Ryan Dobbs, AIA, NCARB, has been named President of BarberMcMurry Architects. He has been with BarberMcMurry since 2012 and was named a Partner in 2017.

Chuck Griffin, AIA, NCARB, will remain CEO of BarberMcMurry until his planned retirement in early 2027.

Ryan said, “I’m honored to be the next President of BarberMcMurry. This firm has been part of this community for 110 years, and every day I will strive to ensure we’re here another 110 — leading the region in great design and in making positive impacts on our community.

“I have big shoes to fill. Chuck has led this firm for three decades, through thick and thin. I’m immensely grateful to him: he has been my personal and professional mentor, someone I deeply admire, and I look forward to continuing to work with, and learn from, him in the next two years.”

Chuck said, “This transition marks the fifth generation of ownership for BarberMcMurry. It has been my great honor to serve as President and CEO, and to serve our clients in fulfilling their missions in East Tennessee. I’m excited to see where BarberMcMurry goes next.”

Ryan is a graduate from Illinois Institute of Technology, and served in the 82^nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army through two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom between 2001 and 2005, with multiple commendations. He serves as Board President of the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association, and on the Boards of Directors of Junior Achievement of East Tennessee, Muse Knoxville, and Tennessee Architects’ Political Action Committee. He also serves on the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Development Advisory Board, and founded the annual Clays for Children fundraising event, benefiting Children’s Hospital. He is a member of Rotary Club of Knoxville, the United Way of Greater Knoxville’s 1922 Society, and an HonorAir Knoxville Team Leader. He is a member of Leadership Knoxville Class of 2022.

Ryan is responsible for several of the most awarded projects in BarberMcMurry’s history. During his leadership tenure, he has led initiatives related to design process, culture and community involvement, emphasizing BarberMcMurry’s vision and mission: Be good people. Do great design.

He and his wife, Mary Ellen, live in Lenoir City with their three daughters.

Chuck has been with BarberMcMurry for 40 years, and has been a Partner since 1995 — during which he has been responsible for the successful completion of more than $1 billion in healthcare construction at BMA. He has overseen numerous milestones at BMA, including the firm’s strategic move back to downtown Knoxville in 2013 as well as navigating challenges including the Great Recession.

Griffin is a long-time tnAchieves mentor and serves on the Board of Directors of the Covenant Health Foundation. He has previously served on numerous boards and committees, including the Tennessee Department of Health Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities, Pellissippi State Foundation, Knoxville Downtown Sertoma Club, Farragut High School Baseball Club, and Patricia Neal Golf Classic Tournament. He is a member of Leadership Knoxville Class of 2004.

He and his wife, Jill, have two grown sons and are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren (and counting).

Ryan and Chuck will continue to serve with BarberMcMurry’s other equity partners: Kelly Headden, AIA, NCARB, COO & Executive Vice President; Mike Dooley, AIA, NCARB, Senior Vice President; and Heather Beck, MBA, APR, WELL AP, Vice President & Director of Communications. 

For the fourth year, BarberMcMurry has been named an Emerging Professional Friendly Firm by AIA Tennessee!

Jurors for the award said, "The inclusion of EPs in reviewing and improving firm processes and culture, the firm’s research and development initiatives, and firm-wide participation in volunteering were all lauded by the jury."

BMA proactively encourages our EPs to engage in leadership thinking through R&D initiatives. EPs are currently leading initiatives on design process and culture — including topics like AI integration, project delivery and sustainable design. Emerging Professionals meet in a self-led group to recommend firm improvements and ideas, coordinating implementation with firm Associates and Partners.

BMA also actively encourages all employees, including EPs, to be personally and professionally involved with community, civic and charitable organizations. Each year, we hold an in-house Day of Service — in which we donate design services, entirely pro-bono, to a local non-profit — as well as other routine, firm-wide volunteer opportunities.