Robert Cozzarelli, AIA, to Serve as Regional Representative to the American Institute of Architects' Strategic Council

MOORESTOWN, N.J. (Mar. 27, 2015) — The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) announced that Robert Cozzarelli, AIA, will serve the American Institute of Architects as a Regional Representative to the organization’s Strategic Council. The Belleville, N.J. resident was installed during AIA-NJ’s annual awards gala in Moorestown, N.J.

The newly created AIA Strategic Council’s role is to advise the organization’s Board, including assembling goals and objectives, recommending public policy, and disseminating information and insights. The council is designed to allow the organization to confront the future of architecture proactively and investigate emerging issues in business, practice and design.

Cozzarelli will be one of 35 representatives, each of whom will represent different regions across the United States. Previously the AIA-NJ regional director, Cozzarelli will continue his activities as he transitions to the new, similar role of regional representative.

Cozzarelli is an award-winning architect and planner with over 30 years of professional experience. He specializes in educational, recreational, institutional and residential design for federal, state, municipal and private-sector clients.

Cozzarelli is a principal of both Rutherford-based Cozzarelli-Cirminiello Architects and Bertone Cozzarelli Healthcare Architects, the latter of which specializes in designing long-term care facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes.

Over the course of his decades-long AIA-NJ membership, Cozzarelli has earned many accolades, including his award as AIA-NJ Architect of the Year in 2009 and his 2005 Distinguished Service honor. Other awards include the UNICO Millie Grazie Award for his pro-bono services throughout the state, and his recognition as Columbus Day & Celebration Italian-American Man-of-the-Year. In 2008, he received an Honor Roll Medallion from NJIT Alumni for exemplifying leadership in architecture, planning and design.

Cozzarelli also founded AIA-NJ’s popular CANstruction event, the charitable design competition the organization arranges each fall.

Cozzarelli is a member of AIA Newark and Suburban Architects, one of AIA-NJ’s six local sections, for which he has also served as president.

He earned his bachelor of architecture degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology School of Architecture and is a licensed architect in four states.

“I have found serving as AIA-NJ’s regional director to be a very fruitful endeavor,” Cozzarelli said. “I look forward to transitioning my previous role as regional director to my new position of regional representative on the new Strategic Council, whereby I can carry on my efforts to ensure the public is educated about the essential role architects play in their communities and beyond.”

Other officers installed at the gala were Kimberly Bunn, AIA, as president, Justin Mihalik, AIA, as president elect; Ben P. Lee, AIA, as first vice president; Verity Frizzell, AIA, as second vice president; Steven Lazarus, AIA, as treasurer; Nicholas Caravella, Associate AIA, as regional associate director; and Kurt M Kalafsky, AIA, as past president. Judith Donnelly, AIA, will continue her role as secretary.

About AIA and AIA New Jersey

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the local chapter of AIA. In 2000, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.