AIA New Jersey Has Friends in High Places at A’19

July 17, 2019

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AIA New Jersey Has Friends in High Places at A’19

By Steven Lazarus, AIA

AIA NJ President Elect

AIA National President Bill Bates, FAIA, addresses the crowd at the Member Reception as Brian Penschow, AIA, looks on.

AIA National President Elect Peter Exley, FAIA, and AIA NJ Regional Representative and Moderator of the Strategic Council, Bruce Turner, AIA

Penschow and Friends with Magic Johnson

A’19 AIA Conference on Architecture was held from June 5th thru 8^thin Las Vegas, Nevada. The theme for 2019 was

“Blueprint for a Better Future.”

On June 5^th NJ Regional Representative Bruce Turner, AIA, and AIA NJ President Judy Donnelly, AIA, were accredited as delegates for AIA NJ. Representatives from across New Jersey attended the candidates speeches and together discussed opinions on the candidates and other AIA business at hand at the regional caucuses.

The Annual Business Meeting was held in the Las Vegas Convention Center. We then listened to the candidate speeches. There were Peter J. Exley, FAIA, from Chicago and Bruce W. Sekanick, FAIA, from Eastern Ohio running for 2020 First Vice President/2021 President Elect, with Exley winning the election.

Candidate Frizzell

Our own Verity L. Frizzell, FAIA, of New Jersey and Britt Lindberg, AIA, of Silicon Valley, California ran for At Large Director 2020-2022. Despite her outstanding qualifications and passionate campaign, Verity was unfortunately defeated this time. For Treasurer 2020-2021, Evelyn M. Lee, AIA, ran unopposed. The business meeting had our delegates voting on Bylaws amendments such as Tilting of Allied Members and Long Term Financial Stability and Flexibility. We then voted on Resolution 19-11 a.k.a. THE BIG MOVE, a resolution for urgent and sustainable Climate Action. The resolution was approved.

As Moderator for the AIA National Strategic Council, Bruce Turner was part of a panel presentation – FR204 Demystifying The Strategic Council (Friday 9:30), and helped facilitate SA204 Firm Roundtables: Leadership Development discussion by LFRT & CFP.

The conference also included the Investiture Ceremony of the 2019 Fellows. AIA New Jersey celebrated with our two newest fellows, Robert Cozarelli, FAIA, and Brian Kowalchuk, FAIA.

For the balance of the week, AIA NJ members attended education seminars, the Expo floor, local tours, receptions, committee meet-ups, college reunion receptions and parties, including the AIA New Jersey Fellows Reception Chaired by President Elect Steven Lazarus and held at Chica Las Vegas designed by First Vice President Joshua Zinder, AIA, which is in The Venetian. Enjoy the slide show!