Michael is the founding principal of the Mills Group. With over twenty years of proven experience in historic preservation, architectural design, and planning, Michael inspires each Mills Group team member to approach architecture without arrogance but rather with a collaborative approach, building upon the talents of the staff and the vision of the clients. Michael's expertise is a combination of his detailed knowledge of the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation and his extensive experience working with historic structures. Michael has created historic design guidelines and has solved issues related to the revitalization of downtowns across the country.

Hailing from Bethel, Vermont, Michael was the first in his family to pursue a professional degree from a nationally recognized institution and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Building Science degree and a Bachelor's of Architecture degree. After completing his education, Michael dedicated nearly nine years to architecture in Washington, DC and had the experience of working on some of the nation's most prestigious cultural resources. Michael began his work in West Virginia on the historic B&O Railroad Station in Grafton and was offered the opportunity to become the Vandalia Heritage Foundation's Director of Historic Preservation and Director of Planning. It was at Vandalia that Michael discovered a deep appreciation for the heritage of West Virginia and made the decision to start his own firm – focused on making a difference with the built environment in West Virginia.

In his free time, Michael enjoys woodworking and escaping to the mountains of West Virginia to fly fish, hike and relax.

At Mills Group, Ryan brings a comprehensive understanding of green design and historic preservation to support the firm's portfolio of new construction and historic redevelopment projects. From the conceptual design, he emphasizes an integrative design process that combines historic passive design solutions with modern engineering solutions to create innovative, sustainable, and culturally relevant buildings. Additionally, as a project manager, Ryan places a strong focus on the triple bottom line of every project. He ensures that projects not only stay on schedule and within budget, but meet the rigorous requirements of high performance, green buildings.

Ryan joined the Mills Group following an extensive education in the fields of architecture, business, and engineering. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Architecture, where he researched total building performance and sustainable solutions for the built environment. Upon graduation, Ryan became a LEED AP with the United States Green Building Council. Prior to postgraduate study at Carnegie Mellon, he earned a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering at West Virginia University.

Ryan enjoys working and engaging with clients on many diverse projects while meeting their unique needs. Outside of work, Ryan loves being outdoors and enjoying the mountain landscape of the region.

Christopher Clark joined Mills Group as a project designer where he is responsible for project conception through construction administration. He previously worked with SMG Architects from 2001-2006, before accepting a position with HGA Architects designing hospitals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 2010, Chris moved back east and served as a retail architectural design specialist for Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Pittsburgh, PA. At the invitation of partner Vic Greco, Christopher joined the Mills Group in January 2014.

Chris has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kent State University and while at school, studied abroad in Florence, Italy. When not designing buildings, Chris enjoys tinkering in his workshop creating furniture and musical instruments. Chris lives with his wife Darcy and daughter Dakota in Washington PA.

Vivian works in the accounting department at Mills Group. She is responsible for maintaining office services by organizing office operations and procedures, preparing payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and keeping management informed by reviewing and analyzing financial reports. She also assists in the preparation of proposals and project photography. Vivian grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and joined the Mills Group after years of experience working in the engineering and architecture industries. Vivian loves interacting with clients and the Mills Group staff.

Vivian loves to travel and has a penchant for photography. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Imaginative and innovative, Ryan McClain, the Director of Creative Design and Planning at Mills Group, possesses a unique outlook for visual design, planning, and aesthetically-charged graphics. Ryan is an expert in utilizing visualization software, digital modeling, and virtual reality methods to illustrate a site’s true design potential. He is also well-versed in visioning and theming projects as well as branding/logo design, wayfinding, info-graphics, photography, and illustrative hand graphics.

Growing up in Morgantown, Ryan always hoped he would attend West Virginia University like his family before him. Following in his father’s footsteps, he attained a BS in Landscape Architecture in 2006. Soon after, he departed to work for over a decade as a firm-leading graphics & landscape planning manager in Tempe, Arizona. Recently, Ryan felt the urge to return to his roots, reconnect with family, and work on projects more geared towards revitalizing and preserving the wonderfully wild state of West Virginia.

In the past 7 years. as he settles back into life in the Mountain state with his wife Paula, daughters Briar and Quill, and their gaggle of cats, Ryan can be found enjoying loud music, slaying video game bosses, watching classic horror movies, and munching on an occasional under-baked cookie.

Julie works as the office manager for the Wheeling office. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, as well as maintaining the computer network to ensure the fluidity of office operations. A Wheeling native and Wheeling Jesuit University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Julie oversees and participates in the production of architectural drawings and specifications for all projects. Her keen eye for detail and love of photography allows her to assist with preparing project photography, proposal requests, and marketing material.

Mike Kennedy is an Architectural Design Associate in our downtown Shepherdstown office. He provides architectural production assistance and design work to the project managers via 3D models and construction drawings.

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Mike has lived in West Virginia for the past 20 years. When the Mills Group office in Shepherdstown opened, he reached out about potential job openings. His current position offers him exciting local and regional architectural design opportunities and a better life/career balance with a more manageable commute.

