Meet 2020 TxA President Connie G. Rivera, AIA

TxA is pleased to introduce our incoming president, Connie G. Rivera, AIA. A project architect at WKMC Architects in Corpus Christi, Rivera will lead the TxA Board of Directors starting January 1.

Rivera’s career-to-date is defined by leadership and service to AIA at all levels. As an intern, she was the associate director for AIA Corpus Christi (AIA CC) in 2000. In 2008, she stepped into the role of executive director for the chapter, leading its transition from a volunteer-led to staffed chapter. 

Rivera obtained her architecture license just one year into her tenure as the ED. Her talent, drive, and vision are credited for the success of the chapter’s transition and for strengthening it as a resource for members and the community. Handing over the executive leadership of the component and returning to private practice in January 2012, she then served as president of AIA CC in 2014, making her one of only two TxA members to have served as both executive director and president of a local chapter.

Rivera has served on everything from local advisory committees for AIA CC to an AIA National Task Force for Component Excellence. At the state level, she has been a leader in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and was vice president of advocacy on the 2018 TxA Board. 

In her role at WKMC Architects in Corpus, Rivera applies her talents on behalf of clients as their representative on large-scale projects and says the true benefit of her work is the opportunity to develop relationships with clients, colleagues, and community leaders and work together to achieve a common goal. 

During her remarks at TxA’s 8oth Annual Conference in Galveston, Rivera spoke about the importance of collaboration. “There are new challenges and opportunities for us to collaborate — to evolve and reimagine what we do to better serve and meet the needs of our members” she said. “Working together, and listening and learning from each other, we can effective positive change.”

Rivera says she rejoices in progress made in her community and in achievements made by her peers. She strives to strike a balance between her work and community involvement and being a parent to her 11-year-old son, Vincent, who she says “makes this all worthwhile.” The entire TxA family is honored to have Rivera on board.