Final Presidents Message for 2013

January 8, 2014

My year as President of AIA-NJ is coming to an end. What a year it has been for the AIA and me.   As a result of Super Storm Sandy, AIA-NJ has come to the forefront as a source for information with regard to recovery.   Numerous members of the AIA-NJ have interviewed and articles written providing information to the public.  We have been asked to participate on committees with state agencies to offer information that only we as Architects can provide.  I want to thank our members who have stepped and provided information and are part of the solution.

2014 will provide a change the Executive Committee, Kurt Kalafsky will be President, Kim Bunn President Elect, Justin Mihalik First Vice President, Steven Lazarus, Second Vice President, Robert Cozzarelli will be the new Regional Director and Judy Donnelly will be the new secretary.  I would like to thank Verity Frizzell (2 years) as secretary and Jerry Eben (3 years) as regional Director for their hard work and dedication to AIA-NJ.  Their participation will be missed.  Jerry Eben is not retiring; he is now running for secretary for AIA National.

At the Board Meeting of December the following was reviewed.

• Good Samaritan Bill is now before now on the agenda of our state legislatures.  Through the hard work of the L & GA committee and Chairman David DelVecchio this may become law.  This will allow AIA member who want to act as first responders in case of a disaster to be provided with liability insurance similar to that provided to the police.
• Design Day was a huge success this year with the most design board ever submitted.   There is a committee working on next year conference chaired by Seth Leeb.  A change in the format and location are being reviewed.  There is always room for volunteer help, if you have an interest contact Seth.
• AIA-NJ Website is about completed and should be up and running after the first of the year.
• The Historical Preservation Committee is working on the guidelines for raising historic structures in the new flood zones.  We are having a meeting on January 11 at 9:00 at my office.  Please join us if you have an interest.

2014 AIA National Convention is in Chicago at the McCormick Place, June 26 – 28, 2014

The Unofficial New Jersey hotel:

Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601, Tel: (312)-565-1234

Register online: http://convention.aia.org/event/housing-travel.asp

AIA-NJ will be presenting two educational programs at the 2014 National Convention

Joe Simonetta: Politics and the Profession: NOT a Pretty Picture

Jack Purvis and Paul Barlo: The Rebirth of Camp Osborn a Neighborhood Destroyed by Super Storm Sandy

I want to thank the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Committee Chairs and the Membership of AIA-NJ for all the hard work and allowing me to be your representative of the AIA-NJ  on a State and National Level.

Jack A. Purvis, AIA

By admin | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Members & the Community, NJ Architect Newsletter | Tagged: Good Samaritan, Jack Purvis, Presidents Message | Comments (0)