The 2010 AIA President - George H. Miller, FAIA

George H. Miller, FAIA

The 86th President of the American Institute of Architects

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George Miller, FAIA was inaugurated 86th President of the American Institute of Architects in December 2009. The ceremony was held in the Kogod Courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. in front of hundreds of honored guests and dignitaries. The focus of his administration was “Design Matters” which was a consistent and valued message he never missed an opportunity to convey. He succeeded Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA in representing more than 72,000 members worldwide.

My life has been enriched by architecture— by its beauty and the spaces that architects create.”

George H. Miller, FAIA

New York, New York

Term of Office: December 2009 - December 2010

Geor ge Miller was born on June 7, 1949, in Berlin, Germany, and immigrated to the United States with his mother while still a child. He was raised in Towanda, a small community in northeastern Pennsylvania, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. As a young boy, he was very active in the Boy Scouts, camping and hiking frequently, and becoming an Eagle Scout. An aptitude test he took in high school indicated that his best prospects were to become a Boy Scout leader or a minister—becoming an architect was near the bottom of the list!

But he followed his heart, and after graduating from Towanda High School in 1967 enrolled in architecture school at Pennsylvania State University. Inspired by Raniero Corbelletti, head of the architecture department, he participated in a study-abroad program in San Leucio, a small town near Naples, Italy, originally designed as a utopian community. Miller’s experiences in Italy, where he and his fellow students lived with non–English-speaking families, and his travels throughout Europe in 1972 and 1973 introduced him to a rich life beyond the borders of the United States.

As an undergraduate, Miller worked for Richard Merrill Sweitzer, AIA, an architect in his hometown, for whom he drafted and made blueprints. When he graduated from Penn State in 1973, the country was in a recession and not many architectural jobs were available. He moved to New York City, and after a brief stint with Liu Urban Design Associates was fortunate to land a position with I. M. Pei & Partners in 1975.

He remained with the firm throughout his career, and when it transitioned to Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in 1989, he became a partner of the firm at the age of 40. Miller met his wife, Anne Tichich, an architect

and painter, in Henry Liu’s office. She worked for Edward Larrabee Barnes and subsequently became a partner with the Edelman Partnership, a New York City firm known for social housing. Since 1995, she has concentrated on painting full-time. In addition to his AIA activities, Miller has been active in many community and professional organizations. He is a member of the Architectural League of New York, Municipal Art Society, and New York Building Congress, where he has served as a director.

AIA SERVICE

Miller has been active in the AIA New York Chapter for many years. He was a member of its Finance Committee (2000) before his election as treasurer (2001), president-elect (2002), and President (2003). He served as a member of the AIA New York State Board and on its executive committee. He has also served as a trustee of the New York Foundation for Architecture and has been active with the AIA Large Firm Roundtable since 1989. He was elevated to the College of Fellows in 1999. He served as a New York regional director from 2003 to 2006, during which time

he was also a member of the Board Knowledge Committee, the Blue Ribbon Panel that planned the Institute’s 150th anniversary, the Gold Medal/ Firm Award Advisory Jury, the Succession Planning Task Force, and the EVP/CEO Search Committee. Elected as a vice-president in 2006, Miller chaired the 2007 Board Community Committee and the AIA150 Oversight Task Group. Memorable activities during the 150th anniversary included Blueprint for America, whereby member architects worked with their community leaders to plan for enhancing their neighborhoods through design.

Another milestone was the selection, by the public at large, of America’s favorite works of architecture. In 2008 Miller chaired the Strategic Initiatives Committee, focusing on sustainability, integrated practice, and diversity and inclusiveness. He was chair of the Diversity Summit held in St. Louis where the Gateway Commitment was signed, refocusing the AIA on issues of diversity and inclusiveness. In 2009 he served as presidentelect of the Institute and co-chaired the Board Strategic Direction Group. Miller was inaugurated

as the 85th president of the American Institute of Architects on December 4, 2009, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. In his inaugural address, he stated: “My life has been enriched by architecture—by its beauty and the spaces that architects create. But even more than beauty, I’m inspired by the value architects bring to their communities. We should celebrate this, and celebrate the joys that come when architects make a positive difference in people’s lives. Our clients and the public must be part of this celebration. To do that, to bring them on board, we must commit ourselves to elevate everyone’s understanding of the importance and power of design.” He went on to say: “Design offers a structure for human thinking about the world, a way to make connections across and within the full range of human experience. Design is a collaborative process that offers opportunities for all of us— clients and the public, architect and engineer, elected officials and community organizers—to pull together to address the challenges of our time.”

