Paula Clements to spearhead chapter relations and resources from the architect group’s national offices in Washington, D.C.
Dallas, January 6, 2011 – Paula Clements, the long-time executive director of American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Dallas chapter, is leaving her post with the local architects group to spearhead the national organization’s chapter relations and resources program. Clements, whose last day with AIA Dallas will be February 7, will relocate to Washington, D.C., to assume the newly-created position of managing director of component collaboration and resources from AIA’s national headquarters.
“For the past seven years, it has been a positive challenge with many rewards to serve as executive director of AIA Dallas. I have worked with many dedicated, volunteer leaders and a professional staff to launch new and successful programs and initiatives that support the mission of the chapter,” said Clements.
“Paula has served our chapter since 2003 and has been our chapter’s voice both locally, at the Texas Society of Architects and AIA National. Those of us who have worked with Paula for some time know that our loss is AIA National’s gain, and I don’t have to tell you all how valuable her experience and leadership will be to our national organization and profession overall,” said David Zatopek, AIA Dallas president.
During her tenure, Clements led the development of a formal continuing education program for the chapter and defined outreach activities with City Hall, the Mayor’s Office and allied organizations that develop policy for architecture and planning in the region. Through the creation of various profit centers for the chapter, she built a $250,000 reserve that began the capital campaign to launch the Dallas Center for Architecture in September 2008, and subsequently led that campaign to raise an additional $500,000 and more than $350,000 in in-kind services to fund the finish-out the new space. The Dallas Center for Architecture currently houses AIA Dallas, the Dallas Architectural Foundation, the Dallas Architecture Forum, USGBC North Texas and the North Texas Chapter of the Urban Land Institute and serves as host to academia for urban studios scheduled by various Schools of Architecture in Texas.
Prior to joining AIA Dallas, Clements served as executive director of the National Association of Women in Construction, executive vice president of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and president/CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors North Texas.
A search committee has been formed for a formal executive director search. Rita Moore, who has served the chapter in an operational role, has been promoted to managing director. In this new role, she will have day-to-day responsibility for chapter operations and, until the executive Director position is filled, will serve in that capacity as well. The position of Executive Director will remain vacant until filled.
About AIA Dallas:
AIA Dallas, the sixth largest AIA chapter in the U.S., encourages, promotes, advances and coordinates efforts to uphold the highest standards of the architectural profession in the community, while creating positive change through design. AIA Dallas has a membership base of more than 2,000 members and 300 architectural firms. More information about AIA Dallas can be found online atwww.aiadallas.org.
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Updates on our search progress will be a regular feature in the “President’s Blog” (http://aiadallasprez.blogspot.com/) and at http://www.aiadallas.org.
Media Contact: Cooper Smith Koch
cooper@coopersmithagency.com, (214) 755-5359