David Southerland comes to AIA Georgia with a strong nonprofit background in transportation, sustainability and community design.  With a passion for AIA Georgia’s mission, as Executive Director he will provide vision and leadership for the association.  His roles will include advocacy, business development, promoting the role of architects in our communities and managing the day-to-day business operation of AIA Georgia. 

“In addition to skills and experience in organization management, public policy and communications, David brings to AIA Georgia a valuable professional network and demonstrated knowledge of issues influencing the built environment,” said AIA Georgia President Mark Levine, AIA.  “Our Executive Director Search Committee worked hard to vet numerous candidates and we couldn’t be happier to have David on board and I am confident the organization will excel with him in this leadership position.”

Southerland, a native Atlantan, holds a degree in Management from Georgia Tech and a graduate degree in Organization Development from Georgia State University.    He spent 12 years as the executive director at the Perimeter Transportation Coalition (PTC), a transportation management association (TMA) in the Perimeter business district involved in issues of smart growth, infrastructure development, site design and pedestrian and bicycle safety.  He is an active member of the City of Dunwoody Sustainability Committee and was a long-time Board Director for the Clean Air Campaign.  

"I couldn't be more excited to work for members of AIA Georgia”, said Southerland.  “Architects are one of the few professions trained to see and leverage how issues, topics, and systems work together.  I hope I can help members utilize their special perspectives to raise the status of the profession, and to bring their skills to bear in improving broader community design and function across the state."