Throughout his year as president, Miller traveled

Image: AIA President George Miller, FAIA, with 2010 AIA Gold Medal recipient Peter Bohlin, FAIA, at the AIA National Convention in Miami, Florida.

Image: George Miller with President George W. Bush

extensively, giving speeches to AIA chapters, building industry organizations, and community groups with his “Design Matters” advocacy, drawing attention to the core values of design: beauty, sustainability, health, safety, function, and productivity. During his term, a massive earthquake hit Haiti, and Miller, along with National Organization of Minority Architects President Stephen Lewis, traveled to Port-au-Prince to tour the devastation and offer the Society of Haitian Architects the AIA’s assistance.

Miller also worked to extend the reach of the AIA internationally and was instrumental in establishing the Middle East Chapter. He also chaired the International Cityscape Conference in Dubai. Later in the year, he spoke and moderated panels at the C40 Conference, which brought mayors of more than 40 cities to Hong Kong for deliberation on the future of cities. He also signed the agreement to continue cooperation with the Architect Association of China.

EVP/CEO Christine McEntee resigned during his term, and Miller recommended that Paul Welch, the distinguished EVP/CEO of the California Council, be appointed as interim EVP/CEO. Miller appointed a search committee, led by former AIA president Thompson E. Penney, FAIA, who evaluated and interviewed candidates for the position. Robert Ivy was appointed by the board to serve as the

Institute’s EVP/CEO in December 2010, and Miller and president-elect Clark Manus signed Ivy’s contract engaging him as the new EVP/CEO of the Institute. Deeply dedicated to advancing the future of the profession, Miller worked closely with the National Council on Architecture Registration Boards on the Intern Development Program Advisory Committee to improve the path to licensure for architectural graduates.

He also contributed to the Blue Ribbon Task Force considering the future of the NCARB and served on its documents committee. NCARB President Ken Naylor recognized his efforts in bringing the two organizations more closely together by awarding him the President’s Medal in 2011. Miller advocated returning the AIA Gold Medal and Firm Award presentations to the national convention, after they had been presented for many years at the Accent on Architecture gala. Accordingly, at the 2010 AIA convention, held in Miami, he presented the Gold Medal to Peter Bohlin FAIA; the Firm Award to Pugh + Scarpa; the Kemper Award to James Logan Abell, FAIA; the Whitney M. Young Award to J. Benjamin Vargas, FAIA; and the AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion to Michael Graves, FAIA.

Miller has remained active in the AIA, serving as the AIA representative to the Clinton Global Initiative and on the Editorial Committee of Architect magazine. In 2012 he became president of AIA

Legacy, focusing on preservation of the Octagon and on the Legacy Scholarship Program. He has continued to serve the local chapter of the AIA, where he is a member of the Honors Committee.

He was appointed by the Regents of the University of the State of New York to the New York State Board for Architecture for a five-year term beginning in 2012.Miller joined I. M. Pei & Partners in 1975. His first assignment was working with I. M. Pei on a four-million-square-foot mixed-use project in Singapore. He then worked with Henry Cobb as a project designer and project architect for the Johnson & Johnson Headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J. Thereafter he served for eight years as project architect for the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

Subsequent projects have included National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the headquarters of ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam, the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Luxembourg, and OECD Headquarters in Paris. He also worked on Palazzo Lombardia in Milan, IMF Headquarters 2 in Washington, D.C., and the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Other projects include the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C.; NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.; Bellevue Hospital Center Ambulatory Care Facility, Goldman Sachs World Headquarters, Fordham

2011 President Clark Manus, FAIA with AIA CEO/EVP Robert Ivy, FAIA and 2010 President George Miller, FAIA, at the 2010 Grassroots Leadership Celebration in Washington, D.C.

Newly confirmed AIA CEO/EVP Robert Ivy, FAIA signing contracts with 2010 President George Miller, FAIA and President-Elect Clark Manus, FAIA in Washington, D.C.

Newly elected 2010 President George Miller, FAIA with the Class of 2012 in Washington, D.C.

