Summary: Each year, the AIA presents the Young Architects Awards to professionals licensed 10 years or fewer (regardless of their age), who show exceptional leadership and make significant contributions to the profession early in their careers. This year’s six recipients all are equally impressive in their broad range of contributions, however, please allow us a moment of nepotism to congratulate Suzanna Wight, AIA, the Institute’s emerging professionals director, who has helped us make AIArchitect more relevant to her special constituency.

Roy Abernathy, AIA, managing partner with Jova/Daniels/Busby Inc., Atlanta, has worked with young architects and emerging professionals to create leadership opportunities for young professionals at the local, regional, and national levels. He has served local, state, and national roles, including National Associate director of the AIA, founder of the National Associates Committee, and chair of the Young Architects Forum. Abernathy has worked with local charities and nonrprofits, including the Hands-on Network, where he helped the organization purchase and renovate a new headquarters. He served on the capital campaign committee and has helped organizations raise more than $80 million. He serves as the president and CEO of Jova/Daniels/Busby, where he is responsible for design leadership. He heads the firm’s Strategy Practice group, which focuses on helping clients make smarter and more informed decisions about where they live, work, and play. HKS Chair and Former AIA President Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA, writes: “Through his energized leadership, Roy has made lasting contributions to the profession of architecture.”

Michael P. Eberle, AIA, architect/senior associate with Flad Associates, Madison, has demonstrated exemplary leadership as an active member of AIA Wisconsin. His “lead by example” approach to leadership has spurred him to serve the Institute on various levels. He has served as president of both AIA Southwest Wisconsin and AIA Wisconsin, and currently serves as the AIA North Central States Young Architects Forum regional liaison. In design, his most recent work includes serving as project architect for an $48 million, 125,000-square-foot laboratory building for Indiana University. He also is overseeing a $51 million, 145,000-square-foot laboratory on another part of the IU campus. Eberle, also a carpenter, has participated in construction of eight custom homes in southern Wisconsin. His family currently resides in Middleton, Wis., where he designed and constructed his own sustainable new home using insulated concrete form technology. “Mike Eberle has demonstrated strong leadership and communications skills that have enabled him to contribute significantly to the future well-being of the profession,” writes William M. Babcock, Hon. AIA, executive director of AIA Wisconsin, in his nomination letter on behalf of the chapter.

Lonnie D. Hoogeboom, AIA, partner, Natalye Appel + Associates PC, Houston, stands out in the profession for his ethical leadership in outreach, mentorship, and professionalism as well as his outstanding design contributions. His 2006 Texas Society of Architects Award for Young Professional Achievement and his 2005 AIA Houston Young Architect Award acknowledge his service to Texas and Houston architecture students, interns, and young practitioners. He also received the 2003 TSA Associate Award for Mentorship and the 2002 AIA Houston President’s Citation and Distinguished Service Award for Inspired Leadership and Advocacy of Intern/Associates. He is the founding director representing AIA Houston’s interns and associates. Hoogeboom also has been active in the Rice University Design Alliance Program Committee since 1996, and served as that group’s chair from 2002 to 2006. On the boards, he has served as partner-in-charge/project architect for many of his firm’s projects over the last five years. “I cannot imagine a more dedicated and vibrant young contributor to the architecture profession, to the AIA, and to architectural outreach,” writes Natalye L. Appel, FAIA, in her letter of nomination.

Phillip Koski, AIA, owner, Inland Office for Tomorrow’s Architecture, Minneapolis, brings to the profession a unique perspective and the maturity to act as a public servant, writer, advocate, and innovative entrepreneur. An engaged “citizen architect,” he was appointed by the Minneapolis City Council to serve on the volunteer Historic Preservation Commission, which he currently chairs. His participation in Minneapolis’ civic networks, combined with a passion for historic preservation, extends to the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, League of Historic American Theaters, and St. Anthony Fall Heritage Preservation Board. In his work for Hammel Green and Abrahamson, and now with his own firm, IOTA, Koski has proved himself a talented preservationist and designer. He also has put his talent for writing to good use as a contributor to Architecture Minnesota magazine since 2001. He serves as chair of AIA Minnesota’s editorial committee and worked on the redesign of the chapter’s magazine, newsletter, and Web site. “[Phillip] does [everything] with charm, humor, candor, wisdom, and deep dedication to the profession and the city in which we live,” writes Julie Snow, FAIA, in her letter of nomination. “… Phillip defines a fresh and engaged version of architectural practice.”

James Mary O’Connor, AIA, principal, Moore Ruble Yudell, Santa Monica, Calif., serves as an ambassador for American architects in his practice and teaching from Sweden to China. His life is a story of inspiration, as he left high school early to work on construction sites with his contractor father in Ireland. Returning to his studies via an Irish Fulbright and a scholarship at the University of California, Los Angeles, O'Connor met Charles Moore, John Ruble, and Buzz Yudell, and began his association with MRY in 1983. Since then, he has found a home for innovative design ideas as a core member of design teams in all areas of the firms’ work. He also finds the time to serve as a dedicated teacher at UCLA, where he has earned the coveted Outstanding Teacher Award. The broadness of scope of O’Connor’s humanity also shines through his cross-cultural engagement on behalf of MYR, serving as the firm’s leader into projects in Asia and lecturing in China, Korea, India, Italy, and Canada. “James is as comfortable discussing design with mayors and ministers as with first-year students,” writes nominator Doug Suisman, FAIA. “Through them, and his emerging body of work, he brings excellence, humanity, and honor to his profession.”

Suzanna Wight, AIA, emerging professionals director, The American Institute of Architects, has made exceptional contributions with significant and lasting impact on the lives of emerging architectural professionals—interns and young architects alike—across the U.S. As emerging professionals director, she oversees all programs and leadership development activities related to Associate members and newly licensed architect members and serves as the staff liaison to the National Associates Committee and Young Architects Forum Advisory Committee. Among her most notable achievements are the development, testing, and launch of a new resource for intern development called the Emerging Professionals Companion; service as the first chair of the NAC; and design and completion of the 2005 Internship and Career Survey. Among her many accolades, Wight has been awarded the NAC Distinguished Service Award, the Council of Architectural Component Executives Distinguished Service Award, and the Richard Upjohn Fellow medal for service on the AIA Board of Directors. “As a member of the AIA, Suzanna has shown that her determination and concern for emerging professionals could move people to action,” writes Roy Abernathy, AIA, in his nomination letter on behalf of the Young Architects Forum Advisory group. “And now, as a member of the AIA staff, she has gone above and beyond the role to continue to champion emerging professionals issues.”