NOMA Supporters Move Up in Ranks with AIA

Two long time NOMA supporters have recently moved up in the ranks of the American Institute of Architects. Terrence O'Neal of New York has become the President of AIA New York State, while Marshall Purnell was voted in as the 2008 President of the Institute this past weekend at the Annual AIA Convention in Los Angeles. Read more about Mr. O'Neal and Mr. Purnell.

For Immediate Release

May 16, 2006

Terrence E. O'Neal Is President of AIA New York State

O'Neal is the first African American to hold the post

New York, NY - Terrence E. O'Neal, AIA, the principal of Terrence O'Neal Architect LLC (TONA), was recently inaugurated as president of the American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS). He is the first African American to hold the post.

Noting that architects provide the ideal link between the community and the government, O'Neal pledged to strengthen the organization's advocacy role and to advance his theme for 2006: One New York State. I chose this as the theme for my term as president to unify the state for our milestone year, our 75th anniversary, said O'Neal. He hopes to help implement the goal by urging AIANYS members to reach out to their local and regional elected officials to begin dialogues on topics that affect all areas of the state. A related theme this year is fostering Livable Communities, a topic that affects every city, town and village in different ways whether the focus is on renovating a waterfront or revitalizing a downtown, he said.

Outgoing President Barbara Smith Mishara, AIA, said, We are glad to have someone with Terrence's broad vision and deep commitment to champion our goals. We are especially pleased to have him speak for us during this special year.

O'Neal has served on the Board of Directors of AIANYS since 2001, most recently as vice president government affairs and chair of the NYS Architects Political Action Committee (NYSAPAC). He has headed various lobbying delegations in Albany and Washington, D.C., throughout the years and has met with the staffs of Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton as well as with numerous state legislators.

TONA, the full-service Manhattan-based firm O'Neal founded in 1993, provides architecture, interior design, project management and planning services for public and private clients. Its major projects include a series of rehabilitations for Covenant House New York; over 40 large-scale multi-housing developments; fit-outs for major corporations including NBC Universal and Prudential Financial; interior work for such healthcare institutions as Memorial Sloan-Kettering; and new construction and renovations for public schools.

The firm's work has been exhibited at City University of New York and was showcased at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Center for Architecture in New York City. O'Neal has been honored by the U.S. General Services Administration, has taught at the New York Institute of Technology, and has served on design juries at Pratt Institute and the New York School of Interior Design.

O'Neal is a mentor and an active member of NOMA (National Organization of Minority Architects). He has served as a trustee of the New York Foundation for Architecture, and was vice president of Public Education overseeing the Learning by Design NY program that brings architecture education to grades K through 12.

O'Neal, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, received his Bachelor of Architecture from Kent State University.

Founded in 1931, AIANYS, headquartered in Albany, represents 13 chapters and speaks for the interests of all registered architects in New York State. Its parent organization, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a nationwide association based in Washington, D.C.

For additional information on Terrence O'Neal Architect LLC, visit www.terrenceonealarchitect.com. To learn more about AIANYS, visit www.aianys.org.

Media contact:

Evelyn Mertens

914.762.6429

emertens@westnet.com

(6/12/2006)

NOMA Magazine

Download the First Quarter 2006 issue of NOMA Magazine (3.4 Meg .pdf)

Download the October 2005/Conference Issue of NOMA Magazine (7.5 Meg .pdf)