University Law School, and 7 Bryant Park, all in New York City; Tivoli Kanten in Copenhagen; and the Charles Darwin Centre in Darwin, Australia.As managing partner of the firm, Miller is responsible for the firm’s administration and financial affairs, new business development, contract negotiation, and project and staff management. The firm has received more than 25 national AIA awards, including the AIA Architecture Firm Award and two AIA Twentyfive Year Awards, for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and John Hancock Tower in Boston.

Although fully immersed in practice from the outset of his career, Miller has maintained a commitment to architectural education. He has served as a teacher, lecturer, and guest critic at Columbia University, Yale University, Pennsylvania State University, the New York Institute of Technology, the University of Texas, and Kent State University. He currently serves on the advisory committee of Penn State’s Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.

He has contributed to various publications, including San Leucio: Traditions in Transition, a critical study of an 18th-century utopian community in southern Italy. In addition, Miller is largely responsible for implementing an Intern Development Program at Pei Cobb Freed & Partners.

RECOGNITION AND HONORS

Miller’s outstanding service to the AIA and has been recognized with numerous honors, including:

• Fellow, American Institute of Architects, 1999

• Matthew W. Del Gaudio Award, AIA New York State, 2006

• President’s Award, AIA New York Chapter, 2007

• Honorary Member, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, 2010

• Distinguished Alumni Fellows Award, Pennsylvania State University, 2010

• President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, 2011

• James William Kideney Gold Medal Award, AIA New York State, 2011

• Honorary Member, Japan Institute of Architects, 2011

• Honorary Member, Australian Institute of Architects, 2011

At the conclusion of his presidency, the AIA Board presented Miller with the following citation:

“During a year of challenges, he exhibited a quality of leadership singularly inspirational to a profession whose innovative design thinking, he asserted, gave hope to peoples around the globe, noting that the issues of the 21st Century are Matters of Design, and that architects have the potential to transform challenges into opportunities to build more healthy, productive, and energy-efficient communities. His vision rallied elected officials, clients, and the public to seize the promise of a beautiful, sustainable world.”

Credits: From “A Legacy of Leadership - The Presidents of the American Institute of Architects” 2008-20011 by R. Randall Vosbeck, FAIA

2010 President George Miller, FAIA with President Elect Clark Manus, FAIA at the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

2010 President George Miller, FAIA with the 2009 AIA National Board of Directors at the AIA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“George’s ascension to the Presidency of the American Institute of Architects began in 2008 at the AIA National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts where he was elected by a majority of delegates of the national membership to serve as the 2010 President leading more than 72,000 AIA members around the world. In 2009, he served as the Institutes First Vice President | President-Elect before taking office the following year.

December Board Meeting

AIA Headquarters Building - Washington, D.C.

2009 AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA passes the gavel to incoming AIA President George Miller, FAIA at the 2009 AIA Board of Directors Meeting. The sincere friendship between Marvin and George was clearly evident and resulted in a seamless transition of administrations.

The

The National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.

December 2009

Inauguration of George H. Miller, FAIA

The Kogod Courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C.

The JW Marriott, Washington, D.C.

December 2009

The American Institute of Architects

National Board of Directors

2010

George H. Miller, FAIA President

Walter J. Hainsfurther, FAIA Vice President

Clark D. Manus, FAIA First Vice President

Peter G. Kuttner, FAIA Vice President

Mickey Jacob, FAIA Vice President

Pam J. Loeffelman, FAIA Vice President

Stephen K. Loos, FAIA Secretary

Meggan M. Lux, AIA Associate Representative

John W. Rogers, AIA Treasurer

Christine W. McEntee EVP/CEO

William M. Babcock, Hon. AIA CACE Director 2010 Executive Committee Officers & Members

