2011 Recipient | AIA Honorary Membership

Sonia Riggs, Hon. AIA | Notes of Interest

Sonia Riggs' efforts to advance the profession extend above and beyond her duties as AIA Colorado Executive Director. She is an active leader representing AIA to the public and for 10 years has worked within the community to advance the profession of architecture.

Riggs was a member of the Denver Architectural Foundation (DAF) Board of Directors from 2002-2010. The mission of this organization is to increase public awareness and appreciation for architecture and its influence on our quality of life through education, participation and advocacy for excellence. During her tenure on the DAF, Riggs was instrumental in the creation of Doors Open Denver, a free two-day event during which the public can tour the spectacular buildings they may pass every day but not have the opportunity to enter. Riggs was an original member of the steering committee for Doors Open Denver and was responsible for organizing an architect-led tour program, as well as establishing a sponsorship program for the event. Through this program, the public experiences the building and sites that comprise Denver's rich architectural landscape and develop an appreciation for architecture.

Riggs' participation continues actively into the realm of government affairs. Her leadership in this arena has increased throughout her tenure at AIA. She participates in all Government Affairs Committee meetings and in weekly Legislative Subcommittee meetings during the legislative session each year. Riggs has been actively involved in at least six major issues and key legislation work, including House Bill 06-1196 regarding Sunset of Architects' License, and Senate Bill 08-029 regarding Continuing Education as a Requirement for Renewal of Architects' License.

Riggs has been the registered agent and treasurer of Architects of Colorado Political Action Committee (ARCpac) since 2004. She is an active advocate for the PAC, and has created public presentations, helped plan fundraisers and assisted with political fundraisers through her PAC involvement.

In 2007, acting with Cheri Gerou, FAIA, as chair of the Constructors and Designers Alliance (CDA)– an organization made up of 23 allied associations with the purpose of promoting the design and construction industries— Riggs led the efforts to create sound operational systems for the organization (cleaned up their bylaws, organized their financial system, consolidated and organized their founding and legal documents and set up sound practices to ensure the organization's viability in the future). The organization continues to thrive to this day using the organizational models that Sonia implemented.

Riggs was hired by AIA Colorado in March 2000 to manage the local activities and events for the 2001 AIA National Convention, which was held in Denver. The component was concerned about the convention's success. Once hired, Riggs established a management and communication plan and began meeting with each event/program committee chair as well as the steering committee; excitement ensued.

After a long but successful year of coordinating with committees, sponsors, contractors and the AIA National staff, AIA Colorado accomplished all they had hoped for and more. The 2001 National Convention established record attendance at the time, conducted numerous successful events, had over 300 local volunteers participate and the component netted approximately $180,000 in profits. Sonia's leadership and management skills significantly contributed to these successes.

AIA Colorado will again host the AIA National convention in June of 2013. As of December 2010, Sonia started participating in the 2012 planning committee (as Executive Director of the 2013 host component).

Riggs' management and leadership skills demonstrated during the National Convention resulted in her eventual promotion to AIA Colorado's Interim Executive Director in 2003 (and Executive Director in 2004). She turned the Chapter around financially and, working for 7 years with the Board of Directors, set up a series of policies and procedures to ensure that the organization fully complies with federal regulations.

Over that same period, Sonia also set up a series of board and committee training programs (President/President-Elect Training, Committee Training, Treasurer/Treasurer-Elect training) for AIA Colorado and the four local chapters in the state. As a result, the boards function much more strategically and operations run smoothly throughout the organization.

Furthermore, under Riggs' leadership, AIA Colorado's reserves have grown tremendously; in fact, by over 50% of the annual operating budget!

Riggs has served on numerous national committees for the AIA, including the National Membership Committee (2006 and 2007), focusing on membership recruitment strategies for the Institute, addressing concerns, and streamlining the dues for the organization. She more recently has stepped up into leadership within the Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE) organization.

Under her leadership, AIA Colorado has received numerous Component Excellence Awards, including one for promoting the AIA National Convention and one for its work in both redesigning its website and creating its new magazine (Architect Colorado) in Spring of 2005 to replace the quarterly newsletter. The magazine was designed to educate the members on issues of importance to architecture and trends in the industry, to highlight projects that members are working on, and to reach out to the public about the importance of architecture.

Indeed, Riggs' contributions cannot be summed up briefly. Her commitment to the Institute is evident in her breadth of duties and her passion for the tasks she undertakes. Perhaps Ed Vance, AIA, says is best in his nomination letter for Riggs, "Sonia's resume is nothing short of remarkable, and her performance throughout is hallmarked by endless enthusiasm and boundless energy and a positive "anything can be done" attitude which is an inspiration to me and others. If there is a solution to a problem, she will find it and declare it done. Without question her work has transcended her local and regional boundaries, and she is truly an inspiration to our next generation of professionals."

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