The 2019 Gold Medal Award was presented to John Ochoa, AIA, on 17 October 2019, at the Morton Arboretum. The AIA ILLINOIS GOLD MEDAL AWARD is the highest honor for outstanding lifetime service by an AIA member.
John Ochoa is a lifelong Chicagoan who received his Bachelor of Architecture degree with High Honors from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1978. While at UIC, John received scholarships from the Graham Foundation and participated in the Versailles Study Abroad program. In 1980, John was licensed and joined the American Institute of Architects.
Mr. Ochoa has served AIA-NEI in many capacities, first as an Awards Committee Chair and later as a Board Member, Officer and President of the Chapter. He initiated the first sponsorship program for AIA-NEI bringing financial stability and reduced costs for programs to its members. He has encouraged FGM staff towards active AIA service; to date, more than 20 FGM team members have also served the AIA. As a firm, FGM has hosted Architecture Week activities, led a variety of seminars and provides ongoing support of AIA programs.
Mr. Ochoa provides leadership to the profession in a variety of ways. In addition to authoring numerous professional articles, he has testified to the IL Legislature on issues that impact the practice of architectural design. John has led the Society of Military Engineers, Lake Michigan Post, the UIC Architecture Alumni Association (A3) and the University of Illinois Alumni Association. While serving as the President of UIC A3, Mr. Ochoa launched the annual Architecture Career Fair and created the FGM Architects/ Susan Nealey Endowed Scholarship. While serving as a Board Member of UIAA FGM also initiated the FGM Scholarship at UIUC. The firm actively participates in a variety of educationally focused projects at Schools of Architecture.
“Helping my clients achieve their visions is what inspires me.” - John Ochoa, AIA
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