A Message from the President

Welcome to 2026! Alas, we still don’t have flying cars, space colonies, or bio-engineered replicants.

I want to begin the year by expressing my sincere gratitude to our past and current leadership team: Ben Barlage, AIA; Melinda Joseph-Dezarn, AIA; Tina Ash, Assoc. AIA; and Eric Zabilka, AIA. A special thanks also goes to Kelly Ives, AIA, CAE (EVP), and Josh Ives, AIA (Outreach Coordinator), whose dedication, and behind-the-scenes work keep AIA Kentucky running smoothly and effectively. Read more.

2025 Holiday Party & Year-in-Review



Thank you to everyone who braved the rain and joined us for our annual holiday party! The Kentucky Castle provided a great venue for gathering and fellowship, closing out the calendar year!

We invite you to take a look back at our wonderful 2025 Year-in-Review slideshow, filled with great achievements.

2026 AIA Membership Renewal Perks



At a time when our collective voice is crucial, we hope you will stay connected to the world’s largest, most influential network of architecture professionals by renewing your AIA membership for 2026. See the renewal perks below:

• Opt in for autorenewal and AIA National will waive the 3% credit card fee for the 2027 renewal
• Bundle & Save: add on AIAU subscription to your membership for $80 (members save $69)
• Unlock discounts with partner products (like Dell, FedEx, UPS, Hertz, Avis, etc. his program

New Year, New You!

(With a little help from your friends.)

Got career goals for 2026? Connect with others in the same boat by joining the AIA Kentucky Emerging Professionals Community!

This peer group will connect virtually each month to share resources, discuss ARE questions and build a statewide community of EPs in our profession. Scan the code on

this flyer to stay informed about upcoming activities, and contact Peter Hall, Assoc. AIA with any questions.

Fellowship Application Assistance

Fellows in AIA Indiana and AIA Kentucky are committed to assisting and supporting interested candidates in our region through the AIA Fellowship submission process.

Interested applicants may register to be paired with a coach and participate in monthly committee meetings reviewing best practices, strategies, and recommendations for navigating the FAIA application process.

AIA Kentucky members who would like to participate in this process should complete this application and submit it to committee co-chairs by Friday, January 16, 2026.

2026 AIA KY Legislative Day in Frankfort

Legislative Day is set for February 24th in Frankfort.

Architects, Interior Designers, and Design Students play a vital role in shaping communities and our profession must have a strong voice. Armed with key talking points and advice from our lobbyists, members will meet directly with legislators, ensuring our voices are heard on critical industry issues. Register Here

Federal Professional Degree Definition

CALL TO ACTION: AIA is actively responding to a new federal student loan policy that omits architecture from the list of professional degrees for student loan caps. See what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for you in the AIA's latest member briefing.  

Please click here to contact your member of Congress and urge the DOE to define architects as professionals!

Your voice matters!

2026 AIA KY Allied Members & Sponsors

You don't have to be an architect to join the AIA! Help us spread the word to all of your industry partners and colleagues that our 2026 Allied Membership in AIA Kentucky is now available and open to register here.

It is available to non-Architects, including all interested allied design professionals, construction industry representatives, and product / service suppliers.

This program includes membership with the state AIA chapter as well as each of our three local components – Central Kentucky, East Kentucky and Northern Kentucky.

2025-26 CKLDP Session #3 (Lexington)

Led by Faye Bahrami, AIA (RossTarrant Architects) and Allie Schawe, AIA (Gray AES), session 3 focused on The Art of Negotiation.

First, Eric Steva, AIA, Rob Deal, AIA, and Greg & Andrew Brotzge provided a comprehensive overview of advocacy in architecture, emphasizing how Kentucky’s legislative process influences our professional practice.

Then former U.S. ambassador and peace mediator, Carey Cavanaugh, offered an in-depth look into the world of international diplomacy and conflict resolution. 

Together, the morning and afternoon sessions equipped participants with the awareness, tools, and

confidence needed to approach complex negotiations with clarity, adaptability, and purpose. And last, the group took a guided tour of the Gray Design Building and concluded with a networking happy hour at Kentucky Native Café.

The group meets January 9 for Session 4 on Research + Data. Stay tuned for another recap!

