Turner to Lend New Jersey Voice to AIA National Strategic Council

The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) announced that Bruce D. Turner, AIA, will begin a three-year term as regional representative to the AIA National Strategic Council. Turner was sworn-in at a ceremony in Washington, DC on December 8, 2016, and then installed as a member of the AIA New Jersey Board of Trustees during AIA-NJ’s annual awards gala, which was held on January 14 at the Sheraton in Mahwah, New Jersey.

The Strategic Council is a think tank of more than 50 individuals from across the country and around the world, tasked with exploring, debating and deliberating some of the most important issues facing the architectural profession. As AIA-NJ’s representative, Turner will provide a local New Jersey voice to the deliberative body as they tackle important matters facing the profession, including innovation, policy and career pathways.

For more than two decades, Turner has showcased a unique level of dedication to the organization, serving the AIA in a host of local, state and national positions. He has served as the president, president elect, first vice president and treasurer of the state organization, and has chaired its public awareness committee, COAH/CAFRA committee, membership committee and bylaws committee. He has also served on the organization’s board of trustees continuously since 1998.

In addition to his work with AIA-NJ, Turner has served for 17 years as president of AIA South Jersey, one of AIA-NJ’s six local sections, where he has been a trustee since 1994. Turner is also a member of the AIA National Small Firm Exchange, (SFx) a group representing architectural firms with 10 or fewer employees – or, roughly 80 percent of the firms in the United States.

“Hurricane Sandy and other recent events have highlighted the importance of architecture to broader society. Because of this we must raise awareness of the values and benefits the architectural profession offers, while advocating for policies that will promote best building practices,” said Turner. “Over the past two decades, I’ve been fortunate enough to serve AIA-NJ in numerous capacities, and through this work, I’ve familiarized myself with the key issues facing large firms, individual architects and our professional organization at the state and local levels. I’m honored to have been elected as regional representative, and will do my utmost over the next three years to advocate for the policies that best serve architects and architecture in New Jersey and beyond, and benefit the communities they serve.”

Turner’s private practice, Bruce D. Turner, Architect of Vineland, New Jersey, is a highly diverse practice with a broad range of projects including, among others, commercial, municipal, and residential projects. Some of Turner’s noteworthy work has included designing an operations center and two branch banks for the First National Bank of Elmer; a new firehouse for Buena Vista Fire Company No. 1 (Richland Volunteer Fire Company); an office addition/renovation for Scalfo Electric; and master-planning and implementation of a multi-phase public works facility for the City of Millville.

Turner holds a bachelor’s of architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. Over the course of his career, Turner has received numerous accolades, including being named AIA-NJ Young Architect of the Year in 1998 and being honored with the AIA-NJ Distinguished Service Award in 2009.

In addition to his service to the architectural profession, Turner had devoted significant time to a number of other causes. He is currently a mentor to high school students for the Cumberland County ACE Mentor Program, and in the past served as a long-time member of the Vineland Soccer Association Board, and coached soccer, baseball, basketball and softball. He is also a member of Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce.

About AIA and AIA New Jersey

Founded in 1857, 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. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 89,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org