Hobbs & Black Architects, Inc.

Inspired to become an architect by his high school drafting class, Tony began his career at Hobbs+Black as a co-op student, and since graduating from the University Of Detroit Mercy in 2005 he has remained with our team. He is a Project Architect in our Retail Studio and has played an integral part in many notable projects, including: The Mall at Partridge Creek, The Mall of San Juan, and the Cherry Creek North Pad redevelopment. Tony enjoys the day to day problem solving of architecture while still being conscious of both design and cost. He thrives on translating a design sketch into real details and determining how something must come together in order to function properly.

As the daughter of the firm founder, Betsy grew up surrounded by architecture and design. She has a genuine love of seeing designs built and come to life. As Director of Business Development, Betsy works in all studios at Hobbs+Black.

Beginning her now 19 year tenure at the firm in the Interior Design Studio, she has worked in a variety of styles with projects such as Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizer, Two Men and a Truck, TMC Children’s Hospital, and Spring Arbor University Student Center.

In addition to her work, Betsy has two kids, “my biggest accomplishment yet,” loves to cook, and is a college tennis champion.

With 20 years of experience, Claude is a Project Architect and part of our Retail Studio team. He has largely contributed to the City Creek Center project and is currently an integral part of the Mall of San Juan project team.

John entered the field of architecture out of interest in the built world. Having grown up in the 60’s and 70’s at the height of mid-century modern design, on-going development of the modern campus and evolution of the skyscraper was influential. Through his 35 years of working in the field of architecture, he has become an expert in healthcare and senior living environment design, as well as commercial development. As the Healthcare Studio Principal, John has lead notable projects such as Aldara Hospital and Medical Center in Riyadh, Henry Ford Medical Group Facilities in SE Michigan, and Tucson Medical Center Master Plan and Development in Arizona. In addition to his practical experience, John has overseen and contributed to the publication of several whitepapers pertaining to healthcare design.

Coming from a long line of custom home builders, John spent his summers touring construction sites with his uncles. From the moment he was handed a set of plans as a child, his career in architecture was set. John has spent 42 of his 44 years in the profession at Hobbs+Black and is proudest of his work on our Corporate Office, a conversion of an 1800s church. John shares his years of experience with many studios in both the Ann Arbor and Lansing offices but focuses his efforts on retail projects as the Retail Studio Principal where he oversaw the City Creek Center in Salt Lake City, UT. As the former Mayor of Manchester, John continues to give back to his community as a member of the Manchester Planning Commission for the last 30 years, as a past president of the local Civic Club, and as a board member of his local church.

“Through elements such as art and psychology, by interpreting desires and needs expressed by clients, using building materials, we, as architects create places and experiences.”  As a Project Manager for the past 10 years in our Retail Studio, Bob has created many unique project experiences, specifically his work on the transformation of the Globe Building into the award-winning William G. Milliken Outdoor Adventure & Discovery Center in Detroit.

Russ works across our studios to provide Sustainable Design expertise as well as Project Management. Since joining Hobbs+Black in 2008, he has worked on projects including LEED Gold Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers Headquarters and LEED for Healthcare Certified Sparrow Ionia Hospital.

As a Project Manager, Steve has specialized in local residential, commercial, and developer projects over his 25 years at Hobbs+Black. Having always been interested in the rehabilitation and reuse of old buildings, he has lent is expertise to the development of Ann Arbor icons such as the Liberty Lofts, University Commons, and the recent Liberty Maynard development.

Architecture as a fusion of art and mathematics led TJ to this field; the opportunity to evolve and learn about people and processes has kept him engaged. Having worked at Hobbs+Black for 10 years, TJ has grown in the Healthcare studio having worked on William Beaumont Hospital Central Lab and Blood Bank, Tucson Medical Center, Pediatrics and Mom-Baby Addition and Tucson Medical Center, Orthopaedic and Surgical Tower. He is a Project Architect/Project Manager located in the Arizona office.

Having joined Hobbs+Black in 2006, Tom has worked on and managed numerous large scale healthcare projects such as the recent Southwest Tower Addition at St. Mary Mercy Hospital, the new Northville Health Center for the University of Michigan, and Ionia Critical Access Replacement Hospital for Sparrow Health System.

Wayne has always had a fascination with well-designed spaces that invoke dynamic sensory experiences. This fascination has served as inspiration throughout his seventeen years at Hobbs+Black. Wayne has worked in many of our studios including Residential, Religious, Education, and Mixed Use. Currently, he is a Project Manager in the Retail Studio. He has proven himself to be invaluable to the development of large-scale projects such as the City Creek Center in Utah and The Mall of San Juan in Puerto Rico. Wayne is also actively involved in his local community as a Planning Commissioner for the City of South Lyon and as the President of the Huron Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). 

Bill is the President and founder of Hobbs+Black. For nearly 50 years, Bill has directed the design and management of Hobbs+Black, overseeing the overall operations of the firm and performing final review for all projects. With registrations in 30 states, he has served as design team leader for a broad range of projects including office, government, and commercial facilities.

Over the last 17 years with the firm, Bill has been an important contributor to our Education Studio. His 26 years of experience have continually proven to be a valuable asset to our team. In addition to his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Architecture, Bill also holds a BFA in Sculpture.