A Chapter of the American Institute of Architects October 14, 2015 Service Award Jury c/o AIA Las Vegas 401 S. Fourth Street, Suite 175 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Dear Jurors: On behalf of the Las Vegas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, I am pleased and honored to nominate Eric M. Roberts, AIA for the Silver Medal, in acknowledgement of his service to the profession and to all the members of the American Institute of Architects in Nevada. When I began my service on the AIA Las Vegas board in 2012, Eric had already served for several years. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know and work with him during his years as President-elect (2012) and President of the Chapter (2013). His vision and his ability to inspire others has been a model for my own service. In 2014, he went on to serve as President of the Chapter and has been a consistent and effective advocate on behalf of the profession on the local, state and federal levels. His leadership as President of both the and AIA Las Vegas Chapters has inspired and encouraged younger members to take active roles in the AIA. And now, Eric represents the interests of all AIA members through his service as Treasurer on the Western Mountain Region Council. Eric is a dedicated professional who actively seeks opportunities contribute and to be of service not only to his profession, but to his community as well. He teaches architecture at the Community College of Southern Nevada. He organized the AIA Las Vegas Urban Sketchers group and uses his creative talents to inspire and encourage others to discover and use their talents. He is active in his church and his community and is a devoted husband and father. In my opinion, Eric M. Roberts, AIA is a model architect, excelling in his service to his clients, advancing the profession, working to better his community and inspiring others to do the same. His many contributions and service to the profession make him a worthy and deserving candidate for the Silver Medal. Yours truly, Mark Ryan, AIA President AIA Las Vegas
Silver Medal award 2015, NCARB, LEED AP BIOGRAPHY is a husband, a father of five children and an architect. Eric is a passionate advocate for architects and the practice of architecture throughout the State of Nevada and the West. He is an inspirational leader and an agent for positive change in the profession. His cheerful can-do attitude is contagious and his work ethic is unmatched. Prior to his professional career commencing in Las Vegas Eric was recognized with the Alpha Rho Chi Medal at the University of Idaho in recognition of the Highest levels of architectural achievement and leadership. The Alpha Rho Chi meal is awarded to a graduate student who has shown an ability for leadership, performed willing service for his school, and gives promise of real professional merit through his attitude and personality. These three terms, Leadership, Service, and Professional Merit have become his watchwords throughout his professional career. Developing leadership traits and habits can be difficult for young architects as they try to balance licensure, advancement in a firm and volunteerism with the AIA and other organizations in the community. Couple these efforts with the demands of family, church and social life and the task can become overwhelming for young design professionals. Eric has navigated these waters deftly and with aplomb. He advanced the the role of Vice President and Studio Director at SH Architecture, a 48-person firm with projects around the country, in 2007 and lead the firm s rebranding and digital marketing efforts. He has served for years as a sunday school teacher for his church and has also donated time as a local cub scout leader. Eric is also a respected local Little League and youth baseball coach and has lead multiple teams to Nevada State Baseball Championship games. He has been happily married for over 18 years and has 5 beautiful children. EMPLOYER SHarchitecture EDUCATION Master of Architecture, University of Idaho PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AIA USGBC SMPS COMMUNITY SERVICE Boy Scouts of America Cub Scouts Little League Baseball Habitat for Humanity Friends of Nevada Wilderness Eric s major focus with the AIA has been on establishing a political voice for architects in the State of Nevada. In the brief time that Eric has been working toward furthering the influence of architects on the state of Nevada s political landscape; architects have been asked to serve on Harry Reid s Blue Ribbon sustainability committee, the Governor s special budget committee and to testify on the floor of the state legislature in support of bills affecting architecture. Eric was also able to get the PAC started and began fundraising for political purposes. Through the efforts of our architects our executive director -Randy Lavigne- was even invited to be Harry Reid s special guest for the State of the Union address in 2010! The AIA has been part of meaningful legislation in each of the past 3 legislative sessions thanks to Eric s efforts in rallying efforts, talents, ideas and time to get bills drafts submitted, tracked, and followed to approval. Some of our approved bills have pushed for more budget dollars for pencil ready projects that would lead to projects for architects; improving the bidding climate for local architects on public works projects for local architects, and removing difficult indemnification clauses from public works contracts with architects. Eric has also made a commitment and solid investment in the future of the profession through his outreach efforts to youth education programs with the City of Las Vegas that teach design and construction principles at a young age. He has also been an annual
