AIA Asheville Leadership

Roll over a photo below to learn more about each AIA leader

Thad Rhoden President Thad is a South Carolina native that moved to Asheville after completing his Bachelor of Architecture and his Master of Architecture at Clemson University. He has spent the last 6 years with Architectural Design Studio. Thad helped pioneer the Young Architects Forum of AIA Asheville serving as the director for 4 years before accepting the role of president-elect in 2010. Something you may not know about Thad is he is a BBQ fanatic and you can find him most weekends in the backyard smoking a variety of meats.
Mark Allison President-Elect Mark Allison is the principal of Mark Allison, Architect, PLLC. He grew up in Asheville and left in 1986 to attend UNC-Charlotte’s College of Architecture. During that time he had the opportunity to study in Copenhagen for a semester where he developed an appreciation of the simplicity of Danish design. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in New York. His firm was founded in Asheville in 2008 following professional affiliations with award winning architecture firms in Asheville and Atlanta. As a LEED Accredited Professional, he brings his concern for the environment to each of his office’s projects with a goal to balance ecology, economy, and luxury. Mark is a Toastmasters c.c., and is an appointee to Asheville’s River District Design Review Committee. He enjoys parenting, skiing, and traveling to new places.
Stuart Smith Treasurer Stuart earned his Bachelor of Architecture at Kent State University in Ohio and has studied in Florence, Italy and Vico Morcote, Switzerland. After 14 years in Colorado, Stuart and his family moved to Asheville to be closer to family and settle down in The Smokey Mountains. He is now serving as the architectural coordinator for the Earth Fare brand of healthy grocery stores headquartered in Fletcher. Outside of the office Stuart enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter Neva, as well as billiards, chess, movies, camping with friends and a good lawn game. Continually wanting to learn new things Stuart enjoys taking classes in photography, watercolor painting, stone carving and welding.
Mark Lusk Secretary Mark Lusk is the director of the Asheville office of Watson Tate Savory Liollio Architecture and has practiced architecture for over 30 years He moved to the Asheville area in 1983, and except for three years, has made the mountains his home. In 2005, he moved back to Charleston, where he grew up, and joined Liollio Architecture. While in Charleston, he served as a founding member on the local AIA Building Enclosure Council Board. Mark and his wife of ten years moved back to the mountains in 2009 after being asked to help open the Asheville branch of Liollio – now Watson Tate Savory Liollio. Mark attended Clemson University and is licensed in North and South Carolina. He has three children, three step-children.
Eugene Britton Past President A year after graduating from Asheville High, Eugene left for NCSU where he received his BEDA degree. Seeking brighter lights, he settled in Atlanta, where he eventually married Susan and helped to raise their son Duncan. After many years in private practice and having acquired his MArch degree from UT, they decided to pull up stakes in 2007 and headed to the mountains where Eugene was fortunate to find employment with Fisher Architects, PA. As incoming AIA Asheville president, John encouraged Eugene to assist as program committee chair which ultimately led to the privilege of serving as section president in 2011. While enjoying the region's remarkable beauty, Eugene attempts to photograph derelict industrial sites and continues his search for Asheville memorabilia.
Myles Alexander YAF Director Myles is the founding principal of Alexander Design Studio, a firm that focuses on designing both fiscally and environmentally responsible architecture for public and private clients. Growing up in rural Six Mile, SC, Myles learned the skills of welding, fabrication, design and construction from his father who owned a structural steel erection company; even taking over the operations of the family business during his summer breaks. Myles received his Bachelor of Science in Design in 2001 and his Master of Architecture in 2005 from Clemson University, moving to Asheville with his family shortly after.
Amy Conner-Murphy At-large Director Amy Conner-Murphy is principal of ACM Design PA, founded nearly a decade ago with focus on custom residential projects. The firm’s integrative approach interlaces the disciplines of architecture, interiors and landscape design to offer clients the full experience of creating home environments. Amy was educated at Auburn University, receiving a Bachelor of Architecture in 1990. Upon graduation, her architectural career began in Charlotte, NC, with a notable firm focused on corporate and commercial architecture. Her experience was expanded while serving with Charlotte, NC and Dallas, TX based firms working on projects all over the Southeast. She has been a licensed architect since 1994. After a brief hiatus to stay home with young daughters, she re-engaged in architecture when she founded ACM Design PA in Asheville, NC. She lives in Arden with husband, Stephen Murphy, and daughters, Rebecca and Julia.
