Roberson Awarded Honorary Membership

Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for membership in the AIA Virginia but who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia. Stewart Roberson will be recognized by AIA Virginia with Honorary Membership for his sustained commitment and tireless work on behalf of the Commonwealth’s architects.

Stewart Roberson has significantly impacted the architecture profession through his transformative leadership at Moseley Architects, where he served as President, CEO, and Chair of the Board. Under his stewardship from 2011 to 2023, the firm experienced remarkable growth, with annual gross revenue increasing by 153% and its geographical footprint expanding from Virginia and North Carolina to a broader mid-Atlantic presence. His strategic vision led to the firm’s expansion into senior living and multifamily housing projects, a notable rise in the firm’s service portfolio, and the establishment of a robust design excellence culture. Roberson’s initiatives, including the “One Firm” approach and the Moseley2025 strategic plan, revitalized the firm’s operations and culture, emphasizing team engagement and design quality.

In addition to his leadership at Moseley Architects, Roberson’s contributions extend to significant professional and community engagement. His roles in various civic and educational boards, including the Virginia Board of Education and the Virginia Commission on School Construction and Modernization, underscore his commitment to advancing educational and architectural standards. His efforts in founding the Academy to Envision Tomorrow’s Schools highlight his dedication to integrating educational insights into architectural design. Roberson’s extensive involvement in professional organizations and his advocacy for emerging leaders in architecture further exemplify his enduring influence and dedication to the field.

For his service to the profession, Stewart Roberson will be honored with Honorary Membership at the Visions for Architecture event on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at the Richmond Downtown Marriott.

Celebrate with Stewart at Visions for Architecture>>

Cheadle, Cushing, and Daniel Granted Honorary Membership from Virginia Architects

Judy Cheadle, Patrick Cushing, and Sam Daniel will be recognized by AIA Virginia with Honorary Membership for their sustained commitment and tireless work on behalf of the Commonwealth’s 7,000 licensed architects. Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for membership in the AIA Virginia but who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment within the domain of AIA Virginia.

Cheadle, who is retiring as AIA’s Director of Sales this year, served as the key business development team member instrumental in the financial success of AIA Virginia programs. For sponsors, exhibitors, and partners, she was the “face” of architecture, working tirelessly to make Architecture Exchange East, Design Forum, Art of Practice, and Inform Magazine valuable venues and resources for architects, product manufacturers, and everyone in the region’s design community. “ Her success is easily acknowledged by the number of allied partners who continue to support AIA Virginia year after year to build professional relationships with our 2,500 architects and designers,” says Elizabeth Reader, FAIA, in her nomination letter. “Undoubtedly, there is a direct and obvious link between Judy’s contributions to the profession and the success of AIA Virginia.”

Cushing, a Richmond-based attorney with Williams Mullen, has lobbied the Virginia General Assembly on behalf of the Commonwealth’s architects and engineers for nearly a decade, advancing the work of AIA Virginia’s and Virginia ACE’s Joint Legislative Committee. Cushing’s work has been instrumental in protecting Qualifications Based Selection, limiting low-bid practices for architecture and engineering services, and establishing a statute of limitations on design claims by state agencies, among other accomplishments.

Of Cushing, Kenneth Payne, AIA, Vice President of Quality Control, Risk Management, and Training at Moseley Architects and an AIA Virginia representative on the JLC, asks, “You may think, ‘Isn’t that what we pay him to do?’ Perhaps, but consider this: When negotiations were not going well and it looked like the other side was going to oppose our bill, Patrick could have given up, as well, but instead, encouraged us to keep discussions going.” Simply put, says Payne, “Patrick has rendered distinguished and exemplary service representing the architectural community before the General Assembly for nearly ten years.”

Daniel, of Daniel & Company, a full-service general contracting and construction management firm, is a committed preservationist who eagerly accepts projects with historical significance and executes thoughtful and contextual renovations and additions. His company’s passion for “Building History,” underscores decades of fruitful partnerships with Virginia’s premier firms to preserve whenever possible, restore in a respectful way, and construct anew with more than an eye toward the Commonwealth’s architectural heritage. “His leadership and support of the  Branch House through his stewardship efforts has been outstanding and the building’s health is turning the corner toward stabilization and prominence,” note architect Robert Boynton, FAIA, and AIA Richmond President Nick Cooper, AIA.

