Editorial Board

Colin Alley

Principal/Director of Operations, BCV Architecture + Interiors

Career Stages

Colin Alley, AIA, LEED AP has practiced architecture in Arizona and California since 1994. Having spent the majority of his professional career on the development of mixed-use, urban infill projects exemplified by their "social spaces," he is well-versed in the concepts of place-making, and bringing a human scale to large projects. Colin often serves as a fulcrum between the experienced, design-savvy generation of architects ahead of him, and the technologically adroit generation behind him. Colin received his M. Arch from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, served as Director of Planning and Urban Design at BCV Architects in San Francisco, California from 1999-2016, and is now a Principal and Director of Operations for the firm.

Jim Atkins

FAIA, President, Atkins Consulting

Jim Atkins, FAIA, FKIA, is Principal of Atkins Consulting, a litigation support and project management consulting resource. Jim was co-owner of a top 10 architectural-engineering firm for over thirty years where projects included healthcare, commercial, educational, correctional, aviation, and major sports venues delivered more often fast-track through DBB, CM, DB and PM, occasionally in the role of contractor.

Jim's prolific and witty writing contributions include" Managing Project Risk, Wiley 2008, which Jim co-authored; Introduction to Health Care Planning, Design and Construction, ASHE 2009; articles in The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 13th, 14th and 15th editions; and articles published in numerous trade journals. Jim currently serves on the AIA Trust and has served on the AIA Documents Committee producing the 2007 document revisions and the AIA Risk Management Committee.

Philip Bona

FAIA, Principal, Baucentrum Urban Studio

Integrated Practice/IPD

Phil’s passion for architecture and construction began when he started designing and building model cities as a boy. Through his work, teaching, mentoring, lecturing, writings, research and systems development, Mr. Bona is a licensed architect in California and respected and award-winning leader in the business of architecture, planning and construction. Recent leadership roles include Chair of buildingSMARTalliance San Diego, Chair of AIA San Diego Urban Design Committee, member of San Diego Association of Governments Public Health Stakeholders Group, member of San Diego Downtown Education Taskforce, member of AIA’s Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Committee and Adjunct Faculty member of NewSchool of Architecture & Design, San Diego, CA. Phil has also served as a Principal at Baucentrum Urban Studio, a planning and architecture firm in San Diego. Phil received his M’Arch. from University of California, Berkeley.

David Brotman

FAIA, Principal, Sunset Consultants

Integrated Practice/IPD

David J. Brotman, FAIA, is founder and principal of Sunset Consultants, a firm that provides strategic, integrated services to developers, architects and other professional real estate-related firms. Prior to founding Sunset Consultants, David served as Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of RTKL Associates Inc. Having practiced nationally and internationally for 40 years, David has earned a worldwide reputation as an authority on mixed–use and commercial architecture and has used his experience to provide litigation assistance. David holds a B. S. in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati and has taught at the university level. He is frequently a speaker at real estate development conferences and a regular contributor to national and international journals. David has served as a California Regional Director on the National Board of the American Institute of Architects

Karen Compton

Principal, A3K Consulting

Marketing & BD

As a Business Development consultant, Karen Compton brings a focused approach based on a thorough understanding of the A/E/C environment and needs and expectations of the client. Her integrated approach of business management and business development has resulted in increased revenues of as much as 20% and the alignment of long- and short-term business goals and objectives for a variety of firms. Karen has served as Director of Business Development and Director of Marketing for small companies, mid-sized, multi-office firms and national and international corporations. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount St. Mary's College in Chemistry where she currently serves as a member of the Board of Regents; and an Advanced Management Certificate from the University Of Southern California. In November 2008, Xlibris Publications released her first book, "The Prospector: A Guide for Developing Clients and Winning Work in a Competitive Environment".

Mitch Conner

AIA, Principal Architect, ArchiLOGIX

Practice Management

As a registered architect based in Sonoma County, California, Mitch Conner, AIA, has enjoyed a variety of clients and work relationships. A nationally recognized leader in fire station design, Mitch's expertise includes urban design, wineries and mixed-use developments as well as a blend of public and private projects, including commercial, manufacturing, hospitality and civic projects. For nearly seven years, Mitch taught classes for the fire service throughout California on topics ranging from facility programming, design, long-range planning, and project and budget management. Mitch received his Bachelor of Architecture from Montana State University.

Elise Drakes

Project Manager, LPA, Inc.

Career Stages

Elise works in business strategies and development at Petra-ICS, a firm which provides capital planning, strategy, and construction management for health systems. Prior to her position at Petra-ICS, Elise worked in the architecture industry for seven years, specializing in healthcare design, construction administration, medical equipment planning, and community engagement. Elise has been involved with organizations such as Art and Creativity For Healing, Project Tomorrow, ACE Mentoring, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. She has presented at Healthcare Facilities Symposium in Chicago and at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she received a Bachelor of Architecture. She is an MBA graduate of Chapman University, the 2011 recipient of the Tomorrow’s Leaders scholarship, and the 2013 North America winner of the Henkel Innovation Challenge.

