Ryan Smith - University of Utah

I co-chaired the first BTES Conference in 2006 with the express purpose of connecting educators in architectural technology. I am therefore committed to building technology in my research, teaching, and service missions.  Currently, I am Director of the Integrated Technology in Architecture Center, at the University of Utah School of Architecture, whose research mission is to analyze process and product technologies that lead to technology innovation and sustainable building practices. I have received research grants from FEMA, AISC, DOE, AIA and BSA as well as local companies and agencies for work in the Center.   

I taught structures at the University of Oregon 2003-2004, and currently lead the materials and construction sequence at Utah since 2004.  I have received the ACSA Collaborative Practice, the ACSA Creative Achievement Award, and the EPA Life Cycle Challenge Award for industry collaborative studio instruction.  I am directing a new graduate program in building technology that brings architecture, engineering and construction management together with the industry in a unique academic ~ professional alliance.

As President-Elect of BTES my goals include:

• Broadening and connecting the membership by including SBSE, ACSA, ACADIA, and others.
• Integrating industry partners such as firms, manufacturers, and trade organizations that have natural connections to building technology for both information and to increase BTES funding base;
• Developing a research grant program and best paper award program to increase the academic research and teaching scholarship rigor of the organization;
• Developing junior faculty and student travel scholarships so that many may attend future conferences;
• Increasing the level of dialogue on the list-serve so that exchange of research and teaching ideas may inflect innovation in schools of architecture.

Gil Snyder - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Associate Professor and Associate Dean

The emergence of the BTES as an important national forum that runs the gamut from the sharing  of teaching tactics to the creation of a professional identity for building technology and structures educators is remarkable.  We are fortunate to have been led to this point by a cadre of dedicated teachers and thinkers with the energy and wisdom to both form and direct this enterprise.  I am grateful for the work that has been done to situate the BTES on firm footing, and am eager to lend a hand to its continued development.  

My interest in assuming a leadership role in BTES is founded on my own research and teaching that is centered around materiality, surface development, and integrated enclosure design.  Recently, I have been funded to conduct a multi-year materials-based design studio with a regional precast concrete manufacturer that underscores my interest in materiality and construction systems.  Furthermore, I am excited by the blurring of disciplinary boundaries inherent in advances with building information modeling software and the integrated practice that follows.  Pursuing that research agenda has led me to fruitful, and funded, academic collaboration with a professional architecture firm and a host of consultants to create the Integrated Practice Design Studio using BIM at our university.  The conception and work of this academic studio was recognized with a 2009 national AIA award. 

As the groundwork has been so ably laid for the continuity of the BTES, my primary goals as president-elect would be centered around supporting expansion of education, publication, research, and travel opportunities for our membership, especially junior faculty.  In addition, I also think it is important to establish enhanced connections with our international colleagues, and I intend to draw on my extensive experience with international teaching in study abroad programs to further that agenda.  All of these initiatives require expanded resources, and I see my primary role, finally, as an agent for the improved fiscal certainty that will be necessary to allow the BTES to continue to thrive.  My demonstrated experience as associate dean and as a collaborator with professionals and manufacturers from a variety of backgrounds in our field can be a productive point of departure when soliciting support from potential industry partners to build upon the good works that have come before us.

Paul Zorr - Auburn University

WHO I AM:
I have been a Professor at Auburn University in the School of Architecture for the past 30 years.    In that time, I have taught Design Studio at every year level and have offered Seminars in History and Theory, Architectural Detailing, Aesthetics and courses in Materials and Methods of Construction.    Prior to joining Auburn, I taught at IIT and worked for the Architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill and worked on two of the World’s Tallest Buildings, the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower in Chicago.   I also worked for Mies van der Rohe and participated in the design of the 20th Century Gallery built in Berlin, Germany.

My teaching passion is Conceptual Design and its application to Studio Projects and the Making of Architecture through the expression of Structure, Materiality, and Detail.

WHAT WILL I DO:
With my background and experience in Practice and Teaching, I would be honored to participate in the growth and success of the Mission of BTES.    The Clear Intentions of the Society waits for the character of the leadership to form and orchestrates how we move forward.

The promotion and support of the mission I feel is not complete without a strategy to integrate our passion for technology with our colleagues in the Design Professions and Allied Educational Institutions.    Our voice must be heard in collaboration with others as we develop solutions to answer Global Concerns about Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Depletion of Natural Resources.

I would also advance an active campaign to recruit membership to the Society from Europe, Asia, and the America’s.     Their perspectives are critical as we shape and reshape our understandings and face the Now and Future.

I would focus my President-Elect Year Planning, Organizing, and Promoting an International Gathering at Auburn University’s Rural Studio for the purpose of Celebrating Building Technology & Design-Build.

Don Hunsicker - The Boston Architectural College

Donald Hunsicker has been a strong supporter of the BTES since its inception.  He volunteered for and was active in the original organizing committee.  This committee was formed after the first symposium at the University of Maryland in 2006.  The organizing committee worked for nearly two years establishing and incorporating the BTES as a non-profit corporation.  He has served as a founding Member of the Board of Directors since BTES was incorporated in 2008.

He believes strongly in the mission of the BTES and wants to continue serving the group as a Member of the Board.

In fall 2009, Donald assumed the position of Head of School of Design Studies, a pre-professional undergraduate degree program, at the Boston Architectural College.  In this position, he is also responsible for the building technology curriculum (oversight of course content, hiring of faculty, etc.) for the architecture program at the BAC.

Prior to joining the administrative staff at the BAC, he had nearly 30 years of professional experience working as an architect, construction manager and owner’s representative.  During this professional career his main areas of interest and focus were project management, construction contract administration and construction document production.

His teaching experience includes courses in construction contract administration and professional practice. 

David Peronnet - Hampton University

This election marks the third year that I have been involved with the official activities of the Building Technology Educatorsʼ Society. Since 2006 when the first symposium was held at the University of Maryland and up until today my role with the development of our Society has been one of an Organizing Committee member that later became one of the Board of Directors.

The events leading to our not for profit status and incorporation officially started at the close of the 2006 Symposium. At that time I volunteered to Chair the original Organizing Committee and work alongside with my respected colleagues Diane Armpriest, Dana Gulling, Don Hunsicker and Deborah Oakley. The mission we took on was to fulfill the desire of the 2006 Symposium attendees to develop and launch a viable and accountable organization that could be a voice to professors teaching architectural technology. That mission took close to two years to complete. During this time the Organizing Committee became the first Board of Directors. I worked to organize meetings, administer the nomination of our first officers and the balloting process to elect them. I also assisted in the development of our By - Laws and other governing documents. I have had a fun time developing these items for the benefit of our members and look forward to future challenges that face a developing society such as ours.

I am now submitting my name for your vote to continue serving as a board member. It is the first time since the beginning of our work the Directors will be elected. I will work with the momentum our past work has created to help guide the future of what the BTES can become. The BTES is a growing group and my part on the board will provide useful experiences that our newly elected officers will need to have. I look forward to serving our society again not just as a volunteer but as an elected representative.