New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Installs Justin Mihalik as 2015 President Elect

MOORESTOWN, N.J. (Feb. 3, 2015) — The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) today announced that Justin A. Mihalik will serve as the organization’s 2015 president elect. The Essex Fells, N.J. resident was installed during AIA-NJ’s annual awards gala, which was held at the Moorestown Community House in Moorestown, N.J.

A principal at Essex Fells-based J.A. Mihalik Architect LLC, an architecture firm with satellite offices in Long Beach Island, N.J. and Brandon, Fla., Mihalik has been a member of AIA-NJ for over 15 years and an active board member for the last 10 years. Most recently, Mihalik served as first vice president, and he previously served as AIA-NJ’s second vice president and membership chairperson. He is also a member of AIA-NJ’s Legislative and Government Affairs Committee, which monitors regulatory issues that affect the practice of architecture for the organization; and serves as vice chair of the New Jersey Architects Political Action Committee (NJAPAC), an affiliate organization that helps inform AIA-NJ architects how New Jersey legislation affects them and their profession. His most recent appointment has been to the ArchiPAC Steering Committee, the political action committee of the American Institute of Architects.

In recent years, Mihalik has co-helmed the AIA Regional Recovery Working Group, an organization comprising leaders of AIA chapters in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, along with Architecture for Humanity. In this role, Mihalik was instrumental in organizing a series of workshops bringing together industry and community leaders for discussions on resiliency in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

“I am extremely excited to be assuming an even more significant leadership position at AIA-NJ,” said Mihalik. “This organization plays an important role in promoting the practice of architecture in New Jersey and its environs while championing legislative initiatives that have the greatest impact on our field. As I take over the role of president elect, I’m eager to represent our organization to promote smart design, innovative building and extensive involvement in our communities.”

Mihalik is a member of the Newark and Suburban Architects, one of AIA-NJ’s six local sections, for which he has served in several positions, including president, treasurer and membership chair. He is an alumnus of the New Jersey Institute of Technology College of Architecture & Design.

Other officers to be installed at the event were Kimberly Bunn, AIA, as president; 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 Kalafsky, AIA, as past president. Judith Donnelly, AIA, will continue as secretary and Robert Cozzarelli, AIA, will continue as regional director.

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.