It is with regret that I write to inform you that Stacey Pfingsten, our AIA Illinois Executive Vice President, has advised the Executive Committee of her decision to relocate back to New Orleans for personal reasons, eventually ending her employment with AIA Illinois. Stacey has worked diligently since September 2019 guiding the organization, including the difficult times through the pandemic. We are thankful for her service to AIA Illinois membership and steadfastly pursuing initiatives and alliances to further our mission and impact to advocate for our profession.
Our Board of Directors is working through the many facets of this change. First, Stacey has offered to stay on in a remote capacity through March 1. The Board is working with our AIA Illinois office staff to identify and secure operating procedures to provide seamless support of you, our members. Secondly, the Board already started the development of a search process to find our next Executive Vice President.
There will be more to follow, but we wanted to get this information to you as we continue to work through the transition. Please feel free contact me directly if you have any questions.
Leanne M. Meyer-Smith, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
2023 AIA Illinois Board President
K-12 Education Leader | Principal
DLR Group
A Letter from Stacey Pfingsten
Dear Members, Partners and Friends,
As I write this on an extremely frigid day, I am wishing you warm holiday greetings.
With the year coming to a close, I am reflecting on all we have accomplished together in the time I have been at the helm of AIA Illinois. We strengthened our relationships with industry partners across the state, building a stronger coalition of support. We established our “Call to Action” platform, an easy way for members to make their voice heard. Along with Landmarks Illinois, we reauthorized the Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) Historic Tax Credit, for another five years, a vital historic preservation incentive for our river cities. We worked with Great Lakes Audubon to pass HB 247 CMS-Bird Safe State Buildings to require bird-friendly materials and solutions on state owned buildings.
We were among a coalition of 90 partner organizations across the state working to pass the Illinois’ Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), a landmark climate and energy bill for the state.
Working in partnership with Illinois Green Alliance we developed case studies and tours to raise awareness of our members’ high-performance work. As well as co-created the first AIA Illinois awards to highlight design excellence in high performance across the state.
We brought back our annual conference, ReConnect an exciting lineup of informative and inspirational speakers. The AIA Illinois Foundation was re-established to expand the world of architecture to children and the public through events, scavenger hunts, and walking tours. Our AIA Illinois Great Places coloring book created, and sought out new partnering organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the Girl Scouts of Illinois.
In closing, I thank you for your support during my tenure; our board of directors for their unwavering dedication, and Eric, Mary and Anna who keep AIA Illinois moving forward, every day!
My departure is bittersweet as I am sad to leave all of you, our important work at the Capitol, yet I am excited to return to a little warmer, New Orleans.
Safe travels and happy holidays,
~S.
Stacey Pfingsten
EVP, AIA Illinois