CEO of Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects to retire

John Braymer is retiring at the end of December as executive vice president/CEO of the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects, a position he has held for 28 years.

“Dr. Braymer’s leadership brought a quality of professionalism that was revealed through important strategic thinking and actions that have ultimately sustained one of the most involved and leading architectural organizations of its type in the country,” Jack Davis, dean of Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, said in a statement.

During Braymer’s tenure, the society’s membership has almost doubled. He led the $1 million renovation of the 1844 Barret House — the society’s former home —developed the annual convention now called Architecture Exchange East and launched Inform magazine. He conceived and developed the Virginia Center for Architecture, now headquartered along with the society at the Branch House on Monument Avenue.

Braymer has been a leader in the American Institution of Architects, serving on its national board and as president of the Council of Architectural Component Executives, which awarded him its top award in 2004. He also received honorary membership in the AIA, was named a Richard Upjohn Fellow of the AIA and, in 2006, was awarded the VSAIA Architecture Medal for Virginia Service.

In retirement, Braymer expects to consult with nonprofit organizations in transition and to continue organizing architectural tours offered in collaboration with the VSAIA and the Virginia Center for Architecture.