National Council of Architectural Registration Boards President Peter Steffian, FAIA (2000-2001) awarded the Presidential Medal for distinguished service to six individuals associated with the Council who have made significant contributions to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare through their service to NCARB and to the practice of architecture.

The medals were awarded at the close of NCARB's Annual Meeting and Conference, held last month in Seattle, Washington. The Presidential Medal awards program was established in 1994 to recognize those individuals who dedicate a large part of their careers, energy, and wisdom to benefit the work of NCARB, the public and the architectural profession. Recipients of the Presidential Medals for 2001 are: Pamela J. Hill, Montana; Alan W. T. Baldwin, Jr., AIA, North Carolina; Stephen Sands, California; Petr Bílek, the Czech Republic; Michiel M. Bourdrez, AIA, Virginia; and Mary de Sousa, Maryland.

Pamela J. Hill, NCARB, an architect and educator based in Bozeman, Montana, was recognized as a key figure in Council efforts to strengthen the continuum between architectural education and practice. Hill is a two-term member of the NCARB Board of Directors, representing Region 5, as well as co-director of the Architectural Intern Evaluation Project. Much of her work for NCARB has focused on implementing recommendations detailed in Building Community, a Carnegie Foundation report authored by Ernest Boyer and Lee Mitgang. In this capacity, Hill chaired the Carnegie-Boyer Task Force. She currently serves as the Vice Provost for Outreach and Director of Summer Session for Montana State University.

Alan W. T. Baldwin, Jr., AIA, was honored for his active and distinguished participation in state and national level regulation of the practice of architecture. Baldwin has the distinct honor of being named to serve on two different state boards of registration. He first was a member, and later chair, of the Maine State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects & Interior Designers during the mid- to late '80s. After his relocation to North Carolina, Baldwin was then named to the North Carolina Board of Architects, where he currently serves as president. In addition to his state-level positions, Baldwin has also been a volunteer leader on the national level. His work for NCARB includes stints on the Council's Procedures and Documents Committee as well as the Practice Analysis Steering Committee. Baldwin is the newly appointed chair of the ARE Administration Task Force. He is affiliated with FreemanWhite, Inc., as the firm's managing principal, president, and CEO.

Stephen Sands was cited for his nearly 15 years of distinguished service to the California Board of Architects as its member board administrator. A tenacious leader, Sands was recognized for his sincerity of purpose while representing California architects as well as the Council's Western Conference. Sands has served NCARB's Procedures and Documents Committee and chaired the Member Board Administrators Committee.

Petr Bílek, current president of the Czech Chamber of Architects, was recognized for his long-term service to his country's architectural community as well as his efforts to establish professional ties with U.S. architects. Thanks to his dedicated service, the Czech Republic and NCARB are preparing to formalize a mutual recognition practice agreement.

Michiel M. Bourdrez, AIA, NCARB's director of professional services, has served the Council and its constituents for more 10 years. In his various roles as architect, linguist, diplomat, and administrator, Bourdrez is a quiet, effective leader who has overseen improvements to the Council's customer service information system. He has been a dedicated staff liaison to a number of committees and was twice elected president of the Federal Association of Regulatory Boards.

Mary de Sousa, NCARB's controller, has managed the financial health of the Council for more than a decade. During her tenure, the Council has been a model of financial integrity where neither audit adjustments nor deficiencies have ever been noted. A prudent though spirited leader, de Sousa has opened communications lines between her department and the full array of NCARB constituents, as one of her more recent accomplishments.