2025 AIA Youngstown Annual Meeting

The 2025 Annual Membership Meeting and Design Awards program of AIA Youngstown was held on the stage at Stambaugh Auditorium on November 7, 2025. The program provided an overview of the activities of AIA Youngstown over the past twelve months, as well as a look forward to 2026

AIA Youngstown President Michael Ruscitti, AIA, welcomed the participants during the cocktail hour. Membership enjoyed a buffet dinner provided through Stambuagh Auditorium

As has been noted, many of the activities and events would not be possible without our sponsors. The sponsors for 2025 include:

Gold Sponsors included DeSalvo Construction, Lencyk Masonry, J.M. Verostko Consulting Engineers, The Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, Stambaugh Auditorium/DeYor, and Ryan Carpet.

Silver Sponsors include Crowe’s Cabinets and Boak and Sons, Inc.

Pella/Gunton is a Bronze Sponsor.

Shaw Contract is a 2024 AIA Youngstown Affiliate Sponsor.

In addition to the Year in Review provided by Jessica Phillips, Assoc. AIA, reports were provided by board officers and directors. Greg Struna, AIA, AIA Youngstown’s 2023-2024 Treasurer, provided a written treasurer’s report to the membership and a report on the 2024 AIA Youngstown Golf Outing that supports the chapter’s scholarship program. AIA Ohio Director Bruce Sekanick, FAIA, provided a report on the work being done at AIA Ohio and specifically addressed the AIA Ohio Annual Conference held in Dublin Ohio, and the work of AIA Ohio’s Advocacy Committee. AIA Youngstown’s Alternate AIA Ohio Director John Orsini, AIA, discussed the AIA Ohio PAC.

A slate of Directors and Officers was presented to the membership, and the 2026 AIA Youngstown Board of Directors was elected.

The meeting concluded with the awarding of the AIA Youngstown Gold Medal. The AIA Youngstown Gold Medal is awarded to those members who, through years of exceptional contributions to the organization, have distinguished themselves as a leader within the architectural community. The Gold Medal, as recommended by the Gold Medal Committee and as approved by the Board of Directors, was presented to Mary Dennis, AIA. Mary has been an avid supporter of Architecture within the Youngstown community and a recognized designer across the state. Mary served as the first female president of the chapter and has had a distinguished career with several local firms. She is currently a partner with BSHM Architects

AIA Ohio Advocates for the Profession

AIA Youngstown works closely with other chapters within AIA Ohio on state-based advocacy issues. Through the state chapter Government Advocacy Committee (GAC), the chapter works to advocate positive change to state rules and laws with the legislature and state agencies.

Throughout this year, AIA members, including those from the Youngstown chapter, have worked to advance Housing Affordability through a state task force that has been formed on the issue. Members have also worked with the OFCC (Ohio Facilities Construction Commission) on proposed changes to the state construction contracts, retention, and agency rules on the selection of design professionals through the QBS process.

The Government Advocacy Committee has also created a task group working with the Ohio Board of Building Standards on the addition of Point Access Block provisions within the Ohio Building Code. Led by the Office of Common Sense Initiatives in the Lt. Governor’s Office, this effort focuses on providing greater opportunities for more affordable residential development.

Information on AIA Ohio’s 2025 Advocacy Day program at the statehouse will be announced over the next month. Individuals interested in being part of AIA Ohio’s advocacy effort should contact AIA Ohio at AIAOhio@assnoffices.com