AIA Intl Emerging Professionals + NCARB - Beyond Borders: Architecture Practice
Event Description
Are you curious about licensing beyond borders? Want to practice in the U.S.? Regardless of where your office is located, you can have project opportunities in the U.S. Join the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to discuss an overview of the licensure process in the U.S. and hear about a range of licensure topics relevant to foreign-educated licensure candidates and foreign architects.
NCARB Vice President for Experience + Education Harry M. Falconer, Jr., and Assistant Vice President of Innovation, Patricia Ramallo will review the steps necessary to achieve licensure to become an architect and other programs to get the most out of your career in architecture in this session moderated by AIA Continental Europe’s Licensing Advisor, Russ Echols, and Michelle Montgomery, co-chair of AIA International Emerging Professionals Committee.
CES: 1 LU for AIA Members
Speakers
Harry M. Falconer, Jr., FAIA, NCARB, HonD, Hon. FCARM, Vice President, Experience + Education, NCARB
Patricia Ramallo, AIA, NCARB, CAE, LEED AP BD+C & HOMES, Assistant Vice President, Innovation, NCARB
Moderator: Russell Echols, AIA, NCARB, Vice President and Licensing Advisor, AIA Continental Europe
Moderator: Michelle Montgomery, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Emerging Professionals co-chair, AIA International
As Vice President, Experience + Education, Harry Falconer leads the department to provide professional support for the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP™) as well as NCARB’s education-related programs including the NCARB Education Standard, Scholars in Professional Practice, Education Alternative for Certification, Foreign Architect Certification programs, and continuing education initiatives. He is responsible for administration of the Council’s outreach initiative to schools, professional conferences, and firms; and management of the Architect Licensing Advisors Community program. Falconer also leads the development and management of the Council’s international mutual recognition arrangements and relations.
Falconer’s career in architecture includes over 22 years in practice prior to joining NCARB’s team. He holds a bachelor of architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and is licensed to practice architecture in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, has been certified as a construction documents technologist by the Construction Specifications Institute, holds the NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity, and is an honorary member of the Federación de Colegios de Arquitectos de la República Mexicana. In 2010, Falconer was awarded NCARB’s highest honor, the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, for his leadership in the Intern Development Program (IDP). In 2019, The Boston Architectural College conferred the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa upon Falconer, recognizing his transformative vision and work within architectural education and the profession.
Patricia Ramallo started working at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) in 2015 as part of the Experience + Education team. In her current role as Assistant Vice President of Innovation, she leads the design and implementation of innovative strategies throughout the Council, supports transformational initiatives, and advances international relations efforts.
Before joining NCARB, Patricia dedicated 14 years to the architecture field, fulfilling various design, management, and construction administration functions. She worked in Michigan, Kentucky, and New York on projects nationwide ranging from residential and multifamily to religious, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. Patricia also serves as an adjunct faculty instructor at the Boston Architectural College, where she teaches two graduate courses in professional practice.
Patricia holds a Master of Architecture degree from Lawrence Technological University and is licensed to practice architecture in Argentina, Kentucky, and New Jersey. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects, holds LEED AP® Homes & BD+C credentials, and the NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity. In 2019 she obtained a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University, and in 2021 she earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.
Moderator: Russell Echols is an architect, educator, AIA architect member and NCARB record holder who has practiced architecture worldwide over the past 30 years. With licenses in 39 states and 5 provinces of Canada, Mr. Echols has practiced in America, Canada, Asia and Europe for Fortune 100 companies and the US Government.
Mr. Echols is a graduate of the Texas A&M University College of Architecture where he earned his Master of Architecture degree in 1982. Mr. Echols joined the Texas A&M faculty of Civil Engineering in 1982 before starting professional practice in architecture in 1991.
Mr. Echols is the 2022 1st Vice President for AIA Continental Europe and joined the NCARB advisor team last year.
He currently resides in Germany.
Moderator: Michelle Montgomery is an Associate Architect at ZGF Architects with a diverse portfolio including inpatient and outpatient healthcare, professional and recreational sports, mixed-use development, and corporate office. Michelle brings expertise in all aspects of architecture, from technical design to documentation to construction administration. Her experience living abroad in Italy, paired with working on various project types, gives her a unique lens through which she integrates universal principles into the design and construction process.
With a special interest in professional development and mentoring of young architects, Michelle co-founded the first international mentorship program geared toward empowering the international community. This 10-month program engages emerging professionals and skilled mentors from around the globe in an engaging environment to strengthen a sense of community within AIA International and drive collaboration across borders.
Michelle sits on the advisory board of NCARB International Workgroup. She is a Co-Chair of the AIA International Emerging Professionals Committee. She also supports the emerging professionals of the AIA Continental Europe Chapter and is the past communications chair of AIACE.
Michelle earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University.