Individual & Firm News:

• Governor Beshear has appointed Kevin Gough, AIA, to the Kentucky Board of Architects, filling the seat previously held by Franklin Gray. Kevin’s term extends through February 9, 2028,
• Studio A Architecture is please to announced the promotions of Dawn Layton and Ted Van Zee to Associates and Warren Grove, AIA to Principal. Congratulations!
• JRA Architects is pleased to announce the elevation of six new Associate Principals - congratulations to Alana Kummer, AIA / Eric Steva, AIA / Jason Stewart, AIA / Ron Peron / Sam Montgomery, AIA / Kelly Hart. Read more.
• Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects is proud to announce the promotion of Jennifer Cash, AIA, and Allison Commings, AIA, KYCID, LEED AP, to Principals of the firm. Congrats! They are also proud to announce that Justin McElfresh, AIA has been named President.
• After more than 40 years with Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects, Tom Smith, AIA, is retiring. Congratulations on your retriement, Tom!

Newly Licensed

We are pleased to congratulate the following members, who recently completed the A.R.E. and received their license in the state of Kentucky:

• Oliver Hidalgo, AIA, Lexington
• Matthew Simmons, Assoc. AIA, Mason & Hanger, Lexington

Welcome New and Returning Members

(Joined or Reinstated since December 2025)

• Infrastructure Precast, New Allied Benefactor
• Akayla Bailey, Assoc. AIA, Rosstarrant Architects, Lexington
• Kyley Byrd, Assoc. AIA, Lexington         
• Bryan Gatlin, AIA, Gray AES, PSC, Lexington
• Zahra Hajibabaei, Assoc. AIA, Champlin | EOP, Lexington
• Thommy Snow, Assoc. AIA, Lexington

Send your news for inclusion in the next e-newsletter!

For additional information on AIA Central Kentucky Chapter events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow CKC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

UK College of Design News

2026 Career Fair

2026 UK CoD Design Career Fair on Friday, February 20th from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the UK Gatton Student Center Learn More & Register Your Firm Today

Job Opening

UK CoD has launched its search for the next Chair of the Department of Product Design: see full article

NCARB and Early Professionals News

NCARB is expecting to launch minor updates to the ARE in April 2026. The changes will focus on minor adjustments to a small subset of the exam objectives, to align them with the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects.

NCARB Launches Updates to the AXP - Learn More

Young Architects Forum (YAF)

The AIA Young Architects Forum addresses issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects, providing resources on leadership, mentorship, and fellowship useful to those launching their careers.

AIA YAF Connection 22.03 - Steering the Future of the Profession - CLICK HERE to view Connection Q3 2025 | Vol 22, Issue 03 Steering the Future of the Profession, celebrating a generation of architects who aren’t just adapting to change, but boldly steering the profession forward.

Also, CLICK HERE to view the October issue of the AIA YAF's Now YA Know. YAF publishes the Now YA Know monthly newsletter to share information, events, and ideas related to the young architect's community. 

Thank you George Donkor, AIA for serving as the AIA Kentucky YAF Representative in 2024-25; and welcome to Jessica Farmer, AIA who will serve in 2026 and 2027!

National Associates Committee (NAC)

Click here to read the NAC's 2025 Annual Report. A big shout out to Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA for serving as the AIA Kentucky State/Territory Associate Representative (STAR) on the NAC for 2025-26! 

AIA National News

Welcome to AIA's New EVP/CEO

Carole Wedge, FAIA, stepped into her new role in late December. In just her first week, she particpated in an all-staff meeting, met with the CACE Executive Committee, and helped celebrate the opening of the AIA Global Center for Architecture and Design. This energizing start that sets the tone for what’s ahead in 2026!

Join AIA for an informal virtual conversation with Carole on January 27 at 1 p.m. ET. This session is your chance to hear directly about her vision for AIA's future, what she's most excited about in her new role, and—especially important to all of us—her commitment to strengthening and supporting our chapters. Whether you're curious about where AIA is headed or simply want to put a face to the name, this session is the perfect opportunity to connect. Come with questions, come to listen, or just come to say hello. Register here.

Review AIA’s draft strategic plan for 2026–2030

Help shape AIA’s future by providing your insights. After reviewing the draft plan, you can share feedback through a short survey and join for a public comment session. Read more.

Declare your candidacy as an AIA board member

AIA seeks well-qualified and eager candidates to join the AIA Board of Directors and fill other leadership positions. Read more.

More AIA Products & Resources:

• AIA Career Center - Search open jobs, post your resume and set up job alerts.
• AIA Contract Documents - Choose from 180+ industry standard contracts and forms
• Business Intelligence - Navigate current business conditions, make smarter decisions, and prep for the future with AIA's business intelligence.
• The AIA Trust - Resources to protect your practice and plan for your future.
• AIAU - 300+ instructors bring the industry's best learning to you.
• Knowledge Communities - CE opportunities, discussion forums and research libraries on specific areas of practice that interest you. See all KC events.

Allied Membership is recognized by all three local components, with a portion of dues supporting local programs. Learn More