AIA Maine Announces 2025 Board of Directors, Welcoming Two New Members
AIA Maine is pleased to announce its newly elected Board of Directors for 2025, voted on at the Annual Meeting held on December 5, 2024. The Annual Meeting followed AIA Maine’s second “Day of Learning,” which brought together more than 70 members to Wolfe Neck Farm in Freeport for a day of education and fellowship.
Honoring Outgoing Leaders
Outgoing President Gavin Engler, AIA, extended heartfelt gratitude to outgoing board members Rob Tillotson, AIA, of Oak Point Associates, and Gabrielle Russell, AIA, of Platz Associates, for their significant contributions to the organization.
Rob Tillotson, AIA, who served on the board from 2011–2024 and as President in 2015 and 2016, leaves a legacy of thoughtful guidance and unwavering dedication. Gavin Engler, AIA, shared:
“When I joined the Board in 2014, Rob quickly befriended me—as I soon found out he does everyone because he’s such a friendly and enjoyable guy! Since then, he’s served on the Executive Committee, as President, and always offers good, grounded advice and opinions. A few of us are even known to use the phrase “WWRD” (What Would Rob Do) because of his great character.“
Gabrielle Russell, AIA, who joined the board in 2021, played an instrumental role as a Lewiston/Auburn area liaison. Gavin Engler remarked, “Gabby has been a valuable advocate for revitalization in Lewiston/Auburn, facilitating design awards celebrations and tours of historic sites like Bates Mill #5.
In addition to thanking outgoing board members, Engler thanked outgoing Executive Director Jeannette Schram for her efforts, talents, and unending support across all aspects of AIA Maine’s endeavors, to which the room responded with a standing ovation! He reminded attendees that the application deadline for the Executive Director position is December 20th, so if you know someone who might be a good fit, there is still time to apply.
Incoming President
Incoming president Jessie Carroll, AIA, thanked Gavin Engler, AIA, for his two years of service as president and shared her vision for the year, emphasizing the importance of community and engagement:
“I am excited to be in the role of president of AIA Maine and hope to fill the big shoes of those that come before me. I would like to share my story and, ultimately, a soft pitch for AIA Maine as not just a member but as an active participant. I have Jesse Thompson of Kaplan Thompson Architects, previous president of AIA Maine and now FAIA, to thank for inviting me to participate on the Design Committee many, many years back. I would later chair that committee, join the board, sit on the executive committee, and now take on this new role of president.
At the time, I had no idea what being a participant in AIA Maine would mean for my career. There is tremendous value to extending outward beyond one’s own firm, and to connect with the profession of architecture. I believe we are still a profession rooted in apprenticeship, and we are all learning from and being inspired by each other. There is no one way to design a building or to run a practice, and we are often grappling with similar issues. Community and fellowship are the basis of AIA. Sitting on a professional board with firm leaders not only taught me how to have a voice amongst leadership, but also how to become leadership.
AIA Maine is growing, and there are many opportunities for fellowship, advocacy, and leadership. I encourage you to join a committee. Our committees include; Design Committee, COTE, Program Committee, Emerging Professionals, and Legislative Committee. Extending invitations to AIA is not as easy as it once was, so I hope in my presidency, we can find ways to spotlight our newest members and promote engagement. If you know of anyone, or if you yourself would like to take part, let me know.”
Welcoming New Leaders
AIA Maine is excited to welcome Sarah Kayser, AIA of SMRT, and Tyler Barter, AIA of Oak Point Associates, as new board members for 2025. Their expertise and fresh perspectives will contribute significantly to the organization’s mission in the coming year.
2025 Board of Directors
AIA Maine looks forward to a year of growth, collaboration, and engagement under the leadership of the 2025 Board of Directors.
President: Jessie Carroll, AIA of Jessie Carroll Architect
Vice-President: David Matero, AIA of David Matero Architecture
Treasurer: Paul Lewandowski, AIA of Paul Designs Projects
Secretary: Rick Nelson, AIA of Knickerbocker Group
Immediate-Past President: Gavin Engler, AIA of Gavin Engler Architect
Andrew Ashey, AIA of Aamp Studio
Tyler Barter of Oak Point Associates
David Johnson, AIA of s k a a l a, LLC
Tyler Johnson, AIA of WBRC
Sarah Kayser, AIA of SMRT
Phil Kaplan, AIA of Kaplan Thompson Architects
Timothy Lock, AIA of OPAL
Joanna Shaw, AIA of Winkelman Architecture\
Kathryn Wise, AIA of L.L. Bean
