Here is your 2025 Board of Directors for AIA Virginia
President Meagan Jancy, AIA
First Vice President/ President-Elect Bill Hopkins, AIA
Secretary Karen Conkey, AIA
Treasurer Amber Hall, AIA
Immediate Past President Kelly Callahan, AIA
Executive Vice President Paul Battaglia, AIA
Directors Nicholas Wade, AIA Shawn Mulligan, AIA Jonathan Hiser, AIA Sonia Jarboe, AIA TJ Meehan, AIA Derek McCalla, AIA Phoebe A. Crisman, AIA Ex-officio University of Virginia Robert Dunay, FAIA Ex-Officio Virginia Tech Daya Irene Taylor, Ph.D., AIA, NOMA Ex-Officio Hampton University
Associate Director Ashleigh Walker, Associate AIA
At-Large Director Kendall A. Nicholson, Ed. D., Assoc. AIA
I began my presidency by sharing with you my professional path and the lessons I’ve learned. Over the last 12 months, I’ve come to understand more deeply the diversity that each of us brings to this organization, and to our profession, based on our paths, passions, and purpose. And I’ve seen firsthand the care and commitment that each of you brings to improving your practices, your profession, and the places that you impact.
We are, by nature, people with a vision. We can’t do what we do without faith, hope, and a lot of persistence. We practice in a time of great revelation, and therefore a time of great responsibility. With an unsurpassed understanding of our impact on the natural environment comes responsibility for positive impact. With an increasing knowledge of how space affects our well-being comes a responsibility for promoting health. And with an increasing recognition of our incredible diversity, and that of the people and places we serve, comes responsibility for compassion, empathy, and community-building. Our organization continues to strengthen and grow, but it takes each of us, every day, to leverage our own unique gifts and perspectives, as well as those with whom we serve, to maximize our impact for good. Our individual strengths, coupled with our collective diversity, IS the superpower with which we rise. Over the past 12 months, I’ve witnessed our members, and our staff harness their passions and purpose to move us forward in many ways, and I’ve collected some of them. So, it’s with immense gratitude that I offer a list of 50 things AIA Virginia did in 2024. And although there are certainly many missing, it’s clear that when we combine efforts based on our paths, passions, and purpose, we have incredible reach and impact, together.
Kelly D. Callahan, AIA 2024 President, AIA Virginia
50 THINGS AIA VIRGINIA DID IN 2024
Launched a 501c3, the AIA Virginia Foundation, and accepted our first tax-deductible donations
Awarded the inaugural R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA scholarship to 2024 ELA class member Philip Baxter, Assoc. AIA
Grew AIA Virginia membership to over 2500 members
Significantly reduced our overhead costs and shifted resources to serve our members
Our ELA Executive and Local Planning Committees planned and executed the 2024 ELA (Emerging Leaders in Architecture) program (their project was a highlighted session at ArchEx)
Our BOD welcomed Dr. Daya Taylor, chair of the architecture department at Hampton University, as a new board member
Our BOD welcomed Ashleigh Walker (Associate Director), Shawn Mulligan (AIA Central Virginia), Nea Poole (AIA Richmond), TJ Meahan (AIA Northern Virginia) & Michael Schwartz (AIA Northern Virginia) as new board members
Hosted the 1st bi-annual leadership roundtable w/ state + local chapter leaders
Welcomed Delaney Ogden to our staff as director of education
Welcomed Irem Sezer, Associate AIA to our staff as our first VA Sea Grant Fellow
Hosted presenters Billie Tsien, Rick Joy, Dwayne Oyler, & Ted Flato for a world-class Design Forum 2024 at VCU’s ICA
Joined over 350 AIA Virginia members at AIA’24 in Washington, DC
Attended the annual meeting at AIA’24 and voted on behalf of our members for 2025 leadership and policies
Celebrated the elevation of AIA Virginia members Michelle Amt, Ed Ford, Mel Price & Bruce Wardell to fellowship
Celebrated with Paula Loomis, FAIA as she received AIA’s Award for Excellence in Public Architecture
Celebrated with Quinn Evans as they received AIA’s Architecture Firm Award
Celebrated 8 national awards that went to Virginia firms and clients at AIA’24
Attended educational sessions presented by AIA Virginia members at AIA’24
Hosted the 2nd bi-annual leadership roundtable w/ state + local chapter leaders
Hosted town hall happy hour events in partnership with each of our five local chapters (and met many of you there)
Celebrated with local chapters Blue Ridge, Northern Virginia, Coastal Virginia, Richmond, and Central Virginia at their honors and awards ceremonies
