The American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC), recently installed Anne Laird-Blanton, AIA, as the incoming 2011 president.
The AIACC is the nation's largest state architectural organization and represents more than 11,000 members.
Laird-Blanton is Principal of ALB Designs, an architecture and interior design firm in San Rafael.
She received her education at the University of Tennessee, and holds architectural licenses in both California and New York.
As a Certified Green Building Professional, Laird-Blanton's primary focus is on implementing energy efficient technologies and green building materials into her designs.
"It is important for us to build coalitions and work effectively with all of our constituents in the architectural profession," stated Laird-Blanton.
"We must collaborate with legislators, regulatory bodies and the public, to best be able to share the knowledge generated by our profession and to effectively impact the future of California.
Communication is key in demonstrating what architects do as creative problem solvers, leaders, and facilitators in efforts to better the environment, technology and innovation in California's communities.
In a tough economy, where our profession has been hit hard, our goal is to get architects back to work, which in turn generates additional jobs, and that's what's important right now."