board LEADERSHIP

2021 BOARD PRESIDENT

FRED BRANDSTRADER, AIA

Vice President of Construction & Capital Expenditures with Hyatt Corporation. Fred has enjoyed being active in AIA (both at Chicago Chapter and Illinois Chapter) over the last 28 years and looks forward to working with the AIA Illinois Board and Staff on efforts of advocacy and mentoring for our members. Having recently completed his Masters in Sustainable Urban Development in the Spring ‘19, Fred will look for opportunities to increase awareness of sustainability, affordable housing and social equity in initiatives the Board is involved with. Email Fred

2021 VP | SECRETARY

LEANNE MEYER-SMITH, AIA

Ms. Meyer-Smith has nearly 30 years of extensive experience that ranges from building design, facility analysis, and master planning to construction administration and project management applying her unique skills to both new construction and renovation work for a variety of clients. At Wight & Company she is responsible for leading teams in making a client’s vision become a successful reality. She is committed to providing leadership in a participatory process dedicated to bringing quality, sustainable solutions to each client’s building needs. Leanne is committed to collaborating with other architects in service, advocacy and public awareness relative to the profession of architecture. Email Leanne

2021 PRESIDENT-ELECT | TREASURER

JAMES MACIEJEWSKI, AIA

Jim is Principal Architect of JMA Architects.  Having served on the Board of the Eastern Illinois Chapter and as a Director on the Illinois Chapter Board, Jim will continue to work on leadership development initiatives, advocacy, and issues important to members and the profession.  He is honored to work with this Board and Staff to ensure that AIA Illinois endures as a trusted and respected voice for its members. Email James

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

STACEY PFINGSTEN

Stacey Pfingsten came on as the new EVP of AIA Illinois in September of 2019. She was previously the executive director of the Louisiana Architecture Foundation (LAF), organizing the South's first ever Annual Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF) in New Orleans as well as spearheaded LAF's first produced documentary "Unexpected Modernism: The Wiener Brothers Story," which recently aired on Louisiana Public Broadcasting. Prior to living in New Orleans, she lived in Chicago for a number of years and has served as the communications director for Preservation Chicago, worked for several City of Chicago aldermen, and even ran once, albeit unsuccessfully in 2015 for 2nd Ward Alderman in Chicago. Stacey was born and raised on a farm in Central Illinois. Email Stacey

PHOTO CREDIT: Sierra Smithers 

ILLINOIS REPS ON AIA COLLEGE OF FELLOWS 

David Chasco, FAIA

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Roula Alakiotou, FAIA
Roula Associates Architect, Chtd.

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ILLINOIS REGION AXP ADVISOR
Sean Gallagher
Judson University

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NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2021 AIA AT-LARGE 

Ryan Gann, Assoc. AIA

Ross Barney Architects

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NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 2021 AIA PRESIDENT

Peter Exley, FAIA

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