MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Bruce T. Fallon, AIA Time is valuable, why AIA? I’ve been accused of being an AIA addict. I started volunteering shortly after receiving my license in California as the IDP coordinator for Southern California with the AIA California Council. Little did I know what a journey it would take me on. After more than 20 years of being involved with the AIA, I have a much clearer “why” for my involvement. There are three reasons I have been involved in the AIA. First, I have found that the connections I’ve made during various opportunities locally, regionally and nationally have been a great source of support and friendship. Serving together for the good of the profession, trying to help each of us improve at what we do, has been a very satisfying thing to be a part of. I have enjoyed associating with members throughout the country, and I know that I can reach out to any of them for help or advice. The people have been the best part of my involvement in the AIA. Second, I have enjoyed utilizing the resources of an organization much bigger than myself to benefit as many architects as possible, including myself. Early on, as a member of the National AIA YAF AdCom, I was responsible for submitting programs for Grassroots and the national convention. It was suggested to me to pursue things that I find interesting and that will specifically help my practice, so that’s exactly what I’ve done through my service. If I need it, others in the AIA likely need it as well. Finally, I have enjoyed the benefits of serving and learning from others, traveling to places I may not have visited on my own, and connecting with people I would never have met otherwise. It does require my time, but I am sure that I have gained so much more from my service in the AIA than I have given. Favorite Utah space, built or natural: I grew up in Oregon, which is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. For me, one of my favorite places in Utah is the backside of Mount Timpanogos along the Alpine Loop. It reminds me of where I grew up, with fields of ferns and evergreen trees all around. One year, we took a group of young men from church and hiked up to Box Elder Peak starting in Alpine, then down to the Timpooneke campground. We then rode mountain bikes around the mountain and finished with an afternoon of water skiing on Utah Lake. It was an amazing week to enjoy a fantastic place. Favorite book: If you really know me, you know that I’m not much of a reader. I try, but it’s not something I really enjoy. In 2020, I set a goal to read one book per month, and I ended up reading 10 that year, which is pretty good. I have found listening to podcasts to be a more enjoyable and informative source of knowledge. I don’t know that I could pick one favorite podcast. Still, the ones I listen to regularly include “Life of an Architect” with Bob Borson and Andrew Hawkins; the “EntreArchitect” podcast with Jeff Echols; “Life of a CEO” by Steven Bartlett; and “The Reaction,” a podcast covering Liverpool Football Club in England. There are some others, but those are the ones I enjoy the most. I’ve just recently found one called “High Performance” with Damian Hughes and Jake Humphrey. It’s super interesting to hear the stories of high-performing people. Mantra: I think the best phrase to describe my mantra is “why not?” I asked my children what they would say, and one suggested “true connection and friendship leads to true opportunities,” because of how many times a connection with someone has led me to experience career growth or a random experience. As a soccer coach, I wanted to expose my players to successful people, especially strong women, to give the girls someone to look up to. I discovered that even if I didn’t know someone, all I had to do was reach out and ask for their help, and they would usually be willing to give it. My “why not?” mantra stems from a faith in God. When I have given my best effort and done what I believe is best for me, my company or my family, God has provided for me almost every time. When I ask myself if I should do something, I can tell myself, “Why not?” Then I can move forward, knowing it will all work out. 7
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