In this Issue:

• » An Introduction
• » Interview with Ken Lambla
• » Kimmel Architecture Scholarships Awarded at UNCC CoA
• » Hot Candidates
• » Interview with Tanya Walter
• » Ear to the Ground: Interview with Jim Vockley
• » This Issue's Cartoon
• » Announcements

An Introduction

For 26 years, Kimmel & Associates has served as consultants who can be trusted to respect their clients’ work, honor their ambitions, and present candidates to them who match the demanding work ethic and unique style of each company with whom they are allied. And as Kimmel deepens its efforts in the field of Architecture, we find the Architects and Engineers we are meeting to be distinguished by imagination, innovation, and energy; this industry is rushing forward, and we are excited to meet the women and men who are driving it. Kimmel & Associates is not a new company, but The Architect’s Industry Newsletter is a new voice which will tell your stories and trumpet your successes with the same pride and care which your own work reveals. The publication will be released quarterly.

Rich Weinman, Consultant/Recruiter for Kimmel & Associates, is the Editor and the creative force behind The Architect’s Industry Newsletter. Rich’s passion for people and infectious personality remain traits that led him to produce this inaugural edition of the newsletter; the Newsletter will act as a forum and an expanded platform in which to exchange ideas, herald achievements, share information, and even introduce you to candidates who merit attention and may help solve a need your own growth has caused. We welcome your comments and ideas and invite you to join us in talking to other professionals in your field. For more information, please reach us at rweinman@kimmel.com. The phone number is 828-251-9900 X541.

To you and yours, a safe and fun holiday season.

An Interview with Ken Lambla

Mr. Ken Lambla, AIA, is the Dean of the College of Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. Recently, Kimmel & Associates created the opportunity for five standout students to receive Scholarships on behalf of the Kimmel Architectural Division. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, College of Architecture and Kimmel & Associates look forward to a long and growing relationship. The Architect’s Industry Newsletter presents this interview between Mr. Lambla and Rich Weinman, a consultant in Architecture at Kimmel & Associates.

RKW: Does the College of Architecture market itself beyond the central North Carolina market?
Ken Lambla: While we honor our roots in central North Carolina, 80% of our students come from 49 counties across the state, which means that we have a very thorough recruitment process and have very good student distribution throughout the state. This is a conscious goal as we want to impact both the professional community across the region and supply local leadership.

RKW: Do most graduates end up being placed and working for local Architectural firms in Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham?
Ken Lambla: Our graduates are employed throughout the country and, increasingly, internationally, as well as in North Carolina. The main employment hubs in North Carolina are Charlotte, the Triangle, the Triad, Asheville and Wilmington. Our graduates are also working at large, multi-national firms in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle.

RKW: How often does the College hold Job Fairs and what is the easiest way for an Architectural firm to reach out to the school in regard to making contact with new and recent graduates?
Ken Lambla: We hold our job fairs once per year, usually in March. These are organized by the AIA’s leadership and have been extremely effective at providing job opportunities for our students. We have a university-appointed employment counselor who helps the students prepare their interview materials and articulate their skills. Architectural firms are coming from North Carolina, South Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and New York at this time in the strong national economy.

RKW: The community seems to have a sincere fondness for you. Help me understand your philosophy on doing business and running a successful Architecture College.
Ken Lambla: I believe the most important aspect of my job as Dean is to establish a strong ethos within the college among both faculty and students. Integrity and life-long learning skills such as clear communication, quality writing, and critical thinking help our students control their own career destiny. I promote an eclectic, energetic, and disciplined approach to our teaching, and our students are encouraged to task risk, collaborate, and assume leadership positions with real responsibility. We believe that architecture is a form of community development and not simply the fruition of the individual designer’s mind; thus, architecture as a profession is viewed less as a service than an issue of creative leadership.

RKW: From a marketing and visibility standpoint, please help me understand how the UNCC Architectural program benefits from receiving Scholarships and grants.
Ken Lambla: Supporting our students through scholarships is a responsible form of stewardship. These scholarships not only reward excellence but identify potential for career leadership. Reaching out to our students with scholarships instills a sense of community responsibility and business acumen. They also establish human connections and teach our students how to serve future students.

