The 2023 Slate for the AIA Dallas Board Officers

Kate Aoki, AIA | President 

Kate Aoki, AIA, is Head of Exhibition Design at the Dallas Museum of Art. With a BFA in Textile Design from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Architecture, Kate is fortunate to have found a career path that satisfies both her passion for fine art and the design of space. As Head of Exhibition Design, Kate designs intimate and expressive spaces in ways that engage visitors and invites them to learn more about the art they experience.

Kate spent more than a decade working in the architecture field at award-winning firms, most recently at DSGN as a Senior Associate, where she worked on a variety of projects that addressed important community needs. Kate has a long-standing relationship with the Dallas Chapter of the AIA, having served as a member of various committees, as well as in leadership roles. She is a graduate of the Emerging Leaders Program, and currently serves as VP of Programs on the Board of Directors. In addition to her work with the AIA, Kate is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Dallas Architecture Forum where she founded the Design Society committee for emerging professionals and design enthusiasts.

Peter Darby, AIA, LEED AP | President-Elect

Peter Darby is the Founder and Principal at Urban Darby Architecture, a consultant-based transportation architecture practice in Dallas focused on aviation, transit, and urban design mixed-use projects. Peter is originally from the Chicago area and attended Lake Forest College studying Urban Studies, has an undergraduate professional architectural degree from Virginia Tech and a master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Design. Before relocating to Dallas in 2013, Peter practiced in the Northeast, including Washington, DC, New York City, and Boston.

Peter currently serves on the AIA Dallas Board of Directors as Vice President of Programs and Secretary for 2022 and as the Director of Education in 2021 and 2017. Peter is also past chair of the Historic Resources Committee and has been an active member of Public Policy, Communities by Design, Community Honors, Gala Planning, Codes and Standards, and COTE committees for AIA Dallas. Peter is the recipient of the AIA Dallas President’s Medal in 2021 and the AIA Dallas Presidential Citation in 2021 for his efforts in leading the AIA Dallas DART D2 Advisory Committee. 

Peter also serves on other boards, including the Executive Committee at-Large for the Greater Dallas Planning Council and past Chair of the Urban Design Awards; Second Vice President with the Board of Directors for U.S. Capitol Page Alumni Association in Washington, DC, including Director of Events leading national and regional programs. Peter served on the National Board of Directors for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association for six years.

Gianna Pigford, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C | VP Treasurer (First year of 2-term)

With over 20 years of experience, Gianna Pigford has provided a wealth of project leadership, managing the construction documentation and administration of several projects throughout the United States. Gianna received a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Mississippi State University, is a registered architect in multiple states, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a NCARB certified architect. 

Currently a Principal and Program Manager at Stantec in its architectural practice, Gianna brings her retail, industrial, and workplace experience to the Plano, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona offices to foster new client relationships and project opportunities while managing existing project development programs. Pigford has built a reputation for strong project delivery, design integration, sustainable design and innovative initiatives.

Gianna is an active member of the Dallas community as well as committed to professional and community improvement on the state, national, and international levels. She redefines the essence of community outreach. She seeks out organizations that share her personal mantra “to educate, empower, and embrace”. She actively engages in these organizations’ missions and uses her strength in professional leadership to help others excel. Most recently, at the national level, Gianna has been elected to the AIA Strategic Council as a 2021-2022 At-Large Representative and appointed to the ULI national Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council and the Women’s Leadership Initiative’s Executive Committee. Locally, Gianna serves as a chair of the Urban Land Institute DFW Women’s Leadership Initiative Committee, Chair Elect of CoreNet North Texas, serves as advisor to CoreNet North Texas’ EMPOWER committee, and sits on the AIA Dallas Board of Directors as an Ex-officio Officer. Additionally, Gianna has been involved in several community and professional organizations throughout her career: DFW NOMA, Texas Society of Architects, NCARB, International Council of Shopping Centers, NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association North Texas, CREW Dallas, Dallas Chamber Young Professionals, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Girl Scouts of America North Texas, and ACE Mentors. 

Gianna’s commitment to excellence, strength in professional leadership, and passion for mentorship all contributed to her being named one of Dallas Business Journal’s 40 under 40 in 2015. And in 2022, Gianna received the Texas Society of Architect’s award for Equitable Practice in Architecture in honor of John S. Chase, Jr. FAIA.

Bradley Fritz, AIA, LEED-AP | VP Programs

Bradley Fritz is a Senior Theatre Design Consultant with Charcoalblue, providing consultancy in all aspects of theater design, specializing in auditorium design and planning, seating, sightlines and accessibility. Based here in Dallas but working globally, his expertise in theatre performance, technical systems, and design helps Architects create beautiful and functional performance spaces customized for each client. 

Among Bradley’s passions is championing equitable design and diversifying the Architecture profession. In 2021, after years of serving in diversity, equitability, and inclusion roles for both AIA Iowa and AIA Chicago, he joined the AIA Dallas Board of Directors and founded the LGBTQIA+ Alliance. He is a graduate of Drury University Hammons School of Architecture and earned his MBA through University of Illinois at Chicago.

____

We would like to extend our thanks to all who responded to our open call for nominations, as well as to the members of the Nominating Committee for identifying this slate. Please join us for the 2022 AIA Dallas Holiday Party & Annual Chapter Meeting on December 8th to vote on the proposed slate.