I am overwhelmed with gratitude to the members of AIA Virginia for their trust in me (however misplaced) to lead this august body of elite professionals as we navigate the treacherous terrain of politics, economics, and life safety amidst a pandemic and social upheaval. I’m afraid to say that the worst is behind us because that is so uncertain. What I do know is that we are in a new year with new possibilities, new aspirations, new hopes, and a new vision.
I want to first thank my dear friend Sean Reilly for his extraordinary leadership through the challenges of 2021. I say first hand his leadership, wisdom, and humanity and they provided me with a template that I will strive to replicate. I want to thank Corey and the AIA Virginia staff for working hard to ensure that our professional organization provided stellar programming and advocacy in a turbulent year. And I want to thank the firms, members, and leadership of each local component for not abandoning ship in tumultuous times.
I hope and pray that 2022 will be better for us all. It is my goal to help AIAVA accentuate the great strengths that we offer as a collective; highlighting the value of our diversity, our creativity, our professionalism, and our commitment to increased and unfettered access to excellence in design. There are communities across our Commonwealth that are not familiar with our profession and the benefit of our work. There are aspiring and creative minds who are unaware that architecture is an avenue for expressing their gifts in a way that improves their communities and their environment. And there are potential clients who don’t understand the benefit that we offer to help enhance their physical environment while also helping them protect our natural environment.
We have so much to offer and there are so many who can play a role in spreading the message that architecture makes a difference. That is why, in addition to being overwhelmed with gratitude, I am overwhelmed with anxiety looking at the tasks before us. There is so much to do and the year is already two weeks old. If you are like me, you probably have more on your plate than time will allow you to accomplish.
I am also overwhelmed with hope. 2021 was a challenging year, but so was 2020, 2019, 2018… Every year comes with its own set of issues. But this is a year to celebrate. I want you to join me in celebrating what we do well, what we contribute to the greater and broader community of humanity (not just in the built environment, but what we do to touch lives). I want us to celebrate who you and I are, both the differences and the similarities. And I want us to celebrate architecture, the thing that unites us and brings us fulfillment.
So as we embark on this new and exciting year, I hope that you will join me in getting overwhelmed with all that the future offers our profession, our members, and our communities.
Robert Easter, FAIA
2022 President
AIA Virginia