Small Firm Exchange VA Update

Posted on by cguske

Greetings SFx VA,

It has been an exciting month. We had our first kick off meeting on Jan. 22nd and I feel like we are on a roll. We had 16 SFx members join our call, representing 14 firms across the commonwealth. We are hoping to grow our network and include you in our next commonwealth wide meeting. All meetings are virtual and we hope to see you there. Microsoft Teams meeting credentials at the bottom.

At our first meeting SFx VA formed a small working group tasked with putting together the foundational pieces to launch this new group. The working group has begun to interview SFx chapters in other states and cities to learn from their experience. We are asking about their organizational structure, programs and resources they offer to their member small firms, how they fund their initiatives, how they communicate with each other, and other questions related to managing a pear group of small firms. We had our kickoff interview with SFx DC this past Monday and gathered some great information, tips, and best practices. We are looking to book at least two more interviews and report back to SFx VA at our March meeting.

We highly encourage small firms throughout the commonwealth to sign up for the upcoming “Firm Size Roundtables” on February 25, 2026. Register here

Our next SFx VA meeting will be on February 19, 2026, at 12:30 PM. Please use the following links and credentials for access:

Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27388847162207?p=nt7AoY44rX6X3LiBpo
Meeting ID: 273 888 471 622 07
Passcode: D3x3bD2k

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions, comments, or ideas. cj@circlesquarecross.com

Newly Licensed

Posted on by cguske

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 architects!

John Peck, AIA (Northern Virginia)
Tanner Kachurka, AIA (Richmond)

Have you recently passed the ARE? Change your membership to Architect at me.aia.org

Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has discounted 60-day Amber Book subscriptions. Read more about it here>>

Support our Associate members on their path to licensure with your support of the discounted Amber Book subscription. Donate to the AIA Virginia Foundation

Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Gina Robinson, AIA, at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com

New Members

Posted on by cguske

We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined the ranks of AIA Virginia.

New Architect Members
Eric Craig, AIA (Northern Virginia)
Bob Czekner, AIA (Central Virginia)
Leanna Humphrey, AIA (Coastal Virginia)
Charles Reid, AIA (Northern Virginia)
James Spencer, AIA (Northern Virginia)

New Associate Members
Aanya Arora, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Jessica Drouin, Assoc. AIA (Blue Ridge)
Misk Farouk, Assoc. AIA (Richmond)
Dylan Gibbs, Assoc. AIA (Richmond)
Oscar Monarrez, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Maria Lucia Ramirez, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Neelofar Shaik, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Cora Szymanowski, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Bleu Webb Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
María Camila Manrique Solis, Intl. Assoc. AIA (Coastal Virginia)

Transfers into AIA Virginia
Aron Beninghove, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC
William Blizzard, AIA Member Emeritus (Northern Virginia) from AIA Florida
Robert Deane, AIA (Central Virginia) from AIA Washington
Matthew Horn, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC
Kyle Kuhn, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Maryland
Bethan Llewellyn-Yen, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC
Holly McNeilly, Assoc. AIA (Coastal Virginia) from AIA Maryland
George Miller, FAIA (Coastal Virginia) from AIA New York State
Algar Schreyer, AIA (Blue Ridge) from AIA Maryland

Upgraded to Emeritus
William Jones, AIA Member Emeritus (Northern Virginia)
Wayne Buhl, AIA Member Emeritus (Coastal Virginia)
David Johannas, AIA Member Emeritus (Richmond)
Wylie Cooke, Jr., AIA Member Emeritus (Coastal Virginia)
Jorge Pardo, AIA Member Emeritus (Northern Virginia)

Findley and Winstead Elevated to the College of Fellows

Posted on by cguske

Less than 3% of the architecture profession achieves AIA Fellowship

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is elevating two AIA members from AIA Virginia to its prestigious College of Fellows, AIA’s highest membership honor, for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society.

The fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession and made a significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level. Architects who have been elevated to fellowship can be identified by the designation FAIA after their name.

Here are the newly elevated members from AIA Virginia:

  • Dennis M. Findley, FAIA, Studio Findley Design, PLLC (Northern Virginia)
  • Robert B. Winstead, FAIA, VMDO Architects, P.C. (Central Virginia)

Learn more about the AIA College of Fellows and view the list of newly elevated architect fellows.

SAVE THE DATE!
These new Virginia Fellows will be celebrated at the upcoming Fellows Fête, Saturday, May 2nd, at the Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Remembering and Appreciating Ed Slipek

Posted on by cguske

Edwin John Slipek, Jr., Hon. AIAVA, passed away December 15, 2025, at the age of 75, following a brief illness.

Through his writing and editorial leadership, with the Richmond Mercury, Style Weekly, and Richmond BizSense, Ed brought clarity, intelligence, and critical insight to discussions about the built environment, helping to explain why architecture matters and how it shapes culture, cities, and everyday life.

Ed’s journalism was marked by curiosity, rigor, respect for the discipline of architecture, and – on occasion – some pointed critique. He played a significant role in elevating architectural discourse in Richmond amongst both professional and public audiences, giving voice to important ideas and projects while holding the profession to thoughtful account. AIA Virginia conferred Honorary Membership on Ed in recognition of his enduring service to architecture through communication. His contributions were also celebrated by the Historic Richmond Foundation, the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design, and the International Council of Fine Arts Deans.

He will be remembered for his integrity, generosity, and unwavering belief that well-communicated ideas broaden the understanding and appreciation of architecture.

