MEDIUM CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTING EDITORS JEFF PASTVA, AIA
BETH MOSENTHAL, AIA
AJ SUSTAITA, AIA
IAN MERKER, AIA
YU-NGOK LO, AIA
F. MICHAEL AYLES, AIA, NCARB
is the 2015-2016 Communications Director of the Young Architects National Advisory Committee of the AIA, the Editor-in-Chief of YAF CONNECTION and a Project Architect with JDavis in Philadelphia.
is a project manager for the education studio of Corgan in Houston. He is currently serving a three year term on the Board of Directors for the Houston Chapter of the AIA. As part of his involvement with the Young Architects Forum he represents several local components by serving as the Young Architect Regional Director for Texas.
is the principal of YNL Architects. He is an Advisory Group member of the AIA CCA Knowledge Community. He is also a member of the AIA California Council Committee On the Environment, Advocacy Advisory Committee, and the recipient of the 2015 AIACC Young Architect Award.
INTERVIEW SUBJECTS JOHN RACH, AIA
is the Director of Marketing for CBLH Design. With a Master of Architecture and a Master of Business Administration from Kent State University, John earned his architectural license in 2012. He now leads the firm’s marketing and business development department and is involved in firm recruitment and many of the day-to-day management duties of the firm. He is the current President-Elect for the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and will take over the President’s role this summer. He chairs and is a member of numerous committees and organizations throughout the architectural industry and his home community.
CHRIS WIDENER, FAIA
is a senior public policy and political strategist. He has served as President Pro Tempore of the Ohio Senate and held multiple Senior Leadership and committee chair roles in the Ohio Legislature. He has personal experience in shaping the State of Ohio’s $75 Billion biannual operating budget and $2 Billion biannual capital budget. Prior to starting his own business, Chris's career began as an Architect and Historic Preservation Officer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. He was one of the American Institute of Architect's youngest members ever elevated to Fellowship within the Institute.
CAREY NAGLE, AIA
graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and is an Associate Principal with BNIM in Des Moines. His award-winning high performance design projects have helped to define design excellence as a balance of design and building performance. Nagle is a holistic practitioner with a broad range of notable project experience, professional leadership and community contributions that demonstrate his rare combination of humility, integrity and drive.
STEPHEN T. AYERS, FAIA, LEED AP On February 24, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Mr. Ayers
to serve as the 11th Architect of the Capitol. On May 12, 2010, the United States Senate, by unanimous consent, confirmed Mr. Ayers, and on May 13, 2010, the President officially appointed Mr. Ayers to a 10year term as Architect of the Capitol. He is responsible for the facilities maintenance and operation of the historic U.S. Capitol Building, the care and improvement of more than 553 acres of grounds and the operation and maintenance of 17.4 million square feet of buildings. Under Mr. Ayers’ leadership, the AOC has, through a variety of initiatives, reduced carbon emissions, improved energy efficiency and implemented sustainable design practices throughout the Capitol complex. Mr. Ayers is also committed to supporting small businesses to help facilitate competition and support local communities, and has implemented several programs to actively award contracts to companies that reflect the diversity of our country. The Architect of the Capitol has approximately 2,300 employees and an annual budget of nearly $600 million.
is a licensed architect, writer, editor, artist, blogger, mentor, mentee, coffee conoisseur and outdoor enthusiast currently living and working in Denver.
is an architect at Rainforth Grau Architects in Sacramento, CA, specializing in the education sector. He is Film Curator for AIA Central Valley and a former YAF Regional Director.
is Principal of Business Development at Antinozzi Associates in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Ayles has served almost 25 years as a local, regional and national leader with the AIA, and is a former YAF Chair (2004) and Young Architects Award recipient (2005). Ayles has chaired the Center for Civic Leadership (CCL), a group he helped create over a decade ago, in 2012 and 2015. Ayles also serves as his state’s Architect Licensing Advisor, as a board member for the ACE Mentor Program of Connecticut, and as an elected official (third term) on his town’s Board of Finance. He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University.
MICHAEL WINN, AIA
joined AIA Colorado as their first Government Affairs Coordinator shortly after the 2014 election. Having worked in both architecture and politics, he greatly enjoys engaging with local members in their efforts to build a culture of advocacy within the profession. Michael graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Architecture in 2006 and is a licensed architect in Colorado.
MICHAEL WINN, AIA
joined AIA Colorado as the Government Affairs Coordinator after the 2014 election. Having wo both architecture and politics, he enjoys engaging with local mem their efforts to build a culture of ad within the profession. Michael gra from Ball State University with a in Architecture in 2006 and is a li architect in Colorado.
DENISE THOMPSON, AIA
is a native of Massachusetts and Architecture graduate of Temple University. She is an Associate at Francis Cauffman in Philadelphia focusing on Healthcare Design since 2003. She has also been an active volunteer in the AIA since 2005 representing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania on the NAC and YAF. Currently, Denise is honored to be the AIA Philadelphia President for 2016 and is looking forward to welcoming all her colleagues to the city for the AIA National Convention in May.
DAVID ROBINSON, AIA
is a practicing architect serving his second term as Council Member At-Large in District 2 for the City of Houston. He was recently appointed by Mayor, Sylvester Turner to represent Houston on the regional Transportation Policy Council. David also teaches a graduate-level course for Texas Tech University in the Houston program on planning and development called "Infrastructure in the Urban Environment."
JACOB R. DAY, ASSOC. AIA
ERIC PEMPUS, AIA, E is a Risk Manager at Oswald C
with 35 years of experience in ar law and the construction industr licensed architect in California, North Carolina, and an attorney in to Oswald, Eric served as General a large A/E/CM firm. Eric is a profes State University’s College of Ar teaching the professional practic He is a member of the AIA’s Natio Counsel, and chair of a Board & Building Appeals. Eric has of Science in Architecture, Un Cincinnati; and Juris Doctorate, Sou University School of Law, Los Ange
has spent his career helping communities to become more vibrant places. At age 30, he was elected to his hometown's City Council Salisbury, vMD - with 72% of the vote and was unanimously elected Council President. Two years later, he was elected Mayor. He served as founding Director of the Center for Towns, has received numerous awards throughout his career and has been a featured speaker at the AIA National Convention and National Building Museum. Additionally Jake is a Captain, serves in the US Army National Guard, and is the Sr. Platoon Trainer at the Army Officer Candidate School. He earned a Master of Science in Nature, Society & Environmental Policy from Oxford University, a Master of Urban Design (MUD) from Carnegie Mellon University and a BS in Architecture from the University of Maryland.