PVAF 2020

[Tom Mitchell]December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

You have been on the board for a few years and are proud of the accomplishments of the foundation. What would you like to be able to say to new board members?

• The Ernest Maier Supply affiliation has helped increase the pot of funds for the (4) scholarship awards.

• The golf outing, which is our main fundraiser for scholarships, has reached critical mass

• The PVAF board must reach out to/cultivate relations with affiliate construction related businesses in order to reach fundraising goals for scholarships

• Need to promote to affiliate construction businesses the peripheral rewards and advantages of a solid business relationship with the PVAF

• Through sponsorships, these relationships and rewards don’t happen over night- it takes a couple years to yield the fruits of the relationship

• The established relationships are rewarding professionally as well as personally

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

What was your most valuable experience as a student in architecture school or other higher education? How would you like to see such an experience still be offered?

• Your experience As a stundent at MC in Construction Technology, I had a great mentor, Mario Parcan

• The means and methods course taught students how to build

• The Construction Tech Program is a fantastic program, run by Randy Steiner

• Community College education offers the biggest bang for your buck-very rewarding

• How to offer that today• The fact that MC architecture

transfers to Maryland is remarkable

• Maryland U is going to offer a program in Construction Tech

• Need to offer a class in green innovation

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

What educational experiences do you think would be valuable today as the profession has changed?

• Best practices for affordable housing- we are still over designing buildings where the budgets never meet the design

• Affordable housing is just that, affordable architecture, design, building products

• Constantly promote new innovation, products and technology• Take a real good look at the Pennsylvania Concrete Manufacturers

Association, Fire Safe Construction for affordability• Affiliate with HUD-There are 15 million housing units needed now and ever

growing- The AIA needs to collaborate and consult to HUD• Really, Really focus on affordable housing nationally and globally• Promote solar and affordable- we can use recumbent bike power in homes

to power homes• Affordable System Built Constrcution

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

In terms of promoting architectural research, what are three areas that you feel need to be examined in greater depth in the local area on a county level? On a state wide level? On a global level?

• Local/county: Affordability- system built construction-renewable energy-sustainability

• Statewide: ditto

• National/Global :ditto

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

What recent trends in architecture, fine arts or performing arts have you become more aware of in the past five years? How did you become informed about these shifts/trends. Social media? Advertising? Word of mouth? What else?

• Recent Trends• Innovation, new products, solar,

wind, insulation, modular

• How I learned about them• Simply staying abreast of the

industry from all sources

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

If the PVAF should suddenly become endowed with one million dollars, how would you suggest we allocate it?

• Make the Leaf House property a model for sustainability, a showcase for students and the public- Bo’s vision

• Invest wisely in a conservative/guaranteed stock portfolio in hopes of growing the revenue for scholarships

• Pay off the note on the Leaf House

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

What is the most effective fundraising strategy you have seen  used by a nonprofit you have supported? How could a similar strategy be adapted to help PVAF reach its goals?

• Strategy• You have to follow the money

whether it be banks, suppliers or individuals

• I think you can look at well endowed, successful architects and ask them to give back to the future of the profession

• I think you can attempt to cultivate relationships with developers that are billionaires

• Adapted for PVAF

• For Example- The Lerners depend very heavily on the architectural community to build their stadiums and buildings- Why not ask the Lerners for money

December 5, 2015

PVAF 2020

What’s your one “big idea” for PVAF in 2016-2020?

• Forming that relationship with Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Government, who has access to the most money

• Provide HUD with the latest affordable building technologies that can become the National standard

• 5000 housing organizations around the US are all going about business their own way- the architectural community needs to be more involved

December 5, 2015