Daniel is also a champion of sustainability, encouraging all of Daniel & Company employees to participate in continuing education and obtain LEED Certification, enabling the company to successfully complete LEED Certified Projects, some achieving Gold status. Over the years, Daniel & Company has worked with a who’s who of Virginia firms, from Hanbury Evans to Carlton Abbott to BAM Architects to Odell to Commonwealth Architects, among dozens of others. His affiliations over the years have included the Virginia Council of CEOs, the Construction Specifications Institute, and the Monument Avenue Preservation Society, as well as Virginia AIA, about which Boyton and Cooper write, “His impressive credentials and his continued support of AIA Virginia will certainly enrich all of our architectural lives.”

Honorary Membership will be conferred at Visions for Architecture on Thursday, Oct. 8 in an online awards ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m. The program is free but registration is required.

Henry Wheeler and Reggie Jones Recognized with Honorary Membership

Educator Henry Wheeler and legislative counsel Reginald N. Jones will receive Honorary Membership in AIA Virginia. Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for membership in the AIA Virginia but who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia. Wheeler and Jones will be celebrated at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at the Hilton Downtown Richmond.

“Every student has a teacher in their life that they remember as the one that stood above all others … the teacher in my life who was most impactful to my formation was Mr. Wheeler.” 

– former student Ken Thacker, AIA

Henry Wheeler was an instructor and, later, Department Head of Industrial Arts at Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond, Virginia. During a career that spanned four decades, he taught generations of students in his mechanical drawing, architecture, and engineering classes. Ahead of his time, he utilized a project-based-learning approach through a variety of increasingly complex assignments. Second and third year students were encouraged to pursue their own design interests with plenty of guided tutelage in independent study. When asked why he turned down a promotion into the school administration, Wheeler said, “I could have made a lot more money, but money isn’t everything. Happiness counts for a lot, and I enjoyed teaching. It was my first love.” His impact on built fabric of Virginia and beyond is immeasurable. Henry Wheeler inspired an astonishing number of his students — more than 354 of them by his own meticulous count — to life-long careers in architecture and allied professions.

“Honorary Membership in AIA Virginia should be our way of thanking Reggie for his many years of service, friendship, support, wisdom, and passion for our profession.”

– Robert A. Boynton, FAIA

For almost 40 years, Reggie Jones has been the legislative voice for design professionals in the Commonwealth. He helped shepherd the adoption of the original Virginia Public Procurement Act in 1982 through the introduction of design-build and the Design Build Construction Management Review Board, and the development of the Public Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act. Throughout this time, he has represented the interests of architects in many matters, including the statute of repose, indemnification, professional licensing, APELSCIDLA Board development, and concerns regarding encroachment on design professionals practice that required constant vigilance. Jones is an invaluable resource on legislative matters extending well beyond his scope of services.

Honorary Membership Conferred Upon Nosbisch

Kathleen R. Nosbisch Executive Director of the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA), will be recognized with Honorary Membership in AIA Virginia at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at the Hotel John Marshall. Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for membership in the AIA Virginia but who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia.

Kathleen R. Nosbisch

For nearly a decade, Nosbisch has been committed to ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth. An endorser notes that she “has a clear understanding of the needs of the professions she helps regulate and the ability of the state and her office to work effectively with the diverse elements of each professional community. As a dedicated patron of architecture across Virginia, Kate listens, thinks and delivers.”

Nosbisch’s vast knowledge of the statutes and regulations allow her to seamlessly and successfully work with architect board members as they strive to carry out their appointed duties. She understands the role and importance of regulation in the lives of Virginia’s citizens and has consistently tried to educate those impacted by regulations of their responsibilities in their roles. She informs the public through seminars and advises the profession at many outreach opportunities, at each AIA Virginia local component, and at each of the accredited programs of architecture at Virginia’s universities, it’s no surprise that she is nationally admired by her peers.

In recognition of her thoughtful and dedicated leadership in service to architects, AIA Virginia welcomes Kate Nosbisch as an Honorary Member.

Green, Guske Become Honorary Members

Bryan Clark Green, Ph. D.
Bryan Clark Green, Ph. D.

Honorary Membership in the Virginia Society AIA will be conferred upon architectural historian Bryan Clark Green, Ph. D. and Virginia Society AIA Sales Administrator Cathy Guske at this year’s Visions for Architecture gala on Nov. 7, 2014 at the Jefferson Hotel. Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon individuals not eligible for membership in the Society, but who have rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia.

