Having guided the American Institute of Architects through some turbulent times, Robert A. Ivy announced he will retire at the end of 2021. Since becoming executive vice president and chief executive officer of the organization in February 2011, he has confronted the lingering effects of the Great Recession on a profession composed of mostly small practitioners; technological changes in the way architects work; the growing impact of climate change; and sweeping calls for greater diversity and racial justice.
Ivy faced controversy when, right after the election of Donald Trump in November 2016, he released a statement saying “the AIA and its 89,000 members are committed to working with President-elect Trump to address the issues our country faces, particularly strengthening the nation’s aging infrastructure.” The missive was met by a maelstrom of anger by architects who said the profession needed to resist, not cooperate; some even called for Ivy’s ouster as the head of the organization. He weathered that moment and pushed forward important changes at the 164-year-old association, including a public outreach campaign, a digital transformation of the institute’s operations, and greater engagement on social issues.
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