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IN THE EYE OF THE STORM by Tannia Chavez, Int’l AIA
Angela O’Byrne, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP Tannia Chavez, Int’l Assoc. AIA
Tannia Chavez, Int’l Assoc. AIA, interviewed Angela O’Byrne, FAIA, after she evacuated New Orleans in preparation for Hurricane Ida. President of an 80+ year old international design-build-develop firm Perez, APC, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a successful branch in New York City, Angela champions the principles of smart growth in communities worldwide. The firm strives to design, build, and develop resilient communities where people thrive. This interview shares her recent experience while located within the hurricane’s eye and discusses her experience and approach to international projects.
GOOD MORNING, ANGELA, I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE SAFE! HOW HAVE THE PAST 24 HOURS BEEN FOR YOU? After learning that Hurricane Ida was one of the most destructive storms since 1850, I decided to evacuate New Orleans to better help others. Many do not have electricity and the wastewater treatment plant, sewers and gas stations will soon be down. The good news is, the hospitals are back on line as the utility company was able to provide them with power and my side yard is being used as a staging area for people to be fed and get some supplies. “It’s hard to focus on work right now, I have to refocus my priorities for a few days.” YOUR FIRM IS AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN DISASTER RECOVERY, WAS THIS ALWAYS PART OF YOUR VISION AND MISSION? The firm was founded in 1940 by the father of the gentleman who hired me, August Perez. I do not believe it was the founding mission, but it became a clear focus for us because Hurricane Katrina was so devastating to our city. At the time, I was President of AIA New Orleans and was up to my eyeballs in assisting people through programs, helping our members but primarily staying involved with the whole community.
Leadership Team at Perez APC, a woman-owned firm. PAGE 22 | SEPTEMBER 2021
DID DISASTER RESPONSE LEAD YOU TO OPEN BRANCHES AROUND THE GLOBE? Yes. After Hurricane Katrina, I decided to open branches to be more resilient in the face of both natural and economic disasters. It gives my staff a place to work from regardless of the ups and downs in our headquarters city.
