Our Team

Peter J. Hill, Sr.

Principal Architect

With a career spanning 40 years, Peter brings unparalleled leadership to a vast range of architectural disciplines. For three decades, he has been at the helm of HDA Architects, guiding over a thousand projects in sectors as diverse as housing, senior living, medical, municipal, and restaurant design. This extensive portfolio embodies the HDA promise, "If you can conceive it, we can create it!" and ensures he understands the nuances of every project type.

While his experience is exceptionally broad, Peter holds a particular passion for animal care facilities, a specialized field where he has personally guided more than 500 projects. His ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and foster strong client relationships has made HDA Architects a trusted partner across the industry.

A resident of Rome, GA, Peter and his wife, Dr. Lisa Blake, MD cherishes time with their three grown children, two grandchildren, and their beloved yellow lab, Abby. When they get a chance to get away, they love traveling to new destinations or escaping to the North Georgia mountains.

James Bergen

VP, Equipment Specialist, Construction Administrator

James Bergen is the Vice President and Contract Administrator at HDA Architects, where he has proudly served for nearly 22 years. Known for his attention to detail and commitment to excellence, James plays a key role in managing every stage of a project’s development — from the initial concept through final construction. He is dedicated to fostering a collaborative “team approach” during construction, which consistently leads to successful outcomes.

Living in Dahlonega, Georgia, James is deeply involved in his community as an active member of the local Rotary Club and Chairman of the Dahlonega Historic Preservation Commission. Married to his wife Sabrina for 34 years, James enjoys life with their two cats, Turbo and Scotch. A devoted Atlanta Braves fan, he also loves traveling and discovering new destinations.

Susan Wade

Project Manager

Drawing on 19 years of architectural design and production experience, Susan Wade offers versatile expertise from leading projects that include educational facilities, Chick-fil-A builds, daycare centers, and animal health facilities. Her expertise in managing is only enhanced by her technical proficiency in Revit 3D Modeling to produce high-quality construction documents with remarkable speed and accuracy. As Project Manager, Susan oversees every phase of production, from code analysis and detailing to coordination and specifications. She earned her Mechanical Drafting Diploma from Coosa Valley Technical College.

Susan and her husband celebrated 20 years together, and enjoy their 5 kids, 8 grandkids, and little farm with chickens, goats, and horse that thinks it’s a goat! She still finds time for things she's passionate about like baking elaborate decorated cakes, teaching Awana class, and kickboxing. 

Ben Huckaby

Project Manager

With over 20 years of experience in building design, construction, and maintenance, Ben brings meticulous attention to detail to every project. As a project manager and serving as the firm's studio manager, his expertise in creating comprehensive 3D models using Autodesk Revit and rendering in Enscape is critical for identifying and resolving potential conflicts before construction begins. Ben has contributed to a wide range of projects, including veterinary hospitals, animal housing, industrial/manufacturing, and institutional facilities, ensuring the highest quality of service throughout the design and construction process. He holds an Associate of Business Administration from Georgia Highlands College.

Born and raised in Rome, GA, Ben stays active in the community through his church and his family. Married to his wife Valerie since 2009, they have four children along with four cats and their husky. All of which are rescues. As time allows, Ben enjoys being outdoors hunting, fishing and playing golf. Ben is also an artist with his most recent focus being in China painting.

Ethan Cameron

BIM Specialist

As a BIM Specialist, Ethan Cameron plays an essential role in HDA Architects’ design and documentation process, transforming early concepts into detailed construction models and immersive 3D visualizations. With strong proficiency in Revit, Enscape, and coordinated digital workflows, he helps clients clearly understand their projects from the earliest stages while supporting accuracy and efficiency across the design team. His blend of technical skill, creativity, and enthusiasm strengthens both his work and the overall HDA team.

Ethan holds an Associate of Science degree in Mechanical Drafting, giving him a strong technical foundation for navigating complex building systems and supporting interdisciplinary coordination.

A Louisiana native, Ethan’s passion for design extends into his personal life. He enjoys building and refurbishing furniture, hiking, and is an avid hockey fan.

Blake Brown

Director of Business Development

Blake Brown serves as the Director of Business Development at HDA Architects. In his role, Blake is instrumental in driving the firm's growth and fostering client relationships. His leadership and commitment to architectural excellence had helped with the firm's recent expansion, including the move to a new, larger headquarters in downtown Rome. This strategic move, as Blake noted, positions HDA for long-term growth and enhanced collaboration, ultimately allowing them to better serve their clients.

With a passion for innovation and a focus on client experience, Blake plays a key role in steering HDA Architects toward a future of continued success and design excellence.

Outside of his professional life, Blake is an avid sports enthusiast, with a particular love for golf, tennis, and college football.

Erica Amalfitano

Marketing and Digital Media Associate

With more than 10 years of experience in strategic marketing and digital media, Erica brings a strong background in brand development, content strategy, and targeted campaign execution for national brands, franchise concepts, and professional service organizations. Her expertise includes leading digital initiatives, building high‑performing content ecosystems, and shaping compelling brand narratives across industries ranging from luxury consumer goods to healthcare and commercial services.

At HDA Architects, Erica focuses on private‑sector growth by developing clear, targeted marketing communications that help clients understand the firm’s architectural expertise in commercial animal care, veterinary medicine, dental, healthcare, franchising, and multi‑site development. She is passionate about translating complex processes into approachable, engaging messaging that strengthens relationships and supports informed decision‑making

Outside of work, Erica enjoys spending time with her two daughters, creating art, crocheting bespoke pieces, and writing—preferably with a side of chips and salsa.