AIA Dallas Names New Executive Director

Sept. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- DALLAS, TX (www.AIADallas.org ) –Jan Blackmon, FAIA, has been named executive director of the Dallas Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Dallas Center for Architecture. The decision was reached after a six-month process involving a nationwide search.

Blackmon’s career includes vice presidential and leadership roles with design and architecture firms, including Rees Associates Inc., HLM Design (formerly JPJ Architects and BLP Engineers), and RTKL Associates Inc. She also served as president of the Texas Society of Architects, the Texas Architectural Foundation and Promise House.  A Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, she has practiced architecture in Dallas for nearly 30 years.

“We wanted the best,” says AIA President David Zatopek, AIA. “Our search committee was adamant that the leader of this chapter would be a strong player in the Dallas community with solid credentials as an innovative and accomplished business leader.  Blackmon fulfills our expectations and we believe she will help us make the AIA Dallas chapter one of most respected and cutting-edge AIA chapters in the nation.”

As one of the largest chapters in the nation, AIA Dallas also joins AIA New York and AIA Philadelphia as one of only three leading chapters within the AIA with an architect as executive director.  

Blackmon is responsible for comprehensive chapter leadership, including guiding significant activities such as the following:
•   Work with the AIA officers and executive committee to assess membership needs, set annual and long-range strategic goals, and oversee staff and budgets.
•   Provide oversight for chapter activities and programs to accomplish membership goals and objectives.
•   Coordinate with AIA Dallas commissioners and committee chairs to identify issues and policies that require action.
•   Ensure that the chapter is in compliance with all applicable laws and legal requirements and all AIA policies and bylaws.
•   Represent the chapter in government affairs including local, state and national advocacy.

Blackmon replaces former Executive Director Paula Clements, CAE, Hon. TSA, who was chosen by AIA National to take on the role of managing director of component collaboration and resources in the Washington D.C. headquarters. AIA Dallas depended on Managing Director Rita Moore to provide leadership to the chapter between Clements’s departure and Blackmon’s arrival.

Media Contact
Name: Elly Armistead
Phone: (214) 880-1510
E-Mail: earmistead@aiadallas.org


About AIA Dallas:
AIA Dallas, the seventh largest AIA chapter in the U.S., encourages, promotes, advances and coordinates efforts to uphold the highest standards of the architectural profession in the community, while creating positive change through design. AIA Dallas has a membership base of nearly 2,000 members and 300 architectural firms. More information about AIA Dallas can be found online at www.aiadallas.org.

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