2016 Directory

15 2016 AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference BY SUSAN MENGHINI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR G rassroots 2016 is the premier annual gathering for leaders of the American Institute of Architects. It is an essential Professional Development resource for those who want to become better civic and chapter leaders. For the first time in decades, Grassroots was held outside of Washing- ton D.C. separate from the advocacy program. Grassroots was held in Detroit, where a new revitalization movement has swept the city. AIA Michigan and AIA Detroit helped shape the rewarding Grassroots experience. Grassroots 2016 reflected on Detroit itself as one of the most important, interesting and challenging cities as well as showed how archi- tects are key partners in meeting urban challenges and making positive change. Attendees will have the opportunity to share with national leader- ship if reshaping the agenda and moving Grassroots to the field has made sense. Grassroots opened with a Keynote Panel titled “The 21st Century City: What do cities need from architects?” with featured panelists that included Maurice Cox, FAIA, Detroit’s City Planner Director, Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Mayor, William Bell Sr., BirminghamMayor, Cheryl Morgan, FAIA, AIA BirminghamMember, Donald King, FAIA, AIA Seattle Member and Moderator Mickey Jacob, FAIA, 2013 AIA President. The panel was a great kickoff to the conference as they shared insights on how various cities and leadership within are facing tough issues and addressing them through design initiatives. The Keynote Address titled “Invention and Innovation” was by Josh Link- ner, Author, Entrepreneur. The conference continued with leadership workshops. The workshops address the approaches, tools, and techniques that can improve leadership skills. Skills are polished and valuable insights are gained in these interac- tive, participatory and hands-on experience-based settings. Leaders must be able to influence others, to persuade. Leaders are most successful when they apply their own leadership attributes of knowledge, expertise, personal values, and commitment to the situation. Great leaders practice these skills daily to gain self-awareness and cultivate the skill-set for effective leader- ship. The Community Leadership Luncheon titled “Five Waterfronts/Five Solutions” was moderated by Cynthia Davidson, Co-Curator, US Pavilion Exhibition, Venice Architecture Biennale. The panelists included Andrew Overbeck, Principal, MKSK, Columbus; Mark Wallace, President and CEO, Detroit RiverFront Conservancy; Robert Trevino, AIA, San Antonio City Council; Peter Steinbrueck, FAIA, Principal and Founder, Steinbrueck Urban Strategies; and Scott Kratz, Executive Director, 11th Street Bridge Park. After the afternoon workshops, the AIAWestern Mountain Region held their business meeting as well as all other regional meetings. The main topic of the meeting was to discuss the four regional priorities identified by the Regional Council at the January Leadership Summit. The Directors sought and received feedback from the larger regional leadership group on the topics of Prosperity, Perception, Influence and Promotion of the profession. The WMR Treasurer Eric Roberts, AIA presented an update on the Jason Pettigrew Leadership Scholarship and fundraising activity. The meeting concluded with an update regarding the proposed name change of the Young Architects Forum to AIA10. The evening concluded with a Reception at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The Detroit Institute of Arts has one of the largest, most significant art collections in the nation. There are over 60,000 works ranging from classic to cutting-edge. The following day continued with leadership workshops and introductions of candidates for AIA national office in the morning. 2017 – 2019 At Large Director – Candidate Peter Exley, FAIA, AIA Chicago 2016 – 2017 Secretary – Candidates Julia Donoho, AIA, AIA Redwood Empire; Burton Roslyn, FAIA, AIA Orange County; and Bruce Sekanick, AIA, AIA Eastern Ohio 2017 First Vice President – Candidates Brian Dougherty, FAIA, AIA Orange County; Carl Elefante, FAIA, AIA Potomac Valley; and Lanny McIntosh, AIA, AIA Eastern Oklahoma The introduction of candidates was followed by the Town Hall featuring Russell Davidson, FAIA, AIA President; Thomas Vonier, FAIA, AIA First Vice President; Gwen Berlekamp, CAE, CACE President; and Robert Ivy, FAIA, AIA CEO and the AIA Convention Presentation by Russell David- son, FAIA, AIA President. The concluding Keynote Address was given by Jennifer Granholm, Distinguished Adjunct Professor, UC Berkley School of Law and Former Governor of Michigan. b