Our members attended meetings with state legislators, and state caucuses, and advised as subject experts on issues affecting our profession
Successfully supported a bill to increase the historic rehabilitation tax credit from $5m to $7.5m per year
Successfully supported the delay of state legislation to mandate universal license recognition
Successfully opposed revisions to reduce the 2021 building code by 25%
Celebrated Michael Spory and the design committee for hosting an outstanding design forum by all measures
Our MCP task force planned a mid-career professionals program to launch in 2025
Expanded access to Visions honors + awards gala and included it with a 3-day registration to ArchEx
Offered A.R.E. candidates Amber Book subscriptions for only $99
Our EVP conducted over 20 in-person firm visits to hone our advocacy efforts
Liaisoned with strategic counselor Fobert Easter, FAIA on AIA national issues
Hosted quarterly new member Zoom calls and welcomed dozens of new members
Our BOD retooled our investments and increased returns on long-term savings
Shared highlights of our programs + events at quarterly leadership exchange calls with NY, NJ, PA, Iowa, NC + WV, along with VANOMA and local Virginia chapters
Our EAC (education advisory council) landed Jeffrey Mansfield of Mass Design as our keynote speaker at ArchEx
Initiated a bill and secured sponsors to create an apprenticeship path to licensure
Hosted lunch with faculty and staff and toured VT’s WAAC (Washington Alexandria Architecture Center) with the BOD
Our VA COTE (Committee of the Environment) created and shared a three-part virtual workshop on energy modeling
Toured Jefferson’s poplar forest + the villages at Staunton with our historic resources committee
Our Fellows held their annual Fete in Charlottesville and breakfast at ArchEx
Made great progress toward a PAC (political action committee) fundraising goal of $60k led by our PAC Board of Trustees
Our Outreach Advisory Council worked to standardize requirements for state + local award submissions
Bestowed honorary membership upon Stewart Roberson
Recognized Caitlin Morgan, Assoc. AIA with the Virginia Associates award
Bestowed the T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Firm Award to VIA design architects
Recognized Kathryn Prigmore, FAIA as the 2024 William C. Noland medalist
Landed Mark Cavagnero, FAIA as our 2024 design awards jury chair
Welcomed Craig Hartman, FAIA, Curtis Clay, AIA, Paul Woolford, FAIA & Bill Leddy, FAIA as 2024 design awards jurors
Celebrated 19 design awards at Visions for Architecture gala in the categories of architecture, contextual design, adaptive use, historic preservation, interior design, small projects, smaller projects, and unbuilt work
As Virginia’s representative on the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx), I’m excited to share recent updates and resources tailored to small firm architects:
Central Virginia SFx Launch On October 30th, AIA Central Virginia hosted its inaugural SFx chapter meeting with 12 attendees. This marks the beginning of a local community for small firm practitioners to connect and share knowledge. We’ll hold quarterly meetings, so stay tuned for upcoming events in early 2025!
October All-Call: Construction Administration Our October discussion explored how small firms handle Construction Administration. Check out this resource for further insights: Small Firms and Construction Administration.
November All-Call: Brand Identity November’s session focused on crafting Brand Identity and Brand Statements, and members exchanged valuable feedback. A summary of the discussion will appear in next month’s newsletter.
AIA Firm Survey Report 2024 The newly released Business of Architecture: AIA Firm Survey Report 2024 provides essential data for architects of all sizes. AIA members can download it for free using code SURVEY at checkout. Highlights include:
Firm billings and profitability trends
AI adoption in practice
Insights into sustainability and client action plans
Post-pandemic shifts in project types
The SFx continues to advocate for small firm architects, curate valuable resources, and communicate pressing issues to the AIA. If you have questions or want to get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out!
During AIA Virginia’s Annual Meeting of the Membership on Nov. 6, 2024, the following officers were unanimously elected to serve on the 2025 Board of Directors:
President-Elect: Bill Hopkins, AIA (Coastal Virginia)
We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following members for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you an architect!