In conferring the honor, the Society recognizes Green’s 22 years of dedication to the preservation of Virginia’s historic architecture. As Director of Historic Preservation with Commonwealth Architects of Richmond, Va., Dr. Green’s expertise in research, building conservation, planning, and navigating the historic tax credit process has allowed dozens of historic buildings and structures to enjoy new life. Working closely with architects, designers, and engineers, he consistently seeks innovative ways to combine architectural history and historic preservation to creatively adapt historic buildings for new uses. Through his insight, project designers can embrace the elements that make these buildings unique, while still providing layouts and configurations suitable to modern office and living spaces.

Cathy Guske
Cathy Guske

In addition, Dr. Green remains professionally active in both education and publishing, enthusiastically promoting the value of preserving the Commonwealth’s historic architecture to the general public, as well as the next generation of historic preservation professionals.

During Cathy Guske’s more than 10 years of service, she has effectively developed and managed relationships with the Society’s advertisers and exhibitors. Though her active participation in the Allied membership program, her commitment to advancing Inform magazine and Architecture Exchange East, and her enthusiastic support of the Society’s initiatives, she has exhibited a deep and abiding respect for the profession. “I will very much enjoy celebrating this honor,” says EVP/CEO John Braymer, “but more importantly, expressing the sincere appreciation for the years of contribution to the VSAIA that earned it.”

Longstaff Becomes Honorary Member

Steven Longstaff, Hon. VSAIA
Steven Longstaff, Hon. VSAIA

Honorary Membership in the Virginia Society AIA will be conferred upon Steven Longstaff at this year’s Visions for Architecture gala on Nov. 8, 2013 at the Jefferson Hotel. Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon individuals not eligible for membership in the Society, but who have rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia.

In conferring the honor, the Society acknowledges his twenty years of distinguished service as the Society’s graphic designer, as well as his stewardship over the Society’s visual identity in a vast variety of productions and publications.

Longstaff became the graphic designer for Inform magazine in 1993. This smooth transition was marked by his respect for the magazine’s original design, while continuing to make the subtle adjustments that have kept Inform fresh over two decades. In addition, he established the graphic identities for the Virginia Design Forum, Virginia Architecture Week, Building Virginia, Architecture Exchange East, Visions for Architecture, and a host of other programs. His commitment to adhering to the highest standards of design attests to the understanding and skill that makes him such an effective communicator of the profession’s public face in Virginia.

Honors Awards Deadline Looms

medal-198x300The Virginia Society AIA Honors program is accepting nominations for Virginians who exemplify the profession’s highest ideals and who are committed to enriching the built environment. Nominations will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, July, 19, 2013. Awards will be presented at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 8.

Nominations must be submitted electronically as one PDF document, no larger than 20 pages and 50 MB. Nominations must be accompanied by the nomination form.

Nominations for all Virginia Society honors may be made by individual members, by chapter honors committees, by Society committees, or by the Board of Directors itself. Sitting Society board members and members of the Honors Committee are not eligible for Honors Awards.

AWARD CATEGORIES

The William C. Noland Medal, as the highest award bestowed on a member architect, is intended to honor a distinguished body of accomplishments, sustained over time, that spans a broad spectrum of the profession and that transcends the scope of normal professional activities. Only one medal may be bestowed each year.

The Architecture Medal for Virginia Service is the Society’s most prestigious public award, honoring an individual or organization that has made an unusually significant contribution to Virginia’s built environment or to the public’s understanding and awareness of the built environment. Only one medal may be bestowed each year but may be given simultaneously to more than one person.

The T. David Fitz-Gibbon Virginia Architecture Firm Award, as the highest honor bestowed by the Virginia Society to a Virginia-based architecture firm, recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least ten years.

The Award for Distinguished Achievement signals distinguished achievement by an architect in any one of the following categories: design, practice, education, service as “citizen architect” , and service to the profession; and thus may serve as an accolade for the work of an entire career or recognize the current accomplishments of a younger leader. Up to three awards may be bestowed each year.

Honorary Membership is bestowed upon a person of esteemed character who is not eligible for membership in the Virginia Society but who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment within the domain of the Society.

Virginia Society Honors may be bestowed on non-member individuals or organizations that have inspired, influenced, or complemented the architecture profession in Virginia through practice of an allied profession, research, education, planning, legislation, architectural writing, the arts, or crafts. An individual who has previously been elected an Honorary Member of the Society is ineligible to receive Society Honors.

