Tag: Corey Clayborne

It is hard to imagine that my freshman year in the Executive Vice President role at AIA Virginia is over.  I am grateful for the continuous outpouring of encouragement and support that still reaches my desk from the membership.  Truthfully, AIA Virginia is made up of a talented, dedicated, and synchronized team that has your best interests at heart.  Our goal is to do everything with excellence and be member-focused.  No one is making money hands over fists.  That’s not why we are here.  We are here to make ARCHITECTS the absolute best they can be for their firm, clients, and community.

As I look in the rearview mirror, I wanted to share the team’s accomplishments that I am most proud of over the last year:

Improved Financial Standing: On June 1, 2017, this organization was $10k in its line of credit, possessed $0 in its Financial Contingency Fund, and held a $25k pledge obligation.  Through the amazing ambassadors that serve on our Board of Directors, significantly improved membership participation, the generosity of sponsorships, and prayer, our financial position has an upward trajectory.  On June 1, 2018, AIA Virginia is pleased to say that we have paid off our line of credit, will be making a $10k deposit into the Financial Contingency Fund, and have reduced the pledge obligation to $10k.

Positioning Architects to be Relevant: AIA Virginia has reinvigorated its Memorandum of Understanding with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.  Our first training was last week where 35 architects, engineers, and building officials earned credentials by California’s Office of Emergency Services to perform building assessments after a natural disaster as second-responders.  This program is the official AIA all-hazards post-disaster training.  By this time next year, we would like to have 100 assets trained.

Joining Allied Industries for Programming: Most notable has been our joint-venture with the American Council of Engineering Companies and Associated General Contractors.  This collaboration called ACE, has brought forth Joint Owner Forums where the goal is to educated and promote best practices of the design and construction industry to our members, owners, developers, and the general public.  Our first event was in February and hosted the executive leadership of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of General Services.  The next one is June 18 and will host the design and construction department leadership of William & Mary, VCU, ODU and Norfolk State.  These events are bringing in nearly 100 registrants.

Emerging Leaders of Architecture (ELA): This program was under the tremendous leadership of Brian Frickie, AIA for a decade.  ELA was his vision that has birthed into one of the greatest AIA leadership development programs in the United States.  With his help, we have transitioned to an alumni-led leadership structure that allows past program participants to continue to hone their leadership skills well after graduation.  Imagine what the next 10 years of the program is going to look like!

Investing In You: We have concentrated heavily in sewing back into YOU.  You are expected to grow professionally as an AIA member.  This is why I have been visiting firms around Virginia on my “Listening Tour”. Last year, we gave firms free Associate passes to Architecture Exchange East and had the best attendance since pre-Great Recession days.  We also made scholarships available for our Citizen Architects to receive training to allow them to better serve their communities.

So as I embark upon my sophomore year, AIA Virginia will continue to strive to bring exemplary value to your membership.  Join us (RSVP here) for our Virtual Membership Meeting on Friday, June 15 to hear what’s ahead this year!  Thank you for your faith in our team.

With service,

Corey Clayborne, AIA, MBA
Executive Vice President

Executive Vice President, Corey Clayborne, has pledged to get around the state and visit firms, components, partner organizations, and universities.

Here’s what’s on his travel schedule:

AIA Local and Regional Engagement
Emerging Leaders in Architecture
Virginia Beach
June 8

Safety Assessment Program Training for Natural Disaster Response
Norfolk
June 9

Design Awards Celebration
AIA Northern Virginia
June 14

AIA Virginia Board of Directors Meeting
Richmond
June 15

AIA Richmond Annual Golf Tournament
Richmond
June 25

Ambassador Engagement
APELSCIDLA Regulatory Board Meeting
Richmond
June 13

ACE Joint Owner Forum with ACEC and AGC
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg
June 18

A’18 Conference on Architecture
New York, NY
June 20 – 23

Executive Vice President, Corey Clayborne, has pledged to get around the state and visit firms, components, partner organizations, and universities.

Here’s what’s on his travel schedule:

AIA Local and Regional Engagement

AIA Richmond Annual Golf Tournament
May 21

Ambassador Engagement

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Building Safety Proclamation Event
May 2
Richmond, VA

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Reception
May 4
Washington, DC

AIA Wisconsin Convention (Presenter)
May 9-10
Madison, WI

Executive Vice President, Corey Clayborne, has pledged to get around the state and visit firms, components, partner organizations, and universities.