Have you recently passed the ARE? Upgrade your membership to Architect using this AIA form. or send an email to your Member Services Director, Cathy Guske, cguske@aiava.org
Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has discounted 60-day Amber Book subscriptions. Read more about it here>>
Transfers into AIA Virginia Jonathan Fitzpatrick, AIA (Richmond) from AIA Illinois Mohammad Ismail, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA International Regina Konet, AIA (Coastal Virginia) from AIA California Claire Witt, Assoc. AIA (Coastal Virginia) from AIA New York State Jame Anderson, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC Akhila Arakkal, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) from AIA International Michael Franck, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC Tanner Kachurka, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) from AIA Pennsylvania John Lang, AIA (Richmond) from AIA Washington DC Richard Pratt, AIA (Richmond) from AIA New Jersey
New/Renewed Allied Members Darshit Joshi, Principal at Acentech Inc.
I am looking forward to the 2024 edition of ArchEx and Visions. I have registered for Architecture Exchange East and Visions. You can too right here>>
I always look forward to connecting with our colleagues, both those with whom I interact regularly and those I only seem to encounter during the annual conference. I enjoy engaging in the programming myself and also the satisfaction of seeing others enjoy the content and connect with each other—the euphoria of camaraderie.
The annual meeting of the membership is always a nice event. The reports from our committees, councils, and state resources provide a substantial overview of what they have achieved and what they are planning to accomplish. The meeting surveys our activities and offers a convincing digest of the value proposition of our collective efforts.
Of course, there is Visions, the gala where we celebrate the honorees and awardees—those who have dignified themselves and our organization through their accomplishments. The evening offers us the opportunity to celebrate them and to be motivated, encouraged, and nourished by their example.
I hope to see you there; where we can convene, connect, and celebrate.
2021 Virginia Codes The 2021 edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) went into effect on January 18, 2024. During the first year immediately following the effective date, a permit applicant can choose to apply under the 2018 USBC or the 2021 USBC. After the one-year period January 18, 2025, all permits must be issued under the 2021 USBC. With 2025 fast approaching, all applicants for permit should keep in mind that only the 2021 USBC will be accepted after January 18, 2025.
2024 International Code Council Conference Expo + Hearings The International Code Council’s annual conference is being held at the Long Beach Convention Center and the hearings are from October 23-31. Follow this link for scheduling and important notes.
To watch a live webcast of the annual business meeting and Committee Action Hearings, Group A #2, please follow this link.
2024 Virginia Codes The 2024 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code development cycle will be starting in Q1 2025. If you wish to be added to our email list for the 2024 Code Development cycle please email SBCO@dhcd.virginia.gov
The Young Architects Forum and College of Fellows Align Mentoring Program is a long-range initiative (think ten years, not one) that connects young architects with AIA Fellows. Through a grouping system referred to as “pods”, the program pairs four to six young architects with two to three fellows, facilitating professional and leadership development. Align began as a pilot program in the late 2019, launching its first open call for applications and cohort in 2022. This coming year marks the fourth year of the program.
The program’s objectives are:
To support young architects in defining their legacy within the profession while navigating their career paths.
To create a vehicle for mentorship and career development that connects young architects and Fellows with peers across the country.
To accelerate contributions of young architects and develop regionally diverse collectives to contribute more in the future.
Each pod begins with four to six young architects and two to three fellows; the number of pods organized each year depends on the amount of member interest. Pods are organized by focus area and consider experience level as a factor.
Wednesday, November 13 YAF Beyond Buildings Integrating Architecture and Policy Free webinar / 3 – 4:30pm EST / Registration link
Hosted by the AIA Young Architects Forum and AIA Illinois
Architects are pivotal in policy engagement, as they bring a deep understanding of how design and planning decisions impact communities and the environment. By participating in policy discussions, architects can advocate for regulations and initiatives that enhance the health, safety, and welfare of their communities. Their insights help shape policies that reflect best practices for the built environment, promote sustainability, and address social issues. Through their involvement, architects contribute to shaping a future where design excellence and thoughtful policy intersect for the benefit of society.
In this session, attendees will hear from a diverse group of citizen architects who hold roles as board members, commissioners, and civic leaders. The panelists will discuss their personal experiences with civic and political engagement, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and the importance of such involvement for architects. Participants will gain insights into different levels of engagement and learn tools to navigate and contribute to the evolving dialogue between architecture and policy. This session will have ample Q&A time, allowing for attendees to engage with the panelists. Hosted by: AIA Young Architects Forum and AIA Illinois.
