Philadelphia—The highest honor bestowed upon architectural professionals by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)—the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service—was awarded by 2013-2014 President Blakely C. Dunn to six deserving individuals at the organization’s 2014 Annual Business Meeting in Philadelphia.

President Dunn commended each of this year’s recipients for their commitment to the architectural profession and to the Council whose mission is to protect the public’s healthy, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of standards for licensure and credentialing.

“These individuals have dedicated their time and expertise to benefit the work of the Council, the public, and the profession,” said Dunn. “It is my privilege to recognize them for their outstanding service.”

2014 Recipients:

Ronald B. Blitch, FAIA, FACHA, NCARB, of New Orleans, LA, was recognized for his many years of leadership and service to the Council, including his work with committees, Region 3, and the NCARB Board of Directors. As president and a member of the Board of Directors, Blitch was instrumental in the development and release of the 2012 Practice Analysis of Architecture, which is being used to guide the next generation of the Council’s programs. In his 17 years of service for the Council, he has contributed to numerous committees, including the Practice Analysis Steering Committee, the Examination Committee, and the Regional Chairs Committee. He also continues to provide his knowledge and expertise through his service on the Licensure Task Force and the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners.

Dale McKinney, FAIA, of Sioux City, IA, was recognized for his many years of service to the Council, including his leadership of committees, Region 4, and the NCARB Board of Directors. He was installed as president of the Council on Saturday, June 21.

McKinney served on the Iowa Architectural Examining Board from 2004-2010 and served as president of the board from 2009-2010. He has been a member or chair of numerous NCARB committees and task forces, including the Internship Committee, the Regional Leadership Committee, and the Governance Task Force. As chair of the Internship Committee, he led the linking of Practice Analysis data to the IDP requirements for the first time.

Alfred Vidaurri, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, of Fort Worth, TX, was recognized for his distinguished service and his contributions to the Council’s work related to establishing alternatives to NCARB certification and the Tri-National Agreement with Canada and Mexico. He is a dedicated member of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and has served on several NCARB committees, including the Broadly Experienced Architect Committee and the Procedures and Documents Committee. As chair of the BEA Committee, he helped the BEA dossier become digital and oversaw the creation of a pilot program for the Tri-National Agreement. In addition, he served as an NCARB visiting team representative for the NAAB from 2008-2013. He most recently served as the chair of Region 3.

Kingsley Glasgow, of Little Rock, AR, was recognized for his service to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers, and for his contributions to the Council’s work on Member Board relations and special initiatives. Kingsley has been the executive of the Arkansas Board since 2006, and has been an active participant in Region 3. He has volunteered on several committees and task forces, including serving as chair for the Member Board Executive and Procedures and Documents committees. Most recently, he was elected by his peers to serve on the NCARB Board of Directors as the Member Board Executive representative.

Amy M. Kobe, CAE, Hon. AIA, of Columbus, OH, was recognized for her service to the Ohio Architects Board and her contributions to the Council’s work related to internship and special initiatives. Kobe became the executive director of the Ohio Board in 2004, after serving as the executive director of AIA Columbus. She has been a dedicated volunteer on NCARB committees, including the Member Board Executive Committee, the Internship Committee, and most recently the Licensure Task Force. In addition, she and her board members have actively reached out to students and interns throughout Ohio to ensure they have the information they need to be successful along the path to licensure.

Michael J. Armstrong, of Washington, DC, was recognized for his leadership as the chief executive officer of NCARB. He joined NCARB in 2011 and immediately was challenged with evaluating the Council’s programs and services to provide a fresh perspective and streamline processes. Armstrong created special research teams with representatives from all parts of the organization to ensure potential changes were examined from every angle and to assess each of NCARB’s major programs. This strategy has led to significant new innovative paths. Armstrong also is strengthening the Council’s relationships with NCARB Member Boards by visiting each board within his first four years. These visits have identified challenges and areas of common interest in which we can all work together.

About NCARB 
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ membership is made up of the architectural registration boards of all 50 states as well as those of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NCARB assists its member registration boards in carrying out their duties and provides a certification program for individual architects.

NCARB protects the public health, safety, and welfare by leading the regulation of the practice of architecture through the development and application of standards for licensure and credentialing of architects. In order to achieve these goals, the Council develops and recommends standards to be required of an applicant for architectural registration; develops and recommends standards regulating the practice of architecture; provides to Member Boards a process for certifying the qualifications of an architect for registration; and represents the interests of Member Boards before public and private agencies. NCARB has established reciprocal registration for architects in the United States and Canada.

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