About AIA
New Jersey
Welcome to AIA New Jersey, a vibrant community dedicated to advancing the art and science of architecture across the Garden State. As a proud chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), we are committed to promoting design excellence, supporting professional growth, and demonstrating the transformative value of architecture in shaping our built environment. Since our founding in 1900, AIA New Jersey has been uniting architects statewide and championing the highest standards of practice and innovation.
Our chapter is organized into six dynamic local sections: the Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Central, Jersey Shore, Newark & Suburban, South Jersey, and West Jersey. These sections serve as vital centers of collaboration and engagement, offering members opportunities to connect with their communities through networking, education, and outreach. Together, we are dedicated to creating a built environment that inspires and enriches the lives of all who experience it.
Our History
AIA New Jersey is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year, marking over a century of leadership and advocacy for the architectural profession. Founded in 1896 as the Society of New Jersey Architects, it became the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1900. For many years, the chapter worked alongside The New Jersey Society of Architects, until their merger in 1965 unified their efforts under the name New Jersey Society of Architects of the American Institute of Architects.
Over the past 125 years, AIA New Jersey has been a cornerstone of architectural excellence, supporting its members and shaping the built environment. As a regional chapter of the national AIA, it remains dedicated to promoting design innovation, fostering collaboration, and advocating for the profession on both local and global stages.
2025 AIA NJ Executive Committee
Andrew Thompson, AIA
President
Newark Suburban
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA
President-Elect
West Jersey
Bharath “Ram” Ramamoorthy, AIA
Vice President
Central New Jersey
Matthew Pultorak, AIA
Secretary
Jersey Shore
Christina Amey, AIA
Treasurer
South Jersey
Verity Frizzell, FAIA
Strategic Council
Jersey Shore
Mike Rosado, Assoc. AIA
State Associates Representative
West Jersey
Abigail Benjamin, AIA
State Young Architects Representative
Northern New Jersey
Brian Penschow, AIA
Immediate Past President
Jersey Shore
Lawrence Powers, Esq.
Legal Counsel
Non-Voting Position
Matthew S. Halpin
Executive Director
Non-Voting Position
Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA
PA Consultant
Northern New Jersey
Board Of Trustees
In addition to our Executive Committee, our Board of Trustees consists of At-Large Trustees and Section Trustees.
Interested in becoming an At Large Trustee with AIA-NJ. Complete an application here.
At-Large Trustees
Trustee
Jason Kliwinski, AIA
Central New Jersey
Trustee
LoriAnne Jones, AIA
Central New Jersey
Trustee
Kelli Glasgow, AIA
Newark Suburban
Trustee
Elina Shchervinsky, AIA
Central New Jersey
Trustee
Mark Bess, AIA
Newark Suburban
Trustee
Manuel Pereiras, AIA
Architects League of Northern New Jersey
Section Trustees
Architects League of Northern NJ
Chris Brand, AIA and Eric Lamb, AIA
Central
Tania Althoff, AIA and David Von Stappenbeck, AIA
Newark & Suburban
Lisa Walzer, AIA and Kelli Glasgow
Jersey Shore
Jason Vico, AIA and Irwin Kizel, AIA
South Jersey
Philip Giambri, AIA
West Jersey
Lauren Harris, AIA and Kent Werner, AIA
Committee Chairs
Awards and Scholarships Committee
Seth Leeb, AIA NS
Joshua Zinder, AIA CNJ
Michael Graves Award
Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA NS
Scholarship Liaison
Marvin Clawson, AIA NS
Board Committees
Executive
Andrew Thompson, AIA NS
Nominations
Brian Penschow, AIA JS
Bylaws
Andrew Thompson, AIA NS
Finance
Christina Amey, AIA SJ
Fundraising
Brian Penschow, AIA JS
Communications Committee
Chair
Kim Bunn, AIA WJ
Public Awareness (Co-Chairs)
William Martin, AIA ALNNJ
Bruce Turner, AIA SJ
E-Bulletin/ Newsletter/ Website
Kim Bunn, AIA WJ
PA Consultant
Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA ALNNJ
Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC)
Chair
Christina Kavanagh, Assoc. AIA ALNNJ
AXP/NCARB Liaison
Abigail Benjamin, AIA NS
L&GA Committee
Chair
Kurt Kalafsky, AIA CNJ
State Board of Architects Liaison
Brian Penschow, AIA JS
Membership Committee
Retention and Recruitment
John A. Cwikla, AIA NS
Fellowship
Ed Rothe, FAIA CNJ
Task Forces and Associated Entities
