Pub. 2 2014 Directory

5 T o support Repositioning, there has been a change in the venue to conduct the business of the AIA Northwest Pacific Region. There is no longer a regional confer- ence but a training/leadership summit. This year the NW+P Region held a Leadership Summit in Tacoma prior to the Southwest Washington Conference. Next year Montana will host the Regional Leadership Conference at the GranTree in Bozeman, Montana in September – a day prior to Montana’s 2015 Annual Fall Conference. At the 2014 Leadership Summit, chapters shared accomplish- ments and methods of providing outreach programs for their communities. Ideas to exchange information within the Region were discussed and will be explored by the directors in the com- ing months. We are a prominent chapter in the region. Montana AIA member Chere LeClair was elected as NW+P Regional Director for a three year term beginning 2015. AIA Montana member Shannon Peterson will continue her three year term as Young Architectural Regional Director. The last year has been a positive one for most firms in Montana – we are starting to recover economically and the architectural com- munity has had positive impacts. Projects that have been dormant for years are starting to come to life and Owners are starting to build. In talking to many firms across Montana, they have an abun- dance of work and are looking for qualified people to fill positions. Montana State University’s School of Architecture program has gone through a renewal for accreditation. They have been awarded 8-years accreditation and Montana AIA was mentioned due to the collaboration of the board, members and associates with the school, faculty and students. AIA Montana continues to support students with scholarships and the AIAS chapter with a grant. Those attending Montana’s Fall Conference noticed a change in the scheduling of the conference. The conference was held over two days. It was a huge success with fantastic speakers and great vendors. Attendees were able to get thirteen learning units with Important Issues for AIA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE LISA M. SUKUT, AIA, PRESIDENT OF AIA MONTANA  — continued on page 7 Nationally building sustainability, 2030 Challenge, and Green buildings are important issues along with the focus on Repositioning for AIA. Repositioning is giving the public more information on what Architects do and reaching out to younger members and getting them involved. The goal is to increase the transparency and have public awareness of the organization along with restructuring of the governing board of AIA and help develop leadership within. AIA continues to accomplish many aspirations and is very ambitious to “Innovate, Engage, Lead and Connect”.