Committees
AIA Philadelphia encourages members to become active in one or more of its committees. The Events page on this site contains information about committee programs and activities. For more specific questions, call the committee chairs directly or visit the committees' networking site, AIA Connections.
AIA/City L&I Committee
The AIA and the City of Philadelphia’s Department of L&I work together to improve the process and submissions for building permit approval in the construction division. Activities include continuing education on the City of Philadelphia’s processes, the changes in the building codes and their application and in the process and procedures of the department.
Contacts: Kit Bryant, AIA 484-690-1118, cbryant@jagroup.com
Albert Comly, AIA 215-218-4747, comly@vitetta.com
AIA/GBCA Joint Committee
The AIA/GBCA Joint Committee was founded in 1947 and is a unique collaboration among architects, contractors and subcontractors. It is supported by AIA Philadelphia and the General Building Contractors Association. The committee improves the understanding of how to plan and build by improving the relationships-both formal and informal-among designers, contractors and owners.
Contact: Keith Mock, AIA 215-446-0900, kmock@ballinger-ae.com
William J. Cobb, Jr. 610-825-9300, bill@haverstick.com
Associate Committee
The Associate Committee assists in the training of young architects and strengthens the link between architectural education and practice. In particular the committee assists those individuals in the Intern Development Program (IDP) and supports an exam preparation refresher course for those preparing to take the Registration Exam.
Contact: Erike De Veyra, Assoc. AIA, 267-687-5709, assocaiaphilly@gmail.com
Spooktacular Contact: Melissa Mayer, spooktacular.philadelphia@gmail.com
Canstruction Contact: Jared McKnight, canstructionphiladelphia@gmail.com
Architecture for Education Committee
The mission of the CAE is: 1) To provide continuing education programs dealing with educational facilities issues to the architectural community; 2) To foster communication with the greater community about design issues for educational facilities; and 3) To provide a forum for discussion of professional practice issues related to educational facilities.
Contact: Mary Holland, AIA 215-848-7810, mholland@cicadaarchitecture.com
Building Enclosure Council of Philadelphia
The committee serves as a forum for the exchange of information regarding excellence in building enclosure design and technology.
Contact: Joe DeAngelis, AIA, LEED AP 856-547-6250, jdeangelis@tbsservices.com
Cheryl Smith, AIA, LEED AP 215-981-0200, cas@cope-linder.com
Communications Committee
The committee seeks to enhance the public awareness of architects in the Philadelphia area through the media and special projects. It serves as a network for architects and marketing/communications professionals interested in public relations.
Contact: Amanda Weko 856-607-9657, amanda.weko@verizon.net
Continuing Education Committee
The committee assists the Chapter and its members in developing and meeting the CES requirements for maintaining membership in the AIA. It is responsible for program oversight for professional conferences, including Design on the Delaware.
Contact: Brett Webber, AIA, LEED AP 215-568-9751, bw@bwadesign.com
Frank Russo, AIA 215-735-1524, russo@spg3.com
Design Committee
The committee plans and implements the annual Design Awards program, exhibit and celebration. Through its other efforts, the committee seeks to profile high quality design in our communities and the media.
Contact: Lonny Rossman, AIA 610-660-6128, lr@apipartners.com
Josh Otto, AIA 215-840-8836, otto@ottoarchitects.com
Design on the Delaware Committee
The Design on the Delaware Committee plans the annual collaborative conference held in Philadelphia during the fall of each year. The three-day conference and trade show brings together design and building professionals, business and public leaders, and product and service providers.
Contact: Brett Webber, AIA, LEED AP 215-568-9751, bw@bwadesign.com
Frank Russo, AIA 215-735-1524, russo@spg3.com
Editorial Committee
The committee sets editorial direction and policy for Context: The Journal of AIA Philadelphia. The committee works with the editor to plan each issue and selects design projects provide quality content from members and external contributors.
Contact: Harris Steinberg, FAIA 215-573-8719, harrisst@pobox.upenn.edu
Committee on the Environment
The committee's mission is to educate architects, designers and the public about environmental and energy issues related to the design, construction, operation and recycling of the built environment. The committee's activities include an annual series of lunch seminars, tours and workshops on environmental topics.
Contact: Brian Smiley, AIA 215-446-0900, bsmiley@ballinger-ae.com
Golf Outing Committee
The Golf Outing is a significant social and fundraising event held each spring by the Chapter.
Contact: Matthew J. Koenig, AIA 215-928-9331, mkoenig@Jkroller.com
Anthony Naccarato, PE 215-925-3788, anaccarato@o-n.com
Government Affairs Committee
The Government Affairs Committee focuses on legislation and policies at the state and local level that affect the practice of architecture and the design and planning of our communities. It communicates to Chapter membership the substance of these issues and promotes views, policies and positions that guide actions of government.
