Category Archives: EDSymposium

A Star is born

That’s right. We have a new Star in our chapter, recognized in Spokane during EDSymposium19. Emily Meyer, CDFA, of Bernardo|Wills Architects, PC received our chapter’s 2019 Star Award!

A graduate of Whitworth University with a B.A. in Sociology, Emily loves research and input. She is socially-focused and accommodating, putting the needs of the team above her own. She and her husband Wade are newlyweds, and are navigating the waters of marriage, home-ownership, and (cat) parenting with aplomb. Emily is a complete extrovert who loves building relationships.

We had to tell National SDA why Emily deserved the Star Award. Here’s what we submitted:

Emily represents the best of her generation. She is brilliant, hard-working, willing, savvy, kind, inclusive, and a champion for justice. In her short time in the industry she has already stepped out and:

  • Joined SDA
  • Attended an EDSymposium (EDS18 in SLC) on a Chapter scholarship
  • Lead a virtual roundtable for the Chapter that attracted attendees from SDA Chapters nation-wide
  • Served on the Chapter Nominating Committee
  • Facilitated SDA Seattle’s Better Business Book Club
  • Served on the Host Chapter Committee for EDSymposium19
  • Sat for her CDFA exam

All this while learning the particular ins and outs of the AEC industry, supporting a busy and growing office, buying a house, becoming a cat-mom, and being an all-around inspiring person.

If Emily represents the future of our industry and our association, the future is very bright indeed!

Congratulations, Emily!

 

 

Star image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay

Seattle chapter well represented at EDSymposium19

At this year’s annual conference, 16 Seattle chapter members enjoyed the educational sessions, the networking, and the banquet that closes the conference. Sixteen — that’s a record number of conference attendees for our chapter!

Those 16 chapter members work at 11 A/E firms. Here we are, at the Welcome Reception held at Bernardo|Wills Architects’ office.

Bottom row, left to right: from DLR Group: Shannon Soady, CDFA; from Bernardo|Wills Architects: Emily Meyer, CDFA; from Gelotte Hommas Drivdahl Architecture: Linne Pullar. Second row, left to right: from KPG: Georgeann Smith; from MG2: Jessica King, CDFA; from Studio Meng Strazzara: Carrie Thompson, CDFA. Third row, left to right: from KPG: Terri Simms; from Studio Meng Strazzara: Kurt Wong, CDFA; from Sparks Management: Cathy Comstock, CDFA. Fourth row, left to right: from Berger Partnership: Stacy Rowland, CDFA; from Studio Meng Strazzara: Karyn Marks; from Bernardo|Wills Architects: Gretchen Renz, CDFA. Fifth row, left to right: from WSP USA: Judy Beebe, FSDA; from Pennell Consulting: Crystal Ray; from MG2: Laiisha Thomas. Not pictured: from Weinstein A+U: EB Meyer.

We were very happy that two of our Lifetime Chapter members were able to join us at the banquet: Virginia Hansen and Susan Vestal. Virginia served as SDA’s National President in the early 1970s, and Susan served as the Seattle chapter president in the mid-70s. Also at the banquet, our chapter was recognized for winning the 2019 Chapter Excellence Award; Emily Meyers was recognized with a Star Award and having achieved her CDFA (Certified Design Firm Administrator), and Judy Beebe received her Fellowship medal.

This year’s symposium was held in Spokane, Washington. Next year it will be held in Asheville, North Carolina. Hope to see you there!

EDSymposium19 – save the date!

National SDA always announces the location of the next EDSymposium at it’s annual awards/installation banquet. Next year . . . it’s in Spokane! You can bet the Seattle chapter will be pitching in to make EDSymposium19 a success! So, save the date, and make plans to be there.

Oh yeah—the date? Well, plan on it being held again sometime in May 2019 (as it has been for past years). As soon as we know the date, we’ll be sure to put a link on our website for you.