The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) installed Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, of Howell, N.J., as its 2013 president-elect at the organization’s annual awards gala that was held on Jan. 5, 2013 at Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.

With 30 years of experience in the architectural field, Kalafsky is the principal and chief technology officer at The Aztec Corp. and Aztec Architects LLC, an architecture and interior design firm based in Iselin, N.J., specializing in a wide-range of services such as base building, interior architectural design and facility master planning.

Kalafsky is also a registered architect in 28 states and the District of Columbia, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania. He has also served in several other AIA-NJ positions, including second vice president, secretary and chair of the By-Laws and the Codes and Standards committees. 

Kalafsky earned a bachelor’s of architecture degree from the New York Institute of Technology, at its campus in Old Westbury, N.Y., having also studied architecture at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y.

“My new role is about influencing New Jersey residents about why architects are vital for our economy, for our state’s infrastructure and for the good of everyone,” Kalafsky said. “The president-elect position will be a platform for helping our state plan well for the future.” 

In addition to his role as an architect, Kalafsky is active with the Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America, where he currently serves as president and has served as council president. 

Other AIA-NJ 2013 officers that were installed at the event were Jack Purvis, AIA, of Howell, N.J., who was installed as president; Kimberly Bunn, AIA, of Moorestown, N.J., who was installed as first vice president; Justin Mihalik, AIA, of Montclair, N.J., who was installed as second vice president; Laurence E. Parisi, AIA, of Fort Lee, N.J., who was installed as past president; Ben P. Lee, AIA, of Wayne, N.J., who was installed as treasurer; and Jason R. Peist, Assoc. AIA, of Nutley, N.J., who was installed as regional associate director.

Jerome Leslie Eben, AIA, of West Orange, N.J., began his third and final year in the position of regional director, while Verity Frizzell, AIA, resumed her position as secretary for a second, final year.

AIA helps architects serve the public's needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization was created in 1857. Today, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and nearly 300 local chapters, the organization represents 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals.

AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the statewide chapter of the national AIA. The chapter was formed in 1900, uniting the architects of the state by merging the AIA Chapter with the New Jersey Society of Architects. The AIA-NJ chapter has six local sections, which include Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Central Jersey, Newark and Suburban, Jersey Shore, South Jersey and West Jersey. Each section is independent and runs local events and programs for its members.

About AIA and AIA New Jersey

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150^th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the local chapter of AIA. In 2000, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.