Skip to content
Linkedin Instagram Youtube Search
CAF Logo

2026 ELECTIONS

About the AIA California Board of Directors & Election Procedures
Looking to make an impact in the architectural profession? AIA California Board of Directors members shape the direction and activities of the largest AIA state in the country. Standing for election offers a platform to lead, learn, and contribute.

AIA California leadership is comprised of two main groups, the Board of Directors and the board’s Executive Committee. Each holds different responsibility.

The Board of Directors establishes policy. With elected leaders from across the state, it is composed of: individuals who represent 21 local components, ex officio members of the Executive Committee, and members who represent California at AIA, the national level.

Implementing policy and overseeing organizational operations is the Executive Committee, which is comprised of the AIA California President, and eleven other elected members who oversee different areas such as the Vice-President of Government Relations, the Vice President of Professional Practice, and the Vice President of Climate Action. These Board Members are empowered to conduct the business of AIA CA and responsible for implementation of Board-directed policies.

As AIA California transitions to a new governance model, the number and responsibilities of elected leaders will change in 2027. To support this shift, encourage behavioral adaptation, and avoid shortening existing terms, several positions will remain unfilled in 2026. During the October 9, 2025 meeting, the Board will be asked to consider proposed changes to the AIA CA governing documents to reflect this shift.

For more information on AIA CA leadership roles and opportunities, contact AIA California Executive Vice President Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA.

Candidates

 

Position     TermsCandidates
1st Vice President/President Elect2026
Robert Drew Weigl Photo Smaller bw x
Robert Drew Weigl, AIA

Supporting PDF

Treasurer/Secretary2026-2027
DanielPerez bw x
Daniel Perez, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP

Supporting PDF

Introduction
This information serves the Call for Nominations for open positions in AIA California and within AIA. Please note that there are important differences in the nominating procedures for the open offices of the AIA CA and the AIA.

Date of Elections
The elections will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, virtually via Zoom, during the AIA CA Annual Board of Directors meeting.

General Position Descriptions

Term:  Serves one year as FVP then automatically succeeds to the office of President

Staff Liaison(s):    Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA, Executive Vice President;
Mirna Douet, Executive Assistant

Responsibilities:

  1. Perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence
  2. Have primary responsibility for the AIA CA Policy Book
  3. Have primary responsibility for monitoring the annual Operating Plan
  4. Co-chair the Planning and Finance Committee with the Secretary/Treasurer
  5. Serve as liaison to the Long-Range Planning Committee; work collaboratively with the VP of Strategic Planning & Research to monitor and review Long Range and Strategic plans.
  6. Serve as ex-officio member of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
  7. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Leadership Development Committee
  8. Serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee
  9. Serve as member of the Capitol Forum Board (CALC PAC Committee)
  10. Participate in annual review of the Strategic Plan and development of the annual Operating Plan and budget
  11. Participate in monthly leadership calls
  12. Coordinate leadership development efforts in support of any and all committees, task forces and working groups for the organization

Term:  Serves one year as FVP then automatically succeeds to the office of President

Staff Liaison(s):    Nicki Dennis Stephens, Hon. AIA, Executive Vice President;
Mirna Douet, Executive Assistant

Responsibilities:

  1. Perform all the duties of the President in his/her absence
  2. Have primary responsibility for the AIA CA Policy Book
  3. Have primary responsibility for monitoring the annual Operating Plan
  4. Co-chair the Planning and Finance Committee with the Secretary/Treasurer
  5. Serve as liaison to the Long-Range Planning Committee; work collaboratively with the VP of Strategic Planning & Research to monitor and review Long Range and Strategic plans.
  6. Serve as ex-officio member of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
  7. Serve as an ex-officio member of the Leadership Development Committee
  8. Serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee
  9. Serve as member of the Capitol Forum Board (CALC PAC Committee)
  10. Participate in annual review of the Strategic Plan and development of the annual Operating Plan and budget
  11. Participate in monthly leadership calls
  12. Coordinate leadership development efforts in support of any and all committees, task forces and working groups for the organization

