During the recent 82nd Annual Conference and Design Expo, held on October 6-9 in San Antonio, several Texas Society of Architects members were recognized with Presidential Citations. The citations were presented on October 6 during the President’s Reception. These are awarded at the discretion of the TxA president to members who have shown exemplary leadership qualities and devotion to the TxA mission of being the voice for Texas architecture, and supporting the creation of safe, beautiful, sustainable environments.
Current TxA President Audrey Maxwell, AIA, awarded a citation to Jim Susman, FAIA, in recognition of his selfless service as interim executive vice president of the Society. Following the December 2019 departure of former TxA EVP James T. Perry, Susman stepped into the leadership role, generously volunteering his time as TxA’s top executive, while still running his own thriving firm. Susman stayed in the position until the new full-time EVP, Jennifer Briggs, was hired, and provided leadership to TxA staff and members in the face of challenges presented by the pandemic.
2020 President Connie Rivera, AIA, awarded a citation to the 2020 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee in recognition of their tireless work throughout 2020 to implement concrete changes and new programs to address racism, design justice, and equity in the architectural profession while moving the Society closer to the goal of being an organization that reflects its members and the communities they serve. The committee was comprised of co-chairs Beau Frail, AIA, and Melvalean McLemore, AIA, along with committee members Gabriella Bermea, Assoc. AIA, Mara Castro, Assoc. AIA, Jamie Crawley, AIA, Dennis Chiessa, Assoc. AIA, David Groujon, AIA, Brien Graham, AIA, Krystyn Haecker, AIA, Al Hernandez, AIA, Lamour Hudson, Assoc. AIA, Stephanie Lemmo, Assoc. AIA, Lizzie MacWillie, Assoc. AIA, Nicki Marrone, AIA, Annelie Persson Call, AIA, Gianna Pigford, AIA, Alex Quintanilla, AIA, and Agustina Rodriguez, Assoc. AIA.