Robert S. Ukrop, President and CEO of Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, and James E. Ukrop, Principal of New Richmond Ventures, will be recognized with the Architecture Medal for Virginia Service at the Visions for Architecture gala on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, at the Science Museum of Virginia. The Architecture Medal for Virginia Service is AIA Virginia’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.
“The Ukrop brothers have been ‘architect friendly’ in their community service work,” says Bruce Justice, FAIA.
Bobby is a graduate of George Wythe High School, the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, and the Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia; Jim graduated from John Marshall High School and the College of William & Mary.
Bobby and Jim are a constant presence and willing participants in many community projects and organizations that have surely benefited from their vision. Their influence and leadership expands beyond the extraordinary philanthropic contributions. Bobby commented, “James and I have been very blessed to have been a part of a successful business that enabled us to be at numerous tables where City of Richmond and regional projects have been considered and completed over the last 30-40 years.”
The brothers have worked collaboratively— whether it was time, resources, or both— on projects such Communities in Schools, Ukrop Park, Sports Backers Stadium, or the Collegiate School Aquatics Center.
Yet, each has pursued separate passions, too. While Bobby took the lead in striving for regional cooperation to make The Diamond a reality, Jim was particularly instrumental in making the vision of a downtown arts center a reality with the opening of CenterStage. “Few individuals in any community could have shared more than Jim has in the range of extraordinary gifts that have enhance our city and its cultural, academic, and economic strengths in significant ways,” commented a member of the CenterStage Board of Directors.
For their significant contributions to the built environment and promoting the understanding of good design, AIA Virginia presents Jim and Bobby Ukrop with the Architecture Medal for Virginia Service.