On May 16, delegates to the AIA National Convention in Boston elected Walter J. Hainsfurther, AIA, to a two-year vice presidential term beginning in December 2008. Hainsfurther, president of Kurtz Associate Architects says: “We must utilize the voices of our individual members, building upon the foundations of the last 150 years to create an even more sustainable future.”

Hainsfurther says he plans to use his new leadership position within the AIA to promote sustainability in conjunction with the “Walk to Walk” campaign, increases in affordable housing, new infrastructure for our aging society, and a more diverse AIA. “Leadership is committed to making the AIA one of the more remarkable associations in the country; a more member-focused organization, where products and services align with your needs.”

Hainsfurther received an architectural studies degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a BArch from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His suburban Chicago-based firm, Kurtz Associates Architects, specializes in retail, mixed use, commercial and single-family residential projects, and has worked with clients such as BP and Starbucks.

As a member of the AIA, Hainsfurther served as president of AIA Northeast Illinois in 1995 and president of AIA Illinois in 2005. He also has been the regional director for AIA Illinois from 2005-2008. Additionally, Hainsfurther has been active in the City of Highland Park’s Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, and its Sister Cities Subcommittee.