The Virginia Society AIA announces the retirement of its longtime Chief Financial Officer Kenna R. Payne on July 11, 2014.
“During her decade of service, Kenna has been a remarkably competent and versatile executive. Aside from being a trusted colleague, her wide experience gave her a knowledge base of exceptional reach and breadth,” says Executive Vice President/CEO John Braymer.
In addition to the directing the finance department, Payne managed the human resources, IT, and building security functions for the VSAIA and the Virginia Center for Architecture (VCA). For most of this ten-year period, Payne also served as CFO of the Virginia Center for Architecture. In this role she was responsible for setting up the financial protocols for managing the VCA’s retail shop; financial recording of the VCA’s fund-raising campaign, and most importantly, managing the sale of nearly $1 million in historic rehabilitation tax credits that underwrote nearly half the cost of the renovation of the Branch House in its transition to the Virginia Center for Architecture. “In short,” says Braymer, “Kenna’s contributions have been fundamental and lasting.”
In 2012, Payne’s substantial contributions to the architecture profession were recognized by the Society when they made her an Honorary Member. 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.
The search for a new financial officer will begin in the coming weeks.