Moseley Architects proudly announces Josh Bennett, AIA, as the new leader of the firm’s civic sector. He was also elected by shareholders to the board of directors.

Josh succeeds Tony Bell, AIA, who held the position since 2015. Tony will continue as a principal in the civic and justice sectors. In his ongoing role, Tony will serve clients throughout Virginia, including the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Authority, Hanover County, Prince William County and Loudoun County, among others.

“Our firm is committed to a seamless transition that upholds our reputation for excellence in serving the community. We are confident that Josh Bennett will lead our civic sector forward with integrity and a commitment to the high standards we’ve set. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Tony Bell for his outstanding leadership and look forward to his ongoing contributions,” said President and CEO Jeff Hyder.

Tony has been a cornerstone of Moseley Architects since he joined as an intern in 1989. He was hired full-time in 1991 after earning a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. Under Tony’s leadership, the civic sector grew significantly, with revenue more than doubling as a result of his collaboration with local governments and dedication to client service.

“Having begun my career at Moseley Architects, I’m proud to be playing a part in shaping the firm’s legacy,” Tony said.

Background

With a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, Josh joined Moseley Architects in 2004 and rose through the ranks as a project manager in 2007 and principal in 2018. Following his move from Richmond, Va., to Raleigh, N.C., in 2021, Josh demonstrated his ability to broaden the civic sector’s client base and impact. By 2022, the sector’s revenue in the Raleigh office increased by $1.7 million.

Design Philosophy

Over the last two decades, Josh has served pivotal roles in many of the sector’s wide-ranging typologies, including law enforcement, fire-rescue, courts, and municipal facilities. Highlights include:

• Virginia Beach City Hall early planning and concept development (project manager)
• Fairfax Merrifield Governmental Center (project manager)
• Raleigh Law Enforcement Training Center (managing principal)
• City of Richmond Fire Station 12 (managing principal)
• Henrico Crisis Center (managing principal)

Through his empathetic, problem-solving methodology, Josh spearheads projects with the user’s perspective at the forefront, considering the unique needs of each end user the design will serve. He emphasizes the importance of designing with and for communities, ensuring that Moseley Architects’ buildings are both secure and inviting, facilitating human connection while meeting high standards of design excellence.

“The civic sector will grow through the work of our talented team who is deeply committed to creating spaces that facilitate critical services and elevate the human experience. Designing a functional building isn’t enough; it must represent and celebrate the community to resonate with future generations,” Josh said.

Leadership Approach

In his new role, Josh looks forward to fostering an environment where creativity and innovation are celebrated, and where team members are supported to find and excel in their own approaches.

“I’m looking forward to nurturing the growth of our team members as much as the growth of our portfolio. Seeing someone solve a design challenge and sharing in their success is the best part. It’s not just about showing them my way of doing things; it’s about really getting their perspective, guiding them patiently, and then sharing in their triumph,” Josh said.