Hot Candidates

Listed below is just a small sampling of candidates with whom we are associated. Your needs may be different; please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can assist you with finding the right professional for your organization. The Kimmel & Associates network has the relevance, reach, and response to find the candidates who fit your specific needs. Please call 828.251.9900 or contact us by e-mail.

#425998 Architectural Drafter – Based in Raleigh, NC – Diverse graphics production background. Responsible for the creation of AutoCAD drawings and details, space planning and preparing full-size construction documents. Self-starter who functions well under high pressure situations.

#413376 Sr. Design Principal – Based in Washington, DC – 25 years of experience as an Architect and planner and 14 years as a Design Principal. Big project guy. Project experience includes Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Sears Tower and ABN-AMRO Plaza. Expertise includes K-12/education, hotels and renovation. Has international experience. NCARB certified and licensed in Ill., Md., N.C., Va., Pa. and Wisconsin. Member of AIA. Open to relocation.

#358791 Sr. Architect – Based in Charlotte, NC – Very strong Project Manager that has transformed into an effective Department Head or Studio Leader. A one-time Project Architect, candidate still enjoys design and has developed into a strong team leader and effective Architectural Business Development person. Created own client base; writes proposals and prepares schematic designs. Specializes in Higher Education and Financial Institutions. NCARB Certified and licensed in North Carolina. Member of AIA. Open to relocation.

#403807 Master Facility Planner – Based in Charlotte, N.C. - Candidate seeking a position in the private sector. A Long Range Master and Facility Planner for a well-known University in North Carolina. Responsible for the future growth and expansion of entire College campus. Mobilized to Iraq for 12 months active duty. Battalion attached to 101st Airborne. Led task force missions, one that included the circumvallation of two Iraqi towns with 12 KM of an 8 foot high berm in 48 hours. Obstacle limited enemy activity and saved American lives. B.A. Architecture, B.S. Architecture; enrolled in MBA program at UNC.

#425994 Project Architect - Based in Baltimore, Md. – Undergraduate degree (B.A. – Architecture) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University with a Master of Science from Columbia University – Graduate School of Architecture. Specializes in Historic Restoration, Commercial and Residential. Has been in the Baltimore market since 1995.

#426293 Project Architect - Based in Baltimore, Md. – Now for something different. Currently, candidate is juggling new born with work schedule. Is available for 30 hours in office and telecommuting. Requires AutoCAD program at home. Will become full-time in one year. Candidate is responsible for the coordination of all phases of construction for new building construction and interior renovation projects in Healthcare. Super strong at meeting project deadlines.

#405665 Senior Designer - Based in Atlanta, Ga. – This individual has extensive experience in all phases of architectural services and is particularly talented in conceptual architectural design and detailing. His portfolio is especially rich in healthcare design having focused on it for the past fifteen years. Armed with a masters degree in architecture, this person is driven by dedication and passion with a strong creative drive. Atlanta based. Registered in several states and NCARB Certified.

#426063 Principal Architect - Based in Atlanta, Ga. -This individual has over 24 years of experience on a wide range of projects. Strengths are client interface, problem solving, and the ability to lead and motivate a design team. Project experience includes educational, office/corporate, laboratory, and religious among others. He comes complete with registration in Georgia, NCARB Certified, and LEED Accredited. Is interested in an Architectural firm that appreciates simple, elegant and efficient ways of approaching design concepts.

#410870 Studio Director - Based in Atlanta, Ga. - This accomplished Architect is seeking a Studio Director position which can utilize 15 years of diverse architectural design experience on mixed-use and high rise type projects. With a stable and progressive work history, this individual has experience with some of Atlanta’s most prestigious Architectural firms. Registered and NCARB Certified.

Interview with Tanya Walter, SPHR
Director of Human Resources – Senior Associate
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

The Architect’s Industry Newsletter presents this interview between Ms. Walter and Rich Weinman, a consultant in Architecture at Kimmel & Associates.

RKW: Hello Tanya, thank you for spending time with me today.

RKW: How long have you been member of the Little team?
TW: Eight years

RKW: The success of the firm has been significant over the last few years, in relationship to growth how has hiring staff changed from when the company was smaller.
TW: The success we have been fortunate to have experienced has enabled us to provide exceptional opportunities for our people, who in turn provide exceptional design and service to our clients.