Mike obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Florida A&M University School of Architecture. An achievement he is most proud of is designing and overseeing the construction of his own house while being a stay-at-home Dad and caring for his two children.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, finding/listening to new music, painting, disc golf, soccer, running, hiking, and Irish Road Bowling.

Ryan joined the Mills Group after landing a summer internship with Victor Greco, our Principal. He is responsible for assisting in the construction of 3-D models and documents as well as rendering building views and scenes. After graduating from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science and Technology in the field of Architecture, Ryan received his Master of Architecture from Miami University. Originating from St. Clairsville, Ohio, Ryan enjoys the outdoors and all of the activities it has to offer such as fishing, camping, and hunting.

Logan Patrick has joined the Mills Group as an Architectural Design Associate. Logan provides production assistance to the project managers in 3D modeling and construction drawings.

Originally from McMechen, WV, Logan came to Mills Group for a summer internship in 2017 after hearing about the firm from a classmate who had previously interned with Mills Group. He completed his Master's in Architecture degree from Miami University in May of 2018 after receiving his Bachelors of Science in Architecture from Fairmont State University in 2016.

He is most proud of completing his graduate thesis, “A Search for Identity: How to Reinvent the Post-Industrial Past to Lead Towards a Vibrant Future”. The thesis was set in Wheeling, promoting personal and inspiring work for Logan.

Logan enjoys all things sports related. He likes playing baseball and hockey and going to Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins games.

Alexis Behrens, a West Virginia native, joined Mills Group as the Director of Interior Design. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from WVU & brings nearly three decades of interior design experience specializing in construction project management of various healthcare, office, behavioral health, hospitality, and daycare spaces. With each project, Alexis strives to make each space warm and welcoming for each person. Professionally she is most proud of her two years spent as the Chairman of the NCIDQ Practicum Committee and her years as one of the 8-person committee that wrote several of the Interior Design Qualifying exams.

Outside of the office, Alexis enjoys traveling, hiking, scouting, and drawing. She lives with her husband of 27 years and two teenage children, Inez and Will, in Bridgeport, WV. She is also involved in the Boy Scouts of America as the Venturing Crew 14 Advisor, and Troop 14 Committee Chair. She has been a leader and member of the GFWC (General Federation of Woman’s Clubs) WV Juniors and Bridgeport Juniors for 25 years.

Michael West joined the firm as an Architectural Design Associate at our Morgantown Office. He provides architectural production assistance and design work to the project managers via 3D models and construction drawings.

Originally from Plano, Texas, Michael was exposed to Mills Group projects through several visits to Morgantown to see friends. After receiving a bachelor's in Architecture from the University of Texas, seeing the firm's work, and being charmed by Morgantown, it seemed like the perfect fit.

The achievement Michael is most proud of is receiving his degree in Architecture and accepting a job right after graduation. Another accomplishment he is proud of is recording a folk-rock album that he wrote during his last year at school.


Michael's favorite hobby is playing music, specifically guitar among a few others. He also enjoys listening to music, running, hiking, crafting projects, and playing video games.


Stephen DeNeui brings expertise to Mills Group as the Preservation Associate in our Morgantown office. Stephen researches and documents historic buildings and towns, assists in writing historic structure reports and historic rehabilitation tax credit applications, and provides a contextual background to the architects and designers working with historic resources.

Originally from a small town in rural Minnesota, Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Navy which brought him to the greater Chicago area where he met his now wife. Upon the arrival of their first child and the completion of his contract, Stephen began his studies of Architecture at the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Building on the discipline and problem-solving of his Navy career, Stephen excelled in his program, being awarded The History & Theory Award, The A4LE Research in Design Award, The Sustainability & Passive Design Award, and The CoD Studio Award.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky with his bachelor’s in architecture, Stephen was given the chance to undertake a MSc of Historic Conservation in Oxford, England. He wrote his MSc’s thesis on the historic preservation of post-conflict sites that was awarded a Distinction. His time in England ended on a high note, being awarded The Stephen Levrant Prize for his work in Historic Conservation Area Planning and receiving his MSc with a Distinction.

After returning to the US, Stephen was hired by a legacy historic preservation architecture firm where he worked in Williamsburg, VA. It was then, that Mills Group reached out to Stephen and asked if he would join the ongoing efforts of saving history right here in West Virginia. He joined the firm in 2022 and has been in awe of the beauty of The Mountain State, its historic architecture, and its legacy of storytelling.

Outside of work, Stephen loves spending time with his wife and children reading, exploring, playing and designing games, and, of course, telling stories.

Amber Kwasniewski joined Mills Group as a Project Manager and Senior Interior Designer. Originally from Beverly, WV, Amber attended the University of Charleston where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design.

After years of working in Washington, DC, she returned home to focus on a budding family business. After selling her portion of the business, she desired to return to practicing architectural and interior design.

Besides starting and establishing a successful business, her biggest achievements have been through problem-solving. It might be helping someone utilize their space better or coming up with a creative way to make a farm task more efficient.

Outside the office, Amber enjoys propagating fig trees, playing volleyball, helping on her family’s farm, painting, and creating handmade Halloween costumes.