Here’s what’s on his travel schedule:

AIA Local and Regional Engagement

Firm Visits
AIA Blue Ridge
April 5

AIA Virginia Board of Directors Meeting
Virginia Tech
April 6

AIA West Virginia Awards Gala
April 7
Charleston, WV

Firm Visits
AIA Hampton Roads
April 23

Ambassador Engagement
AIA Wisconsin Convention (Presenter)
May 9-10
Madison, WI

Executive Vice President, Corey Clayborne, has pledged to get around the state and visit firms, components, partner organizations, and universities.

Here’s where Corey been seen recently:

• AIA Richmond Holiday Party and Annual Meeting – December 5, Richmond, Va.
• AIA National Presidential Inauguration – December 8, Washington, D.C.
• Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Dean Richard Blythe – December 12, Blacksburg, Va.

And here’s what’s coming up:

• AIA Grassroots – March 12 – 14 – San Diego, Calif.

Have an upcoming meeting or event? Email details to Corey at cclayborne@aiava.org

June 1^st seems like yesterday.  That was my first day of officially having the honor and privilege of serving as your Executive Vice President.  Now in my third month, I reflect back on my first 60 days and it has been truly incredible!  Already, I have spent time in each of the local AIA chapters learning about the amazing programs and services that are being provided.  I am hopeful that you, as an AIA member, are taking advantage of these extraordinary opportunities.

The facts indicate that AIA Virginia is one of the best components in the country for you to be an AIA member with.  I am proud to share that AIA Virginia and all of our local AIA chapters are fully-accredited by AIA National.  What this means to you is that the Core Member Services in the areas of Member Communications, Education, Advocacy, Elevating Public Awareness, Governance, Membership, Finance and Operations are being delivered at an exemplary level.  As a result, our membership numbers continue to trend upward.

You may be wondering what to expect in the immediate future from the AIA Virginia team.  Well, I am glad you asked.  The answer is Hands-On Engagement.  Member engagement.  This will be a key initiative of AIA Virginia and it is already starting.

First, as you are aware, supplemental dues are going bye-bye through a phased approach and will be a figment of our imagination by 2020.  The necessity to eliminate these dues was a message that was heard loud and clear from the membership.  You have already experienced the first year of that initiative.  I personally know many of you reading this message.  I have one and only one request as a trade for the elimination of supplemental dues.  I am asking that you support AIA Virginia by attending or sponsoring one or more of our exceptional programs and events.

Secondly, we will cross paths on my “Listening Tour”.  This tour is just that for me.  Listening.

I will be visiting a number of small, mid-size, and large firms all over Virginia throughout my tenure to obtain a true sense of how members perceive our delivery of AIA services.  This tour includes AIA members and non-members.  We will learn a great deal from both segments.  The objective is simple. To identify and close any perceived value gaps that exist.

My “Listening Tour” commenced in July and most recently included Dewberry and Solex Architecture located in Danville.  These two firms have played an instrumental role in the redevelopment of Downtown Danville and are truly invested in the success of the city. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend quality time with Larry Hasson, AIA and Amanda Schlichting, Assoc. AIA of Dewberry as well as Jeffrey Bond, AIA of Solex Architecture.   This trip gave me an opportunity to glean valuable insight through the lens of a small and large firm practicing in Southside Virginia.

Lastly, we are strategically engaging collateral and allied organizations.  AIA Virginia is already working with the national level leadership of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS).  Helping students successfully transfer into practice after graduation is one of the best ways to grow our future AIA membership base and improve diversity and equity within our profession.

I am hopeful that you will attend our 30^th annual Architecture Exchange East, Nov. 1-3, 2017 in Richmond. We have partnered with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for this year’s production and are excited to announce our international headlining keynote in this month’s newsletter. You will not want to miss the opportunities to network and party with your peers both in the new exhibit hall location and off site dinners and events. Equally as important, this will also be a great venue for me to meet many of you in person and show my gratitude for your membership!

R. Corey Clayborne, AIA
Executive Vice President