The New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) Installs Laurence E. Parisi of Fort Lee, N.J., as 2013 Immediate Past President

The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) installed Laurence E. Parisi, AIA, of Fort Lee, N.J., as its 2013 immediate past president at the organization’s annual awards gala held on Jan. 5, 2013 at Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. 

Laurence E. Parisi is the owner and president of Laurence E. Parisi P.C. Architect, located in North Bergen, N.J. Parisi has 45 years of experience and specializes in the design and development of public schools, residential and institutional projects. One of his recent  projects, includes the restoration of a 200-year-old reformed church in Park Ridge, N.J.

Parisi has been a leader in a variety of positions at AIA-NJ, including president, first vice president and trustee for six years, where he founded and chairs the AIA-NJ Homeland Security Committee and is the state coordinator for the AIA National Disaster Assistance Program. Additionally, he served as a member of the N.J. Department of Community Affairs’ best practices group for construction and building security.

“Serving as president of AIA-NJ for the past year has been a great honor,” said Parisi. “I’ve worked diligently with some of the brightest minds in the state to further the architectural profession in New Jersey. I am excited to continue working with the AIA-NJ leadership to further AIA-NJ’s mission.”

Parisi received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in Manhattan. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Design and Construction in Brooklyn. He served as an adjunct professor of design at NYIT while also teaching summer sessions in Rome, Italy.

Other AIA-NJ 2013 officers installed at the event were Jack Purvis, AIA, of Howell, N.J., who was installed as president; Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, of Howell, N.J., who was installed as president-elect; Kimberly Bunn, AIA, of Moorestown, N.J., who was installed as first vice president; Justin Mihalik, AIA, of Essex Fells, N.J., who was installed as second vice president; Ben P. Lee, AIA, of Wayne, N.J., who was installed as treasurer; and Jason R. Peist, Assoc. AIA, of Nutley, N.J., who was installed as regional associate director.

Jerome Leslie Eben, AIA, of West Orange, N.J., will begin his third and final year in the position of regional director, while Verity Frizzell, AIA, will resume her position of secretary for a second, final year.

AIA helps architects serve the public's needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization was created in 1857. Today, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and nearly 300 local chapters, the organization represents 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals.

AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the statewide chapter of the national AIA. The chapter was formed in 1900, uniting the architects of the state by merging the AIA Chapter with the New Jersey Society of Architects. The AIA-NJ chapter has six local sections, which include Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Central Jersey, Newark and Suburban, Jersey Shore, South Jersey and West Jersey. Each section is independent and runs local events and programs for its members.

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 150^th 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.