Tommy Neal Cowan, FAIA

Tommy Neal Cowan, FAIA, the senior regional director on the national Board of Directors representing Texas, has been an integral part of restructuring the financial operations of the American Institute of Architects at all levels. Starting with the AIA Austin and the Texas Society of Architects, he served as treasurer and president of each. At the national level, he served on the Scholarship Task Force, Convention Site Selection Committee (chair, 2005), and the Finance and Audit Committee.

Tommy has been a part of the current and previous treasurer administrations, led by 2005 AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, MRAIC, and 2004–05 AIA Treasurer James A. Gatsch., FAIA, that developed the current reserve policy, investment policy, and management structure. He also has been a participant in the 2003 and 2004 audit reviews, which confirmed the successful return of AIA to financial health. He is familiar with the budget process and is committed to keeping the green (line) above the red (line) in 2006 and 2007.

AIA National Component
• Regional Director from Texas
• Member, Scholarship Task Force
• Member, Convention Site Committee (chair, 2005)
• Member, Finance and Audit Committee

Texas Society of Architects
• President 1995
• Vice President 1994
• Treasurer 1992-93
• Director 1990-91
• Texas Architecture Foundation–Member/Treasurer for six years

AIA Austin
• President 1988
• Vice President 1987
• Treasurer 1985–86
• Director at large 1984–85
• Served on numerous committees and task forces.

Tommy graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, receiving a BArch (1968) and an MArch (1970), while teaching drawing and design in the University of Texas’ School of Architecture. He has worked for Brooks, Barr, Graeber and White and 3DI before founding Graeber, Simmons & Cowan in 1978. He serves as managing partner and chief financial officer of the highly successful 50-person firm.

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