Tom Kilionski has joined Mills Group as a Project Manager bringing over 35 years of experience in the building industry. Starting as a carpenter’s apprentice in 1983, and advancing through various levels of labor, management, and administration, Tom developed a well-rounded knowledge of residential contracting.


Originally from Simi Valley, CA, Tom moved to Morgantown as an independent contractor for residential and commercial projects. A number of these projects he worked directly with Michael Mills which developed the relationship.

Tom attended West Virginia University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History. An achievement he is most proud of is the family and friends he has with his wife.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time working on anything mechanical in nature.

RJ Spellman joined Mills Group as an Interior Design Associate in our Morgantown office. He is responsible for assisting with digital modeling, finish selections, research, existing condition documentation, and space planning.

Originally from Hopwood, PA, RJ attended Pierpont Community and Technical College where he obtained an Associate’s Degree in Interior Design in 2019.

An achievement RJ is most proud of is making the Dean’s or President’s Lists every semester at Pierpont with the support of his family and husband.

Outside of work, RJ enjoys landscape and architecture photography and hiking state and national parks.

Hannah Tarcy joined Mills Group as the Office Manager and works in our Morgantown location. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and assisting in the preparation of proposals and social media posting.

Hannah grew up in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn State University where she studied communications before attending the Gemological Institute of America where she graduated in the study of Jewelry Design and Gemology.

In her free time, Hannah enjoys oil painting, designing jewelry, singing, traveling with her family, and most of all her Pug/Boston Terrier "Ego."

Dan Garvin joined Mills Group as a Project Manager after having worked at a healthcare architecture firm in Pittsburgh, PA, and before that a multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm that served the state of West Virginia and the mid-Atlantic region. Originally from Wheeling, WV, Dan earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from Fairmont State University.

With over 10 years of experience, Dan has been involved in a wide range of different project types. The most important thing to him when designing a building is understanding how the occupants will inhabit the space and finding creative solutions to complex problems.

In his free time, Dan enjoys traveling as often as possible and experiencing new places, drawing, reading, playing guitar, building things, and spending time outdoors hiking and camping.

Keatan Wheeling joined Mills Group as an Architectural Design Associate at the Morgantown location after working at a civil engineering firm for over a year. She has experience in master planning, realistic renderings, and virtual reality. At her previous job, Keatan had the opportunity to become a utility coordinator and took responsibility for closeout submittals for multiple state and federal projects in Texas. Keatan graduated from Penn State University with an interdisciplinary degree in architecture.

Sophia Gum joined Mills as a Landscape Design Associate after interning with the firm and completing her bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture at West Virginia University in 2023. After seeing first-hand the experiences and possibilities that Mills Group can provide, she is glad to have the opportunity to kick off her career in the state she has always called home. Sophia assists with digital renderings, landscape design, master planning, and graphic design in our Morgantown office.

In her free time, Sophia takes any opportunity to spend time outdoors, draw, or snuggle with her two cats.

Xinyao Tignor joined Mills Group as an Architectural Design Associate in our Morgantown location. With over ten years of diverse work experience in Washington DC, Virginia, and New Mexico, Xinyao has been involved in various project types.

Xinyao accomplished her Master of Architecture degree in the University of New Mexico with the Henry Adams Medal of Excellence from AIA.

In her free time, Xinyao enjoys playing music, outdoor biking, reading architecture books, and spending quality time with her family in West Virginia.

CJ Smith joined the firm as a Project Manager at our Morgantown Office.  He is responsible for assisting in the construction of 3-D models and documents as well as rendering building views and scenes. 

Originally from Belle Vernon, PA, CJ was exposed to Mills Group projects through a friend. After receiving an associate's in Architecture from Penn State University, CJ continued his education at Fairmont State University completing both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in the Science of Architecture.

CJ is most proud of becoming a father and completing his master's degree while working full time. His favorite hobbies include exploring the great outdoors, golfing, fishing, art, woodworking, photography and spending time with his two children.


Ellie serves as the Mills Group mascot and office greeter. She is an enthusiastic worker and is an expert in tail wagging, document retrieval, and envelope licking. Ellie is an instrumental member of the team and provides valuable input, ensuring that doggie doors and lots of space for playing fetch are incorporated into designs whenever possible. When she’s not hard at work, you can find Ellie engaging in a variety of winter sports, birdwatching, or taking long walks on the Rail Trail.


Team

Michael Mills AIA, NCARB

Ryan Hess AIA, LEED AP

Chris Clark RA

Vivian Neely

Ryan McClain sUAS Pilot

Julie Doerr

Mike Kennedy

Ryan Baker LEED Green Associate

Logan Patrick LEED Green Associate

Alexis Behrens NCIDQ

Michael West AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate

Stephen DeNeui

Amber Kwasniewski NCIDQ, LEED AP

Tom Kilionski

RJ Spellman

Hannah Tarcy

Dan Garvin AIA, NCARB

Keatan Wheeling

Sophia Gum

Xinyao Tignor

CJ Smith

Ellie