NJ APAC
Dave DelVecchio, AIA NS
Architectural Resource Center
John A. Cwikla, AIA NS
Safe School Design Task Force Co-Chairs:
Ed Rothe, FAIA CNJ
Jeanne Perantoni, AIA CNJ
Technology In Practice Co-Chairs
Matthew Pultork, AIA JS
Richard Garber, AIA NS
Professional Practice Committee
Historic Resources
Andrew Thomson, AIA NS
Resiliency / Homeland Security
Verity Frizzell, FAIA JS
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA ALNNJ
Women In Architecture
Erin Sharp-Newton, Assoc. AIA
Small Firm Exchange (Co-Chairs)
Lisa Walzer, AIA NS
Sloan Springer, AIA WJ
COTE (Committee on the Environment)
Bran Alterman, AIA WJ
Programs and Events Committee
Design Conference
Seth Leeb, AIA NS
Joshua Zinder, AIA CNJ
Codes & Standards
Robert M. Longo, AIA CNJ
K-12 Program (Co-Chairs)
John Fallon, AIA NS
Joseph E. David, AIA ALNNJ
Mayor’s Exchange
Andrew Thompson, AIA NS
Architecture Week
Paul Tiajoloff, AIA NS
College/University/AIAS Liaison
Manuel Pereiras, AIA ALNNJ
2025 Awards and Installation Dinner
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA WJ
Leadership Summit Dinner
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA WJ
National Convention Fellows/ Regional Reception
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA WJ
Leadership Summit Dinner
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA WJ
National Convention Fellows/ Regional Reception
Jessica O’Donnell, AIA WJ
Affiliate Organizations
AIA National
AIA New Jersey is a region and chapter of AIA National organization. AIA New Jersey’s members are members of the national organization, we have representatives on the national board. Just as AIA New Jersey serves the needs of architects and the public in New Jersey; AIA National serves these needs across the country, including issues that effect architects in front of Congress and other government agencies, implementation of a national advertising campaign to promote architecture, and hosting of the annual National Convention.
New Jersey Architect’s Political Action Committee
Your help is needed to give architects a strong voice in New Jersey. Now is the time to act. To donate to the NJAPAC please download the form, fill it out and mail it to the address as instructed on the form.
AIA NJ Educational and Scholarship Foundation
The AIA-NJ Scholarship Foundation is a charitable foundation that awards scholarships to deserving students in an architectural program that show scholastic achievement, demonstrated talent, and potential for success in the profession of Architecture.
(Organized November 1896, Disbanded December 1900)
(Chapter granted to the former Society of New Jersey Architects, December 12,1900)
(Society founded in 1918, with the same officers serving both organizations)
1965 Robert R. Cueman, FAIA
1966 Robert L. Dennis, AIA
1967 James A. Swackhamer, FAIA
1968 Eugene A. DeMartin, AIA
1969 Harold D. Glucksman, FAIA
1970 Alfred Busselle, AIA
1971 Peter H. Holley, AIA
1972 Kenneth D. Wheeler, FAIA
1973 Edward M. Kolbe Jr., AIA
1974 Donald J. Gatarz, AIA
1975 Gary Y. Kaplan, FAIA
1976 Robert F. Grove, AIA
1977 Richard Bottelli, AIA
1978 J.Robert Gilchrist, AIA
1979 Romeo Aybar, FAIA
1980 Leo Mahony, AIA
1981 Paul J. DeMassi, AIA
1982 Herman H. Bouman, AIA
1983 Edmund H. Gaunt Jr., AIA
1984 Tylman R. Moon, AIA
1985 Eleanore K. Pettersen, FAIA
1986 William M. Brown,Jr., AIA
1987 Edward N. Rothe, FAIA
1988 Robert L. Hessberger, AIA
1989 Joseph D. Bavaro, FAIA
1990 Herman C. Litwack, FAIA
1991 Daniel R. Millen, Jr., FAIA
1992 Michael J. Savoia,AIA
1993 Robert H. Lee, AIA
1994 Ronald P. Bertone, FAIA
1995 Charles Weiler, AIA
1995-96 Martin Santini, FAIA
1997 James Gatsch, FAIA
1998 Harold Lichtman, AIA
1999 Albert F. Zaccone, FAIA
2000 Robin L. Murray, FAIA
2001 Eric Wagner, AIA
2002 William M. Brown, III, FAIA
2003 David Del Vecchio, AIA
2004 Robert Cozzarelli, FAIA
2005 Bruce D. Turner, AIA
2006 Stephen J. Carlidge, AIA
2007 Jerome L. Eben, FAIA
2008 Seth A. Leeb, AIA
2009 Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA
2010 Jason Kliwinski, AIA
2011 Michael Hanrahan, AIA
2012 Laurence Parisi, AIA
2013 Jack Purvis, AIA
2014 Kurt Kalafsky, AIA
2015 Kimberly Bunn, AIA
2016 Justin Mihalik, AIA
2017 Ben Lee, AIA
2018 Verity Frizzell, FAIA
2019 Judith Donnelly, AIA
2020 Steve B. Lazarus, AIA
2021 Joshua Zinder, AIA
2022 John Cwikla, AIA, LEED BD+C
2023 Ronald Weston, AIA LEED AP
(Society and Chapter merged July 1, 1965)
Address
414 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611
Phone
(609) 393-5690
info@aia-nj.org