|
NOVEMBER 2025
We are eternally grateful this time of year honoring our heroic Veterans and for the chance to slow down and celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with those most important to us. We are also extremely grateful for the 2025 AIA KY Board Members who have devoted their time and talents to strengthen our professional organization.
Thank you to our members who took the time to vote for the officers who will lead AIA Kentucky in 2026. The results of that ballot were ratified during our annual membership meeting on October 24 and are listed below for your reference. We hope you’ll give these individuals your full support as we begin to transition to a new membership year and know that you are welcome to reach out to them whenever you have a suggestion or concern. AIA Kentucky is here to serve, and we look forward to hearing from you!
| | | | | |
2025 AIA KY Annual Meeting & Officers
The 2025 AIA Kentucky Annual Meeting was held virtually on Friday, October 24. The annual meeting included ratification of the election results, reports on the state of the chapter, and discussion about key initiatives for 2026. View the meeting slides.
2026 President: Chris Bowling, AIA
2026 Vice President: Tina Ash, Assoc. AIA
2026 Treasurer: Eric Zabilka, AIA
2026 Secretary: Dana Zausch, AIA
Immediate Past President: Melinda Joseph-Dezarn, AIA
| | |
The following individuals were also appointed to represent KY in the AIA next year:
Ben Barlage, AIA, Northern Kentucky Section Director, 1-Year (2026)
Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA, State/Territory Associates Representative (STAR), 2025-26
Jessica Farmer, AIA, Young Architects Representative, 2026-27
Megan Stone, AIA, State Director to Serve on AIA Strategic Council, 2026-28
We hope that you will join us for the journey and give your full support to each of these members as they represent, serve and lead our organization in the year ahead!
| | | | |
2025 Design & Service Awards Recipients
AIA Kentucky was honored to recognize the year's award recipients for Design Excellence and Service to the Profession at an Awards Celebration in Lexington in conjunction with the Convention. If you were not able to attend, you can check out our 2025 Awards Publication and view the full Design Awards Video and Service Awards Video, along with articles on our website here.
| | | | |
FREE Webinar: A.I. & Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity & A.I.: Essential Tools for Modern Architectural Practice - 1.25 AIA LU
November 13th at 11:45am - 1:00pm (via Zoom)
Join speaker, Bob Watts, CEO, of Vivitec, Inc. on how architects strengthen their practice’s cybersecurity posture and unlock new efficiencies through technology. The course will cover the importance of robust cybersecurity for protecting IT infrastructure and AI workflows. Register here
| | | | |
2025 AIA KY Holiday Party
We hope to see everyone at our 2025 AIA KY Holiday Party this year at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles on Thursday, December 18th from 6:00 - 8:30pm.
Be sure to mark your calendars for an evening of fellowship, fun, and celebrating a wonderful 2025!
Register here today!
| | | | |
2026 AIA KY Allied Members & Sponsors
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. If they join now in November, they receive (14) months for the price of (12), with the remainder of 2025 FREE! | | | | |
2026 AIA Membership Renewal Perks
Stay connected to the world’s largest, most influential network of architecture professionals - renew your AIA membership for 2026. See the renewal perks below:
| | | | |
2025-26 CKLDP Session #1 (Lexington)
Led by Amanda Bellamy, AIA (Gray AES) and Mounty Imteyaz, Assoc. AIA (CMTA) focused on Entrepreneurship and Management. Kevin Mussler, VP at CMTA, shared how to grow a small firm into a multi-office operation, highlighting strategies for sustainable success.
| | Bradley Clark (KY Cannabis Law Group) a managing lawyer presented legal considerations of firm ownership, including business structures and common challenges. Then Thad Lanham, President of LHI Lighting & Controls discussed the realities of running a small business and balancing diverse leadership roles. The day concluded with a team-based activity where scholars created and pitched a mock company, applying insights from the sessions in a collaborative, interactive format! | | | | |
Membership Updates
Member Benefit Spotlight: LegaLine
AIA Kentucky is still offering member firms FREE access to legal professional who can help you with practice-related risk-management questions. Get the details here and email Kelly Ives for more info.
| | | |
Opportunities
-
Getting Licensed? Check out AIA ArchiPrep: it's a one-stop shop for support and opportunities like free membership, scholarships, study groups, and experience hours.
