Our AIAPF 2024 Officers and Directors |
Andrea Cabalo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA
President
Andrea Cabalo is a Higher Education Studio Client Leader with SMITHGROUP. She has over 25 years of experience managing programmatically complex buildings on college and university campuses in California and Hawaii. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaii and is currently a licensed architect in the State of California, a LEED AP in Building Design + Construction and a DBIA Designated Design-Build Professional. Andrea has the unique ability to absorb and retain details discussed during project development which ensures the clients’ needs are met, and the design intent is realized in the completed work. Her main strength is team building, which gives her the ability to navigate challenging issues to a successful outcome for all involved. Andrea is currently leading design teams at USC and Caltech in southern California. As a strong advocate for licensure, Andrea is re-energizing the study group committee at SMITHGROUP by focusing on supporting licensure, accreditation, certification, and intern development through mentoring.
Michael McDonald, AIA
Vice President / 2025 President Elect
Michael McDonald is the Director of Architecture for Bureau Veritas Group. Michael brings more than 20 years of diversified experience in architecture and interiors spanning projects from workplace, building repositioning, landlord services, office buildings, government and residential projects. Michael’s approach to design is idea-driven, while complemented by a strong technical background and attention to detail. He sees the design process as a close collaboration with clients, placing their goals and aspirations at the forefront. As a trusted leader, Michael’s commitment to clients has lead to multiple repeat projects. He has been on the AIAPF Board throughout 2023 and been involved with several of our chapter events, programs and projects.
Darci Wong, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Secretary
Jonathan Kelly AIA, LEED AP
Treasurer
Jonathan Kelly, AIA is Licensed Architect in the State of California, a LEED Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, and a Principal at Tyler+Kelly Architecture. Jon has accumulated over 14 years of professional experience in a variety of different project types including commercial, institutional, hospitality, mixed-use, multi-family residential, and single-family residential. Prior to Tyler+Kelly Architecture, Jon worked under the tutelage of two prestigious and celebrated traditional architects: Robert A.M. Stern in New York and Marc Appleton in Santa Monica.
Jessica Orlando, AIA
Director of Programs
Jessica Orlando, as California Higher Education Practice Leader, focuses on delivering a positive and seamless experience for her Higher Education clients across the state and around the world. Jessica is an active member in the Southern California design community, focusing on issues related to equal representation of diverse perspectives in design professions and engaging with future generations of designers, engineers, and contractors. Her work through Architecture for Communities Los Angeles as Chair of the Design by Diversity (DxD) Committee has engaged with more than 200 organizations, education institutions, and companies as well as children of all ages to inspire interest and appreciation for design.
James Spencer, FAIA
Director of Citizen Architect
James Spencer FAIA graduated from USC School of Architecture in 1965. After two years of active duty in the Navy, he began a 13-year career at Neptune & Thomas working mainly under its co-founder, Joseph Thomas FAIA. During his Neptune & Thomas career, he became licensed in 1970 and was primarily a designer developing community college projects such as an entirely new community college in Marin County and a theater at Los Angeles Pierce College. Other projects included one of the largest full-care retirement homes in the state, a middle school, a music building at UCLA, and a theater at Pepperdine University. Leaving Neptune & Thomas in 1980 he founded his own firm that eventually became Spencer/Hoskins associates with a staff of 24 in Altadena. The firm became an expert in the field of community colleges and when sold in 2007 was working with 15 colleges, three of them entirely new campuses.
His work was honored with four AIA PF design awards plus two state-wide preservation awards and two state-wide community college design awards. He became preeminent in the master planning of colleges and universities, having written over 30 master plan documents for campuses throughout the state, including the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center, an AIA PF Award winner. It is for his planning that he was honored in 2019 with Fellowship in the AIA.
Jim served on the AIA PF Board from 1979 through 1985 and chaired our honor awards programs in 1980 and 1986.
Nicholas Barger, AIA
Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy
Nicholas Barger is a licensed architect in California and a Senior Design Manager at Tesla. He holds a BA in History from the University of Washington in Seattle, as well as a Master's Degree in Architecture from SCI-Arc. Nicholas is an advocate for emerging technologies, and the expansion of architectural methodologies into the greater AEC industry. Both his education and professional experience have largely been focused on understanding the complexities inherent in curvature. His commitment to this topic is demonstrated through his work designing substructures for curved buildings across the country. Nicholas also led the design department for a manufacturer where he worked to create a more seamless integration between architects, fabricators, and builders through the development of new machines, software, workflows, and products. Paired with a commitment to a more sustainable future, these interests led him to his current role at Tesla. Nicholas believes that all things difficult are achieved as a team, and is excited to support and mentor the next generation. Some notable projects in the region he has worked on include the (W)rapper, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the Sphere, and the Orange County Museum of Art.