FRIENDS OF NEVADA WILDERNESS: Each year Eric donates many hours to cleaning up and improving the wild places of Nevada. His service for the Friends of Nevada Wilderness promotes the community mission of the AIA and helps maintain Nevada s natural beauty for generations to come. mentor for the AIA High School Design Awards program for over 8 years. Through his efforts with the High School students he has been able to work with over 1,000 students in the last 8 years an introduce them to basic design concepts and principles. This is the kind of committed effort that makes a difference and induces change in the coming generation of students who may choose architecture over other available courses of study. Eric has also made efforts to be a positive influence on young assoicate AIA members and has reached out to the national audience through the National Associates Committee newsletter by being published twice while writing on the subject of establishing a personal brand as an architect and developing a career path for young architects. In the spring of 2013 Eric collaborated with a group of architects from AIA Las Vegas and started the Las Vegas Urban Sketchers Chapter. This group gets together at various locations around the community on a monthly basis and sketches the environment. Las Vegas Urban Sketchers have had displays at local restaurants and at AIA events and continue to draw individuals from a diverse cross-section of the community to the monthly sketch events. Through this outreach effort Eric has been able to further the outreach of the AIA and increase the visibility of the power of the built environment around us by sketching how we see it, month by month. Eric is also recognized as an articulate speaker and a dynamic architect. He was appointed to the Las Vegas Board of appeals and is recognized for his level-headed approach and analytical approach to complex code-based issues and concerns. Eric was also chosen to be part of the remodel of the Scott Brothers property and the 4-part television special called Property Brothers at Home which continues to air nationally on HGTV. Eric is proud to be a Nevadan and honored to be part of the great family that is the AIA. with Rep. Dina Titus with Senator Harry Reid
Silver Medal award 2015, NCARB, LEED AP ACHIEVEMENTS LEADERSHIP with the American Institute of Architects 2006-2008 Associate Director (Appointed to consecutive terms) 2006 - Present AIA State Government Network Representative 2008-2009 Intern Development Program Coordinator 2010-2012 AIA Las Vegas Executive Board elected as Director 2012 AIA Las Vegas President 2012-2013 AIA National Council for Emerging Professionals 2013 President 2014-2016 AIA Western Mountain Region Treasurer SERVICE with the American Institute of Architects 2005 - Present Member of AIA Las Vegas Committee on the Environment (COTE Committee) 2013 - Present Started and runs AIA Las Vegas Urban Sketchers Group 2006 Committee Chair for Blueprint for Nevada event 2008 - Present Political Action Committee Chair and primary fundraiser 2005 - Present AIA High School Design Awards Mentor LEADERSHIP in the Community 2008 Guest lecturer to architecture students at University of Idaho 2014 - Present Adjunct faculty and studio instructor at College of Southern Nevada 2012-2016 Appointed to City of Las Vegas Board of Appeals 2006-2012 Member University of Idaho College of Art and Architecture Advisory Council SERVICE in the Community 2005 - Present Over 200 hours donated annually to Friends of Nevada Wilderness in maintenance of Nevada s parks and primitive wilderness areas. 2005 - Present Sunday School Teacher 2005-2014 Little League Baseball Coach 2012 City of Las Vegas Bob the Builder educational camp on architecture for 6th graders AWARDS, RECOGNITION and PUBLICATIONS 2005 Alpha Rho Chi Medal Recipient
2014 Vegas Seven Magazine s Most Intriguing People 2014 He s been the captain of the ship as we recovered after a brutal recession, says Brett Robillard, an associate with the architecture and design firm Gensler. He s garnered support locally and regionally for Las Vegas architects, and he s really inspired the younger group. There s a sense of joy when he s talking about architecture, and that s really refreshing. 2010 Young Architect Award 2009 Associate Award 2015 Snow College Top 40 Alumni under 40 2007 Joe Architect Interview with Eric Roberts Assoc. AIA (National AIA Assoc. Newsletter) 2008 The Brand of You National AIA Associates Newsletter 2015 Feature story on www.thekrakens.com website for artists showing an architect s sketchbook 2013 Vegas Seven Magazine Drawing The City 2014 Design of Scott Family Residence and Pool house on Property Brothers
ARTICLES AND ACHIEVEMENTS Lobbying for Architects with Senate Majority leader Harry Reid VEGAS SEVEN MAGAZINE Janurary 2014 Lobbying for Architects and Pencil Ready Jobs with Congressman Stephen Horsford VEGAS SEVEN MAGAZINE 2013 AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS NEVADA CHAPTER January/February 2013
ARTICLES AND ACHIEVEMENTS LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL AND LAS VEGAS BUSINESS PRESS 2007 - PRESENT
ARTICLES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
PROJECTS HERITAGE AQUATICS client: City of Henderson completed: 2010 LEED Gold Cost: $16 million
PROJECTS LAS VEGAS URBAN SKETCHERS Starting the Las Vegas Urban Sketchers has been one of the most rewarding acts of service that I have done with the AIA. I has helped me meet people from all parts of our community and has opened doors to architects that would have otherwise been closed.
