William Bates, FAIA has been elected AIA National First Vice President/2019 President-elect

I’m assuming this national office with hopes of making the AIA more responsive to it members needs and enabling our profession to better serve society.

You probably know him as Bill.  He’s been an active member of the Chapter and a familiar face in the Pittsburgh architectural community since serving as the AIA Pittsburgh Board President in 1987.  Since then, Bates has gone on to serve as President of AIA Pennsylvania (twice), become an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon and held a number of positions with AIA National including the Equity Commission and Diversity Council.

Most recently Bates, who works at Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, has served as Vice-President of the Board at AIA National.  After being elected during the AIA Business Meeting at A’17 in Orlando on April 27th Bates is now the first First Vice President/2019 President-elect of the AIA National Board.

With this momentous opportunity, as well as changes at the local chapter with Executive Director Anne Swager, Hon. AIA retiring at the end of May, Bates reflected on the journey …

Needless to say, I’ve always enjoyed volunteering at the Institute. It a worthy cause and the rewards are great. I’ve made so many professional and personal friends through the AIA. It’s satisfying to look back on all of the things we have accomplished for the profession as a result of the collaborative efforts of active AIA members.  I can’t tell you how proud I am to be a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter. It is a pace setter for chapters across the country. Thanks in no small part to Anne’s stewardship and her staff’s hard work. 

Here’s Bates at his “Summer job” to pay his college tuition.