Dora Barrientos, Assoc. AIA.
Director of Membership
Dora Barrientos, attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, receiving a B.A. in Architecture. She worked for the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Street Lighting, Planning Dept. and LA World Airports for ten years before transitioning to the private sector. Dora then specialized in Commercial-Industrial and Tenant Improvements at Cataldo Associates. She returns to the Director of Membership, having served previously in 2017-2018 when she joined AIAPF as an associate member. She continues to be active in chapter events and leading the annual Birdhouse Competition. Dora looks forward to contributing to the upcoming year and once again engaging Chapter Members.
Magdalini Vraila, AIA
Director of Emerging Professionals
Magdalini Vraila is currently working as a Designer with AC Martin, focusing on Higher Education projects. Originally from Greece, she graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2019. She started her professional career at House & Robertson Architects, where she worked on several mixed use, commercial and entertainment projects. As a part of the AOR team, she collaborated with several Design Architects on projects both in California and Texas. Her experience in an executive architecture office allowed her to understand the importance of licensure early on and use her technical skills to inform her designs. As a result, she is passionate about incentivizing young architecture professionals to embark on their licensure path as early as possible. Through the university’s outreach programs, she has repeatedly been a mentor for current USC Architecture students and has attended several Career Days and Portfolio Review days in various California schools. She strongly believes in the power of the architecture community to move the profession forward and is excited to provide the next generation of Architects with the resources they need to succeed.
Kuo-Hung "Henry" Tseng, AIA, NCARB
Director of Communications
A native of Taiwan, Henry is the founder and architect of Seikun Architects, which is named after his dogs. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cal Poly Pomona. After graduation, he spent some time living and working in Tokyo, taking in all the awesome experiences Japan had to offer. It was there, that he fell in love with minimalist design and efficient small spaces, and wanted to bring that back to the US. A firm believer that "Less is More" and "Form follows Function," Henry is fascinated by how buildings affect human behavior and psychology and aims to unite these theories of proxemics with an uniquely Taiwanese aesthetic.
In line with his obsession with efficient small space design, he was on the board of Los Angeles's tiny house advocate group and dreams one day of building a tiny house himself and living in the forest with his dogs.
In his free time, Henry enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hugging his 3 dogs, and being active in the Volvo "brick" community.
Alex Phung, AIA, CDT
Member-at-Large
Project Architect at Perkins&Will with a B.Arch. from California State Polytechnic, Pomona. Phung’s work is focused on the technical coordination of healthcare and commercial projects. Always looking for new opportunities for learning, and being of service to our AIAPF community.
OPEN POSITION AVAILABLE!
Director of Sponsorship
Our board is awesome but could be even more awesome if you joined! You know you want to!
Rachel Adams, AIA
Director at large / Past President
Rachel Adams is Architecture for Education Inc’s (A4E) managing principal and partner. Rachel leads the firm in planning, programming, and implementation to achieve a “student & faculty-focused” solution for her clients. Her passion is to create architecture that enhances and inspires learning. For over 20 years, Rachel’s work encompasses institutional master plans and facilities that outline strategies for change and growth. Under Rachel’s leadership, A4E’s practice has delivered multiple innovative educational environments that support and improve the quality of education. Rachel’s expertise includes District Facility Master Planning, Campus Modernizations, Renovation to New Construction, and Additions. Some of her projects wrapping up construction this year are the Rubidoux HS Concert Hall, La Canada HS Campus Improvements, Fernando Ledesma Gymnasium, and Royal High School Performing Arts. Rachel has committed more than a decade of volunteer leadership for the ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentorship organization. In recognition of her dedication to the community, Rachel was awarded the 2016 ACE Mentorship of the year award.
AIA Service: Vice President, President-Elect, AIA Pasadena and Foothill, 2022; Treasurer, AIA Pasadena and Foothill, 2020 – 2021; AIA Pasadena and Foothill. Member since 2010
Education: Makintosh School of Architecture/Glasgow University, Master of Architecture; Georgia Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science in Architecture