AIA Elevates Two HKS Architects to the College of Fellows in 2019
One of the highest honors attainable for an architect, elevation to the AIA College of Fellows is a recognition of an architect’s personal achievements and contributions to society. In 2019, two HKS principals were selected to join this esteemed assembly. Jim L. Whitaker, FAIA, FDBIA, and Robert E. Bullis, FAIA, are members of the North Carolina and Texas chapters, respectively.
Jim Whitaker’s leadership of the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) profoundly impacts the architectural profession. As an advocate, educator and influencer, he evangelizes for the architect’s essential leadership role in all project delivery methodologies. Whether design build, engineer-procure-construct (EPC), integrated project delivery (IPD) or public-private partnerships (P3), he consistently encourages design process and business improvements. Acting as ambassador between designers and contractors, he focuses on better collaboration through more effective communication, removing contractual and regulatory barriers and harnessing technology to enable greater productivity. Mr. Whitaker is the only practicing architect to have been elevated to both Colleges of Fellows, AIA and DBIA.
Robert (Bob) Bullis galvanized AIA Dallas into an influential community planning and policy leader in one of the nation’s most prominent, fastest-growing metropolitan regions. During his tenure as AIA Dallas president, he created effective advocacy strategies that energized members, allied professional, community partners and the general public. Under his trailblazing advocacy, AIA Dallas became a respected leader of regional urban design debate. Today, the chapter is a key resource to public officials, community builders, and the media on issued including preservation of Fair Park, the State of Texas Tree Ordinance and Dallas Area Transit D2 Alignment. AIA Dallas received the Institute’s 2016 AIA Grassroots Award for Local Advocacy.