The Honorable Stephen T. Ayers ‘85, FAIA, LEED AP has been appointed interim executive vice president and CEO of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). An accomplished architect and administrator with decades of leadership in public service, Ayers will assume the role in February following the departure of current EVP/CEO Lakisha Woods.
“Stephen has established a distinguished career as a leader and steward of our built environment,” said Dawn Jourdan, Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. “His dedication to conceiving and preserving great spaces in service to the public good make him uniquely positioned for this role with the AIA.”
With over 30 years in service to some of the nation’s most epochal spaces, Ayers’ expertise in managing complex, large-scale projects has made him a sought-after voice in the design and construction industry. As the 11th Architect of the Capitol, where he oversaw the preservation and maintenance of the U.S. Capitol complex from 2007 to 2018, he led the intricate restoration of the Capitol Dome and was the first architect certified as an accredited LEED professional. He served as interim CEO for the National Institute of Building Sciences from 2022 to 2024. Ayers has consulted on facilities assessments and renewal and modernization projects for numerous clients, from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada to the Smithsonian Institution.
Ayers is the recipient of the Carroll H. Dunn Award of Excellence, the AIA Thomas Jefferson Award and the Donald B. Myer, FAIA Public Service Award for his contributions to the built environment in Washington, D.C. He has been part of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation’s Board of Visitors since 2013.