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Ken. L. Ross, FAIA, FACHA, joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the newly created position of Vice President, Design and Practice.   Mr. Ross, who recently retired as Senior Principal and former President of WHR Architects, Inc., a 170-person Houston-based full service architecture, interior design and technology planning firm, will serve in this position on an interim basis.

In his role at the AIA, Ross will consolidate design and practice programs, currently distributed across several departments, under a new team dedicated to contributing to the profession’s design and practice body of knowledge. Under his direction, the Design and Practice team will coordinate strategic alliances, research, continuing education, and innovations in practice and project delivery to provide programs and services responsive to the challenges facing AIA members.

“It was extremely important to bring in someone with a practitioner’s perspective to re-energize the focus on architectural practice within the Institute,” said Interim AIA Executive Vice President / CEO, Paul Welch, Hon. AIA.  “Ken combines leadership and management capabilities with a deep knowledge of today’s profession that will help us better serve our members.”

During his thirty-eight year career as an architect, Ross continuously worked with nationally known firms specializing in healthcare architecture and is recognized for his expertise in the management of multi-disciplinary teams on major national and international projects.

A 1971 graduate of the University of Tennessee , Ross started his AIA activities as a founding member and President of the school’s American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) chapter and Gulf Coast Regional Director on the AIAS national board. Ross is licensed in thirty-six states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian Provinces, and practiced in 26 states and four foreign countries.

Also, Ross is a member of AIA Houston, where he served as Treasurer and President and has served on the boards for the Houston Architectural Foundation and the Texas Architectural Foundation.  His service with the Texas Society of Architects includes Vice President of Practice, Chair of TSA’s Government Affairs Steering Committee, Healthcare Architecture and Fellowship Committees, and Executive Trustee of the Texas Architects Committee.

Ken’s national service includes the AIA/AGC Joint Committee and in 2008 completed a three-year term as the Texas Regional Director on the AIA National Board.  While on the AIA Board, Ken served on the Board Knowledge Committee, the Component Partnership Committee, the Licensing Committee and the Governance Task Force.  Most recently, he served on the Search Committee for the next AIA EVP/CEO.

About The American Institute of Architects:
For over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit the website for more information.  Twitter: AIA_Media; Facebook: AIANational