WASHINGTON, D.C.- Jeffery Potter, FAIA, vice president of POTTER Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, was inaugurated as the 88th president of the American Institute of Architects during ceremonies held on December 9th at the Library of Congress. He succeeds Clark D. Manus, in representing the more than 76,000 AIA members.

“My primary goal as president is to ensure that the AIA speaks more powerfully for the profession,” said Potter. “Communication to our members, to policy makers and to the public at large is essential to the health and relevance of architecture. Another key priority I have for the Institute is to help address the challenges of emerging professionals so that we can develop, mentor and retain young and aspiring architects so that our organization and the profession at large can thrive well into the future.”

Potter began his AIA career as president of the AIA Northeast Texas Chapter in 1998. He was president of the Texas Society of Architects (2004) and has been a long-time leader of and contributor to Texas Architect magazine. As a member of the national board of directors (2006-2009), Potter served on the AIA Board Advocacy Committee, Secretary‘s Advisory Committee, and was the 2008 chair of the AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education Jury.

Potter is a graduate of the College of Architecture of Texas A&M University (MArch). He was president of the Professional Leadership Board of the Department of Architecture from 2000-2003. In 2009, Potter and his wife Shelley, a landscape architect, were the first-ever husband and wife to be named Outstanding Alumni of the College of Architecture.