The Test of Time Award recognizes architectural design of enduring significance. The structure must be no less than 25 years old. Building use may change over time if the overall design is cherished as a significant contribution to the community and the built environment.

Questions? Contact Rhea George at rgeorge@aiava.org or (804) 237-1768

Honorary Membership Conferred on Payne

Kenna R. Payne
Kenna R. Payne

Kenna R. Payne will be recognized with Honorary Membership in the Virginia Society AIA at this year’s Visions for Architecture gala on Nov. 9, 2012 at the Hotel John Marshall. Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon individuals not eligible for membership in the Society, but who have rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia.

For more than 8 years, Kenna Payne has provided distinguished service as the Chief Financial Officer for both the Virginia Society AIA and the Virginia Center for Architecture Foundation. This honor, in particular, celebrates the critical role Payne played in managing the process that garnered nearly one million dollars of historic rehabilitation tax credits for the Virginia Center for Architecture. It also acknowledges her key administrative role in handling human resources functions for the Society and the Center, in addition to her contributions in designing protocols for the safe enjoyment of the Center’s historic property. Her roles in managing the Society’s AIA Contract Documents and Code Book Sales programs — as well as countless other functions — were also noted.

Honors Awards: Call for Nominations

Do you have a colleague that should be recognized for extraordinary work? The VSAIA Honors program is accepting nominations for Virginians who exemplify the professions highest ideals and who are committed to enriching the built environment.

In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, we are pleased to announce that the VSAIA Honors Awards program is continuing to use paperless submission! Use the handy nomination form found at on the Society Honors page to upload your nomination. We are accepting nominations, compiled into one PDF submission up to 50 MB.

If you have any questions, or if you are having trouble uploading your nomination, please contact rgeorge@aiava.org or (804) 644-3041, ext. 302. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2012. To see the evaluative criteria, submission materials, and a list of past honorees, visit the Society Honors page and click the award name.

The submitter should be prepared to provide unrestricted high-resolution images to be used in connection with publicity of the program and the recognition of the honorees at Architecture Exchange East on Nov. 7–9, and at Visions for Architecture on Nov. 9.

The 2012 Virginia Society AIA Honors program is sponsored by:
Sustaining Sponsors
MTFA Architecture
Sharon C. Park, FAIA
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Supporting Sponsors
Peyton Boyd, FAIA
Robert Boynton, FAIA
HVAC Inc. Building Solutions
RVA Construction

Honorary Membership Conferred on Braymer, Ohlinger

Meta R. Braymer, Ph.D., and Brian J. Ohlinger, P.E., will be recognized with Honorary Membership in the Virginia Society AIA at this year’s Visions for Architecture gala on Nov. 4, 2011 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Honorary Membership may be bestowed upon individuals not eligible for membership in the Society, but who have rendered distinguished and exemplary service, over a sustained period of time, to architecture and the built environment in Virginia.

Meta R. Braymer, Ph.D.
Meta R. Braymer, Ph.D.

For more than 25 years, Meta Braymer has exhibited a sincere and abiding commitment to the ideals of the profession of architecture. As Vice President for Economic Development and Regional Engagement with the University of Mary Washington, she oversees the Center for Economic Development and its affiliation with the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance — organizations that share parallel tenets with the profession. She and her husband John, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Society, are among the top private financial supporters of the Virginia Center for Architecture. From philanthropy supporting the formation of the Virginia Center for Architecture, to ongoing advocacy on behalf of architects and the built environment, she has shown an understanding and appreciation of the profession. “Meta has been an ambassador for architecture beyond any others that I know,” exclaimed one Honors Committee member.

Brian J. Ohlinger, P.E.
Brian J. Ohlinger, P.E.

Since assuming responsibility for Virginia Commonwealth University’s Facilities Management Department in 1997, Brian Ohlinger has been responsible for a 325-member Facilities Management team with an annual operating budget of $40 million. Under his close direction, VCU has led the state in delivering nearly $2 billion in new construction, leveraging cutting-edge technologies including Construction Manager at Risk and Building Information Modeling. He also served the Commonwealth of Virginia through two gubernatorial appointments to the State Art and Architectural Review Board, and was elected Board Chair in his second term. During his terms with the AARB, he exhibited unyielding dedication to the highest design standards. “The magnitude of the work he’s been involved with is astounding,” said one Committee member. “His work at VCU coupled with his work in the AARB, has unquestionably elevated the level of good design in Virginia,” he continued.