Nicole Szlatenyi Associate Director Nicole Szlatenyi is an intern architect. She recently attained LEED™ accredited professional certification and is working hard towards obtaining her NC architectural license. Nicole received her Masters of Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2007 and prior to that earned her BFA in Interior Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Nicole enjoys living in West Asheville, fixing up her 1920’s bungalow, and spending time in the garden with her dog Riva.
Maggie-Carnevale At-large Director Originally from Charleston, SC Maggie came to Asheville as an intern architect after graduating from Clemson University in 1998. Lured by the unfamiliar mountains, great music scene, and kind people, Asheville became home. She spent three years at Padgett and Freeman Architects before leaving temporarily to attend graduate school for architecture at the University of Arizona with a strong focus on sustainable design. She returned to Asheville and the firm in 2004 to continue her career as a green designer. In 2007, Maggie became a registered architect and in 2009, was elected to partnership in the firm. Also in early 2009, she became a mother. When she has free time, she enjoys cycling, hiking, and playing with her 2-1/2 year old daughter.
Terry Meek Programs Terry Meek is the principal of EDWIN TERREL MEEK / ARCHITECT, a small full-service architectural firm originally founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1974. Terry views the practice of architecture as a calling, and membership in the American Institute of Architects as a professional privilege and responsibility. He originally became a member of the AIA in 1973, and began service on the Executive Committee of the Asheville Section as Secretary in 2008. Continuing his leadership in the Asheville Section, he was President Elect in 2009 and President in 2010. He also served on the Board of Directors for AIA North Carolina from 2009 – 2010. He currently serves as Chair of the River District Design Review Committee for the City of Asheville, a commission member on the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission, and participates in an advisory capacity for the Wilma Dykeman Riverway – River Arts District Transportation Study Advisory Committee. He is also active in his community and is a member of the Board for the Kenilworth Residents Association, serving as President.
Jackie Schauer Membership Jacquelyn Schauer Architect, PA is a small Asheville firm that has focused on addition and renovation projects since 1982. Jackie earned a Master of Architecture and Master of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis in 1975. Jackie has played a leadership role in AIA Asheville for many years, including seven years as an officer or director and two years as membership chair. She has also represented AIA Asheville on the Asheville-Buncombe Minority Business Commission from 2000 to 2003, serving one year as its Vice-Chairman. During her term as section president in 2006, AIA Asheville received an AIA150 grant to fund a community re-design of the I-26 connector. The following year, she helped establish the Asheville Design Center as an independent non-profit and served as Co–chair of its first Board of Directors. Jackie has two grown daughters and spends every spare moment she can outdoors growing vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers and hops in her cottage garden.
Brian Cook CE Brian T.H Cook, AIA is a licensed architect at Glazer Architecture and is NCARB certified. He received a Master of Architecture degree from Clemson University and Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. Brian has over 12 years' experience working in the architectural field on residential, commercial, and historic preservation projects. He worked in Cincinnati, OH and in Charleston, SC prior to relocating to Asheville in 2005. He currently serves on the Historic Resources Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County. Brian enjoys hiking with his wife and two kids and attempting to restore his 1965 Vespa scooter.
Mary Fierle Executive Director Mary Fierle serves as Section Assistant to AIA Asheville. A former Business Development Coordinator for the City of Asheville’s Downtown Development office, Mary also worked as staff coordinator for the City’s Urban Trail program. Prior to moving to Asheville in 1993, she was Public Relations Manager for the Historic Savannah Foundation in Georgia. She has worked in public relations for nearly 20 years, and has held positions with Marriott Corporation, Carnival Cruise Lines, the 1982 World’s Fair and the Atlanta Braves. She has a BS degree in Public Relations from Georgia Southern University. Mary lives in Asheville with her husband, Tim, an architect and AIA member with Buncombe County School System, and their two young children.