JULY 202
Dear Colleagues,
The AIA Conference on Architecture held in Chicago last month was quite the experience. It is personally rewarding to attend the conference and experience the grandeur I often heard called the city of architecture. But I assure you that attending board members and some chapter members were working behind the scenes networking to promote the TxA Conference in El Paso. Along with TxA staff, we divided and conquered the Expo floor seeking venders and exhibitors. I want to thank Bill Helm for his continued service as our 2022 Conference Committee Chair.
I made the effort to connect and talk to people about AIA EL Paso and TxA conference. I had a lengthy conversation with past TxA president Michael Malone on one of my early morning shuttle commutes to the convention center and another conversation with current TxA president Eva Read-Warden on the “L” train. What struck me the most is their appreciation for El Paso’s culture and history and the support for the convention returning after such a long absence. They are excited and looking forward to returning to El Paso and take part in this great event.
The culmination of the conference was the conversation with Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States moderated by AIA President Dan Hart. Topics of conversation included social justice, the environment, a sprinkling of politics and bringing all these topics in one way or another related to architecture. This was an hour long of thoughtful and inspiring conversation. I learned that President Obama considered being an architect but his calling to community action and social justice steered him in another direction…and the rest is history.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Stills
2022 AIA El Paso Chapter President
AIA National President Dan Hart’s interview note card signed by President Barak Obama. This note card has been requested by the Smithsonian.
44th President of the United States, Barack Obama in conversation with AIA National President, Dan Hart.
MAY 2022
Dear Colleagues,
On May 10th, a small AIA El Paso contingency supported Bill Helm as he presented to the El Paso City Council the work our chapter members and the TxA conference committee has done to bring the state conference back to El Paso since 1977. The presentation highlighted the economic impact, award winning designs and a revitalized downtown that will host our colleagues from around the state. We congratulated our elected officials for their support as well as Destination El Paso for their work and assistance in promoting El Paso as a viable conference location in Texas. Thank you to representative Peter Svarzbein who has been instrumental of this endeavor and showcasing the streetcar project as one of several featured attractions for El Paso. The Chapter really appreciates Bill Helm for his role as Chair of the 2022 TxA Conference Committee. The TxA Conference is sure to spotlight El Paso and AIA El Paso Chapter.
AIA El Paso is partnering with the El Paso Association of Contractors (EPAC) for a social event on June 15th. As part of this event, AIA will provide a CEU barriers free course. EPAC is hosting this free event and all members are welcome. I would appreciate attendance from all firm principals as this partnership is important for our profession. Thank you to EPAC President Adam Pacheco for his shared vision to unite architects and contractors to discuss the current state of the construction industry. We look forward to continuing partnering on future events.
Lastly, I have been asked many times the past two years about the Golf tournament. Great news! The golf tournament is back! The El Paso Architectural Foundation (EPAF) has moved forward to organize the event set for September 16th. Reach out to EPAF President Mary Stills, AIA for information at mjstills@parkhill.com.
Many great things to come!
Sincerely,
Michael T. Stills
2022 AIA El Paso Chapter President
APRIL 2022
Dear Colleagues,
Spring has sprung!
I look outside and see all the new growth and activity abound as the daylight lasts longer with each passing day. This seems to be a welcome of sorts as we have been transitioning back to a normal way life. There is an abundance of AIA El Paso chapter supported or sponsored activities for members this month.
One event I do want to highlight is the 14th Annual Conference presented by Eco El Paso. AIA El Paso is proud to partner with Eco El Paso on this informational series of lectures focused on sustainability.
The 2-day sustainability conference runs during our monthly scheduled chapter meeting. With that in mind, the chapter will forgo the usual chapter meeting CEU presentation and will support the Eco El Paso conference as the chapter event. So instead of one CEU credit, the conference will offer possibly up to 8 continuing education credits. I strongly encourage you to join me at this conference.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Stills
2022 AIA El Paso Chapter President
MARCH 2022
Dear Colleagues,
This past February, I participated in AIA’s Grassroots. This is the AIA’s premier chapter leadership training event. Our chapter president-elect, Bill Helm, also participated in three days of leadership training, including discussing critical issues facing the profession. Although virtual, we were able to connect with other chapter leaders in Texas, throughout the country and I observed some were as far away as Guam, to share priorities and discuss alignment of those priorities. We also explored the barriers that hold us back from achieving our highest ideals as a profession and how to use the power of our community to create an equitable, sustainable future. Recall, AIA President Dan Hart’s inauguration speech, justice and climate was echoed 50 years ago.
At Grassroots, we had the pleasure of listening to four inspiring keynote speakers whose work is the embodiment of AIA’s values. These speakers are some of the most exciting voices in leadership, equity, and sustainability. They are Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author, professor and antiracist activist; Dr. Katherine Wilkerson, author, strategist and teacher; Dr. Lawrence Chatters, Director for DEI at the University of Nebraska; and Walter Hood, FASLA, Hood Design Studios.
Please take a moment to look up these inspirational leaders and view their work and I’m sure you will come away with a new perspective. I personally found Mr. Hood to be the most interesting and relatable. When he was speaking of and showing his work, I could only think of El Paso. Through his work he creates urban spaces that unite neighborhoods. He transforms marginalized communities and blighted areas into emerging sustainable public and social space and always honoring the cultural fabric in his design.
This makes me think of El Paso and our local firms doing work throughout the city. Again, referring to Dan Hart, he said “design is our superpower”. How do you, your processes and designs meet AIA’s values and creating an equitable and sustainable future? I ask you to reflect and going forward, strive to achieve this though the built environment using the power of design.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Stills
2022 AIA El Paso Chapter President
JANUARY 2022
Dear Colleagues,
Dear Colleagues,
Welcome can be a noun as a manner of greeting someone, used as a verb to greet (someone arriving) in a friendly way or used as an adjective for a new arrival gladly received. January is the start of 2022, a new year that offers many opportunities to welcome the people around us and the events we share. As I prepared to be the next chapter president, I considered choosing a platform or theme for this year. I had a few ideas in mind and after some reflection on the current and future state of matters I have chosen “Welcome” as my theme.
I justify my choice because in the January 6th edition of TxA Checkset your 2022 TxA President Eva Read-Warden has chosen “Connection” as her theme for her presidency. I see many commonalities in her idea of “Connection” when talking about architecture, the environment, and people in general. In fact, I feel “Welcome” and “Connection” can be interchangeable.
So, to who and what do we have to look forward to welcoming?
After years of planning and hard work, El Paso will welcome the TxA Annual Conference & Design Expo back for the first time since 1977. It has been a long time waiting, and a lot has changed. However, El Paso will welcome our colleagues from across the state and showcase our architectural history, points of interest, and our proud and diverse cultural fabric.
Your Executive Committee welcomes familiar faces in new positions and new faces in familiar positions. Please welcome Rida Asfahani - Vice President, Elias Padilla – Community Director, Sebastian Escobar – Associates Director, and Edgar Lopez – TxA Director. We can all also welcome our new TAC Trustee, Charles Mais. As your representatives, we hold your and the Chapter’s best interests in mind. We establish a strategic plan, review policies and engage in outreach and promote our profession to name a few. However, I want to ensure transparency in our membership. I welcome you to reach out to the Executive Committee and provide your input, your ideas, or be active by joining a committee or speaking at our chapter meetings.
A goal for this year is to strengthen our chapter, and that can only be done collectively with a deep and active membership base, our Professional Affiliates, and our friends in the industry. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, I look forward to seeing you at our events and chapter meetings where I will greet you and say “welcome.”
Sincerely,
Michael T. Stills
2022 AIA El Paso Chapter President