I was pleased to have had the opportunity to attend the wonderful inauguration of AIA National President Elect Bill Bates, FAIA. Mr. Bates has served in different capacities on the AIA Board of Directors since 2011 with stints as Vice President when the national board was much larger. In 1991 and 2010 he also served as President of AIA Pennsylvania. It is a significant milestone as Mr. Bates is the second African American President in the AIA’s history after Marshall Purnell, FAIA since the founding of the American Institute of Architects in 1857.
We thank Bill Bates for his consistent support over the years of the AIA International Region and its many initiatives. The AIA International Region is at President Bates service to help implement his agenda.
On behalf of the AIA International Region please join me in congratulating Bill Bates on his Presidency.
Thierry Paret, FAIA
President
AIA International Region
Photos
Left
(L-R) AIA IR President Thierry Paret FAIA, AIA National President Bill Bates FAIA and AIA IR Representative to the College of Fellows Sam Oboh FAIA.
Right
AIA President Bill Bates making his inaugural speech.
