Jeff Potter, FAIA

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["i"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Through his seemingly\ncountless contributions, Jeff Potter, FAIA, has played a critical role in\nshaping the values and professional standards of today\u2019s AIA and profession. A\ndedicated leader at all levels throughout his career, including his service as AIA\u2019s\n88th president, Potter has demonstrated an enduring commitment to excellence\nand advocacy that elevates architecture\u2019s importance in society. His vision for\nthe profession has energized emerging professionals and established architects\nalike, challenging them to continue to make AIA a proactive and progressive\norganization. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A native of Shreveport,\nLouisiana, Potter grew up the son of a structural steel businessman and a\nteaching artist, a combination that prompted an interest in the design of the\nbuilt environment. After completing his studies at Texas A\u0026M, Potter\nfounded his namesake firm in Longview, Texas, quickly establishing himself as a\nsought-after strategic planner and designer of educational facilities. Later,\nhe and his wife, Shelley Potter, opened their studio in Dallas."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Potter began his\ninvolvement with AIA with the AIA Northeast Texas Chapter\u2014now a section of AIA\nDallas\u2014where he served in nearly every office in the all-volunteer component.\nIn 1994, he was invited to join the Texas Society of Architects\u2019 Publications\nCommittee, where, for seven years, he helped shape the profession through the\nsociety\u2019s award-winning magazine, "],[0,[0],1,"Texas\nArchitect"],[0,[],0,". His work on the committee inspired him to volunteer on the\nsociety\u2019s executive committee, serving as vice president, secretary,\npresident-elect, and its 66th president in 2004. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In 2006, Potter was\nselected to represent Texas as a member of AIA\u2019s Board of Directors, where he focused\non the development of a strategic communications initiative. He envisioned a\ncomprehensive examination of AIA\u2019s brand that was launched at the 2011\nCommunication Summitt in Kansas City. He spurred AIA to partner with celebrated\nmarketing and design firms LaPlaca Cohen and Pentagram while strengthening\nAIA\u2019s communications staff and enhancing messaging across three publications. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"This work continued into\nhis AIA presidency, during which Potter led the initiative that repositioned\nAIA to more effectively communicate the value of architecture and its benefit\nto society. His transformational agenda gave rise to a bold and innovative\ncommunication strategy, including the widely viewed "],[0,[0],1,"I Look Up"],[0,[],0," video series and a closer focus on highlighting AIA\nmembers and their work."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Throughout his AIA leadership\ntenure, Potter grew increasingly concerned that AIA\u2019s philanthropic avenues\nwere suffering after parting with the American Architectural Foundation (AAF)\nin 2008. To remedy that, he joined the Architects Foundation, AAF\u2019s successor,\nand later served two terms as its president, focusing on opportunity\nscholarships. His leadership resulted in increased support from corporate and\nprivate donors, as well as AIA\u2019s board, that grew the opportunity scholarship\nprogram from three to 25 students enrolled in architecture programs across the\ncountry. The scholarships profoundly impact students who can change the face of\nthe profession."]]]]}