Contact: Betsy Masters, AIA, 267-973-0822, mastersarch@aol.com
Healthcare Committee
The committee's mission is to assist architects in improving the quality of the physical environments in which human health is maintained and where failing health is managed. The committee addresses functional and procedural issues related to healthcare design, construction and operating costs, regulatory restraints and inventive design solutions.
Contact: Jack Kerr, AIA 610-270-0599, jkerr@arrayhfs.com
Historic Preservation Committee
The committee works closely with other preservation advocacy organizations in the region to monitor endangered architectural landmarks and advise the Chapter on important preservation issues. The committee also implements professional development seminars to instruct and inform members and interested individuals on the advances in technology, practice and theory of building preservation. The committee is open to all individuals that seek to support and increase public awareness of the historic resources of this region.
Contact: Robert Hotes, AIA, LEED AP 215-563-7787, rjhotes@kleinandhoffman.com
Carl Dress, AIA, 484-443-8540, carl@hdc-ae.com
Housing Committee
The committee works with members to develop programs and events of interest to residential architects. It develops and implements the "Art of the Home" exhibit at the Philadelphia Furniture and Furnishings Show to increase the awareness of quality home design and expand the market potential for residential architectural commissions.
Contact: Claudia Cueto, AIA 610-544-1722, claudia@cuetokearney.com
James Riviello, AIA 215-665-1080, jriviello@martinaia.com
Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art, and Architecture (IFRAA)
The Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art, and Architecture explores the field of religious architecture and its implementation today. Its mission is to promote interest and enhance communication among Philadelphia architects on the topic of the relationship of religion to architecture, art, and the built environment.
Contact: Smitha Mysore or Snezana Litvinovic, AIA, LEED AP, ifraaphiladelphia@gmail.com
Regional Architects Committee
The RAC is in place to serve the architectural community of suburban Philadelphia. Our goal is to take the type of high quality events, speakers, presentations, and building tours that the AIA routinely presents and make them more accessible to those living and working in the suburbs. Quarterly events are held throughout Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties.
Contact: Mike Kelly, AIA 215-368-5806, mike.kelly@kcba-architects.com
Tim Kiser, Assoc. AIA 610-444-2900, tkiser@bernardon.com
Urban Design Committee
The Urban Design Committee implements an annual program to teach and inform professionals and the public about the design and development quality of urban spaces and environments.
Contact: Danielle DiLeo Kim, AIA; 267-496-7627, danielle.dileokim@phila.gov
Modesto Bigas-Valedon, AIA, LEED AP; 215-430-5096, mbigas-valedon@WRTdesign.com
Young Architects Forum
The AIA Philadelphia Young Architects Forum (YAF) is a group for recently licensed architects (10 years or less) engaged in creating events that center on issues facing today's emerging professionals. Events range from simple networking to more complex pitch events or portfolio reviews. Since architecture is a mulch-disciplinary trade, we are active in forging in & external relationships to engage the design community at large.
Contact: Jeff Pastva, AIA, yafphilly@gmail.com
Women in Architecture
The committee’s focus is to provide an environment for women architects and allied professionals to enhance their professional development, networking, and leadership skills. The committee provides a forum for discussions and events related to supporting women design professionals throughout the Philadelphia area.
Contact: Karen Blanchard, AIA, LEED AP BD+C 215.430.5069, kblanchard@wrtdesign.com
Alesa Rubendall, AIA, LEED AP BD+C 215.430.5078, arubendall@wrtdesign.com
the following committees are charged with the administration and governance of the chapter:
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee meets monthly throughout the year and prepares the agenda for Board Meetings, reviews the financial progress of the Chapter and manages affairs that do not require the action of the Board.
Contact: Robert Hsu, AIA, 215-569-2900, rhsu@klingstubbins.com
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee meets monthly to oversee the financial matters of the Chapter and related organizations.
Contact: (Chair) Peter VanderHeide, AIA 215-925-8471, gpvh@voicenet.com
(Treasurer) James Rowe, AIA 215-735-0100, jrowe@agooslovera.com
Fellows Committee
The Fellows Steering Committee promotes the recognition of member achievements through the annual review of members for potential fellow candidates (FAIA). The committee also serves as the jury for the Chapter's Young Architect Award presented each year at the Design Awards Celebration event.
Contact: Mary Werner Denadai, FAIA 610-388-0111, mwdenadai@johnmilnerarch.com
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee seeks to create the largest and strongest membership of architects and related professionals by overseeing recruitment of new members and the quality of services to members.
Contact: Antonio Fiol-Silva, FAIA, 215.732.5215, afs@wrtdesign.com
Nominating Committee
The President Elect annually appoints the Nominating Committee with Board of Directors' approval. The Nominating Committee selects the candidates for officer and member positions on the AIA Philadelphia Board of Directors.
Contact: Antonio Fiol-Silva, FAIA, 215.732.5215, afs@wrtdesign.com
