Robert E. Middlebrooks, AIA

The AIA is about leadership, both in the individuals who volunteer their time and the commitment the AIA makes towards leading the profession and public advocacy. This leadership by individuals and the AIA requires clarity of purpose, focus, and commitment. As individuals, we each bring strengths to the table and a passion to help, but success is truly only achieved when individuals form a collaborative team. Together, we are the AIA, each relying on the intertwined support of others to be effective.

This coming year’s four vice presidents are anticipated to focus their energy into four areas:

Advocacy. Advocacy is the center of our professionalism. We should never shirk our responsibility to support the difficult causes, such as livable communities, affordable housing, and sustainable energy policies.

Professional Community. We are an evolving profession, and we must all support diversity and the need to mentor and support our profession’s future. Increasing our membership to embrace all of our profession will be the key to greater respect and influence.

Knowledge. Knowledge must be continuously shared in our profession and increasingly accessible to all. The success of our profession is based on the individual successes and knowledge of our members. Mutual support and sharing of practice techniques and details will strengthen all our practices.

Practice Technology. Building Information Modeling (BIM) will revolutionize our practice and allow us tremendous design and professional opportunities. The AIA should continue to lead the industry in influencing the development of BIM.

AIA National
• Regional Director and Board Member, Region of the Virginias (2002–2004)
• Contract Documents Task Force Electronic Format (2002–2003)
• Chair, Special Management Task Force on A/E Productivity (2004)
• AIA Contract Documents Research Group for Digital Practice (2004–2006)
• AIA Integrated Practice Strategy Working Group (2005)
• Liaison to Construction Users Round Table (CURT) A/E Productivity Committee (2004–2005)

Virginia Society AIA
• Past President, President, President Elect, Vice President, and Director (2000–1995)

AIA Hampton Roads
• Past President, President, President Elect, First VP, Treasurer, Director (1996–1989)

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

Personal and professional practice
Principal with Clark Nexsen, a midsize A/E firm with five Virginia and North Carolina offices.
Myers Briggs, ENTJ
Married, 22 years to Betsy Middlebrooks; two daughters, Debi 19, and Lisa, 17

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