Chapter Committees

Our committees are the backbone of our organization, and their success is driven by the passion of volunteers who come together each year to achieve remarkable results. If you’re not already involved, we encourage you to consider joining one of our committees. Below is a list of our current committees with brief details and a link to their main page. To learn more or join a committee, fill out our form at the bottom of the page or contact a Chair by clicking on their name.

Beginning in 2026, all Committee and Event Chairs will meet together on a quarterly basis to better serve the Chapter and form cross-Committee relationships to assist every event and Committee in being the best version of themselves. Once this quarterly recurring date has been set, it will be posted on this page.

Committee on the Environment (COTE)

Our COTE serves as a collective platform for architects and allied professionals to advance climate action and climate justice through design in our region. Focusing on the Framework for Design Excellence, it is the main driver in our Chapter for AIA’s 2030 Commitment, striving to achieve net-zero buildings by 2030 (only 4 years away!).
2026 Chair: Cameron Bolin, AIA || Meetings: Monthly, 4th Thursday, Noon

Communications

This committee is responsible for developing and maintaining the communications of AIA East Tennessee. This includes the Chapter website, newsletter, and social media accounts. Accepting recruits now!
Chaired by the Executive Director || Meetings: as needed

Design Awards Gala (DAG)

This committee plans our annual Design Awards Gala, which recognizes the design awards competition winners, the newly licensed architects, those elevated to FAIA, the Friend of Architecture Award, the Gold Medal Award, and other achievements of our membership. It’s our largest and swankiest night of the year!
2026 Chair: Kathryn Greer, AIA || Meetings: as needed

Emerging Professionals / Young Architects (EPYA)

This committee is responsible for ARE prep, AXP opportunities, professional development, and socials for architects that range from architectural students through professionals licensed for 10 years or less.
2026 Chairs: Georgia Morris, AIA + Sarah Hime, AIA || Meetings: Monthly, 2nd Tuesday, Noon

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

The committee’s mission is to assist other committees and the Chapter with recognizing and eliminating institutional injustice, increasing the diversity of the profession and of future professionals, and fostering a spirit of inclusiveness for all members, while working to promote a completely just society for all members of our communities.
2026 Chair: Geoffrey Cavalier, AIA || Meetings: Monthly, 1st Monday, Noon

Golf Tournament

This committee hosts the annual Golf Tournament. The tournament serves as a great chance to interact with architects and industry professionals while supporting our chapter through our yearly funding, allowing us to educate industry professionals while supporting our East Tennessee community. It is one of our largest fundraising opportunities.
2025 Chair: Jason Cole, AIA || Meetings: as needed

K-12

Our K-12 Committee’s focus is introducing architecture to primary and secondary students, broadening an understanding of the profession’s contributions to our communities, and encouraging and mentoring those interested in a career in architecture and design.
2026 Chair: Angela Dailey, AIA || Meetings: Monthly, 2nd Monday, 2pm

Knoxville By Design (KBD)

This is not actually one committee, but a series of public-facing events with various chairs. Currently our three events are the annual Art Salon and our two ‘Bricks’ events, Bricks & Blocks (for kids) and Bricks and Brews (for adults). The timing of these events varies throughout the year but they are always a blast to help facilitate and participate in. More KBD events have existed in the past, and more might exist in the future!
2026 Art Salon Chair: Haley Zimmerman, AIA || Meetings: as needed
2026 Bricks Chair: Michelle Mokry, AIA || Meetings: as needed

Thunderbowl

This committee hosts the annual Thunderbowl (bowling) Tournament every summer, often in July. No matter if you’re an avid bowler or have used lane bumpers a time or two, our Thunderbowl is an excellent opportunity for you to meet other folks within the profession after work!
2026 Chair: Delaney Warren, NCIDQ, RID || Meetings: as needed

Programming

This committee plans and coordinates the Chapter’s monthly Design Feeds and Tri-Cities Tech Sessions, selecting speakers through a criteria-based system that includes HSW credit(s), sustainability, diversity, design excellence, and tangential disciplines to our profession.
2026 Chair: John Sanders, FAIA || Meetings: Monthly, 3rd Tuesday, Noon

Volleyball League

This committee hosts the annual Volleyball League from May to August, which concludes with a one-day tournament at the end of the season. It’s a great way for architects and other industry professionals, as well as their friends and family members, to show off their athletic prowess, Top Gun style!
2026 Chairs: Scott Busby, AIA + Michael Schmidt, AIA || Meetings: as needed

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