2017 Directory

17 2017 AIA National Grassroots and Leadership Conference, March 8-10, 2017, Washington D.C. BY DAN STALKER, AIA, CLINT TAYLOR, AIA, KATIE WILSON, AIA AND JACOB ERNST, ASSOCIATE AIA 2017 AIA Grassroots & Leadership Conference A IAWyoming was well represented at this years AIA National Grassroots Conference. AIAWyoming President Dan Stalker, AIA, President-elect Clint Taylor, AIA, WMR Secretary Katie Wilson, AIA and Jacob Ernst, Associate AIA braved blustery travel conditions and arrived safely in the nation’s cap- itol. As opposed to prior conferences, we were scheduled to meet with our legislative contingent “first thing” Wednesday morning. The collabo- rative meeting, coined “Wyoming Wednesday”, allowed for us to meet briefly with our leaders, Senator John Barrasso, Senator Mike Enzi and Congresswoman Liz Cheney to discuss a host of issues that impact AIAWyoming architects. Included were 1) the ongoing discussions of AIA 2030 targets for climate issues and energy effi- ciency standards, 2) resiliency and safe building codes, the concept of 3) vertical infrastructure, 4) evolving procurement procedures, a discus- sion on 5) student debt and potential solutions and 6) encouraging a tax reform initiative that preserves design incentives for projects with historical significance. Our three national leaders were receptive to our presentation but more importantly, each legislative staff took us aside for an extended discussion. We were allowed to stay well past the time set aside for Wyoming Wednesday to share ideas and concerns. Wednesday afternoon workshops included “De- veloping a Partnership Between the Board of Directors and Component Staff ” and “Implicit Bias and its Impact on Leadership and Decision Making”. Regional Meetings were convened on Wednesday afternoon with an off-site reception following. With WMR Junior Director Patrick Panetta, AIA running for National Office and the scheduled departure of WMR Senior Direc- tor Tania Salgado, AIA, the WMR leadership for 2018 was in jeopardy. Fortunately, many state component leaders were eager to step forward and run for regional office. Thursday’s Opening Plenary Session included a welcome fromThomas Vonier, FAIA, AIA Pres- ident and an introduction of “Design Impact Matters: Architects Shape Lives, Opportunities and Challenges for the Profession” by Carl Ele- fante, FAIA, AIA First Vice President and 2017 Grassroots Chair. We were then captivated by presentations by Dr. Joan Clos, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-Habitat) and by Peter Calthorpe, Architect, Urban Designer and Urban Planner. Peter spoke of Urbanism and Climate Change. We were treated to rapid fire talks on Key 21st Century Issues. 2015 AIA President Elizabeth Chu Richter moderated these talks. Speakers and topics included: Walkable Cities -Jeff Speck, City Planner and Urban Developer. Jeff ’s selected topic was “One Small Step for Design: One Giant Leap for Impacts”. Jeff was followed by the topic Heritage Cities offered by Jean Caroon, FAIA, LEED AP. Jean spoke of “Renewing & Transforming Existing Buildings”. Resilient Cities, “Con- fronting Challenges in the Age of Uncertainty” was presented by Michael Berkowitz from the Rockefeller Foundation. Finally, 21st Century Cites, “Today’s Issues, Tomorrows Ideas” was discussed with Thomas Dallessio, AICP, PP, FRSA, President, CEO and Publisher, Next City. Following the Ted Talks format, a series of workshops featured all four presenters. We were able to discuss in greater detail and in a larger context the topics and relate how our particular communities have been impacted. Luncheon activities included networking and a variety of discussions including Diversity Recognition Program presentations. Continued on page 18