T. Gregory Ames, AIA Regional Director | New England

Stacey Bourne, AIA Regional Director | Florida/Caribbean

Doug A. Benson, AIA Regional Director | Northwest & Pacific

Thomas B. Braham, AIA Regional Director | Illinois

Amy Blagriff, Hon. AIA CACE Director

Donald C. Brown, AIA Regional Director | Gulf States

Fredrick F. Butters, FAIA, Esq. Regional Director | Michigan

Kevin J. Connolly, AIA Regional Director | North Central States

Je’Nen Chastain, Assoc. AIA Student Regional Director

Thomas R. Cox, AIA Regional Director | North Central States

Susan Chin, FAIA Regional Director | New York

Russel A. Davidson, AIA Regional Director | New York

D. Graham Davidson, FAIA Regional Director | Middle Atlantic

Richard De Young, AIA Regional Director | Pennsylvania

David Del Vecchio, AIA Regional Director | New Jersey

Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA Regional Director | Texas

James Determan, Jr., AIA Regional Director | Middle Atlantic

Kevin J. Flynn, FAIA Regional Director | Central States

Erica Rioux Gees, AIA Regional Director | New England

Debra Kunce, AIA Regional Director | Ohio Valley

Jeffrey T. Gill, AIA Regional Director | California

Vivien Li Public Director

Leonard E. Koroski, AIA Regional Director | Illinois

Richard Licata, AIA Regional Director | Western Mountain

Paul D. Mankins, FAIA Regional Director | Central States

Thomas E. O’Neal, AIA Regional Director | New York

R. Kent Mather, AIA Regional Director | California

Patrick T. Onishi, AIA Regional Director | Northwest & Pacific

Christopher Morrison, AIA Regional Director | Middle Atlantic

James E. Rains, AIA Regional Director | South Atlantic

Trula H. Remson, AIA Regional Director | Gulf States

Jonathan M. Taylor, AIA Regional Director | Associate Director

Dru Schmidt-Perkins Public Director

Pamela M. Touschner, FAIA Regional Director | California

Charles Schreckenberger, AIA Regional Director | Ohio Valley

Edward W. Tucker, AIA Regional Director | The Virginias

Edward A. Vance, AIA Regional Director | Western Mountain

Donald T. Yoshino, FAIA Regional Director | Florida/Caribbean

Thomas V. Vonier, FAIA International Director

Edward T. Zeigler, Jr., AIA Regional Director | South Atlantic

Bill T. Wilson, FAIA Regional Director | Texas

AIA Grassroots Leadership & Legislative Conference

The Hyatt Hotel, Washington, D.C.

February 2010

2010 AIA President George Miller, FAIA

Miami Convention Center, Miami, Florida

June 8-12, 2010

2010 AIA President George Miller, FAIA

Opening Keynotes and Awards

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

Michael Graves, FAIA receiving the 2010 AIA Topaz Medallion

AIA VIP Party

Miami Convention Center

Miami,

Florida

Japan Institute of Architects

Miami Convention Center

Miami,

Florida

AIA - ASC Accords

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

Diversity Marketplace

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

AIA Annual Business Meeting

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

AIA Awards Celebration

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

National Candidate Speeches

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

Candidates:

Jeffery T. Potter, FAIA

Pamela Loeffelman, FAIA

Mickey Jacob, FAIA

Donald C. Brown, AIA

Stephen K. Loos, FAIA

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA

Dennis A. Andrejko, FAIA

John A. Padilla, AIA

David Del Vecchio, AIA

Frederick F. Butters, Esq., FAIA

AIA President’s Reception

Miami Convention Center

Miami, Florida

Investiture

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami Dade County Knight Concert Hall | Miami, Florida

2010 AIA President George Miller, FAIA

2010 COF Chancellor Edward Kodet, FAIA

2010 Jury Chair Allan W. Kehrt, FAIA

Board Reception

The Octagon

AIA Board Dinner

Vinoteca Restaurant

Cigars

Sofitel Hotel

December Board Meeting

National AIA Headquarters - Washington, D.C.

2010 AIA President George Miller, FAIA completes his term as President and passes the gavel to incoming AIA President Clark Manus, FAIA at the 2010 AIA Board of Directors Meeting. The sincere friendship between George and Clark was palpable resulting in a seamless transition of administrations.

George and Clark presenting outgoing Interim EVP/CEO Paul Welch, Hon. AIA with a National Certificate of Appreciation from the Board.

George recognizing the 2012 AIA President-Elect Jeff Potter, FAIA

George and Clark signing contracts with the new incoming EVP/CEO Robert Ivy, FAIA.

George pinning the President’s Lapel Pin on Clark, prior to his inauguration later that evening.

The Norman Koonce Gallery at AIA Headquarters

President George Miller, FAIA with his 2010 Executive Committee.

During a year of challenges, he exhibited a quality of leadership singularly inspirational to a profession whose innovative design thinking, he asserted, gave hope to peoples around the globe, noting that the issues of the 21st Century are Matters of Design, and that architects have the potential to transform challenges into opportunities to build more healthy, productive, and energyefficient communities. His vision rallied elected officials, clients, and the public to seize the promise of a beautiful, sustainable world.”

December 201 0