March 1, 2022

Meet 2022 Fellow Albert F. Zaccone, FAIA

An ardent defender and champion of architects, Albert Zaccone’s advocacy strengthens lines of communication between regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, academia, AIA and the public, steadily fostering engagement on all fronts and fortifying the profession’s standing.

NCARB: Consolidating a National Infrastructure

A leader NCARB since 2004, Albert created the first educator/practitioner symposium in Region 2 which brought together representatives from NAAB, AIA, and NCARB as well as practitioners and students to discuss issues around licensure, education and the moral, social and economic responsibilities of the organizations as they relate to the practice of architecture. The two-day event has rotated annually throughout the region reinforcing greater understanding among professionals and educators and building shared goals around common needs.

New Jersey State Board of Architects:

Connecting the Points of Contact

Albert has served three consecutive terms on the state board – appointed by three governors from both parties – and has led the board as the president for five terms between 2006 and 2019. He made first-time connections between the state AIA component and the state board, opening lines of communication for each entity to better understand the workings of the other and to provide mutual support. He likewise initiated a strategic plan and advocacy program to educate lawmakers about the profession and the need for licensure, which included an annual report about the board’s activities provided to elected officials. 

AIA New Jersey: Building Bridges

While an officer and then president at AIA New Jersey, Albert elucidated the role of architects to increase awareness of the profession by the public and government officials. As a member of the executive committee, he represented architects in an organization of design professionals that included engineers, architects, and land surveyors, building consensus to create a sense of unity among the professions and ultimately expanding the group, forming a coalition, and developing a continuing education conference and expo. 

AIA Architects’ League of Northern New Jersey: Creating a Strong Foundation

As leader in various roles in the Northern New Jersey component, Albert originated and developed an exhibit for display at K-12 career days that described the evolving history of architectural design supplemented by the work of local architects. He created a design competition for young children, a mall exhibit, and an accompanying brochure that highlighted architects and AIA roles in the community. He also established joint meetings with building officials, increased scholarship funding, led the implementation of reporting complaints about illegal practice and publishing a public roster of architects registered in the state.

Albert received the 2020 NCARB Presidents Medal for Distinguished Service and the 2016 NCARB Region 2 Member Cum Specialis Award for Leadership. AIA has awarded him the 2019 AIA New Jersey Distinguished Service Award, the 2000 AIA Architects’ League of Northern New Jersey Firm Award, and the 2000 AIA New Jersey Architect of the Year Award. From the Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Albert received the 1984 Vegliante Award, the League’s most prestigious honor.

By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Members In Transition | Tagged: #AIANJ, #AlbertFZacconeFAIA, #ALNNJ, #AWARDS, #elevation, #ElevationToFellowship, Fellowship, leadership, NAAB, ncarb | Comments (0)