KENNETH JOHNSON, ESQ, AIA, NOMA, MCP, RA
PRESIDENT philanoma.president@gmail.com Kenneth Johnson holds professional licenses as both an architect and attorney. He is the owner of several firms including Architecture, Urban Design, and Policy, L.L.C. a firm based in Philadelphia, PA, and ArchiPolicy Design Build L.L.C. a Delaware State registered entity focused on real estate development, and a law firm based in New Jersey that focuses not only on land planning but also zoning, land use, and real estate law. His architectural practice focuses on residential and commercial projects including new construction, additions, and renovations. His clients consist of home owners, business owners, real estate developers, non-profits, quasi-government agencies, government agencies, and his own firm’s in house projects. All his firms are certified minority business enterprises (MBE). He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Kenneth Johnson has a Professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Illinois Institute of Technology where he graduated with honors. He holds both a Juris Doctorate (JD) and Master of City Planning (MCP) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and has taking Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses at the Yale School of Management. |
CAPPY SABIR, PE, RA
VICE PRESIDENT philanoma.vicepresident@gmail.com Cappy Sabir has over 25 years of experience in the design and management of commercial, educational, healthcare, laboratory, high-rise residential and industrial engineering projects. Cappy prides himself on working cohesively and effectively with the client and all members of the design/construction team, developing cost effective design solutions, regardless of the intrinsic challenges each project present. |
IAN SMITH, NOMA, RA
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Ian Smith is the founding principal of IS-DG, an award winning full service design architecture firm in Philadelphia, PA. IS-DG is a member firm of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects as well as a certified DBE in Pennsylvania. Ian’s combined accomplishments from the Rhode Island School of Design and at Yale University have trained him to pursue a perspectives in design, architecture and urbanism to expand best practices. His cumulative experiences and have afforded him opportunities in the design of health care, commercial, residential and institutional buildings. One of the core values of the Firm, Ian firmly believes that, “Much of who we are as people comes from the stories we have been told as well as the ones that we are a part of. We work to identify the intertwined emotional narratives upon which we depend. This allows us to have a sensitivity to the many challenges that may influence the outcome of the project. Not only did we find that this came easily when pursuing memorial, dedication, and legacy projects, but also became relevant to single family homes and utility additions.” He continues to serve the civic discourse through teaching occasionally at local universities in addition to his current appointments on the Philadelphia Preservation Alliance Board and PhilaNOMA. |
ULYSSES SEAN VANCE,
RECORDING SECRETARY
Ulysses Sean Vance is a registered architect and educator working on the implementation of inclusive design and the architectural characteristics of health equity in domestic and institutional settings. He is co-founder of UVXYZI—a design firm dedicated to visualizing the protocols that service inclusive design agendas and communicating the differences in human capacity. His work engages the Triple Aim mandate in healthcare for improving the patient and caregiver experience. He has co-authored research and academic papers through North Carolina State University’s College of Design Center for Universal Design, the former University of Michigan Medical Innovation Center and the University of Michigan Child Disparities Research Laboratory. He was recognized by a team of surgeons in 2012 with an award in pediatric surgery by the Sheikh Zayed Institute. He has managed funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, National Council for Institutional Diversity and Momentum Center on research related to Physical Activity in Classrooms. Currently, he is working on underscoring friendly design when curating the physical, social and mental qualities of spaces devoted to health and wellness. |
KEVIN JASEY, NCARB, NOMA
TREASURER & FUNDRAISING CHAIR philanoma.vicepresident@gmail.com Upon arrival to Philadelphia in 2001, Kevin immediately connected with his local NOMA chapter and has been connected ever since. In that time, Kevin has had the opportunity to develop a diverse resume working at both national and local architecture firms in the city. His portfolio includes projects in the K-12, Senior Living, Higher Education, Justice, Commercial interiors, and Commercial retail market sectors. Currently Kevin serves as a program manager for Northeast-based retail programs at BRR ARCHITECTURE. Kevin received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree at Hampton University in Hampton, VA. In 2014, Kevin served as member of the conference planning committee for the NOMA conference hosted in Philadelphia. Kevin is passionate about architecture and sharing the mission of NOMA with our community. |
KAREN ANDERSON, NCARB, AIA, NOMA, LEED BD+C
MEMBER-AT-LARGE With 25+ years of experience Karen Anderson is the owner of KRN Architecture LLC-Philadelphia area providing designs that improve creativity, innovation, and communication through thoughtful integration of sustainable principles. Using a unique spatial operative approach she supports the health and performance of people. She and her firm has completed projects that are sensitive to specific circumstances of site while skillfully and imaginatively resolving complex program issues. Karen Anderson, is a member of the Air Force Officers Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskeegee University, and a Master of Architecture from University of California Los Angeles. |
MICHAEL SPAIN, ASSOC. AIA, NOMA
EDUCATION CHAIR Michael Spain is a practicing designer and educator with over 20 years of experience in some of Philadelphia’s most noted architectural firms. Michael has been instrumental in the design and development of a wide range of projects types, and currently serves as a Design Director for D2CA Architects LLC. Michael received his Bachelors of Architecture from Cornell University and continues his academic involvement as an Adjunct Professor at Philadelphia University’s College of Architecture and the Built Environment having been a past recipient of the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Award. Michael actively extends his talents and commitment to the community, serving on a number of boards involving architectural education and community development. |
TALCIA BROWN., ASSOC. AIA, NOMA
UNIVERSITY LIAISON I was born and raised in Jamaica and have lived in Philadelphia for the past 3 years. I graduated from Jefferson (formerly Philadelphia University) with a B. Arch in May 2020. Currently I am pursuing a graduate degree in Historic Preservation from Jefferson with a concentration in Sustainable Design. I am a big believer that the most sustainable buildings are the ones that are already built. Philadelphia has sooo many beautiful buildings that have the potential to be repurposed and given new life." |
erin roark, aia leed apAIA PHILADELPHIA REPRESENTATIVE
Erin is a Senior Associate at WRT with over two decades of practice spanning a range of building types including educational, cultural, housing, and residential projects. She has had integral roles on numerous award-winning projects including the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons at Georgia Tech, the New College House at the University of Pennsylvania and STRATA Symphony in Allentown, PA. Erin co-chairs both the AIA Philadelphia Urban Design Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and is on the Steering Committee for the AIA + GBCA. Currently Erin is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Philadelphia AIA Board Erin holds a BA in Architecture from Lehigh University and a M.Arch. from the University of Pennsylvania. “Through my participation in AIA committees, I have met incredible individuals who are pushing the envelope on sustainability, diversity, equality and urban growth in the design profession. These connections have influenced the kind of architecture I practice and have elevated my perception of the role of architecture in Philadelphia. AIA Philadelphia is positioned to be a platform and a launching pad for a more equitable and diverse practice of architecture across our urban landscape and our profession.” |
MONIQUE MCCRAY, NOMA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C
PRESIDENT EMERITUS Monique McCray, CDT, LEED AP BD +C, is an Senior Architectural Designer at SRW Engineering & Architecture in Philadelphia, PA. Monique is a Penn State graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and an Architectural History minor. Working for over seventeen years in the architecture and design industry thus far, Monique has participated in the design of buildings in the education (K-12) and public safety markets. |