RKW: When it comes to evaluating a prospective employee, what are the most important things you look for in a person who is interviewing with Little?
TW: Obviously they have to have extraordinary skills, but they must also be a great cultural fit. Our culture is very important to us and is what sets us apart from other firms.

RKW: What advice can you give a candidate prior to being invited to interview with your firm?
TW: I would recommend that folks do their research on Little so that they know that their goals and values are consistent with ours. We value people who are trustworthy, passionate, expert, creative, innovative, and dynamic.

RKW: If you had to make one positive change today in your department , what would it be?
TW: I would grow the team so that we can continue to build on the great service we provide to our employees and prospective employees as Little continues to grow. Our employees are our top priority, and they deserve that.

RKW: Is Little considered a local, national or international firm?
TW: We are a national firm, although we are also now doing some great work outside of the U.S.

RKW: Thank you for speaking with me today. I wish you and firm the best of luck in future, and please give my regards to Phil.
TW: Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you today!

Ear to the Ground

Ear to the Ground is an element in the Architect’s Industry Newsletter which features an interview with one of the consultants in the Architecture Division at Kimmel & Associates.

An Interview with Jim Vockley, Architecture Division Leader at Kimmel & Associates. Jim Vockley is an Executive Vice-President at Kimmel & Associates and a veteran of more than twenty years as a search consultant in construction and architecture. Architect’s Industry Newsletter recently sat down with Jim to discuss trends in the industry.

AIN: What position in the architectural arena seems to be in greatest demand right now?
JV: Because of the workload that most architectural studios are facing, we find production level positions in very high demand and candidates in quite short supply. A degreed architect with somewhere between five to twelve years of experience who is still heavily involved in doing design work, is a talent that almost every company is looking for.

AIN: Is that always the case?
JV: To some extent, of course. But as technology changes, the specific demands change which make some candidates more attractive. For instance, right now, my team at Kimmel & Associates is taking a lot of calls for us to find individuals who know REVIT.

AIN: Is it a challenge to stay on top of the changes in technology?
JV: The challenge is to know the talented professionals out there who are spearheading these changes. We’re seeing more demand than ever for Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3-D modeling, so we aim our searches and our conversations with professional architects to make sure we know some of the pioneers and practitioners of those fields.

AIN: Clearly, the environment is a hot button. Is sustainable design a national concern?
JV: Sustainable design is everywhere. However, it’s amazing how many companies are still out there that aren’t in tune with this sweeping trend. But it’s obvious that Green design is the way of the future, as well as much of the present. Companies that are not LEED-Certified will one day – one day soon – be at a distinct disadvantage.

AIN: Does the Architecture industry voice a concern over the numbers of new employees coming into its ranks?
JV: The Architecture industry is feeling the same effects as other industries in the shortage of graduates entering the field. It follows, obviously, that young architects coming from college have many career opportunities and career choices than they’ve ever had in the past. The next seven to ten years will foster an extremely competitive environment as the industry tries to attract the best and brightest.

AIN: Are there certain regions or types of projects that are particularly lively right now?
JV: The national market remains strong as a whole with exceptions, naturally. Institutional building – education, universities, hospital and medical – projects are strong. There is a discernible trend right now in life-style centers. And even though the housing market has shown signs of slowing, multi-family residential and elderly and assisted living housing will remain vibrant, nationally, for some time.

CARTOON

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Kimmel Architecture Scholarships Awarded at UNCC CoA

Kimmel & Associates, national design/build industry executive-search firm, has announced five recipients of Kimmel & Associates Architectural Scholarship Awards at the UNC Charlotte College of Architecture.

Graduates named to the awards include Larry (Dwaine) Swink, Paul Koska, Christina Aiken Yulfo, and Rasha Dumarieh, with undergraduate Brandon Johnson.

Rich Weinman, of the firm's architectural division, said the scholarships are, "an extension of Joe Kimmel’s mandate and philanthropic vision to provide opportunity to students that are truly focused on a career in Design and Architecture."

Turn Key Architectural Business for Sale!
Located in Raleigh, N.C. Small office, 2 partners, two employees. Firm established in 1999. Specializes in state work, small commercial, higher education and residential. Annual revenues average between $300K – $500K. Senior partner is relocating to Austin, Tx. and looking to land in July, 2008. All inquiries, please contact Rich Weinman at rweinman@kimmel.com

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