April 18, 2022

After a thorough search and interview process, the AIAS is excited to announce that Larry Hoffer (he/him) has accepted the position of Executive Director of the American Institute of Architecture Students! By way of introduction to the AIAS community, Larry has answered some interview questions below. Larry is joining a long line of incredible leaders and mentors, and we are excited for the changes and contributions he will make to our organization! A huge thank you is due to the AIAS Executive Director Search & Transition Committee, the members of which are listed below.

 

Tell us about your background with membership associations, and what you’re excited to bring to the AIAS.

I’ve worked for membership associations for the majority of my career, and have helped many of them better engage their student members. I’m really passionate about associations and helping them reach their maximum potential, so I’m excited to bring that expertise to AIAS.

 

What inspires you about the architecture profession and architecture students in particular?

What inspires me about architecture is the possibilities the profession presents. Today’s architecture students really have the opportunity to define where the profession goes in the future and how the world sees it.

 

Please tell us about yourself, hobbies, any favorite books?

I grew up in central New Jersey (the town over from where Bruce Springsteen grew up), came down to the DC area to go to college, and never left. I’m a huge reader and movie fan with an immense amount of useless trivia in my head. (I keep waiting for Jeopardy to call me.) I also went to culinary school a number of years ago and worked as a personal chef for a few years, so if nothing else I can always make a meal out of what I have in my refrigerator. 

 

What are your top priorities and goals for the Executive Director role?

One of my primary goals is to translate the association’s new strategic plan into an operational one, while building a new staff team in order to help us deliver maximum membership value. At the same time, I’m hoping to create mechanisms to get member feedback on what AIAS does best, where it falls short, and what you’d like to see in the future.

 

What is the “big picture” impact that you would like to have on the AIAS?

One of the key objectives of the 2022-2024 strategic plan is to stabilize the association, while working with the Board to help it pivot to serve architecture students more effectively. To fulfill both of those objectives and help the association grow into its fullest potential is the “big picture” impact I’d like to have.

 

Please elaborate on any engagement you have with your community outside of work.

I spent a number of years as a board and committee leader for Association Media & Publishing, an association representing those working in marketing, communications, and media on behalf of associations. I served as president of the AM&P Board in 2018-2019. I’ve also been a volunteer with The Trevor Project, and I currently serve as vice president of my neighborhood’s homeowners association.

 

Is there anything else our membership should know about you?

I’m tremendously excited about this opportunity, and look forward to getting to know many of you. Hope you’re planning to attend Grassroots 2022!

 

2021-2022 AIAS Search & Transition Committee

Chair – Erin Conti, AIAS, Assoc. AIA – 2021-2022 Past President

Liaison – Scott Cornelius, AIAS, Assoc. AIA – 2021-2022 President

Consultant – Michael Geary, CAE – 2003-2009 Executive Director

Shannon DeFranza, AIAS, Assoc. AIA – 2021-2022 Vice President

Baili Null, AIAS – 2021-2022 Midwest Quad Director

Kristine Harding, NCARB, FAIA – 2019-2022 NCARB Liaison

Ricardo Rodriguez, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, ACI – 2020-2023 AIA Liaison

Beth Lundell Garver, AIA, NCARB – 2021-2024 ACSA Liaison

Sara Taketatsu, AIAS, Assoc. AIA – Interim Director of Membership & Marketing

Danielle Mitchell, AIA – 2015-2016 President