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Mike Fitts, FAIA Announces Retirement
 Mike Fitts, FAIA announced his retirement from State Government. His announcement below:
This e-mail is to confirm the rumors of my retirement from State Government. After 45 years of State service, I am officially retiring as of June 1, 2010.
I have had a wonderful career with the State and am thankful to all of you that have supported me, put up with me, and worked with me during this time beginning with Governor Dunn, who appointed me to the position of State Architect in 1971.
My plans are to play a little tennis, play a little golf, enjoy Center Hill Lake, travel a bit, do a little arbitration work, relax and have fun.
I am grateful and blessed for having the opportunity to serve as State Architect for the Great State of Tennessee.
First Lady Receives Award
 AIA Middle Tennessee president David Hawkins, AIA, and AIA Tennessee president Warren Goodwin, FAIA, presented an AIA Eagle to First Lady Andrea Conte for her leadership and stewardship in restoring the Tennessee Residence, as well as her support for design and conservation in Tennessee.
This was one of the milestone events during 2010 Architects' Day on the Hill, attended by 70 architects and 85 legislators.
2010 AIA Tennessee Convention: The Complete Package
From August 4-6, you can complete your yearly CES requirement, confer with old and new friends, see the latest building materials technology, hear inspirational speakers and shop till you drop. Our convention headquarters is Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center, Murfreesboro, a nice walk away from great shopping at The Avenue. The complete convention schedule will be available electronically in two weeks, and on-line registration will not be far behind.
AIA Wants You
 Don't ask how we compute this, but Tennessee is responsible for providing an architect to serve on the National Board of Directors and to represent the Gulf States Region from 2011 - 2014. Tennessee will elect this representative during our annual business meeting on Friday, August 6. To nominate yourself or another architect, click below to request the nominating form.
Input Requested for Proposed International Green Construction Code
Speak your mind about the proposed International Green Construction Code. AIA became a cooperating a sponsor in June 2009 of the code billed as "the first nationwide comprehensive, integrated and consensus-driven green building code." An open comment period on the current draft is available to you until May 1. According to AIA, the IGCC is vital to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the natural and built environments. It is equally critical to ensure that economic and regulatory implications to our profession are not negatively affected. As architects, it rightly falls to us to meet the challenge, become involved, and help define the final version of the code. To that end, the AIA has developed a web form at www.aia.org/igcc where you can review and submit comments on Public Version 1.0 of the IGCC (and subsequent versions).
AIA Angle Returns
The AIA Angle is published by the AIA Government Advocacy Team and includes # an update on Stephen Ayers, AIA’s progress in the Architect of the Capitol confirmation process; the AIA’s involvement in federal embassy design guidelines and related congressional legislation; markup of the GREEN Act; and Convention/pre-Convention events
Pounders Nominated to 2011 Honor Awards Jury
Congratulations to Louis Pounders, FAIA, ANF Architects, Memphis, who will serve on the 2011 National AIA Honor Awards for Architecture Jury. He will help to select the AIA Honor Awards and the AIA Twenty-Five Year Award. Louis earned this prestigious position after many years' leadership on the national design committee.
Col. Holmes Writes from Iraq
Follow the courageous and compelling story of Col. Jeff Holmes, AIA, HFR, during his second tour of duty in Iraq. Periodically, Jeff sends us updates on his service, which we post on the website for you to enjoy. Please keep Jeff and his family in your thoughts.
Dust off the Cobwebs, Senior Architects
Attention super-senior architects!! Senior architect Kem Hinton, FAIA, hopes one super-senior architect will remember who designed the TDOT Building on Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, across the street from the Red Cross Building. Built in the 50's, it appears to be influenced by Wright. Please contact Kem Hinton or Connie if you know (and can remember...)
AIA Gulf States Recognizes New Fellows
AIA Gulf States Region will celebrate the elevation of four GSR architects to fellowship: Creed Walker Brierre, AIA New Orleans; Robert E. Luke, AIA Mississippi; Joseph David Waggonner, AIA New Orleans; as well as Barry Alan Yoakum, AIA Memphis . The GSR reception is scheduled for Friday, June 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Be sure to stop by if you are attending the national convention.
Updates
Robert Tierney Celebrates New Daughter
ADA consultant Robert Tierney who retired to Mexico with his new wife has announced the birth of his daughter, Angela Maria Frandcesca Tierney.
About Us
 The Mission of AIA Tennessee is to shape the professional environment in Tennessee so that architects, clients, the building industry and the public at large understand and appreciate the value we bring to the community.
You can visit us online: aiatn.org
or write us:
PO Box 60128
1105 Gartland Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: 615-255-3860
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When I received notice of Mike's retirement, the first thing I did was cry. The second was to look for a copy of a tongue in cheek salute we created in 2003, called "I Want to be Like Mike." Memories have flooded in of his national recognition as a recipient of the distinguished Thomas Jefferson Award... of the night I saw him on the news when the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) was the presumed victim of union sabotage and flooded while under construction... of the day the Building Commission met on the stage of the newly completed TPAC and a large object fell from the ceiling, nearly taking out Lt. Gov. John Wilder... of his wedding to Polly... of his efforts to create the Bicentennial Mall... his creative design competition guidelines... of a clogging class we took together 30 years ago... of his daiquiri-whacker at UT tailgates. No one has earned his retirement any more than Mike; and no one will ever fill his shoes, or his flippers (he was a Navy SEAL).