Happy New Year from the SFx

Posted on by cguske

It is an honor and a pleasure to have been named as the Small Firm Exchange’s representative at the National level.  We are just getting started and we are looking forward to growing the SFx over the next year.  This is a new role for me, and I will be looking to the small firm community for your assistance as we grow this resource.  I would like to thank Dan Zimmerman for his tireless effort as the prior SFx Rep.  He has been a great wealth of knowledge, and I will continue to seek his guidance. 

The first National SFx meeting of the year will be on Thursday, January 15th, and we will follow up with a Commonwealth-wide meeting the following Thursday, January 22nd, at 12:30 PM.  We will continue to hold Commonwealth-wide meetings one week after each National meeting and will start by using their agenda to inform our own meetings.  For the time being, we will host SFx VA meetings on Microsoft Teams until we can implement a more official communication tool with the assistance of AIA Virginia.  Below are the meeting credentials; feel free to distribute this to any other small firms that may be interested.  Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions, comments, or ideas. 

C.J. LaMora, AIA, NCARB, CDT, CSI
cj@circlesquarecross.com

January 22nd meeting:
Microsoft Teams 
Meeting ID: 223 290 501 820 52
Passcode: Cc6P6pV9

Hello, 2026!

Posted on by cguske

As we begin the new year, many of us see this as an opportunity to start fresh and commit to self-improvement. It is also a vital time to reflect on the past year—acknowledging our successes while shedding habits that no longer serve us in favor of those that do.

As I begin my term as AIA Virginia President, I am looking at our organization through a similar lens. Much like making a New Year’s resolution, the Board and I will be scrutinizing our current initiatives to ensure they deliver the highest value to you. We are committed to identifying what can be improved, what has run its course, and what is currently missing from our toolkit.

Like any resolution, we have the best chance at success if our goals are realistic, measurable, and—most importantly—guided by the Mission and Core Values of AIA Virginia.

To that end, our Board will convene in a few weeks for a two-day retreat to begin crafting our next Strategic Plan. Our aim is to approach this with open minds. We will conduct a thorough assessment of our current reality, identify our strengths and weaknesses, and target new opportunities for growth. From there, we will define specific action plans—including clear responsibilities and timelines—and establish KPIs to measure our success.

This strategic plan will not be a document that sits on a shelf. It will serve as our “North Star” for every decision we make as an organization. I am honored to be a part of this process and look forward to providing you with an update after the retreat.

Lastly, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as your President. My sincere thanks go to Meagan Jancy for her exceptional leadership and mentorship last year. It was a pleasure “riding shotgun” with her; I hope to match the level of commitment and dedication she continues to provide to this organization.

Sincerely,

Bill Hopkins, AIA
AIA Virginia President

New YAR, John McKenna, AIA

Posted on by cguske

I am honored to begin my term as the Young Architect Representative (YAR) for AIA Virginia. In this role, I am eager to serve as the liaison between our local Emerging Professional (EP) community and the Young Architects Forum (YAF).

My journey in architecture, from obtaining licensure to founding MC3 Design, has been driven by a desire to understand the full lifecycle of the built environment. As I step into this leadership position, my primary goal is to advocate for the advancement of our EPs by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset within the profession. I believe that by equipping young architects with a stronger grasp of project leadership, strategic management, and the business of architecture, we can empower them to take greater agency in their careers and provide more impactful value to the communities we serve.

As the YAR, I will be working closely with my local AIA Northern Virginia Young Architects Forum as well as chapters across the state to report on EP activities, coordinate outreach, and ensure our voices are heard at the national level. I am particularly committed to identifying and nominating my peers for leadership awards and opportunities, ensuring that the incredible talent within Virginia is recognized and elevated.

The “Young Architect” stage of a career is a critical period of transition. It is when we move from technical mastery to professional leadership. I look forward to working with AIA Virginia’s leadership to ensure our emerging professionals have the resources, mentorship, and platform they need to navigate this transition successfully.

I am eager to engage with all of you over the next two years. Whether you are an EP looking for ways to get more involved or a seasoned architect interested in mentoring the next generation, please reach out. Let’s work together to build a more agile, diverse, and leadership-oriented future for Virginia’s architectural community.–

John McKenna, AIA, NCARB
jmckenna@mc3group.com

Newly Licensed

Posted on by cguske

We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following member for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you architects!

Kelly Evans, AIA (Coastal Virginia)

Have you recently passed the ARE? Change your membership to Architect at me.aia.org

Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has discounted 60-day Amber Book subscriptions. Read more about it here>>

Support our Associate members on their path to licensure with your support of the discounted Amber Book subscription. Donate to the AIA Virginia Foundation

Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Gina Robinson, AIA, at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com

New Members

Posted on by cguske

We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined the ranks of AIA Virginia.

New Architect Members
Julie Filges, AIA (Richmond)
Raymond Timmerman, AIA (Central Virginia)

New Associate Members
Zackary Bishop, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Ben Giang, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Nereida Johnson, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)

Transfers into AIA Virginia
Grace Becker, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Hawaii
Tanya Eagle, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC
Troy Johnson, AIA (Blue Ridge) from AIA Idaho
Samuel Jung, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) from AIA Missouri
Santiago Loo, III, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington
Telicious Robinson, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC
Riddhi Sanghvi, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA California
Ciara Young, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC

New/Renewed Allied Members
Darshit Joshi, Principal, Acentech Inc.
Jessica Witherow, Account Executive, Ames & Gough Insurance/Risk Management, Inc.
Brian Stanley, Principal, Dunbar

View all of the AIA Virginia Allied members