The VSAIA offers its support to candidates who wish to serve the public by leading the various boards that oversee the work of state agencies. All agencies below — and many others — are led by gubernatorial appointees.

While only a few positions are reserved for architects — such as the regulatory board and the Fair Housing Board — many agencies would benefit from an architect’s insight and ability to see several steps ahead, similar to a chess grandmaster. To some, this would appear to be magic. To architects, it remains a daily exercise in rational thought.

For boards requiring architects, the VSAIA is asked to provide a slate of nominees. For other boards, we may support as few or as many as are interested. Board openings beginning July 1, 2015, requiring gubernatorial appointment are as follows:

  • APELSCIDLA — three positions are open, one reserved for an architect. The other two are for a landscape architect and a land surveyor. This board regulates architects, professional engineers, land surveyors, certified interior designers and landscape architects.
  • Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation — one position open, not reserved for an architect. This board oversees the actions of the department that regulates licensed professionals including architects.
  • Board of Historic Resources — two positions are open, none reserved for an architect.
  • Board of Housing and Community Development — two positions open, one each from the 8th and 10th Congressional Districts. No positions are reserved for architects. One of this board’s primary duties is to approve updates to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
  • Fair Housing Board — five positions are open one of which is for an architect.
  • Virginia Housing Development Authority — two positions open, none reserved for an architect.

While other boards may be considered, these are more often of interest to architects.

To submit an application to the secretary of the commonwealth, go to the website: https://commonwealth.virginia.gov/va-government/gubernatorial-appointments/ and click on the link. Members who wish to receive the support of the VSAIA must send a resume and a letter of interest to Duncan Abernathy AIA at daber@aiava.org for review by the Government and Industry Affairs Committee.

For more information about the process or an individual board as well as the commitment of time required by each, contact Abernathy as well.

Leave a Reply