Term: Two Years

Staff Liaison(s):  TBA, Director of Finance;
Mirna Douet, Executive Assistant

Responsibilities:

Secretary:

  1. Serve as Chair of the Procedures and Documents Committee
  2. Act as recording and corresponding secretary, and as secretary and parliamentarian of the meetings of the Board and Executive Committee
  3. Perform all duties required by state law of corporate secretaries; issue all notices of the AIA CA; keep its membership role; keep the AIA CA seal and affix it on such instruments as require it; sign, along with the President, all instruments and matters that require attestation, approval, or contractual commitment of the AIA CA except as otherwise provided in the AIA CA Bylaws
  4. Monitor the activities of the AIA CA for conformance with the policies stated in the AIA CA documents

Treasurer:

  1. Co-chair the Planning and Finance Committee with the First VP/President-Elect
  2. Ensure that all member dues, contributions and assessments are collected; exercise general supervision of the AIACC’s funds and financial transactions using established procedures for their accounting
  3. Perform all the duties required by corporate financial officers as required by state law.
  4. Serve on the Pension Plan Advisory Committee
  5. Serve on the CACE Opportunity Fund Grant Review Committee
  6. Participate in the leadership development in support of any and all committees, task forces and working groups related to this program

Elections

AIA California elections are held annually, in November, with nominations for open positions due 60 days prior. Candidates may also be nominated from the floor. Any AIA California member in good standing is eligible for election.

Nomination Submittals – General Information (All Positions):

  • Nominees must be AIA CA members in good standing and be able to attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings.
  • Nomination letter(s) from an AIA CA member in good standing, which includes a statement in support of the candidate, and should be on company letterhead, if applicable, is to be sent via email to mdouet@aiacalifornia.org by the deadline of 5:00pm on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
  • Nominations for any office not received by the posted deadline must be made from the floor by 2/3 vote of the AIA CA Board of Directors on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Annual Meeting.

Disclaimer
No member of the AIA CA Executive Committee shall engage in the endorsement, sponsorship, or nomination of any candidate for AIA CA or AIA office.

Submission Requirements

No later than Wednesday, October 8, 2025, candidates must provide the following items via email to mdouet@aiacalifornia.org:
    • A 100-word (maximum) summary of the candidate’s background, education, professional history, and service to the professions.
    • A 200-word (maximum) summary of the candidate’s philosophy, goals, and objectives in serving in this office.
    • E-photos: please save as a 300 dpi, average size is 2”x3”, in either jpeg or png.
    • Candidates are also permitted to submit a letter of support for their nomination from any individual, AIA member or otherwise. This letter shall not be longer than 2 pages in length, including letterhead. Letters exceeding this requirement will not be accepted.
      • Letters meeting this requirement will be included in the Board of Directors agenda packet posted on Basecamp for the Annual Board of Directors Meeting on Friday, November 14, 2025.
      • Letters will not be published on the AIA CA’s website, nor will they be included in the Relevance newsletter.
  • The nominees for the 2026 open positions will be verified by the AIA CA Secretary/Treasurer.
  • Qualifying nomination packages will then be forwarded to AIA CA Communications for publication on the AIA CA website and in the newsletter.
  • The election for all open positions will be held during the AIA CA Annual Board of Directors Meeting on Friday, November 14, 2025, virtually via Zoom.
  • Candidates for all offices will give a speech not to exceed 3 minutes in length.
  • Statements of background and philosophy will be included in the agenda packet for the AIA CA Board of Directors Meeting being held on November 14, 2025. Accordingly, the materials will also be posted on AIA CA Basecamp approximately two weeks prior to the meeting.

For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the open offices, please contact AIA CA Executive Assistant, Mirna Douet at (916) 642-1712 or mdouet@aiacalifornia.org.