AIA hires Worthen, Fitzgerald for sustainability, young architects initiatives

As part of an ongoing effort to bolster its education and outreach on sustainability, and to foster a collaborative training and work environment to support young architects entering the profession, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) added two on-staff resource architects.   Both positions will focus on expanding the knowledge base and availability of practical tools for architects, especially as green building design and construction practices evolve into new high performance green building codes that both recently licensed and veteran architects need to be able to navigate. 

 "These two additions to our staff bring direct experience to areas that are strategic priorities for the AIA. It is our stated goal to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030 and to promote the economic, environmental and health benefits of sustainable design practices so that they become the norm within the profession," said AIA Executive Vice President / CEO, Christine McEntee. "And especially in this economic marketplace, it is incumbent on the AIA to do everything possible to ease the transition for architecture students as they begin their internships and then to becoming a licensed professional. This is an important step to have architects in leadership positions within the Institute who can help us execute important objectives for the profession."

William J. Worthen, AIA, LEED AP is vice president of Simon & Associates, Inc., Green Building Consultants, San Francisco, and will serve the AIA as Director, Resource Architect, for Sustainability. Mr. Worthen brings over 15 years of experience as a project architect in design and construction administration and as a green building consultant bringing his expertise in the practical application of sustainable design and construction strategies to his new position. He is a newly elected member of the USGBC's Implementation Advisory Committee (National LEED Advisory Board) and sits on the San Francisco Mayor's Green Building Task Force. He has also advised California's State Attorney General on green building and is a technical advisor on the implementation of San Francisco's Green Building Ordinance and a member of the AIA California Council. 

In his role at the AIA, Mr. Worthen will serve as a subject matter expert to identify, guide and facilitate smooth access to information, knowledge and practice tools for architects. He will lead the identification and pursuit of the body of information (data, research, case studies, etc.) that frame the subject matter and provide foundation for analysis and recommendations. He will also develop and implement the AIA's multi-year plan on sustainability and building science performance in collaboration with volunteer leaders, AIA components and AIA national staff.

Kevin A. Fitzgerald, AIA, PMP, has over ten years as a practicing architect, recently as an Associate at Robert A.M. Stern Architects in New York working as a project manager on a variety of building types as a staff coordinator/team leader. For the past five years he has been mentoring interns and teaching seminars on the Intern Development Program and Architectural Registration Exam.

In his role at the AIA, Mr. Fitzgerald will work directly with the Young Architects Forum, the National Associates Committee, the American Institute of Architects Students, AIA components and collateral organizations to advance emerging professionals issues and initiatives. He will also define and develop the AIA's new Center for Emerging Professionals.