The activities of the Texas Society of Architects are largely the result of member volunteers working in partnership with staff.
The various committees and task forces of the Society are organized into five commissions, each of which is led by a member of the Executive Committee.
Jason Puchot, AIA
President
Krystyn Haecker, AIA
President-Elect
Mike Allex, AIA
Secretary
Dana Walton, AIA
Treasurer
Laura Sachtleben, FAIA
Vice President, Advocacy
Samantha Markham, AIA
Vice President, Communications
Gabriella Bermea, AIA, NOMA
Vice President, Practice and Recognition
Maurice Thames, AIA, NOMA
Vice President, Professional Development
Jennifer B. Briggs, CAE
TxA EVP/CEO
Charge
To oversee and coordinate, in conjunction with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and staff, the financial, administrative, and operational activities of the Society.
Krystyn Haecker, AIA
President-Elect
Executive Committee
Charge: To handle matters requiring immediate action; to review reports as necessary; ensure directives of the Board are implemented; and to review Board agendas and structure for meaningful discussion and resolution of issues. (Under the purview of the President.)
Chair: Krystyn Haecker, AIA
Administrative Policies (APC)
Charge: To annually review and recommend the tenure, salary, benefits, bonuses, and duties of the EVP to the Executive Committee for approval prior to implementation.
Chair: Derwin Broughton, AIA, NOMA
Finance
Charge: To review and recommend a budget for the next fiscal year for adoption by the Board of Directors; to study long-term budget needs; to perform other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Committee.
Chair: Dana Walton, AIA
Nominating
Charge: To identify potential board candidates and future association leaders; to propose, six weeks prior to the date of the Annual Business Meeting, a slate of qualified nominees as required and the names of three members of the subsequent Nominating Committee.
Chair: Derwin Broughton, AIA, NOMA
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
Charge: To champion a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession and the Society; to carry out tasks as part of the strategic plan to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion; and to act as an advisory body to the Executive and Nominating Committees in manners of EDI.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resource Page
Chair: Mikhail Moya, AIA
Charge
To anticipate trends and identify social, economic, and technological forces impacting the profession and to formulate the best legal or political responses to position Texas Architects as leaders; and to represent the profession as its liaison to government agencies, especially those regulating the practice of architecture.
Laura Sachtleben, FAIA
Government Affairs Steering
Charge: To communicate with the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee on initiatives and issues concerning the Texas Legislature and government regulations affecting the practice of architecture; to draft a legislative agenda for Board approval; to assist in improving the regulatory environment in Texas; and to assist coordination of local, state, and national efforts concerning governmental policies and activities.
Chair: Stephi Motal, AIA
School Safety Subcommittee
Charge: To focus on the role of architects and the built environment in school safety, as well as to contribute to the school safety dialogue through advocating for and identifying resources, leading practices, and sharing knowledge.
Chair: Tommy Osborne, AIA
COTE® (Committee on the Environment)
Charge: To work to advance and advocate the design of sustainable, resilient, healthy, and equitable communities through public policy, outreach to the public, and educational opportunities for the building industry.
Chair: Brady Dietert, AIA
Charge
To promote and support the overall goals of the Texas Society of Architects and to communicate with members and the public on its activities; communicate any policy positions of the profession and TxA; and promote the role of architects and architectural to society.
Samantha Markham, AIA
Publications
Charge: To assist in strategic planning, formulation of goals, and direction for Texas Architect magazine, and to routinely review and evaluate published and electronic material.
Chair: Stephen (Chick) Rabourn, AIA
Education Outreach
Charge: To support opportunities to promote the role of architecture to young people to develop a pipeline for the profession; and to facilitate an exchange of information and best practices among programs in local chapters that support K-12 initiatives.
Chair: Fallon Marie Barrett, Assoc. AIA
Architect Licensing Advisors (ALAs)
Charge: To promote licensure among students and emerging professionals by providing education, information, and resources about the ARE, Architectural Experience Program (AXP), TBAE, and NCARB.
ALAs: Mike Cluff, AIA; Irma Sifontes Romero, AIA
Charge
To be the liaison between TxA members and the organization by incorporating issues of design, policy, and technology into practice; also recognizing excellence in the profession and contributions to architecture.
Gabriella Bermea, AIA, NOMA
Design and Studio Awards
Charge: To formulate and administer a statewide design awards program that recognizes and publicizes outstanding design which is representative of the work of Texas architects.
Chair: Gail Borden, FAIA
Honor Awards
Charge: To formulate and administer an awards program recognizing individual and organizational contributions to the architectural profession and the quality of the built environment, and to recommend award recipients for confirmation by the Texas Architects Executive Committee and/or Board of Directors.
Chair: Christian Sheridan, AIA
Charge
To provide opportunities for meaningful member education and development for Texas Architects for their own advancement and the advancement of the profession.
Maurice Thames, AIA, NOMA
Local Conference Committee
Charge: To provide feedback and ideas for programming for the Annual Conference related to the conference host city location; act as ambassadors prior to and during the conference; and assist in promoting the conference.
Co-Chairs: TBA
Conference Continuing Education
Charge: To review and select professional development session submissions; and to develop and plan the schedule of professional development sessions offered at the Annual Conference and Design Expo.
Chair: Megg Conway, AIA
Conference Futures
Charge: To identify trends significant to the profession; develop a vision, state long-term goals, and collaborate with the President on the theme for the annual conference; identify and secure keynote speakers; and conduct ongoing evaluations.
Chair: Derwin Broughton, AIA, NOMA
Design Conference
Charge: To assist in planning the annual Design Conference to inspire new notions and approaches to the making of buildings and places.
Chairs: Charles Di Piazza, AIA