Please help us congratulate our esteemed colleague, Richard Wilson. for winning the LAI International Member of the Year Award, an award presented annually to the member most epitomizing dedication to the work and ethos of the Society.
Richard has been an active and passionate member of the Ely Chapter since 2006. He joined the board in 2018 rising to the presidency in 2020. Richard was the Chapter’s first 2-year term leader. He did an incredible job keeping the chapter vibrant and financially stable during the toughest years of the pandemic. One member described it beautifully, “Richard put all of us on his back and got us through Covid together.”
Richard’s presidential term was not just about the good health of the chapter, it was characterized by a genuine attention to our core values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). He did not shy away from honest discussions about our chapter demographics and our industries’ responsibility to society. He handled tough conversations with his natural and sincere disposition and with great personal integrity.
Richard has also been instrumental in increasing our corporate sponsorship levels, which has allowed us to keep the membership dues and event ticket prices stable despite the rapidly increasing venue costs. He also initiated a new annual event of convening the past presidents at a reception where the current board present their initiatives and seek input. This event is a highlight for many and the camaraderie and continuity it instills is so important for preserving community.
More recently, Richard has brought his hard work and great ideas to the LAI International level serving as International Secretary and playing an integral role in the development and execution of the 2023-27 Strategic Plan. Having chaired the Vision, Mission, Principles and Goals Committee, he garnered valuable insights from a wide representation of the honorary society about the opportunities and challenges facing LAI as it steers toward its 100-year anniversary.
Most impressively, Richard has performed all this amazing work for LAI whilst serving in the Senior Leadership Team at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill. His impressive career spans 30 years of global design and construction experience throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe, India and the Middle East.
Congratulations, Richard, on your well-deserved and honorable award.