Tag: Paul Battaglia

The calendar year is rolling. It’s February already! And this is a short month!

I have been willingly whisked into the winds of advocacy. The Joint Legislative Committee (JLC) convenes weekly to confer on the bills and confirm (or adjust) our positions. I am spending lots of quality time at the General Assembly monitoring bills – nothing too concerning so far – and connecting with Senators and Delegates to communicate our interests and concerns.

The month will conclude with a trip to the “Big Hill” in DC to address issues at the federal level during the annual AIA Leadership Summit.

Speaking of leadership summits… the new year presents an important opportunity to (re)consider aspirations, objectives, and priorities. I am grateful to those who participated in seizing two of those opportunities recently.

Delegations from each of the components in Virginia – the five locals and the state – participated in a Leadership Summit on Wednesday 17 January 2024 in Richmond. We had a very candid and collegial discussion about how and where we can collaborate, and complement each other’s efforts; and, no less importantly, how we can avoid or reduce competition and conflict.  That was a tremendously beneficial meeting. We are committed to continuing those conversations and cooperating more effectively.

The directors of AIA Virginia convened during a Board Retreat at the Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg on Friday and Saturday 26 and 27 January 2024.  We established our priorities for the coming year(s) in consideration of what each member of the board has to offer, and how they want to grow and develop. We learned a lot from, and about, each other.

I am grateful for and encouraged and inspired by, all those who lead so well. I look forward to what we discover and accomplish together.

Paul Battaglia, AIA
EVP, AIA Virginia

Like many of you, I spent some time recently “planning” for the coming year – considering what I need to start doing, what I need to keep doing (albeit more effectively), and what (for various reasons) I need to stop doing.

In my particular case, these reflections coincide with having recently assumed a new role as EVP of the organization. This is an opportunity that I take seriously, for which I am grateful, and that I meet with a mixture of humility, optimism, and enthusiasm.

The perspective afforded by this new role has not only confirmed but also quickened my appreciation for:

• the professionalism, diligence, and dedication of the staff team
• the volunteerism, passion, and stewardship of the leadership
• the skills, talent, and collegiality of the membership
• the contributions and collaborative spirit of our allies and strategic partners

I am increasingly grateful for and inspired by the impact of our profession, our organization, our members, and our leaders – both past and present. The legacy of our organization provides a substantial source of confidence. There is much of which we can be justifiably proud. There is also much yet to be done (i.e., realizing the potential and the promise of our current strategic plan).

I have been enjoying getting to work and joining in and finding my way. I have even been enjoying getting or staying, out of the way.

I relish the opportunity to participate in and further our collaborative efforts. And I anticipate our collective satisfaction as we fructify the opportunities and challenges that lie before us: some of which we are pursuing intentionally, many of which have yet to reveal themselves.

As befits your particular circumstances, and on behalf of the organization, our members, and myself:

• I thank you for your contributions and support
• I encourage you to sustain, or (re)commence your engagement
• I ask that you remain vigilant in recognizing potential allies
• and that you invite and encourage them to join and remain with us

I wish you, each of yours, and all of us, nothing but the very best for the new year.

Here we go! Together!

Paul Battaglia, AIA
Executive Vice President
AIA Virginia