-
Women in AEC Meetup: monthly meeting opportunities with Morgan Chawaga, AIA of The Healthy Architect, LLC. Learn more and register here.
Individual & Firm News
-
Justin McElfresh, AIA, has been named President of Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects! He will serve alongside CEO, Mike Smith. Congratulations, Justin!
-
Tate Hill Jacobs Architects celebrated the firm's 50th anniversary! Congratulations!
Welcome New and Returning Members
(Joined or Reinstated since October 2025)
-
Churchill McGee, New Allied Sponsor
| | | | |
Allied Benefactor Spotlight:
Sierra Pacific Windows
https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com
Strikingly innovative windows and doors crafted with time-tested attention to detail; industry-leading energy efficiency; sustainable building practices that put the environment first, and service that puts you first. Welcome to windows and doors that never compromise, made by people who don't either. Read more here...
| | | | |
Calendar of Events:
AIA Kentucky and local chapter events are consolidated on a single calendar accessible via the AIA Kentucky Website. We'll post information about conferences, chapter events and other "happenings" of interest to the architectural community.
A sampling of upcoming items on the calendar:
| | | |
View the last edition of the AIA CKC E-news for more information about the following:
- Free Lecture by Eric Höweler of Höweler + Yoon Architecture in Boston, MA
- CE Event - Architectural Sheet Metal
- Fall Planning Meeting
| | For additional information on AIA Central Kentucky Chapter events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow CKC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. | | |
View the latest edition of the AIA EKC E-news for more information about the following:
- Fall Planning Meeting
- Design Trivia Night
- Holiday Party
For information on AIA East Kentucky events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow EKC on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
| | | Stay tuned for upcoming events and information. | | | | | |
UK College of Design News
UK CoD Students Transform Parking Spot into a Pop-Up Park: see full article
Design faculty and staff awarded 2025-26 Sustainability Challenge Grants: see full article
UK College of Design honors 2025 Lyman T. Johnson awardees - Montréale Jones: 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.
To learn more about the upcoming changes, register now to join the NCARB Live Webinar at 3 PM EST on Monday, November 10.
| | |
Young Architects Forum
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.
Find updates on what's happening with Emerging Professionals in Kentucky in the October Report from AIA KY Young Architects Rep.
| | | | |
National Architecture Billings Index
September 2025 ABI: Business at firms remains soft.
Learn more about the ABI here and join the 'Economic Updated: Q4 2025 ABI Insights' on Thursday, November 20, at 2:00pm ET by registering here
| | | |
AIA National News
Preserve the People's House (White House): ask Your Members of Congress to Investigate Destruction of the White House.
AIA National Press Release with Letter to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House.
Members Take AIA National Survey: AIA is seeking your input on where to focus our national government affairs and public policy efforts for our 2026 agenda. Your feedback will help shape AIA's approach to affordable housing, environmental resiliency, tax-related matters, etc. Take survey
2026 AIA Small Project Award: raises public awareness of the value and design excellence that architects provide regardless of the limits of project size and budget. Submit by 11/13 deadline.
AIA Compensation & Benefits Report: members can purchae the full report at a discounted rate here or see the free highlights summary here. Try the salary calculator with 2025 date for free here
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.
| | |
As we start to look ahead to 2026, our focus remains on voice, value, and visibility for our members! The year ahead represents an opportunity to build on the progress we’ve made while embracing new initiatives that will drive us forward. Together, we will strengthen our foundation, expand our reach, and pursue bold ideas that align with our mission and values.
As we draw closer to the end of a wonderful year, please consider attending your local component's holiday party and joining us for the AIA KY Holiday Party at The Kentucky Castle. There, we will have fun and fellowship while we showcase the year's highlights, and recognize Kentucky's newly licensed architects.
Extending warm wishes to you and your families for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday!
Cheers,
| | |
Kelly E. Ives, AIA, CAE, LEED AP
Executive Vice President
859.223.8201
| | | Thank You to the Allied Members of AIA Kentucky! | | | Allied Membership is recognized by all three local components, with a portion of dues supporting local programs. Learn More | | |
AIA Kentucky | aia.org/kentucky
| |
| | | |