PROJECTS WHITE PINE COUNTY AQUATICS client: White Pine County, NV completed: 2014 Cost: $5 Million
tsk 709 Valle Verde Court, Henderson, Nevada 89014 October 14, 2015 2015 Silver Medal Award Jury 401 S. 4th Street, Suite 175 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Re: Eric Roberts, 2015 Silver Medal Award Nominee Dear Members of the Jury, It is with great pleasure that I am writing this letter and can whole heartedly recommend Eric Roberts, AIA for the AIA Nevada Silver Medal Award. As a past recipient of this honor myself, I know the prestige it carries with our peers. Having known Eric through the AIA Chapter for many years, I am very much aware of all he has done and will continue to do for us. His effort in bringing our profession into the political arena and giving architects a voice in local and state politics is a testament to his outstanding and tireless efforts that we all benefit from. Eric s work does not stop with our profession. He is and has been very much involved with our youth community. While having five children of his own he finds time for others by coaching baseball teams and leading scouts. I don t know a harder working, upbeat and caring person who is more worthy of this honor. Please give careful consideration to Eric Roberts submission for the Silver Medal Award. He is a deserving recipient for this honor, and I highly recommend Eric for this award. Sincerely, William E. Snyder, FAIA
October 14, 2015 Jury 401 S. Fourth Street, Suite 175 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Re: 2015 Silver Medal Mr. Eric Roberts, AIA Dear Members of the Jury, It gives me great pleasure to write this letter of reference for Eric Roberts, AIA as he pursues the Silver Medal. I have personally witnessed Eric s career steadily mature over the past 15 years and continue to admire his deep and continuous dedication to the Institute, our profession and our community making him the clear choice for this recognition. Eric is more than a gifted architect, he is at once personable with an infectious personality, constantly using these gifts as a frontline presence for our profession, promoting the AIA at every level of the Institute. Eric has made a clear and significant impact here in the great state of Nevada and now the region as our WMR Treasurer. He has done this through his continued involvement in the AIA, with his community engagement and through volunteer activities including co-chairing the Energy and Resources committee for AIA 150 Blueprint for Nevada, serving the State Government Network and serving as the State IDP coordinator. He is a past President of AIA Las Vegas and of, all the while serving on the National Council of Emerging Professionals. He has also served on the Design Coalition committee, the AIA Committee on the Environment, the AIA Golf Tournament committee as well as various other sub-committees and panels. Eric also finds time to serve as a mentor for High School students, a little league baseball coach, a Cub Master for the Cub scouts and has served as a member of the College of Art and Architecture advisory committee at the University of Idaho. He is by definition the quintessential Citizen Architect. Eric is also a prolific and gifted artist and drawer, inspiring all that view his ever present sketchbook to keep the art of sketching alive. But of all the architects I have come to know throughout my life, I know of very few that have served this profession, this institute and our community with the passion that Eric has. I am simply amazed by what he has done in his career and the simple fact of the matter is he s still accomplishing more every day. The Silver Medal recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the Institute, the profession and the citizens of the State of Nevada, their community, and who has transcended local boundaries in making these contributions. Eric and his work epitomize the meaning and purpose of this award and therefore I strongly encourage your consideration of my friend and colleague, Eric Roberts, AIA for the Silver Medal. Respectfully, Edward A. Vance, FAIA, NCARB Founder & CEO Richard Upjohn Fellow The American Institute of Architects National Board of Directors 2010-2012 Secretary-Elect AIA College of Fellows 2016-2017 900 South Pavilion Center Drive Suite 180 Las Vegas Nevada 89144 Page 1 of 1