Cornelius Du Bois

FAIA, Owner, Cornelius duBois

Risk Management

Because the knowledge and skills necessary to practice architecture are evolving constantly, and because we live in a culture that fosters and celebrates life-long learning, a commitment to continuing education and knowledge sharing should be a part of every creative and thoughtful design professional's toolbox.

Cornelius (Kin) DuBois, FAIA has served in leadership positions of the architectural profession, including 2010-2011 president of the National Architectural accrediting Board, AIA Colorado 2007 President, and Regional Director for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He currently serves on the AIA National Ethics Council. His public speaking and writing includes the AIA Conventions in 2001 and 2013, national training sessions for accreditation team members and speaking as a guest lecturer at the University of Colorado at Denver Professional Practice class. He has covered such topics as professional ethics, regulation and licensure, continuing education, internship, and risk management. In 2005 Kin received the NCARB President’s Award for Distinguished Service, and in 2007 he was elevated to Fellowship in the AIA.

Alan Ford

FAIA, Principal, Alan Ford Architects

Design

To be an exceptional architect, you must stay informed and inspired throughout your professional life.

Alan Ford, AIA, is a design principal with Alan Ford Architects. His 33 years of experience includes the design of over fifty K-12 educational projects, and numerous commercial and residential projects.

In addition to his architectural practice, Alan has served on the editorial board of the AIA Magazine, Architect Colorado, was the design subject matter expert for AIA Soloso, and the author of the book Designing the Sustainable School and co-author of A Sense of Entry – Designing the Welcoming School.

Alan has chaired conferences on school safety and security, designing early childhood educational facilities and headed up numerous AIA design conferences. He has served as an international juror for World Architecture News on three occasions for their Sustainability and Educational Awards programs.

Lisa Gelfand

FAIA, LEED AP, Principal, Gelfand Partners Architects

Sustainability

Lisa Gelfand, FAIA, LEED AP, is the Founding and Managing Principal of Gelfand Partners Architects in San Francisco, and a principal of Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects in San Diego. Both practices are leaders in sustainable, energy-efficient design, affordable and special needs housing, educational facilities and commercial projects. At Gelfand Partners, Ms. Gelfand has designed or supervised the design of over 34 education projects and over 2,500 units of affordable housing created primarily through the adaptive reuse of existing or historic buildings. Lisa is the principal author of Sustainable School Architecture, Wiley and Sons, 2010, and co-author of the forthcoming Wiley title Sustainable Renovation. She has practiced in New York and Utah and held faculty appointments in New Zealand, Univ. of California at Davis and Univ. of Utah. Lisa is a frequent lecturer and writer. She received her M.Arch. from Yale in 1978.

Aaron Greven

Owner, AG Design Works

The owner of AG Design Works, Aaron Greven, is a leader in emerging AEC industry technologies with 10 years experience utilizing Building Information Modeling tools as a designer, general contractor, and owner. AG Design Works helps design professionals, contractors and owners identify, implement and manage the Virtual Design and Construction technologies that support their business practices. AG Design Works is helping some of the country’s foremost architects and contractors stay on the leading edge, when it comes to VDC and BIM.

Greven is using his work in integrated design-build projects, project consulting to contractors and design firms, as well as teaching at IIT, College of Architecture to define a "better way," and provide a vehicle for change in the industry.

Evelyn Lee

AIA, LEED AP, MKThink

Practice Management

A licensed architect, a LEED accredited professional, and a dual MPA/MBA degree holder, Evelyn received her Bachelor of Architecture with honors from Drury University in 2002. In 2003 she received her Masters of Architecture degree from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Her most recent graduate degrees in public administration and business administration were earned in 2011 and 2012 respectively from the Presidio Graduate School, with a focus on marketing, communications, and sustainable management.

An avid writer, Evelyn has authored over 500 articles on sustainable design, design practice, and communications for print and online communications including Design Intelligence, Inhabitat, and ArcCA. Evelyn currently holds the position of Senior Strategist, at MKThink, the ideas company for the built environment. As a design strategist she empowers organizations to make data-driven decisions about their facility investments.

Ted Levin, Esq., P.E.

