 Clark D. Manus Elected 2010 First Vice President/2011 President-elect
Clark D. Manus, FAIA, AIA San Francisco, has been elected AIA First Vice President and 2011 President-elect. Manus has served as AIA national vice president, 2007-2009; chair, National Strategic Planning, 2009; chair, National Board Advocacy, 2008; and as a member of the National Governance Task Force, 2008-2009.
As a member of the AIA California Council leadership, Manus supported regional Associate representation on the AIA Board of Directors, which went before the membership at the San Francisco 2009 convention. As national vice president for Advocacy and now Strategic Planning, Manus has engaged the full range of issues of emerging professionals. At the local level, as former AIA San Francisco president and a two-term AIA California Council Board member, Manus has long stressed and acted on the importance of engaging emerging professionals.
“The decade ahead will offer new frontiers and challenges for the architectural profession,” Manus says. “AIA members must continue to play key roles as stewards of public policy on the built environment. We must continue to pursue initiatives that utilize creative thinking that are timely and relevant. We have much to accomplish as the voice of our profession and a resource to members in serving society. We must reinforce the foundation for the continued evolution of our profession that will enable us to expand globally and act locally.”
As a supporter for citizen architect and public advocacy, Manus served on the Mayor’s Ocean Beach Vision Council, 2008-present; as chair of the San Francisco Redevelopment Transbay District Citizens Advisory Council, 1996-2008; as a member of the San Francisco Mayoral Central Embarcadero Citizens Advisory Council, 1992-1995; as treasurer of the Friends of City Planning; on the San Francisco Planning & Urban Research Center; and as a member of the Urban Land Institute.
“I believe we are entering a transformative era, one that we can lead if we utilize strategic thinking skills that we as architects possess,” he says. “Acknowledging the risk and rising to the challenge of transformation is a necessity. We must use the strength of our organization, enabling us to create great communities, develop sustainable architecture, and transform architectural practice in these fragile economic times.”
Manus encourages young architects during this economic downturn: “The national AIA as well as the components are in a unique position in this economic downturn to assist in ways that were not previously possible in remaining connected through the use of technology. Encouraging young architects to remain engaged though continuing education or advocacy will forge a bond that will be effective as individuals re-enter the profession.”
Manus’ aspiration as AIA president will be to focus on strategic thinking; advocacy; knowledge, such as embrace evolving technology; and community. As AIA president, he aims to achieve “a dynamic, nimble, and relevant organization.”
Manus’ additional AIA service includes serving on the national AIA Board as a regional director representing California, 2005-2007; as chair of the AIA150: Blueprint for America, Mosaic, 2006-2007; on the National Community Committee, 2005; on the AIA California Council, 1994-1996 and 2002-2004; as president of AIA San Francisco, 1994; and as chair of the AIA San Francisco Urban Design and Design Assessment Team, 1987-1991. Manus is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University at Buffalo. |
