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!
Nicole Gallini, AIA (Richmond) Hayley Owens, AIA (Central Virginia) Tim Lasley, AIA (Blue Ridge) Jeff Shryer, 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
We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined the ranks of AIA Virginia.
New Architect Members Monica Anescu, AIA (Northern Virginia) Michael Hathaway, AIA (Coastal Virginia) Mike Jones, AIA (Blue Ridge) John McKenna, AIA (Northern Virginia) Lemara Miftakhova Morrell, AIA (Northern Virginia) Ryan Moss, AIA (Northern Virginia) Susan Stelmaszek, AIA (Coastal Virginia)
New Associate Members Elena Ahwee-Marrah, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) Jose Atienza, Assoc. AIA (Central Virginia) Carson Bianchi, Assoc. AIA (Blue Ridge) Tseday Girma, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) Samuel Patrick Hunter, Assoc. AIA (Blue Ridge) Madeline Prom, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) Maha Saeed, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) Jarod Sankar, Assoc. AIA (Central Virginia) Stacy Scott, Assoc. AIA (Coastal Virginia)
Transfers into AIA Virginia Rachel Flynn, AIA (Central Virginia) from AIA Colorado Andrew Krecicki, AIA (Central Virginia) from AIA Florida Jeff Shryer, AIA (Richmond) from AIA North Carolina
New/Renewed Allied Members Frank Durarte, Managing Member, Keystone Waterproofing & Restoration, LLC
Thursday, November 6, 2025, Design Award winners, Honorees, members, and guests gathered to celebrate the best for 2025. Please enjoy this gallery of photos from the event.
As you know, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Virginia State Representative on the National Small Firm Exchange (SFx) for the past three years. It has been an honor and a truly rewarding experience, but it’s time to hand over the reins to another member who can benefit from this great opportunity.
The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. Its objectives are threefold:
Advocate for the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups—both within the AIA and to the public.
Curate and share the most relevant resources and information from the AIA and beyond that benefit small firms.
Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and highlight areas where additional resources or information are needed.
Application Requirements AIA Membership – Applicant must be an AIA member in good standing within AIA Virginia (AIA Blue Ridge, AIA Central Virginia, AIA Coastal Virginia, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Richmond).
Letter of Interest – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking appointment. Limit one page.
Letter of Recommendation – From an AIA member. Indicate the Nominee’s qualifications for the position. Limit one page.
Letter of Support – From Employer. A Principal (or Officer) within the candidate’s firm must commit to supporting the candidate in fulfilling the role’s obligations. Limit one page on company letterhead.
Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (It is NOT in the applicant’s best interest to simply submit a firm resume with project experience).
Timeline Prospective candidates should send their application materials to EVP Paul R Battaglia, AIA at pbattaglia@aiava.org no later than Wednesday, 12 November 2025. The Board of Directors will review candidates and make an appointment to a two-year term commencing 1 January 2026.
I’m happy to answer any questions if you are interested in serving. Thank you again for allowing me to represent small firm architects and serve as a bridge between our state and the national organization. It’s been a wonderful experience.
Autumn is beginning to make itself known. I enjoy the wistfulness of the season. And the appreciation of the harvest that results from past and continuing labor, which is made more poignant when shared collectively.
I look forward to us being together at Architecture Exchange East and Visions for Architecture – to fete and applaud our awardees and honorees, to share what we have learned and experienced, to be fortified by our collegiality, to recall what has been accomplished, and to gear up for what needs to be done.
Associates constitute almost twenty percent of AIA membership nationwide; twenty-three percent in Virginia. The National Associates Committee (the NAC) is the voice of Associate members. State/Territory Associate Representatives (StARs) serve on the NAC promoting excellence, providing information and leadership, fostering inclusiveness, representing and advocating for both mainstream and non-traditional associates, and encouraging professional development. Aidan Brown, Assoc. AIA has been appointed StAR by the AIA Virginia Board of Directors to succeed Caitlin Morgan, Assoc. AIA, who has been serving so well in that position. Gratitude to both of you. We sincerely appreciate your service.
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 architect!
Henry Mahns, AIA (Northern 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
Transfers into AIA Virginia Ashley Paytas, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) from AIA Florida Kimberly Wojcik, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC
New/Renewed Allied Members Donnie Yancey, Technical Sales Rep II, Dryvit Temco CPG Inc.
SFx is hosting a webinar: Demystifying AIA Fellowship on October 9, 2025. Register here>>
The Small Firm Exchange is a fantastic way to stay connected with other small firms. It is a great forum for asking questions and getting great feedback from our peers. View the community conversation here>>