Partner, Morris Polich & Purdy LLP

Governmental Affairs/Advocacy

Ted Levin is a Partner at Morris Polich & Purdy LLP where he serves as a practice group leader for design and construction attorneys. He is both a practicing lawyer and registered civil engineer, and specializes in the representation of architects, engineers, contractors, owners and insurers in all aspects of construction law, contract and defect claims, risk management, contract analysis and advice, and mechanics lien/design professional law. Ted has lectured and written extensively on a broad range of topics including design professional and construction risk management issues, legal developments affecting the design and construction industries, sustainable/"green" design, project delivery methods strategies including Integrated Project Delivery and Building Information Modeling, ownership of design professional plans and designs, and insurance issues affecting the construction industry.

Jim Mc Manus

FAIA, Principal, S/L/A/M Collaborative

Integrated Practice/IPD

Jim McManus, FAIA, is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The S/L/A/M Collaborative. He is responsible for the comprehensive management and financial planning for the firm. Jim also serves as the active principal-in-charge for some of the firm’s most important and complex projects. His involvement ensures that all appropriate firm resources are made available for the project.

Mr. McManus is also President of SLAM Construction Services and is responsible for implementation of the firm’s unique integration delivery program.

Emeka Efe Osaji

Fellow, Leeds Sustainability Institute

Sustainability

Emeka Efe Osaji, Assoc. AIA, MASHRAE, CEnv, CSci, FFB, FRSA, AoU, is a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Scientist, Fellow of FBE, Fellow of RSA, Academician, & Fellow of Leeds Sustainability Institute.

He serves as a member of committees such as Chevening Reading Committee, CIBSE Resilient Cities Group Committee, ASHRAE Technical Committee on Building Environmental Impacts & Sustainability, & CIBSE ASHRAE Group Committee.

He serves as a member of panels such as Academy of Urbanism Place Partnering Panel, Devon & Somerset Design Review Panel, & British Council Selection Panel.

He also serves as a School Governor, member of an Interim Executive Board, member of editorial boards, reviewer for Macmillan Cancer Support & international journals, & scientific committee member for international conferences.

Emeka's publications include "The Poetry of UK Government Public Authority Building Performance", & "The British Council UK-Turkey Higher Education Institution & Industry Partnership Programme”.

Jason Pierce

AIA, LEED AP (BD+C), Architect, HOK

Career Stages

Jason Dale Pierce, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP(BD+C), ason has been active at the local, regional, and national levels of the AIA. After starting a YAF chapter at AIA St. Louis, he was asked to be the first emerging professional on the board of AIA Missouri and became the YAF liaison for the Central States. This position provided the opportunity to deliver his message of bolstering mentorship and young leadership in the profession at the AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference, the AIA national convention, and AIA chapter events.

Jason has served as Vice President of the AIA California Council Academy for Emerging Professionals and was instrumental in building a mentorship program for AIA San Francisco, a unique, cross-generational model that brings together small groups of professionals at all stages of their careers. Now back in St. Louis and working at HOK, Jason serves on the board of AIA St. Louis and is a member of the advisory group of the AIA National Practice Management Knowledge Community.

Henry Siegel

FAIA, LEED AP, Principal, Siegel & Strain Architects

Sustainability

Since the early 1990s, Henry Siegel, FAIA, LEED AP, has championed the idea that ecological design and design excellence are inseparable; he has put that idea into practice as lead designer of many award winning Siegel & Strain projects.  He is past chair of the COTE National Advisory Group and active at the national level in advocacy for sustainable design.  Henry has taught sustainable design and design studios at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a past member of the University's Design Review Committee. He has spoken widely on ecological design and the work of the firm at national conventions and universities, and has served on many national and regional architectural awards juries.

James V. Vitale

AIA, LEED AP, CASp, Senior Architect, DSA

Marketing & BD

James V. Vitale, AIA, LEED AP, CASp, RCI, is an adjunct professor in the Construction Technology Department at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, and an architect with over four decades of diversified public and private sector experience.

James is a lecturer, curriculum development specialist, subject matter expert to the State Architect, a DSA Academy Trainer, a Certified Access Specialist "CASp-007," a Registered Construction Inspector and an expert witness. In 2011 Mr. Vitale served a one year term as Executive Director of the California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA) during the passing of SB1186.

James maintains an extensive research library focusing on past and present methods and means of construction, building codes and the ADA.

Allyne Winderman

FAIA, Faculty, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Design

Allyne Winderman, FAIA, is on the faculty at Cal Poly Pomona where she teaches Development and Urban Design. For more than 17 years she worked in the City of West Hollywood most recently as the Director of Housing, Rent Stabilization and Redevelopment. She has practiced in the public and private sectors including the office of Arata Isozaki in Tokyo. Her fields of specialization include affordable housing, preservation and urban design. She has been visiting faculty at the schools of architecture at USC, Sci Arc, and Cal Poly Pomona, is a frequent lecturer and has published articles here and in Japan. Allyne received her BA in fine arts from University of Hawaii, and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University.