistant in October 2022. Angela has broad experience in project management, overseeing building and health plan reviews, and permitting processes. Passionate about sustainable design practices, Angela pioneered the creation and maintenance of a Sustainable Design Equivalent Platform for a 55,000-square-foot retail store in James City County, Virginia. Angela's project experience spans various sectors, including mixed-use, commercial, mercantile, faith-based, and residential. Angela holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer-Aided Drafting Technology and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction (LEED BD+C). With over 20 years of experience in design and proficiency in tools such as Architectural Desktop, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, and Revit, Angela continues to contribute her skills and expertise to benefit each JRA project.

Additionally, in her "free time" Angela recently published her first book and is working toward her professional license in Architecture.

ABBY N. NUGENT - DESIGN ASSISTANT

Abbyn@jamesriverarchitects.com

Abby received her architectural degree from Norwich University in the summer of 2020. This is her second job working for an architectural firm as a design assistant. She has experience in residential, commercial, educational and historical architecture. Throughout her schooling and professional development, Abby has gained a strong knowledge in 2D and 3D modeling software such as AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUP, Photoshop and ArchiCAD.

While she is not working, she is serving at her local church and studying the Bible. She enjoys playing video games and spending time with family and friends.

SANDRA ROE - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Admin@jamesriverarchitects.com

Sandra Roe is a native of Alabama and Tennessee and has lived and work throughout the U.S. She attended Roane State Community College studying Business in 1984. Ms. Roe worked in retail management from 1984-2016. She then worked on the West Coast with a Property Management Company from 2016 through 2019. She decided to take a break from business and work with a school system as an Interventionist with children. After being presented with another opportunity, she accepted a position with James River Architects in June 2023 as an Administrative Assistant. In Sandra’s free time she loves serving the Lord. She has traveled around the world sharing her testimony and the Gospel. She loves the outdoors, singing, and spending time with friends and family. And Sandra’s true passion is helping others. In her spare time she is currently writing a book about her childhood.

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