In the last nine years, expanded services have increased 313 percent, while core services have gone up only 86 percent. Student enrollment is flat; only 50 percent of graduates are entering the profession, and only 10 percent are seeking licensure. Billings per employee are unchanged, while construction dollars per architect are decreasing.

The profession is changing.

My mission is to prepare members for excellence in practice and work collectively and creatively to expand our professional influence. My goal is to address these issues using focused implementation and fiscal responsibility.

• Role of the architect: We must promote good design and the value that architects bring to the quality of life. The National Advertising Campaign must broadly educate the public about the benefits of good design and the leadership role of architects.

• Knowledge: The more knowledge AIA members command, the more successful we can be. The professional interest areas (PIAs) provide an incredible resource for members to advance their knowledge position. As your president, I will continue my vice president's role as leader of the Knowledge Agenda. I will address the profession's knowledge needs to excel in practice and be leaders on societal issues in our communities.

• Mentorship/education: The future of the profession lies with our interns and students. We must foster our interns and mentor our students by providing an environment that promotes their professional growth. I will foster inclusiveness and partnering with collateral organizations to help prepare interns and students for a diverse and changing profession.

• Stewardship: Respect for the natural and built environment should define the places in which we live and work. Creating viable communities and preserving our architectural heritage has been the focus of my career for 27 years. I will take a leadership role in the Institute's promotion of the quality of place.

My career as a small-firm owner and a large-firm partner—as well as 15 years of service to the profession through the Institute—from local chapter to national component—will drive my passion to provide for the best interest of our members.

Practice
• Founding principal of Architects Four (1983–98), an AIA Honor Award-winning small firm specializing in historic preservation
• Currently a partner of SmithGroup.

National AIA
• Executive Committee, Vice President (2002)
• Board of Directors (1999–2001)
• Topaz Jury Chair (2000)
• Resolutions Committee (1997)

PIAs
• PIA Executive Committee Chair (2001), Historic Resources Steering Committee (1997), Historic Resources Committee (1994–2002)

AIA Michigan
• Executive Committee and Board of Directors (1989–2001)
• President (1994); Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary
• Finance Committee chair (1995–2001)

AIA Huron Valley
• President (1988), Vice President (1987).

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.