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NJ Chapter of American Institute of Architects Endorses Jerome (Jerry) Leslie Eben in Campaign for Secretary of the AIA

West Orange, N.J.-Based Architect Has Served Local Chapter in Various Roles During 42-Year Tenure as Member

 

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (June 24, 2014) – The New Jersey chapter and region of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) recently announced it is endorsing longtime member Jerome (Jerry) Leslie Eben, AIA, as a candidate for Secretary of the Institute’s National Board.

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Eben, who has been an active member of AIA-NJ for more than 40 years, will be among the candidates running for office at the Institute’s National Convention, which will be held fromJune 26 to 28 in Chicago, Ill.  

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“I am honored to support Jerry, who has spent his career championing the cause of architecture,” said Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, President of AIA-NJ. “I continue to look to him for guidance based on his experience and historical knowledge of our diverse chapter. Over his career, he has served and continues to serve as a mentor to chapter leaders and to countless AIA Emerging Professionals. His work with advocacy here in New Jersey, where the entire congressional delegation knows his name, makes him most valuable to us and the legislation we support that helps us in our practices.”

 

Through personal mentoring, community involvement and AIA service, Eben has enhanced the stature of the individual architect while strengthening the organization’s future. When he first joined AIA-NJ, he chaired the chapter’s Associates Committee to help encourage his colleagues to become involved in the industry. He then went on to serve on numerous AIA Newark and Suburban Architects committees, as well as all elected officer positions of AIA-NJ. While serving as Section President, membership saw a 17 percent increase, and as Regional Director of AIA-NJ, his success with advocacy was recognized through the assignment to the Board Advocacy Committee as chair of Policy and Position Statements subcommittee.

 

Eben’s contributions extend beyond the architecture industry, as he also dedicates time to serving the community of West Orange, N.J. In his position as the Design Committee Chairperson for the township’s Downtown Alliance, Eben unified competing interest groups, political institutions and civic leaders to work toward a common cause to redesign the historic municipality.

 

Eben is running his campaign based on the following leadership principles, which he believes will lead to a more collaborative and better AIA:

·      Competence in carrying out the responsibilities of elected office

·      Communication that is open, honest and provided often

·      Commitment to the goals of the Institute, by building effective teams

·      Character that demonstrates unquestionable integrity

·      Crediting others to provide support and fulfillment.

“The secretary of the American Institute of Architects serves members through good governance and responsive leadership, things that I provide locally and look forward to providing nationally if I’m elected,” Eben said. “In modeling progressive practices, I encourage members to serve AIA and represent the profession to the public. By leading in partnership with members, I plan to continue to inform the public of the benefits that architects provide to our communities. Together, we can strengthen the bond among members as the Institute continues to evolve.”

 

About AIA and AIA New Jersey
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.

 

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