05golden.shtml

Wisconsin Architect Lisa Kennedy Receives
Top Honor: The 2005 AIA Wisconsin "Golden Award"

May 4, 2005

Madison — Architect Lisa L. Kennedy, AIA, Whitefish Bay, has been selected to receive the prestigious 2005 “Golden Award” from AIA Wisconsin, the state society of The American Institute of Architects (AIA).

The Golden Award is the highest honor that the state architects' society can confer upon a member architect. Kennedy is being recognized for her significant contributions to The American Institute of Architects at the local, state and national levels, her distinguished service to the profession of architecture on licensing and other government affairs issues and the inspiration she has provided other architects to get involved and make a difference in shaping their profession and their communities.

The Golden Award was presented to Kennedy during a special awards program on May 4 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center in Madison. The event was held in conjunction with the 2005 AIA Wisconsin Convention & Expo.

The first Golden Award was presented by the Wisconsin Society of Architects in 1986. Kennedy is the eighteenth Wisconsin architect to receive the award.

“Lisa Kennedy's record of service and leadership epitomizes the purpose for which the Golden Award was established,” said Cherie Claussen, AIA, Wauwatosa, 2005 President of AIA Wisconsin. “From helping to lead the national architecture student organization in the early 1980s to chairing last year's national AIA Convention, she has consistently inspired her fellow architects to make the profession of ever-increasing value to our communities.”

Kennedy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee , receiving a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies in 1981 and a Master of Architecture in 1984. She became a registered architect in 1987.

Kennedy started and operated her own practice for a dozen years in the Milwaukee area, offering architectural and interior design services. She currently serves as the director of design and construction for BF Companies, Inc., in Oak Creek .

In 1994, Kennedy was elected as the President of the Wisconsin Society of Architects, which was the name of the state society of the AIA at that time. She was the youngest architect and first women to serve in this capacity. Kennedy previously served as the 1991 President of the local AIA Southeast Wisconsin chapter, as well as the first student representative (1983) and first associate representative (1985) on the state AIA Board of Directors.

In 1996, Kennedy became an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee . She also was appointed by the Governor as a professional member of the Architect Section of the Joint Examining Board in the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. In 1997, Kennedy received the Outstanding Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Greater Milwaukee and was recognized by the Business Journal as one of the “40 Under 40” business leaders in the Milwaukee area.

From 2001 through 2003, Kennedy served on the national AIA Board of Directors, representing architects in Wisconsin , Minnesota , South Dakota and North Dakota . During her tenure, she served on the AIA Government Affairs Advisory Committee and as chair of the jury for the Institute Honors for Collaborative Achievement Awards. In 2004, Kennedy chaired the national AIA Convention in Chicago .

With 1,500 members, AIA Wisconsin is the statewide professional society representing architects, architectural interns, students and allied design and construction industry leaders. AIA Wisconsin members include architects in private practice, business, industry, government and education.