JOSEPH G. GARDNER, JR., NCARB

Founding Partner | President | Principal

Email | jgardner@gsstj.com

Joe Gardner is a co-founder of the firm and continues to serve in projects in an active design, project management and contract administration capacity, particularly for church, library and performing arts commissions. He is a 1973 graduate of the Georgia Tech College of Architecture, and a 1979 graduate of the Georgia State Graduate School of Business, but began his professional career in the summer of 1969 working in the office of John W. Cherry, Architect. Joe remained with that firm while attending Tech and thereafter, being named a principal of Cherry Roberts Gardner Sullivan in January of 1980. He served as the President of AIA Atlanta in 1994, and President of AIA Georgia in 1998.

Joe has been a lifelong member of Peachtree Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has served as Chair of the Official Board, Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Elders. He continues regular service on the Official Board as an Elder, and his wife, Gita, also serves on the Board as a Deacon.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1973
University System of Georgia Studies Abroad Program, Cortona, Italy, 1972
Master of Business Administration, Georgia State University, 1979

B. Randall Smith, AIA LEED AP

secretary | Principal

Email | rsmith@gsstj.com

Randy Smith is a native of metro Atlanta having grown up in the Decatur area. After graduating from Towers High School in DeKalb County in 1972, Randy entered the School of Architecture at Georgia Tech. A very influential part of that experience was a Study Abroad Program in Paris, France for the senior class. After graduating from Georgia Tech, he entered the architecture program at Rice University and received a Master of Architecture degree in 1978.

After returning from Houston, Randy then worked for Thompson Ventulett & Stainback. Working with the team on the initial planning for the Georgia World Congress Center's second phase was a highlight. He went on to work for Porter Kelly Architects, where he gained experience in residential projects. Randy then spent several years working with Cooper Carry & Associates. In 1981, he received his architecture license. Randy worked his way up to the position of project architect at Cooper Carry and obtained experience in a range of building types, including office and retail buildings.

EDUCATION

Master of Architecture, Rice University, 1978
Bachelor of Science, Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1976
Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris, France
Georgia Institute of Technology, Studies Abroad Program, 1976

David W. Tench, AIA NCARB LEED AP

Vice-President | Principal

Email |  dtench@gsstj.com

David Tench oversees various project teams and guides the design process in scheduling and overall quality control while maintaining a high level of communication with his client’s decision-makers. The needs and concerns of every project, no matter its size, are his highest priority in ensuring a successful project outcome.

With over 37 years of experience, David has focused most of his attention on education. His award-winning projects include specialty career technology classrooms, cafeterias and food service courts, media centers, performing arts halls, as well as football stadiums and athletic fields with multi-purpose facilities. David, a graduate of Auburn University, is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the United States Green Building Council, and the Georgia Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments. He is also LEED-accredited and licensed to practice architecture in the State of Georgia.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, Auburn University, 1984
Associate of Science, Architectural Drafting, Western Kentucky University, 1980
Associate of Science, Building Construction, Western Kentucky University, 1980
Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Theaters for a New Millennium (Certificate), 1988

Keith A. Solomon, ASSOCIATE AIA

Business Development | Principal

Email | ksolomon@gsstj.com

Keith Solomon, after a brief internship with GSST&J prior to his graduation in 1993, quickly uprooted and moved to Atlanta. Five years later, he received his Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Keith joined the ranks of Principals at the firm with diverse experience in creative, technical and business skills. With over 30 years of experience in architectural design, contract documents, project administration, and program planning, Keith demonstrates a global understanding of project and building needs. His projects include theaters, libraries, K-12, higher education, and facility upgrades. At GSST&J, he has focused primarily on the public school sector and numerous municipalities, working with every major school system in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

EDUCATION

Master of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1998
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Virginia, 1993
Associate Degree, Norfolk State University, 1990