credibility (long-term investment in these beliefs) that I believe has helped move the industry. Now we have an invested staff that often knows more about sustainability than I do. Kevin: There has always been clarity that we should act like we are stewards of our client’s resources. We know what we are about. What courses should students take besides design classes? David: Many different perspectives make firms stronger. I’m worried that students are spending time learning software that will become obsolete; time would be better spent on the design process. It’s important in our profession to consider many different points of view. The diversity of our staff, in addition to international employees and gender, also includes the diversity of backgrounds. Diversity has been a piece of our success. Kevin: You have to understand what your accountant is telling you — an Intro to Accounting class is really helpful. Although it is not popular now, I have always been a huge advocate of liberal education — psychology, sociology, organizational behavior and communication. That all plays into what you are doing and fits into the larger practice. How has participation in the AIA been valuable for your firms and your careers? David: A project will come up, and I will think, “Who do I know that specializes in this sector?” The collegiality through AIA has been the best. Kevin: My mentors taught me that we have a responsibility to make the profession better for the architects who will practice in the future. Too often, I hear the question, “What has the AIA done for me?” when I believe the real question is, “What have I done for the profession?” We have always believed that it is important for the entire profession to get behind our profession. Maybe a half dozen of the members of the Documents Committee are sole practitioners, and some are in residential practice, despite the significant time commitment required of committee members. The committee involves a 10-year commitment to membership. There are four multi-day meetings a year and typically weekly task group conference calls where content is developed, drafted and revised for the program’s 200+ documents. The members are passionate practitioners who see the value in making the industry better through their involvement. They demonstrate that all of us, no matter our circumstances, can find a way to contribute. Of course, the knowledge gained, and the networking are invaluable. Fourteen years on, I can say without any doubt that the effort has more than paid off the time and money spent. I have been at GSBS my entire career. You gotta show up and see where you fit into the industry as a whole instead of sitting in your cubicle and working day after day. It broadens your perspective. The Documents Committee has exposed me to a hundred or so practitioners, and that benefit is incalculable to providing a much broader perspective on practice. Contact us today to place your announcement ad Call 801-676-9722 Or scan the qr code to fill out the form. Who to congratulate , who to acknowledge , and who to thank for a job well done. Employees are motivated when they are recognized and feel valued. The Reflexion magazine is a great platform to celebrate your team's accomplishments! 23
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==