An important message from AIA Dallas president, David Zatopek, AIA

Happy New Year.

As we look forward to the new year, I want to make an important announcement about the future of our chapter. Paula Clements, CAE, Hon. TSA has resigned as our Executive Director.

Paula has served our chapter since 2003 and has been our chapter's voice both locally, at TSA and AIA National. Paula has been tapped by AIA National to serve as Managing Director of Component Collaboration and Resources. After much reflection, she determined that this opportunity represented an important step in her career. Those of us who have worked with Paula for some time know that our loss is AIA National's gain and I don't have to tell you all how valuable her experience and leadership will be to our national organization and profession overall.

I know that you all will want to join me in wishing her our very best for this next important step in her career.

Paula will continue to work with us through the month of January to help start up our committees and give us the advantage of her experience in starting off a new year. During the month of February, she will begin to transition out of the chapter into her national role, including a move to Washington DC. Paula will be joining the AIA National team on February 14th.

I want to share with you, our members, the steps the leadership team has taken to better ensure continuity of our chapter operations and programs during this transition. 

1. Rita Moore, who has served our chapter in an operational role, has been promoted to Managing Director of the Chapter. In this new role, she will have day-to-day responsibility for chapter operations and, until the Executive Director position is filled, will serve in that capacity as well. The position of Executive Director will remain vacant until filled.
2. A search committee has been formed.
3. Updates on our search progress will be a regular feature in the "President's Blog" on our chapter website.  

Replacing the Executive Director of the sixth largest chapter in the nation will be a great challenge. Fortunately, thanks in large part to Paula's stewardship, the state of our chapter is excellent. Our leadership team will be working directly with staff and our committee chairs to be sure that our programs, public outreach, and events remain on track and continue to be of value to our community and profession.

David Zatopek, AIA
2011 AIA Dallas President

And now, a personal note from Paula...

For the past seven years it has been a positive challenge with many rewards to serve as Executive Director of AIA Dallas. I have worked with many dedicated, volunteer leaders, and a professional staff to launch new and successful programs and initiatives that support the mission of the chapter.

So it becomes a bittersweet announcement to inform you that I have accepted a new and challenging role with AIA. Next month I will be moving to Washington DC to join the AIA national staff as Managing Director of Component Collaboration and Resources. As a result of several years of challenging work and a tweaked re-alignment of resources, AIA National has re-organized the component and member services function. It is quickly emerging as a strategic department ready to support effective and positive connections within all levels of AIA.

I will continue to serve the chapter through the month of January as we begin the transition. I look forward to working with each of you from a more global perspective as I take on this new role in AIA.

Paula Clements, CAE, Hon. TSA