About Us
Our Combined Experience Hard at Work
LEADERSHIP
Maria Antonis
Principal
AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED AP BD+C
Maria Antonis is a registered architect and specification writer with over 35 years of experience. Maria joined Heller and Metzger in 2014, bringing extensive design and management experience as a senior project architect and project manager focused on complex academic and science and technology facilities. With her strong foundation in design, technical design, and project management, Maria brings the leadership qualities needed to continue to develop and support Heller & Metzger's strategic plan and ensure successful outcomes for clients and project teams. Maria specializes in specification writing, material research, sustainable design, project management and QA/QC. She has prepared specifications for a wide range of project types including government facilities, mixed-use residential, commercial office buildings, higher education, cultural facilities, and science and technology projects. Maria is a graduate of Virginia Tech (Master of Architecture) and Pennsylvania State University (B.S. in Architecture). She is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), holds a Certified Document Technologist (CDT) credential from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), is a LEED BD+C certified professional, and is licensed to practice architecture in the District of Columbia and in Virginia.
Anne Kimpton
Principal
AIA, CSI, LEED AP
Anne Kimpton has over 30 years of experience as an architect and specifications writer and is well positioned to help lead Heller & Metzger into our next phase of professional services. Since joining Heller & Metzger since 2009, Anne has put her expertise into developing specifications for a broad range of project types including government renovations, new construction projects, and mixed-use developments. With extensive experience overseeing large corporate and multi-family construction projects, in addition to several university facilities, she has been heavily involved with the DC Public Schools Modernization effort. Anne has expanded our practice to include Landscape specifications for many high-profile projects in DC and New York. She is a member of The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and is a LEED accredited professional.
Scott J. Tobias
Principal
AHC, ASSOC AIA, CDC, CDT, CSI, FDAI, LEED AP, SCIP
Scott Tobias brings over 30 years of industry experience to his role as Principal at Heller & Metzger, in addition to his leadership of arkaSpecs, Inc., a New York-based consulting firm he founded in 2015. Specializing in architectural door openings and hardware, Scott is widely recognized for his expertise in the field, having authored the Illustrated Guide to Door Hardware: Design, Specification, Selection, published by John Wiley & Sons. Certified as an Architectural Hardware Consultant (AHC), Certified Door Consultant (CDC), and Fire Door Assembly Inspector (FDAI) by the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI), Scott also holds the Certified Document Technologist (CDT) credential from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). His extensive qualifications reflect his deep technical knowledge of Specifications and business leadership. Scott’s experience spans a wide range of project types, from hospitals and behavioral health facilities to commercial and mixed-use high-rise buildings, hospitality, education, museums, laboratories, and retail spaces. As Principal at Heller & Metzger, Scott is leading the firm's door opening specification services, optimizing project management procedures, and enhancing quality control processes to exceed client expectations. His commitment to excellence drives the continued growth and development of Heller & Metzger's capabilities in this specialized field.
TEAM
Bob Caldwell
Senior Specifier
CSI, CCS
Bob joined Heller & Metzger in 2023, after working as a specifier and project manager for 25 years at Gensler. Earning a degree in interior design in 1988, Bob worked as a designer and construction manager, learning the architectural design business and procuring goods and services for turnkey projects, residential and commercial. At Gensler, he joined as a project manager, serving developers, building owners, and US government agencies. With support from senior specifiers, he learned how to edit project manuals for corporate interiors, hotels, hospitals, office buildings, and data centers. Bob’s work with Gensler includes interiors, core/shell, and turnkey projects in all regions of the US, plus Europe, the Middle East, and Australia. Bob obtained a security clearance and went on to design over 10 million sf of secure buildings. Project needs and curiosity led him to learn how to schedule and specify door hardware. He has written door hardware for commercial buildings, US embassies, and secure facilities for the DoD, DIA, ACoE, NSA, CIA, FBI, GSA, and FAA.
Barbara Heller
President Emeritus
FAIA
Barbara Heller founded Heller & Associates in 1982. She has contributed to over 500 Project Manuals for a wide range of building types which include commercial, residential, military, institutional, restoration and retail projects. Significant projects include: CISA Headquarters, Renovation of the National Air & Space Museum, Renovation of National Geographic Public Space, FDR Memorial and over 20 U.S Embassies. Ms. Heller is a former Chair of the AIA Documents Committee and former Chair of the Specification and Building Technology PIA. She was elevated to Fellow in the American Institute of Architects and is a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. Ms. Heller is also CEO of sister firm Design + Construction Strategies, a consulting firm that assists building owners with strategic planning, project support and internal work process improvement.
Ryan Persinger
Technical Writer
Ryan Persinger joined Heller & Metzger in 2017 in the role of office assistant. As a result of Ryan's many years with the firm and his eagerness to learn, Ryan has gained the experience to assist the architects and specification writers with creating, reviewing, editing, formatting, and compiling specifications for Project Manuals of all project types, with a focus on landscape specifications. Ryan interacts with project teams to clarify technical requirements, research products, and engages with product manufacturers and representatives to obtain detailed information as required for the specifications.
Sara Stewart
Specification Writer
Sara Stewart joined Heller & Metzger in 2004 in the role of technical writer. Ms. Stewart creates, reviews, edits, and compiles specifications for Project Manuals of all project types, from mixed-use to schools to complex government facilities. Ms. Stewart, who focuses on interiors work, leads meetings to interact with project teams to obtain the information and clarify of the project requirements, and she engages with manufacturers and representatives to obtain information as required for the project. Among many others, significant Heller & Metzger project experiences include the National Air and Space Museum Revitalization, Nairobi Embassy, and Georgetown University classroom buildings. ​Ms. Stewart previously worked at the American Institute of Architects as an editor/writer, where she covered topics ranging from practice management to the latest in hospital design. Ms. Stewart holds an M.A. in art history with a specialization in 20th century American architecture from Penn State University, and she holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Maryland.
MANAGER
Peter Hickey
Office Manager
Peter originally was hired in 2007 at Design + Construction Strategies – the sister company of Heller & Metzger. As Heller & Metzger expanded, Peter split his time between the two organizations, finally transitioning full-time to Heller & Metzger in 2021. Prior to his hiring, Peter had a long career in business operations and financial management for wholesale manufacturing companies. A graduate of Georgetown University, with degrees in French and Linguistics, Peter was brought on board to oversee and coordinate daily operational and administrative functions of the firm, including payroll, billing, computer systems and all else as assigned.