Robert E. Middlebrooks, AIA

The American Institute of Architects is our profession’s primary repository of Knowledge. How we create it, manage it, and distribute it is our primary key to success.

Everything in our profession is related to Knowledge. Our influence on society and the advocacy roles we play as Architects is dependent on concise, clear conveyance of our Knowledge. Creation and organization of Knowledge in the key areas of Livable Communities and Sustainable Design are critical to our advocacy role.

Our leadership roles throughout the AIA rely on that same access to Knowledge. Our success as individual members in the AIA is greatly influenced by the Knowledge distributed by the various AIA components that serve us. Is it my ongoing goal that we focus on the continued improvement of our Knowledge programs and the methods we use to deliver that Knowledge. As Secretary, I will have a unique and significant opportunity to help achieve these goals.

• I believe in a system of “Knowledge on Demand.” I will continue to advocate improved ways to access and organize the vast repository of existing information, including our visual archives.
• I strongly support the Knowledge communities, and will strive to find continued ways for all our members to have easy and effective access to the Knowledge they create.
• I will continue to advocate that all AIA Knowledge be available in Acrobat PDF formats.

AIA National

• Board Member (2002–2004)
• Regional Director, Region of the Virginias (2002–2004)
• National Contract Documents Task Force (2002–Present)
• National Licensing Committee (2003–Present)
• National Secretary’s Advisory Committee (2004)

Virginia Society AIA

• President-elect, President, and Past President (1998, 1999, 2000)
• Vice President (1997)
• Chair, Program Planning and Evaluation Committee (1998)
• Director (1995)

AIA Hampton Roads

• President-elect, President, and Past President (1994, 1995, 1996)
• First Vice President (1993)
• Treasurer (1992)
• Director (1989–1991)

Related and Community Service

• Trustee, Virginia Foundation for Architecture (2000–2005)
• City of Chesapeake Historic Preservation Commission (2000–Present)
• City of Chesapeake Architectural Review Board (2001–Present)
• City of Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan Advisory Team (2002–Present)

Personal and Professional Practice

• Principal with Clark Nexsen, a 280-person firm with five Virginia and North Carolina offices. Celebrating 22 years with the firm in 2004, including 5 years in Madrid, Spain.
• Myers Briggs, ENTJ.
• Amateur Metagrobologist
• Married, 21 years to Betsy Middlebrooks; two daughters, Debi 18, and Lisa 16.

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