When did you first become involved with NCARB, and what inspired you to give back to the profession?

 

I became involved with NCARB in 1983 after earning my first license in Iowa and a Certificate soon after. The connection grew stronger when I was appointed to the Iowa Board of Architectural Examiners in 2001, where I served for 10 years. From there, I volunteered for several NCARB committees and continued my journey, becoming director of the Mid-Central Conference (Region 4) and a member of the Board of Directors before serving as FY15 President.

I have made a life commitment to give back to the profession whenever possible. At home in Sioux City, IA, I have had the opportunity to restore and revitalize several community spaces, providing an outlet for recreation and opportunities to convene and celebrate. The desire to nurture community—both locally and nationally—is something that will always stay with me.
And I think a lot of architects feel the same way.

 

How has NCARB evolved since you first volunteered?

 

NCARB has become a proactive, rather than a reactive, organization. I would take it a step further to describe NCARB as a visionary organization that is keeping pace with an ever-changing profession. Past President Ron Blitch was a big proponent of blue-sky thinking, and the Board of Directors has truly embraced and carried on that approach to our discussions.

 

What was your favorite committee to work on?

 

Probably the Internship Committee, now called the Experience Committee. It has always been a priority in my office to see that those who were working for me received a valuable internship and were prepared for licensure. In 2004, my firm and another small firm in Sioux City joined forces to train some of the licensure candidates in town. We succeeded in helping six people get through the experience program and get licensed. We were given the AIA’s IDP Firm of the Year Award for our work. It was extremely rewarding.

I am pleased to say that I have three mentees—who I took from right out of school through to licensure—that are now CEOs in their own firms. I take a lot of pride in having helped them reach their career goals.

 

Tell us about the major initiatives NCARB focused on during your presidency and how they have progressed over the last year.

 

My goal was to continue the work of the previous presidents, Ron Blitch and Blake Dunn, who were instrumental in evolving the Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and Architect Registration Examination (ARE). I also formed the Future Title Task Force to explore alternative titles for those working toward licensure. The task force recommended NCARB remove the word “intern” from its programs and communications, and reserve the architect title for licensed professionals.

 

In 2015-2016, you chaired NCARB’s Ethics Task Force. Why is this an important topic for the organization to explore?

 

It was time to take a deeper look at the NCARB Rules of Conduct, one of the organization’s guiding documents. As the profession evolves, and the work of architects becomes increasingly entwined with other professions, we need to explore the role ethics plays in a regulatory world. I look forward to seeing where the task force may take us.

 

What are your hopes for the organization moving forward?

 

NCARB will continue to look into the future, anticipate changes, and evolve with our profession.

 

How do you plan on staying involved with NCARB?

 

I will always stay connected. The friendships I’ve developed through NCARB will be strong forever.